Tomorrow the calendar flips over to November and, with Halloween in the rear vision mirror, Christmas will begin to fill the horizon. One of the somewhat ironic challenges of the Christmas season is that we end up being so busy - you’d think that with more than two months of reminders that it’s fast approaching we’d be more ready! Perhaps you have made a resolution to be celebrate a more peaceful and purposeful Christmas only to end up rushing to fit it all in only to fall over the finish line on the 24th.
As we head into the silly season, let me encourage you to be a bit more On-Purpose this Christmas than you have been in the past. A more purposeful Christmas might take many forms, but one important area is in charitable giving. This is a season when generosity is encouraged and there is no end to the charities and causes we might give to. Among all of the voices, please consider the following three initiatives at GBC if you are able. 
First, the Hopefield Giving Tree. This begins in a couple of weeks’ time and is an opportunity to provide Christmas Hampers for those in our community who could use some hope.
Second, the GBC Endowment Fund. The endowment fund is a long-term initiative for the future that we began last year when we celebrated our 75th anniversary as a church. It is a fund that, over time, will fund ministry into the future. You can find out more about the Endowment Fund HERE
Third, the GBC Ministry Budget. We are currently tracking well against our budget but there are a few specific, self-contained projects that we would be able to complete should there be a small surplus. One such project is to replace the carpet in the old auditorium. The plans for renovation do not include this, but it would make a big difference to the ministries that use the room.
All three of these opportunities are ones where a small gift can go a long way. Would you consider making a donation this Christmas to one or more of these projects? $25, $50, $100 would help us impact those we serve.

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Weekend:

Join online or onsite at 9:30am and stick around after the service for tea and coffee and/or join at 6pm and stay for dinner afterwards!

Check out our lost property for belongings as we are aiming to clear it out by mid Nov! 

Save The Date:

9th November: Young Adults End of Year Picnic

17th November: Embrace Ladies Christmas Luncheon

22nd November: Men's Breakfast 

29th November: Christmas Festival Working Bee

6th December: Ladies Gingerbread Decorating Afternoon

19th, 20th, 21st December: Festival of Christmas 

Responsible Freedom

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian church, which was struggling with questions about freedom and responsibility—particularly around eating food sacrificed to idols. Living in a secular and increasingly godless society, we face similar tensions. Paul reminds us that while Christians are free in Christ, our actions should always reflect love for others and honour for God.

To “do all for the glory of God” means that every part of life—ordinary things like meals and conversations—can become acts of worship when done with gratitude and integrity. It’s a call to live consciously, not just avoiding sin, but actively seeking to reflect God’s goodness in everything.

Today, we can ask: Does this choice, word, or attitude show God’s character to others? Living for His glory transforms even the smallest moments into opportunities for grace.

Derek Mullins | Elder 

Our Festival of Christmas is just around the corner and we need your help. GBC wants to throw the doors open and invite our community to come and experience the true meaning of Christmas in a non-threatening way.  We are only able to provide this opportunity with the help of the GBC family.

Prepare For Christmas Working Bee - Saturday 29 November 8am 

On Saturday, 29th November, we’re hosting a working bee to transform our space for the Festival of Christmas! We’ll be setting up inside and out, decorating, and preparing crafts. Sign Up NOW!

Festival of Christmas - 19, 20, 21 December 

Once prepared and the place is set, the Festival of Christmas comes alive through the participation of our community of faith. Your investment into a small but important role for a small moment in time will bring joy and energy to the event.  Each night needs 50 volunteers to bring this festival to life - so let's all jump in where we can to support each other as we bless our local community together. Sign Up NOW!

If you call yourself a young adult come hang out next Sunday, 9th November, 2:30–4:30pm at Como Pleasure Grounds. Bring some snacks to share and spend time connecting with the young adults of GBC! Everyone is welcome!

Hopefield is a finalist in the Southgate Shopping Centre Community Kickstart Grant! Winners are decided by community votes, so your support matters!

With this grant, Hopefield will launch HopeHaven — a new initiative designed to provide a coordinated and compassionate response to homelessness in the Sutherland Shire.

Voting closes Sunday 9 November 

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.

All women are invited to Embrace Ladies Christmas Luncheon to be held on Monday 17th November 11.30am to 2.00pm in GBC Atrium. Bring your friends to join in singing Christmas Carols lead by Shelley Harbour and hear Roxanne, our Associate Pastor give us a devotional about celebrating Christmas. Wear a Christmas embellishment to celebrate.
You can register HERE or with Janine after the service at the tall table and pay $20 for lunch. RSVP by Wednesday 12th November.

Our lost property collection is getting full again! From Ugg boots to air pods and a very large collection of water bottles, if you are missing something come and check out our lost property at GBC! We also have a large selection of single earrings, ranging from colour stones and pretty dangling earrings, to gold hoops! We hope to clear this by mid-November so get in early to find your missing belongings. 

Collect items on Sunday or during staffed hours throughout the week!

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

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