This week, in a world first, Australia limited social media access to those under 16. Earlier this year I preached a sermon reflecting on Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation whose conclusions were foundational to the legislation and, based on what I read, I am in full agreement with it. My support of this legislation is, however, a little theoretical. I don’t have to explain to my girls - who are all adults now - why this is a good thing. Nor do I have to navigate the loopholes and other subversions. Therefore, I have been thinking quite a bit about how I can support those parents who are up right up against it! Maybe you’re the same.
So, for what it’s worth here are two things I think we can do. First, if you know a parent with teenagers, ask them how it’s going, encourage them to persevere, and commit to pray for them and their family. 
Second, limit your own social media use. This is one way to demonstrate solidarity with teenagers and to model a healthy engagement with it. Remember that this is a decision that has been made with the health of our youth in mind. Social media may have some benefits at a personal level, but at a community level it’s a much more mixed bag. Healthy behaviours are important for all of us.
To all of you who have a bit of a tough week working through this issue in real time - hang in there. It is a good thing we - and you - are doing!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Sunday:

Join online or onsite at 9:30AM and stick around after the service for tea and coffee!

Join at 6PM and stay for dinner afterwards!

Save The Date:

19th, 20th, 21st December: Festival of Christmas 

As a way of preparing for the Christmas season, I like to read the story around Jesus’ birth. (Only found in Gospels of Matthew and Luke.) Though it’s such a familiar story, there is always something that affects me each time. Mary was told by an angel that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. How amazing! It must have been so scary, especially as she was still a young girl, unwed (what would people think?!) and why her? She must have had so many questions. But the bit that stood out to me in this part of the story was that the angel told her that her elderly relative Elizabeth was also with child. So Mary goes to visit her and stays for 3 months. She not only gets to avoid village whispers, but gets to share the new experience of pregnancy with someone she knows and trusts and who also confirms her faith in what God is doing through her, saying "the baby inside me leapt when it heard your voice Mary…blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished”.

We all need a close friend or family member to have by our side as we follow God and be part of His mission to redeem the world. Even 4 of the disciples were brothers. Jesus knows we need help and support to follow Him. We don’t have to do it by ourselves.
I hope you have someone in your life who can support you as a Christian - someone to pray with and encourage you in your faith. If not, be a part of a Life group. You might even consider looking out for people who need a Christian friend.

Sonia Beresford | Elder 

Our Festival of Christmas is starts in 14 days!!!  We need your help. GBC wants to throw the doors open and invite our community to come and experience the true meaning of Christmas in a non-threatening way.  We are only able to provide this opportunity with the help of the GBC family.

Follow this link to sign up to help: https://legacy.signup.zone/gbc-christmasfestival25

Festival of Christmas - 19, 20, 21 December - Sign Up NOW!

We need over 50 volunteers each night to bless our community.  Sign up and claim your role now!

Please ensure that your details are up to date in GBC Links as an email will be sent the week of the event to confirm your role and provide you with any further information.

The easy way to get people involved - create custom signup sheets, rosters, and rotas for free. Used by schools, fairs, businesses, sports, carers and charities. Great for organising volunteers.

GBC mourns the passing of former long-time member Anthony (Tony) Lockie, who passed away this week in Queensland.  Tony was a member of GBC in the 1960s and is fondly remembered by many of our older members. Tony was 84 years old, and is survived by his wife, Elizabeth. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants" Psalm 116:15

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

You’re invited to join us this Thursday at 7:30pm - 8:00pm for a short but meaningful time of prayer on Zoom. This will be our final Zoom Prayer meeting for the year, 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 praying together.

Zoom Prayer will resume on Thursday 5 February 2026.

Last Wednesday was the Men’s Connect Christmas lunch. Men from our community and from GBC came together to share a meal and build relationships. A huge thank you to More Than Meats at Kirrawee, who generously donated a large part of the meal, we are so blessed by their support!