Table of Contents
A Saviour is Born
Wednesday 11th December 2025
As Christmas draws near, we gather around the timeless truth proclaimed by the angels on that holy night:
“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” Luke 2:11 NIV
This declaration is a message of seasonal joy and a revolutionary announcement of God’s plan to rescue and redeem His creation.
Scripture describes the birth of Jesus as the moment when heaven and earth met startlingly and transformatively. In Jesus, God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled, and God’s long-anticipated reign begins. This is not just the arrival of a spiritual guide but of a Saviour who ushers in a new reality where sin, death, and darkness no longer have the final word.
The birth of Jesus signals the dawn of a new kingdom that redefines power, justice, and peace. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this child centuries before, saying,
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”
Isaiah 9:6, NIV.
In Jesus, these titles come alive, showing us a King who rules not with oppression but with compassion, not through conquest but through love.
This story is also deeply personal. The angel’s message to the shepherds included “to you.” The Saviour born in Bethlehem comes for all of humanity, yet He comes for each of us individually. It explains that God’s love and redemption are not distant abstractions but deeply personal realities, inviting us into His mission of renewal and transformation.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us reflect on what it means for us today. The Saviour born in Bethlehem calls us to live as His people, empowered by His Spirit to bring light into darkness and hope into despair. Let this Christmas be a time to embrace the reality that the Saviour has come—not just to change our lives but to transform the world.
May this truth fill you with peace, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Bringing Christmas To Life | Thank You for Loving People!
We invited you to Love People and Serve Our City as Christmas approaches through our Bringing Christmas to Life initiative. This program supports our Food Pantry clients to ensure that every household experiences the Spirit of Christmas.
With your kind donations, we blessed 100 households on Sunday by giving them a Christmas hamper. Thank you for Loving People and Serving our City together!
Join our Fantastic Volunteer Team!
Fulfilling the vision and mission of Berwick Church of Christ is only made possible through the dedication and service of our wonderful volunteers. As we have grown, the need for more volunteers has increased. Volunteering is partnering with Jesus to touch lives with his love. Serving as a volunteer is hugely rewarding, and a fun way to meet new friends and help our church community to flourish. We need your support in the following areas…
- Worship – Musicians and Sound Technicians
- Kids Church – Sign-in, Safety, and Room Team
- Playgroup
- Food Pantry – Set up Team
Ready to jump on board? Click the link and complete the Volunteers Application Form.
Thank you for being a part of our community. We can’t wait to see you make an impact!
Kids Church 2025
Kids Church resumes on Sunday 26th January for a Summer Fun Day. Bring a hat, wear some joggers, reconnect with buddies and bring along a friend for a great day!
Food Pantry | Our city needs your help
In 2023, the Food Pantry supported 96 families (231 visits) who required crisis support. 96 families! Imagine, they could be your friends or neighbours; local families who are doing it tough. Last year the City of Casey Council recognised the generous support the Food Pantry and volunteers give to our local community by presenting us with the ‘Community Group of the Year Award’.
Let’s reach out and continue supporting this great cause by purchasing something from our list below in your next shopping trip. Then simply drop it in the Food Pantry Trolley located in the foyer, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or Sundays 9am -12 noon.
Needed items:
- Biscuits (e.g. Arnott’s)
- Jam Spreads
- Pasta sauces
- Olive oil
- Muesli bars
- Tinned tuna
- Soup (e.g. tinned, powdered)
- Long life milk
- Toothpaste & toothbrushes
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Blankets
- Reusable shopping bags
We also accept cash, card, and online donations. Payment via cash or card can be made during the above times or you can donate online.
- Account name: Berwick Church of Christ Inc.
- BSB: 033 609
- Account number: 434168
- Reference: FOOD PANTRY
This is one way we can Love People, be His presence and Serve our City of Casey! Many thanks!
Kids Church End of Year Party | Sunday 15th December 2024 | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
We want to celebrate what God had done in the hearts of our BCOC kids during 2024. Come along and join in the fun and games with whole Kids Ministry Team. We even have an ice cream truck coming – GF and DF available. Parents, please note: this is the last day of Kids Church for the year. We recommence on Sunday, 26th January 2025 with a Summer Fun Day. Please pray for our wonderful team to be rested and blessed during the summer break. Thank you.
A Saviour is born | Sunday 15th December | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
The Gospel of Christ goes way beyond just good advice for living…it introduces the good news that Jesus Christ is the Saviour for mankind! He has brought a salvation that is not dependent on our ability to construct a subjective set of “rules for living” but has revealed Himself as Saviour of the world!
