Since 1885 NSW has observed the first Monday of October as Labour Day. It is a day commemorating the establishment of the eight hour work day thirty years earlier. As Christians, we believe in the dignity of human work as a vocation grounded in creation itself. Put simply, God created us to work. There is something dignified and divine in our labour. Like every human endeavour, sin has twisted our labour and it is now filled with frustration, meaninglessness, and exploitation. I don’t know if there was an eight hour work day in Eden, but there wasn’t exploitation and there is something redemptive about restricting working hours. Work is a gift from God but it does not define us! On this Labour Day long weekend, let us give thanks for the protections that we have and the ways in which they reflect the much larger restoration that God intends in all vocation!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor 

This Sunday:

We'd love to see you onsite or online for our 9:30am service for the second week in our three week sermon series a Great Cloud of Witnesses, followed by tea and coffee. And/or, join us at our 5:00pm and stay for soup afterwards!

Reminder: Daylight Saving starts this Sunday! Clocks go forward one hour at 2:00am on Sunday morning.

Coming up: 

8 Oct: Women's Dinner

10 Oct: YA Dinner 

17 Oct: Fair Trade Market 

18 Oct: Baptism Sunday 

25 Oct: Hopedrive

The Grices are currently sitting at Rainbow Beach, on holidays up in QLD. We have been blessed to be on a family adventure trip to K’Gari (Fraser Island). Along with three other families we explored the wonders of Gods creation and enjoyed the refreshment of being amongst new and old friends, all one family in Christ. Throughout the week we used this passage in Deuteronomy as a foundation for our intentions.

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.”
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Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We wanted to take the time throughout the trip to discuss faith with our children. Driving along never ending sandy beaches, we read scriptures and asked questions. Swimming in fresh water lakes we were thankful for his creation.

When we gathered for communal meals we gave thanks, not just for the food and for the special things we had seen, but for the things Jesus has taught us and done for us. At the end of the days as we sat around the campfire, the kids and adults openly shared their reflections and faith journeys.

As I reflect on the week, I am so encouraged as to how the family responded.  Im spurred on to keep these practices on track as we move back into ‘regular’ life.  I’m conscious that not all weeks look this good, but know that as we seek to remember the way he directs us to live, we get to best enjoy the life he has given us. Loving the lord our God.

Lincoln Grice | Elder

After a long illness Janet Bradley has passed into the presence of the Lord. Janet remained connected with GBC through visits from our Elders, as she was not able to attend in person. Fondly remembered.
Funeral details are: Tuesday 6 October at 12 noon at Olsen's Chapel, Sutherland.

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.

September is officially over, which means we’ve wrapped up our Hopefield Focus Month!

But it’s not too late to donate!

We’re raising $40,000 to fund a clinical counsellor two days a week, providing professional support for people in our community impacted by trauma and domestic violence.

Your generosity helps extend the love of Christ in a tangible way. Every donation is a step towards healing, restoration and renewed hope.

Donate below and help us reach our goal!

We have been running our Fair Trade Market since 2012, and it is always a wonderful day celebrating and supporting ethical, fair-trade and sustainable products from around the world! Our amazing volunteers play a huge part in making the market possible.

Volunteer roles:

Set up 7:00am-9:00am Helping traders unload their wares and setting up BBQ.
Welcome  9:00am-2:00pm Welcoming people at the door, mingling around coffee and throughout the fair.
BBQ 10:00am-2:00pm Cooking serving and selling drinks
Cake Stall  9:00am-2:00pm Selling cakes. Proceeds go toward printing the next Ethical Fashion Guide
Children's Activities 9:00am-2:00pm (For over 18 year olds, Creating Safe Spaces Course and Working with Children Check is needed) Supervising jumping castle and craft.
Pack up 2:30pm-4:00pm Helping traders move their goods and displays out then tidying up the hall ready for Sunday.

If you’re keen to get involved please get in touch with Tracey Nelson after the AM service at the tall black tables or email fairtrade@gymeabaptist.org.au.

Have you had a baby in the last few years and have never dedicated that child? We are hosting a Child Dedication Service on Sunday November 8 for all parents/primary caregivers of children and babies.

We'd love to pray for your child and stand with you as you thank God for them, and dedicate them.  Please see a Pastor, or email Roxane Lawler (roxane.lawler@gymeabaptist.org.au) or our Children's Ministry Coordinator (Rebecca Vernum) if you would like further information and to express your intreset in dedicating your child. 

We have a Baptism Service coming up on the 18th of October! If you have been thinking about getting baptised or want to know more about what it means we’d love to hear from you! 

Register your interest below or get in touch with one of our pastors to find out more! 

GBC YOUNG ADULTS DINNER 

Saturday 10th October at 6:30pm at The Como Hotel

Come grab a feed and a drink and get together for good chats, good food and good community!

Come as you are, whoever you are.

We’d love to see you there!

Ladies, you're invited to our next GBC Women's Dinner!

Join us at  7 pm next Thursday, 8 October, at Engadine Tavern for a relaxed evening of good food and great company. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect with other women from our church community.

We'd love to see you there!