This Sunday is known as Palm Sunday - the Sunday before Easter when Jesus entered Jerusalem as king. This year we are focusing on Matthew’s account of the events of our Lord’s passion. Almost a quarter of Matthew’s entire gospel is concerned with the final week of Jesus’ ministry. This is in-line with the other gospels who have a similar focus.  This is more than a subset of a wider narrative. In the pericopes between the triumphant entry and the resurrection we learn something about the kind of king Jesus is, the character of the kingdom he rules, and the expectations of those who will enter it. Along the way we also learn the kinds of values, priorities, and behaviours that are not compatible with the kingdom and that will be rejected - cast out where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth.” There is great hope in these texts alongside a clear warning. As we come to Easter once again we have an opportunity to allow these stories strengthen our hope and confront our assumptions. Let me encourage you not to go through the motions - all too easy to do at the end of a busy term - but to make time to carefully reflect on these passages of Scripture and the comfort and challenges they hold for us as we seek to follow after our king!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Weekend:

Join us for church this Sunday as we start our Easter series Eastertide

Annual General Meeting 2 at 11:30pm (sausage sizzle before!)

HopeDrive 1:30pm-3:30pm

Coming Up:

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9) This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, as we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem—welcomed with palm branches, praised as King, yet moving steadily toward the cross. It is a moment filled with both celebration and sobering reality.

The crowds cried “Hosanna,” longing for deliverance. Yet many expected a different kind of king—one who would conquer politically rather than spiritually. Within days, the same voices would fall silent or turn away. Palm Sunday reminds us how easy it is to honour Christ in moments of enthusiasm, yet struggle to follow Him in the way of humility, sacrifice, and obedience.

For us as a church, this day invites reflection. Do we welcome Jesus only on our terms, or do we receive Him as He truly is—the Servant King who calls us to take up our cross? True discipleship is not seasonal or selective; it is a daily commitment to walk in His footsteps.

May our “Hosanna” not be fleeting, but faithful—grounded in a life that honours Him not only in word, but in action.

Derek Mullins | Elder

This week, the main points of interest were:

• That the Baptist Property Trust payments to the builder have commenced with a first large instalment underway,
• Tiling is very near completed in the wet areas on the ground floor,
• The first floor is almost complete.
• Floor coverings have been measured up and GBC wait on the quotes,
• The current preschool will use the existing entry this week again.

Next week :

• The storage cupboard in the current preschool should be erected where the old door and steps are located.
• Electrical, carpentry, tiling, fit out of the ground floor kitchenette and toilet, painting and floor patching/levelling will continue.

Builders practical completion will signal the beginning of the GBC works for floor coverings, safety signage and occupation certificate. Volunteers will help with erecting storage units and a multitude of minor outfit work.

Annual General Meeting Two
This Sunday, March 29th at 11:30am. 

Our Catalyst team will have a table set up each Sunday until Easter to help you learn how to choose better chocolate. Let’s be others-focused, big-hearted, and on-purpose in the way we consume this Easter! Visit our Linktree to find the links to the Chocolate Scorecard and learn how to choose slavery-free chocolate.

GBC will be hosting an Alpha course, commencing on 17th May. Alpha is a great opportunity to explore faith for yourself or with a friend or relative who might be interested in asking some questions.

My invitation to you today is to start wondering… do you have questions about faith you’d like to explore, or is there someone in your world that might?  

Thank you for your support over the last few weeks in particular with the Lebanon Disaster Appeal. Here is a summary update, provided by Baptist World Aid.

800,000 people are currently displaced in Southern Beirut according to the Lebanese government. Displaced people have been seeking shelter wherever they can find it. Some have gone to schools or have rented hotel rooms or apartments. But there are still many others who have been unable to find a place to go.

Baptist World Aid’s local Baptist partner, in connection with local churches across Lebanon, are actively responding to the needs of people affected by the war. As of now, they are supporting 5,000 individuals and are preparing to increase our support to more people if the conflict continues. Our partner is distributing mattresses, blankets, winter clothing, milk, and other essential items through local partners. Meanwhile, Baptist churches, schools, and theological colleges run by our Christian partner are helping provide safe accommodation and daily meals to families who have fled their homes.

We are asking that our partners and friends pray for wisdom for leaders in Lebanon, the Middle East, and the world. We thank you for your ongoing support.

To see more, watch this video uploaded by Merath to their Facebook page this week.

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