Over the last month or so we have engaged in a couple of activities to lay the groundwork for our planning for 2026 (though I can hardly believe I’m writing that out loud! 2026?!). The first was our annual survey that we completed in mid-August and the second was Soundings, a more focused discussion on Spiritual Journey. As a leadership we are still working through this information, but have begun to discern a couple of rising themes. This coming Wednesday, the Church Council and Senior Staff will be meeting together to press forward in this process. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for our time together. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide our discussion and that we might be attentive to His movement. Pray for patience, insight, and clarity as we explore these rising themes.

I am expectant and anticipate that the Lord will graciously meet us as we seek Him together.

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Sunday:

Sue Chin from Hopefield will be sharing with us in both services and Marc will be preaching on Genesis 11:1-9, 10-32, continuing our sermon series titled Origin Story.

Stick around after the 9am service for tea and coffee, and after the 6pm service for dinner together!

Save The Date:

26th September: State Youth Camp

18th October: Fair Trade Market

6th December: Ladies Gingerbread Decorating Afternoon

In Galations 1 Paul established his conversion experience and his call by God to preach to the Gentiles, whilst, Peter is called to preach to the Jews.

However, a heresy, which was growing, had entered the church. It was claimed that for Gentiles to be saved they must first become Jews. This heresy had the backing of many influencers, known as the party of the circumcision, who sent spies out to investigate the matter.

When Peter visited Antioch, which was Pauls home church, he hesitated about eating with the Gentile Christians for fear of being criticised by the influencers.

Paul called Peter out publicly as a hypocrite - he believed one thing but practiced another. He was fearful for his reputation.

How easy it is to be a hypocrite. We have an outer life that is seen by all, but does our inner life reflect our faith.

“I have been crucified with Christ: and it no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”

Galations 2:20a

Barbara Higgins, Elder

All Women are invited to the Embrace Ladies Luncheon!
Join us on Monday 15th September from 11:30am to 2.00pm 

In Atrium, Gymea Baptist Church 

Our Guest Speaker is Jan Corbett-Jones, a Counsellor with Kairos Ministries, who helps women impacted by incarceration through love, hope and faith found in Jesus Christ.

Come along to be inspired and catch up with friends or meet others from GBC and the community. Feel free to invite a friend too!

You can register [here] or see Janine at the tall table after the Sunday service or contact her on 0405 629 790.

RSVP by Wednesday 10th September.

Hopetember is an initiative we run each September at GBC to support the life-changing work of Hopefield.

The goal this year is to raise $35,000 to fund a clinical counsellor two days a week, offering professional support to the most vulnerable in our community. This will be a counselling service for those impacted by trauma and domestic violence. 

Every donation is a step toward healing, restoration, and renewed hope!

​

In early August we informed our community of faith that we were significantly behind in our Ministry Budget and trending in the wrong direction. We made an appeal that those who were able to might make a one-off contribution to help us catch up the nearly $40,000 we were behind and to increase their regular giving in order to maintain our budget between now and the end of the year, approximately another $40,000. As we reported a few weeks ago, the response to the first part of that appeal was encouraging and we made up a significant amount of the shortfall. Over the last few weeks it has become clearer that the second part of the appeal has also been met with the same kind of generosity as we have not begun to behind again. As of this last Sunday we are less than 1% behind our Ministry Budget. To all who contributed and/or have increased their regular donation, thank you! Our Ministry Budget is the engine room of all we seek to do as a community of faith. Your generous response to this appeal has been incredibly encouraging and will help shape our plans for the future! As we enter the last quarter of the year we will continue to keep you informed of how we are tracking. If you would like to make a one-off donation, begin to give regularly, or increase you regular giving you can find out more [HERE]

We are planning to hold a baptism service on Sunday October 19. Baptist churches across Australia are doing the same as part of Baptism Week. If you would like to be baptised or would like to learn more about what baptism means fill in the expression of interest form and we’ll be in touch. We’re looking forward to celebrating lives changed by Jesus!

* Please continue to pray for the Drury family and for Karen Watkins as they each recover from major neurosurgery.

* While we don’t know of any other specific updates, we encourage you to pray for all those in our church family who may be unwell, weary, injured, or struggling in any way. 

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

Black Box Parenting for Dads is a free 5 week program facilitated by Hopefield in Cronulla for dads who have experienced tough life challenges. If you know a dad in your sphere who’s had some challenging life experiences, this program provides skills to build confidence in parenting. 

Christmas Trees Wanted!

Can you belive Christmas is coming up again?!

We are hoping to 'grow' a forest of Christmas trees for our Festival of Christmas this year, 21st-23rd December.

If you have a tree you could donate for the weekend of the festival, or if your thinking of purchasing a new tree this year and are needing to offload your old Christmas tree please contact Jackie Martin [HERE]

You are invited to join us for a short but effective time of “zoom” prayer Thursday at 7:30pm. A 30 minute guided prayer 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 spending this time together in prayer.

MEN’S LUNCH, Wednesday 24th September 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 Craig Stalder, DRV Chaplain, who will speak on his life’s journey into full-time ministry. Cost is now $20 for a light lunch
 
IMPORTANT CHANGE: Booking for this lunch and future lunches, will be via the DRV Café. Please book in by contacting the Café (8543 7273, 9am to 2pm) by Tuesday 16th September. Payment can be made by credit card or cash up to 24th September.
 
Any enquiries please ring Ian Scarfe on 0439 914 957