As many of you are no doubt aware, I am part of the Bible & Theology faculty at Morling College, the Baptist Theological College of NSW & ACT (with campuses in Perth and Brisbane). I count it a great privilege to play a small part in preparing men and women for ministry wherever the Lord sends them. Over the years I have had opportunities to teach units in Church History, Theology, New Testament, Old Testament, and Preaching. Next week I will be emceeing the Morling Preaching Conference - Preaching Hebrews - with our special guest David deSilva. David is a highly esteemed New Testament scholar whose extensive publications are highly influential. His Introduction to the New Testament has been the standard text at Morling College for many years. When we preached through Hebrews a number of years ago, I found his commentary extremely helpful. 
The conference is on Monday and then, from Tuesday to Thursday, I will be co-teaching a preaching unit with David (which isn’t intimidating at all!). What this means, in practice, is that he will be taking participants on a deep dive into Hebrews and I’ll be leading brief reflections on related homiletic topics (Homiletics being the study of preaching). It’s an exciting opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars and I am particularly grateful that Gymea Baptist Church has been so willing to allow me to continue to split my time with the college - it’s a relatively unique experience. So, thank you!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor 

This Weekend:

Coming up:

2 August | State Youth Camp early-bird registration closes 

Matthew 12.   Jesus heals on the Sabbath

The Pharisees reacted with intense hostility and legalistic outrage to Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, viewing it as a direct violation of God’s law. Because they defined healing as unauthorized work, they actively plotted to discredit, persecute, and eventually destroy Him. 

Jesus defended healing on the Sabbath by exposing the Pharisees hypocrisy and highlights Gods desire for mercy. He argued that saving life and doing good align with the Sabbath, that human beings hold more value than animals, and declared His divine authority over the Sabbath itself. 

The modern-day Sabbath is a practice of intentional rest, stopping, and spiritual reflection which involves disconnecting from work, technology, and commercialism to prioritise relationships, nature, and well-being.

This habit is a personal challenge that comes from within.

Barb Higgins | Elder

​Gymea Baptist Church has been faithfully supporting parters in Lebanon for many years through Baptist World Aid Australia. These contributions have had invaluable life changing impact on communities throughout the Middle East and the world. Take a read of the attached document to see more of the quantum of support dating back from 2018 until now. 

 Let's be big-hearted, others-focused during this time of need in our community. HopeDrive is happening this Sunday from 1:30–3:30 pm. You can drop off non-perishable food donations in the tubs located in the church foyer before or after either Sunday service.

You can also donate to HopeDrive financially [HERE]

GBC YOUTH are heading to State Youth Camp again this year! 

Friday 25 Sept – Monday 28 Sept at Wyong Christian Community School

Early bird registration closes 2nd August, so don't wait, register online now via the link in our bio (linktree)! 

All volunteers are invited to Volunteer Half-time on Sunday 26th July from 11:30am-1:00pm 

Come and meet together as part of the GBC Serve volunteer team to be:

1.  Inspired to continue to partner with God at GBC for 2026 "Working Out Our Salvation Together"

2.  Updated on our Safe Church Policies and Procedures and how this impacts you as the volunteer.

3.  Invest in your ministry skills

Morning tea will be provided! 

Congratulations to Philip and Kate Hayes, who will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on July 29! 

Greetings from Ron and Annette Clarke:
Some of you may have wondered why you haven’t seen us at church in the last little while. We are certainly still around!
A couple of years ago, we moved to Woolooware Shores, an independent living facility at Taren Point; a project of Anglicare. We didn’t expect to be worshipping anywhere other than our beloved GBC,  but as circumstances would have it, we have found ourselves so involved, that ‘church life’ here at Woolooware Shores, is almost as busy as ‘church life’ ever was! The Woolooware Shores Chapel ministry meets for both a morning and afternoon service each Sunday. The Chapel Ministry comes under the umbrella of St Phill’s at Caringbah. We are on a number of committees and are enthusiastically involved in a number of outreach activities; some of which are activities that we have brought from GBC. Our first ‘Men’s Breakfast’ will take place in a week or two, an idea which we saw work so effectively at Gymea. We have loved viewing a number of segments from the ‘Faith Runs Deep’ series which Karl and Jane have developed. Next year, we are hoping to run some of the ‘Encounter’ series. We are running children’s activities in the school holidays for the grandparents and their grandchildren and we seek out opportunities to deliver meals to those who are needing them. These are all things that GBC taught us to do! So please know at Gymea is our ‘spiritual home’ and we are greatly indebted to all of you who have influenced us in our journey of faith, and that our of kids, Nadine and Leana, and their families. We are just ‘on leave’ but there are so many opportunities to share Jesus that we just feel we need to worship here, at least for now. We continue to support Hopefield and MMM! Last week I (Annette) caught up with my Kids Hope girl. She is now in Year 8 and we still meet up. The family loves our association.  Bless you all - we love GBC!
Annette and Ron

Have something to celebrate, share, or pray about? Whether it's a graduation, engagement, wedding, new baby, new job, house move, health concern, or praise point, we'd love to hear from you. Contact the church office at office@gymeabaptist.org.au or 9521 4611 so we can share in these moments as a church family.

Wednesday 29th July at Donald Robinson Village (DRV), meeting at 12-15 for a 12-30 start. All men are invited to attend.
 
Guest Speaker this month will be Rev Andrew Hartman who is an Assistant Minister at Menai Anglican Church.
 
Cost for lunch is $20-00.  Please book with the DRV Café on 8543 7273 by Thursday 23rd July. Payment can be made to the Café anytime up to 29th July. For any enquiries please contact Ian Scarfe on 0439 914 957.

Sutherland Board of Christian Education

You are invited on Thursday, 24 September at 7:00 pm for a fun Trivia Night in support of our Scripture teachers, Aaron and Joanne.

Gather your friends and make up a table for an entertaining evening hosted by Scott at Gymea Anglican Church Hall.

Cost: $10 per person

There will also be an auction on the night, with all proceeds helping to support the ministry.