MESSAGE FROM THE GBC TEAM
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It is certainly a unique time in our personal lives and nation's history as we navigate a global pandemic together.
There have been all sorts of phenomenal responses like supermarket shelves being emptied by food hoarding, physical distancing rules, loss of jobs, school closures, huge government relief packages and our nation's penchant for toilet paper!
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While COVID-19 is impacting us in unprecedented ways, my heart is turned toward the vulnerable and those already caught up in oppressive, often human-made, systems of poverty. I can’t help but think that the inconvenience we are feeling, is just a shadow of the crushing circumstances they live daily, which are again compounded by this crisis. We are stuck at home, while millions do not have homes to be stuck at. We joke at the iso-weight we will put on, while millions face starvation due to lock down. We are stockpiled with toilet paper, while millions do not have access to toilets. We react to the nuances of our government's decisions, while millions have governments that do not prioritise the care of their people.
It's not to diminish or invalidate the challenges we are all facing, but it does give some perspective of the incomprehensible gaps that exist for our neighbours in this world. This is why we believe the mission of God is to restore and renew all things in Jesus Christ. It's also why we are passionate about being On-Purpose, Others-Focused and Big-Hearted through May Mission Month and doing this together as a community. Over 18 years of May Mission Month, the GBC community has raised over $3million for this restoration and renewal. For the next four weeks during our GBC Online services, you’ll see the exciting projects we have chosen to support.
In a time where uncertainty makes us want to grab on tighter to the things we can control and look out for ourselves, I pray we look to our eternal God. I feel that not only is this crisis a personal invitation to rely on God, but a whole-community opportunity to demonstrate our best collective love through dark times; it's often the time it is so desperately needed and stands out the most.
Jodene Watling,
Associate Pastor (Missions & Evangelism)
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SUNDAY 3rd May 2020
Anchored: An Examination of the Heart
Studies in the Book of Hebrews
Services: 8.30am|10.30am|6.00pm
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SUNDAY 10th May 2020
Mark Coleman: Associate Pastor
Anchored: Jesus Makes a Way
Studies in the Book of Hebrews
Services: 8.30am|10.30am|6.00pm
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Announcements and Upcoming Events
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Please click on the video image below for this week's GBC Update from Mark Coleman, Associate Pastor.
Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified of all GBC updates.
GBC YOUTH (Online) is back, baby! Tonight and every Friday night during school term. For enquiries contact Matt, The Youth Guy (aka GBC Youth Coordinator).
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May Mission Month starts this Sunday at GBC Online and continues over the next four Sundays. Our target in 2020 is $190,000. MMM provides us with an invitation from God to be On-Purpose and intentional about our Big-Hearted generosity as we seek to be Others-Focused. In gratitude for what we have and in hope for the future, can I encourage all of us to prayerfully consider what the Lord might be inviting us to give this May.
Stay tuned for more info during GBC Online and on our social media.
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Mother's Day Photo Booth at Home
This year GBC is unable to set up our usual Mother's Day photo booth ... but YOU CAN! It's time to get creative, folks, and have some fun!!
As Mark highlighted in the Updates video above, this week we'd love our families to create their own Mother's Day photo and send it to us by email no later than Thursday 7 May. We'll make a video montage of all your photos and show them during KidzHome at GBC Online on Mother's Day (May 10).
Photos can be OF your mum, FOR your mum, WITH your mum, REMEMBERING your mum or any other loving woman in your life. The photos can be beautiful, funny, crazy, silly, elegant, include the family pet, ugly Christmas sweaters - whatever floats your boat! Mum could wear a tiara as you serve her "high tea" on a tray, or simply lean in for a group hug! Set a timer, take a selfie or ask your neighbour to take the photo.
Kid's Activity Sheets
We love for our kids to participate during the service at GBC Online. Each week in the Notes section we provide an activity sheet to download and print. Roxane, our Children's Ministry Coodinator, also emails the Activity Sheets out for you so you can print it out in advance ready for when the Service starts. If you'd like to be included in this email list please email Roxane.
Memory Verse Challenge
Check out GBC's website for this week's Memory Verse Challenge.
Our Kidzone leaders love to say Hi to the Kids and are taking turns to teach them a new verse each week.
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Our GBC Online services can now be heard via our new phone line: 02 5925 4015 anytime after 8:30am each Sunday. This is another way to include as many people as we can each week as we ‘gather’ as the people of God here at GBC.
Please pass this phone number on to anyone you know who would appreciate listening to our 8:30am service on Sunday.
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Congregational Care: Elders, GBC Cares & LifeGroups
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While we may be limited in the more practical aspects of caring for one another in these challenging times, we can be Big-Hearted and Others-Focused in how we care for each other's spiritual and emotional health.
Our Elders and GBC Cares (Care Callers) are phoning people and praying for the prayer requests we receive each week. Prayer Requests can be submitted during GBC Online using the tab at the bottom of the screen or, if you're part of our GBC Community, via GBC Links under the Prayer tab. Your prayer request will be prayed for by our Staff, Elders and Prayer Team. If you need support from any of these teams please call or email us:
Elders: 0410 156 396 or 8515 1999 or email
GBC Cares: 0400 535 637 or email
LifeGroups Some LifeGroups have been meeting online (via Zoom etc) enjoying the opportunity to catch up and spend time together doing the Life Group study for GBC's current sermon series in Hebrews ("Anchored"). The LifeGroup study material is emailed to Life Group leaders each week, but is also available on GBC Links under the Life Groups tab.
For LifeGroups who are not currently meeting (online) your LG leaders are keeping in touch with everyone in their LifeGroup to make sure you are all healthy and well at this time.
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As Marc Rader mentioned in last week's Update, Hopefield is open for counselling and they are keen to offer any additional support you might need at this time.
Hopefield currently has a supply of fresh produce, non-perishable items and readymade meals - if you or someone you know is in need and would appreciate this food support please contact Hopefield on 9545 0299 or send them an email or phone/email GBC Cares on 0400 535 637 / email.
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Coming Soon – Hopefield Digital Toolkits
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COVID-19 has opened up some exciting strategic opportunities even in the midst of the challenges. One of those opportunities is for Hopefield to provide easily accessible, educational and empowering digital toolkits to help our community flourish.
In collaboration with GBC we are hoping to launch these in the next few weeks so watch for more info coming very soon!
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Join us this Tuesday at 8:00pm AEST for "live" prayer and reflection via instagram @gymeabaptist or at our Gymea Baptist Church Facebook page.
We'll talk about the challenges of this current situation and consider some reflective questions that will help you examine your spiritual life at this time. See you then .... or watch it later when you have/need a quiet moment.
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Playtime@Home, with a "numbers" theme, has now started for Term 2 via video - including craft, songs and activities.
The Playtime team are missing their face-to-face times with parents, grandparents and kids but are thankful for other ways to keep in contact. If you know anyone who would like to receive the Playtime@Home resources (including a fun interactive video from Meddwyn) with ideas for engaging young children please either email our Playtime Coordinator - Meddwyn or request to join Gymea Baptist Church Playtime on Facebook.
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