Our world seems so often to be gripped by disasters or tragedy in one form or another.   Covid keeps re-surfacing; extreme weather events inflict chaos, death and destruction; wars and rumours of wars persist.    We long for leaders to take decisions which will deal with these issues and provide stability and growth for all people.   So often our problems are caused by selfishness and greed.   Characteristics so deeply embedded in each one of us.   God is aware of our situation and our predicament.   He has acted to provide ..read more

by Tim Challies With 2021 quickly waning, many of us are beginning to think about a devotional approach for the year ahead. Some are looking for a resource that will serve as the main component of their devotions and others for something that will be merely supplementary. Either way, I’ve collected some of the resources I most recommend and hope you find something here that will serve you as you devote yourself to reading the Word of God in 2022. Full-Year Devotionals Truth for Life by Alistair Begg is a new book that offers a full year’s worth of devotions. ($26:24 from The Wandering Booksell ..read more

Over the weeks leading up to Christmas we’ll be reviewing the events leading up to the birth of Mary’s Son.   Luke draws attention to the numerous announcements of the birth of Jesus.   Matthew is much more subdued simply mentioning that “an angel of the Lord” spoke to Joseph in a dream, and that this was the fulfilment of Isaiah 7:14.   Mark does not even refer to the birth of Jesus – his coming is again in fulfilment of Scripture.   John takes us back to the beginning and Genesis 1:1, and bypassing the birth, we meet Jesus the man.   Luke in ..read more

Sharing one another’s burdens. Besides taking the gospel for the first time to cities and communities from Jerusalem to Rome, the Books of Acts and 1 and 2 Corinthians show that Paul had another important goal.  At the same time as his mission journeys Jerusalem was in a serious famine.  Paul saw that this created an opportunity for the new gentile Christians to express their new unity with their Jewish brethren.  As the gentiles became spiritually “rich” in Christ, they had opportunity to provide financial assistance for their Jewish brothers and sisters who were suffering the ..read more

Our Afghan brothers and sisters in the Lord have started arriving to safety in Brazil, having fled their home country following the Taliban’s terrifying takeover. Six families have arrived in the last week and another three families at the end of October – 91 people in total. Having escaped persecution and life-threatening danger without any of their possessions, they urgently need your help! Will you help meet the many needs of families fleeing Afghanistan? Anglican Aid’s long term partner, Sami Nagib, is working tirelessly with the Anglican Diocese of Vitoria to accept, support, and minister ..read more

Many of us have delighted in being able to enjoy meeting together at church.   Now that over 90% of the NSW population has been fully vaccinated everyone is welcome to meet for church, and with the easing of building occupancy restrictions we are now able to accommodate our usual numbers.  So if you have not returned to church yet, I encourage you to do so! We had a survey towards the end of lockdown in which a significant number responded that they intended to wait to December before returning to church.   It may be that you still feel apprehensive about coming – if s ..read more

Time to Enjoy Church Again … The government has been reducing restrictions on gatherings as we learn to live with Covid.   Over the last few weeks many of our regular GAC families have taken advantage of these opportunities to join us at church at either 8am, 10am or 5pm.  We have re-commenced morning tea after our morning services and a team of volunteers provide dinner for children at our 5pm service.   As from November 8th we are permitted 2 sq m per person, which means we can have full occupancy of our buildings and vaccinated only people may sing with everyone wea ..read more

Dear Church Family, You may have heard of the recent introduction of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill to NSW Parliament. This bill will endanger the lives of many of the most vulnerable in our society if it passes. The Social Issues Committee has prepared this briefing paper on this important issue. (See separate sheet-copies available from the foyer) or https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N1gu_Q4eLb3nk-13q2GS2PQooZ2fOD1_/view A parliamentary inquiry into the Bill is being held. The inquiry has set up a short online survey at  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XRQNHFZ to find out what people t ..read more

When you think of “change” what comes to your mind?   The weather – a cool change is so good on a hot summer’s day!  New clothes?  New job? Sometimes we choose a change, but so often it is something we did not want.  Maybe illness, or financial issues, or family matters.   When you face change in your life what questions or concerns come to mind?  You might ask yourself: “Why is this necessary?” “When will it stop?”  Change produces a heightened anxiety in us.  It is difficult to adapt to and we find ourselves seeking some sense of stability am ..read more

Brothers and Sisters, As we begin our return journey to face-to-face church, there will be many different thoughts and feelings amongst us. Whilst we would love for every health restriction to be relaxed at once, we know there are many reasons why we cannot all come together in-person this weekend. For some of us it will be because we’re initially hesitant to bring our family into a building with others for a length of time. For some of us it will be because of our medical choices. For others of us it will be because we’ve developed flu-like symptoms, we’ve visited a venue of concern, or we ..read more