As I reflected on last week, Gymea Baptist Church has continually demonstrated a generous spirit in responding to the needs around us. And this Big-Hearted response is not simple philanthropy, but a theological one related to what we believe about God’s plans for the renewal of the world and the part we are invited to play. Ultimately, we practice generosity out of a love for God that calls us to love those around us with open hands and hearts. This is not a duty-bound, mechanical participation but one grounded in our understanding of what is true and reflective of a changed character that trusts in God’s provision and sees our highest calling in seeing His purposes come to pass. This is a grand and challenging call, but one that is essential to our spiritual journey.

This past week I have asked our community of faith to prayerfully and thoughtfully consider what that call looks like in relation to our Ministry Budget. If you missed what I shared on Sunday about the Ministry Budget, you can watch it here: [LINK] and if you'd like more information, please contact the church office. I am confident that we will respond to this need as we respond to others including the work of Hopefield or our May Mission Month projects.

And I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we continue to look at the Origin Story that explains the work of God in the world that we are invited to participate with!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Sunday

9:30am & 6pm Service: We’re in week three of our series Origin Story: God’s Story, Our Story. Marc Rader will be preaching on Genesis 3:1-8

Stick around after the 9:30am service for coffee and tea, and/or join us for dinner after the 6pm service!

Upcoming 

17th August: Survey Sunday + Volunteer Halftime (11:30am-1pm)

31st August: Adam Stewart's Induction Service + Soundings (11:30am-1pm)

As some of you know, I have spent the last few months driving across to WA and returning via the Flinders Ranges, mostly on my own. Richard Foster in ‘Celebration of Discipline’ writes “Solitude is more a state of mind and heart than it is a place.” It is quite possible to be a desert hermit and never experience solitude.

But if we possess inward solitude, we do not fear being alone, for we know that we are not alone. Neither do we fear being with others, for they do not control us. Inward solitude has outward manifestations. There is the freedom to be alone, not in order to be away from people but in order to hear the divine whisper better.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “Let him who cannot be alone beware of community … Let him who is not in community beware of being alone’…. Each by itself has profound pitfalls and perils. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation, and despair.

Therefore, we must seek out the recreating stillness of solitude if we want to be with others meaningfully. We must seek the fellowship and accountability of others if we want to be alone safely. We must cultivate both if we are to live in obedience.”

Dear Father in heaven, may we draw near to listen to you. May we receive the inner silence, to be immersed in your silence. Draw us away from every distraction so that we can see and hear you more clearly. Free us up to love you more and know compassion for others. May we find your joy as we rest in you. Amen

Greg Williams | Elder 

Soundings 2025 is coming up. This year’s theme is Spiritual Journey, we’ll be gathering on Sunday 31st August, after the AM service, from 11:30am to 1:00pm.

Join us for a time of listening, sharing, and reflecting in small focus groups. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard as we seek God’s direction together. We would love love love to hear from you!

The event is free, we just need to know if you're coming.
Click the link below to RSVP!

All Women are invited to the Embrace Morning Tea!
Join us on Wednesday, 20th August from 10:00am to 11:30am at The Pan & Stone Café, 29 Marshall Rd, Kirrawee.
Come along for a relaxed morning to catch up with friends or meet others from GBC—feel free to bring a friend too!

To RSVP, see Janine at the tall table after the Sunday service or contact her on 0405 629 790.

All men are invited to join for the next Men’s Lunch at Donald Robinson Village (DRV), Wednesday 27th August meeting at 12:15pm for a 12:30pm start.

The Guest speaker this month is Mr Pat Furci, a local builder and developer, who will share about his family, his work, and his passion for helping men.

The cost is $20, which includes a light lunch. Please note the new booking process: all bookings are now to be made directly with the DRV Café by calling 8543 7273 (between 9am and 2pm) by Tuesday 19th August.

Payment can be made by credit card when booking, or in cash on the day.

For any enquiries, contact Ian Scarfe on 0439 914 957.

You're invited to a evening on Wednesday, August 13 from 7–9pm to connect with our incredible scripture teachers, Joanne Smyth and Aaron Smith. Come along to hear their stories and enjoy supper together. 

Entry Donation: $20 Adults, $10 Students, $35 Families (cash only) 

The evening will be held at Soul Revival Hall, 40a Flora Street, Kirrawee.

God bless, Sue McCubben

We are looking for someone to fill a fixed-term or casual role as an administration assistant which will include reception and other administration support here at GBC. This role seeks to assist the staff team while Karen Watkins continues to recover from brain surgery to remove a benign cyst in May.

* Please continue to pray for the Drury family and for Karen Watkins as they each recover from major neurosurgery.

* While we don’t know of any other specific updates, we encourage you to pray for all those in our church family who may be unwell, weary, injured, or struggling in any way. 

If you have something for Family News, contact office@gymeabaptist.org.au or call on 9521 4611. 

You are invited to join us for a short but effective time of “zoom” prayer Thursday at 7:30pm. A 30 minute guided prayer led by one of our wonderful GBC Elders. You can join in using this link JOIN PRAYER ZOOM or using the Meeting ID: 919 1693 5880 Passcode: f603j2. We look forward to spending this time together in prayer.