I grew up in the Lutheran Church where we followed the liturgical year. My father, who was the pastor, wore vestments (a simple white robe) and a stole (a kind-of super-long scarf). As the seasons of the church calendar changed, the colour of the stole (and other liturgical coverings) changed too. Purple for Advent, white for Christmas, green for Epiphany, purple again for Lent, white for Easter, red for Pentecost, and green for ordinary time. Growing up it was just a thing that happened - I don’t ever remember it being explained to me - but looking back I have become more convinced of its value in our lives as followers of Jesus. 
Observing the liturgical calendar is a reminder that our lives do not primarily revolve around financial quarters, school terms, or seasons, but around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a valuable perspective!
Beginning this week we will be observing the season of Easter, sometimes referred to as “Eastertide”. It is a period of time when Christians focus on the resurrection life. Joy, light, transformation, celebration, and thanksgiving form the themes. Our sermon series will be focused on these themes (and more!) and we will be following the lectionary readings (A three-year cycle of readings that are used in many mainline denominations. There are four readings each week - usually one from the gospels, one from the epistles, one from the psalms, and one from the rest of the Old Testament). I’m looking forward to exploring the themes of the Resurrected Life as we continue to work out our salvation together.
See you Sunday!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Weekend: 

 New 5PM service time trial starts !!

Coming Up:

18th April: Young Adults Bowling Night 6pm

This is the last progress report as work is winding up this month.

Thanks to Sullivans, the builder and the GBC renovations team the work is ahead of schedule and under budget. Any remaining contingent funding will be used to undertake small jobs or practical needs.

In May, we would appreciate volunteers to help move furniture back into the new spaces, restocking storage, hanging wall items and sorting excess furniture/stores for disposal.  Watch for a call out for volunteer help!

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?  

- You might be seeing a few shaved heads and hair cuts around GBC as the Jones Family have participated in Worlds Greatest Shave under the name of Team Jones. Several weeks ago Jarrod Jones was diagnosed with Lymphoma and is currently undergoing treatment for this.  Please be praying for Jarrod and also encourage the rest of the Jones family with their newly shaved/cut hairdos! If you want to donate you click [HERE] 

- Church family members Luke Nottage & Hisae Kobayashi have temporarily moved to Hisae's native Japan for Luke's work. Although we are saying 'sayonara' for now, we look forward to an update from them soon and to see them when they return to Australia in several months. 

- Please keep in your prayers those people & families who are unwell or recovering from illness or injury, including these folks.

• Karen Watkins
• Brendan Drury
• Lucas Berg
• Jarrod Jones
• Others who are known to you

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