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 15th December | 5:45 pm
Calling all men! At our weekly gatherings, we come together to pray, support one another in our faith journey, and grow deeper in our relationship with God.
Whether you are a seasoned prayer warrior or new, we welcome you with open arms. Our group is a safe space where men can come together to share their hearts, struggles, and victories.
Join us as we seek God’s guidance, wisdom, and strength in our lives and for our families. Together, we can uplift each other, grow in faith, and make a real difference in our community.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”. (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Come and join our Men’s Prayer Group where together we seek the Lord for our families, community and nation.
YA Social | TenPin Bowling | Sunday 15th December | 6:00 pm
HEY YOUNG ADS, WE’RE GOING BOWLING!!! You are invited to our FINAL social of 2024!
We are going to OZ TenPin Bowling Narre Warren. Food will be provided as well as 2 games of bowling. The cost is $20 and we can’t wait to see you there!
Key Details:
- Date: 15th December 2024
- Location: OZ Tenpin Narre Warren, 14/22 Lauderdale Rd, Narre Warren VIC 3805
- Time: 6:00pm
Cost: $20 - What to wear: Your best bowling attire!
- All YA invited (including VCE).
Drinks are not included but there is a cafe where you can buy drinks. Please note that this is an alcohol free event.
Christmas Day Service | Wednesday 25th December 2024 | 9:00 am only
On Christmas Day we will celebrate our Saviour’s birth with one service at 9:00 am. How wonderful to start the day by worshiping our risen King and enjoying fellowship with our church family and friends.
No Church services | Sunday 29th December 2024
As the year comes to a close, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers for their incredible dedication and support. They have given so much, and now it’s time for a well-earned break. There will be no church services on Sunday 29th December as our volunteers will be taking a rest over the Christmas holidays, and we will be reopening on Sunday, 5th January 2025.
We are deeply grateful for everything our wonderful volunteers do in supporting church wide ministries, and we wish you all a joyful and peaceful holiday season. We can’t wait to serve with you again in the New Year!
Raising Awareness of Neurodiversity | Special Event | Thursday 20th February 2025 | 7:00 pm
We have the great honour to host this special event which will raise awareness neurodiversity needs in our church and broader community. Sandhya is a Multiple Neurodivergent Educational and Developmental Psychologist. Her organisation, Onwards and Upwards Psychology in Melbourne, focuses on upskilling and empowering clinicians, parents, and teachers to understand and support autistic and ADHDer individuals, with the ultimate goal of better well-being for these communities. During this event Sandhya will present strategies to help broaden inclusion, specifically in group settings. This is an ideal PD opportunity for teachers and practitioners.
Sandhya has previously authored two best-selling children’s books using a neurodiversity affirming approach, The Brain Forest and The Rainbow Brain, and speaks at national and international conferences on autism, ADHD and cultural perspectives. This is a unique opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s leading experts in this field. Book early to save a seat.
Young Families | Camping Weekend | Friday 21st February 2025
Calling all camping families – kids of any age are welcome!
Get ready for a weekend of making unforgettable memories! We invite you to join us from February 21st (Friday) to February 23rd (Sunday) 2025, for the Young Families Camping Weekend at Warburton. Strengthening the bonds between your family and others is our main priority!
Enjoy crisp, fresh air, surrounded by stunning nature and a sense of freedom, watch children play around the campsite, enjoy the fantastic free Water Park and paddle in the Warburton River. Warburton has plenty of cafes, and Redwood Forest has fantastic walking and cycling trails and is great fun for photos.
At night, get ready for cosy campfires, where we’ll swap stories, roast marshmallows, and enjoy fellowship.
We are staying at the Warburton Holiday Park. Camping is loads of fun (and much easier with a group).
So gather your adventurous spirit, pack your sense of humour, and join us for this amazing weekend. Come and embrace the great outdoors with us!
Please mark your calendars and book soon because our Young Families Camping Weekend awaits and sites are filling up with 120 people already registered!
Have a safety concern?
We are serious about keeping our faith community safe. We encourage all staff, volunteers, partners and congregation to report any concerns they have about safety and wellbeing. We are committed to handling all concerns seriously, legally and in a child-focused way (if concerning children).
If you have any concerns about safety at the Church, we strongly encourage you to share your concern with one of our Pastors or the Safety Contact Person, Karen Fletcher and fill in our Reporting Concerns Form.
Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!
BRAAM BOTHA
Senior Pastor
