Table of Contents
Witnesses in a Hostile World
Wednesday 8th October 2025
‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ‘
Acts 1:8 NIV
‘ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ‘
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
Our world is increasingly uncomfortable with the light of our faith. The gentle yet firm confession “I follow Christ” can feel awkward in conversation, unwelcome in workplaces, or outdated among peers. But this is not new. In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses.” That word witness didn’t describe a profession; it described a life lived so authentically that others could see Jesus through it.
To be a witness is to live as light in the shadows of our culture — not by shouting, but by shining. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14) The point of light isn’t to dominate darkness, but to reveal a larger reality. Our culture doesn’t need louder Christians; it needs brighter ones — people who embody compassion, humility, forgiveness, and courage in everyday places.
When we live with Spirit-filled courage, the world notices. The courage isn’t our own; it comes from the same Spirit who filled the early church. We are bearing witness to Jesus when we act kindly in a cynical world, when we speak truthfully in a dishonest environment and when we show grace in a moment of judgment.
Being His presence in every place means we carry Christ’s hope into every space we inhabit — homes, schools, offices, and cafés. This week, ask God for one opportunity to be a quiet yet bold witness of His love. The light you carry may be the only illumination someone sees in their darkness. Remember, light doesn’t need to focus on fighting darkness — it only needs to shine the life freely received from Christ! No doubt, it will open up opportunities to verbally proclaim who rules in your life…
Operation Christmas Child
Would you like to bring joy and the love of Jesus to the lives of children? How about 200 children? How about 300 children? You have the opportunity to do this by taking part in Operation Christmas Child.
And you can do it in 6 easy steps!
- Purchase a box at the Desk for $1.00
- Fill the box with the gifts
- Label your box
- Bring the box back by Sunday, 19th October 2025
- Make a $12.50 donation for shipping and gospel materials
- Pray for the child who will receive your box
Bring joy and Jesus to the life of a child this Christmas by taking part in Operation Christmas Child.
Any questions? Come to the table set up in the foyer after the service, and the team will be happy to assist and respond to your queries.
Sunday Service | 9:00am & 11:00am
There is an important story being written at Berwick Church of Christ.
It’s the story of how ordinary people are being shaped and transformed by God’s Word and empowered by His Spirit. In this new series, Overcomers, we will learn what it means to be His presence in every place, in our:
- Homes
- Schools
- Workplaces
- Communities
This new series will help us discover how to live as Overcomers; not just surviving the pressures of life, but modelling the way of His Kingdom.
Join us and be equipped to overcome fear, temptation and cultural hostility by embodying the victory of Christ.
Kids Church | Sunday 12th October 2025
This week at Kids Church…
2 to 4-year-olds | David and Goliath | 1 Samuel 17:1-50
5 to 12-year-olds | David and the Psalms | Psalm 1:1-4
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 12th October | 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.
Boys Brigade | Monday 13th October 2025 | 6:00pm
Be part of the action! For over 20 years the Boys’ Brigade has advanced Christ’s Kingdom among boys.
ANCHORS | Grades 1 & 2: 6pm – 7.15pm
JUNIORS | Grades 3 – 6: 7pm – 8.30pm
SENIORS | Grades 7 to 18 years old: 7pm – 9.30pm
Baptism Class | Monday 13th October 2025 | 7:00pm
Baptism is the complete water immersion of those who have confessed their faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and their Saviour.
However, it is more than just immersion in water. It has a number of significant meanings and spiritual implications. Book now if you want to find out more.
Prayer & Fellowship Walk | Tuesday 14th October | 6:30am
The Tuesday morning Prayer and Fellowship Walk is around the church property and is a powerful time of seeking the Lord together in prayer.
We pray for our church, community and nation. So come and join us at 6:30 am in the Berwick Church of Christ Car Park.
This is a wonderful way to start the day and you are most welcome to join us. If you haven’t joined us before please message 0419 277 500 by 8.00pm on Monday evening so we can keep you updated of any changes to the plans.
Child Dedication | Sunday 19th October 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
“Children are a gift from God; they are His reward” (Psalm 124:3).
Child Dedication is the acknowledgment that not only are children a gift from God, but they are His children. You place your child into God’s hands and trust that He will guide you in parenting. Essentially, dedicating your child to God is to declare that you will train your child in the ways of the Lord.
Child Dedication is part of our regular service and requires the parents to bring their child to the front of the church at the appropriate time. We encourage siblings of the child to join in and we like to display a photo of your child on the monitor so everyone can see.
If you are interested in your child being dedicated, please complete the Child Dedication Application Form by October 5, and we will be in touch to make arrangements and to explain the details of the service.
For more details, please email sue@bcoc.com.au or phone 0403 822 324.
Seniors Ministry | Wednesday 22nd October 2025 | 1:30pm
Join us for a powerful and uplifting experience as we draw inspiration from compelling film clips of Corrie ten Boom, courageously sharing her faith under trial. Her story of resilience, hope, and unwavering trust in God will touch your heart and encourage your spirit. Come ready to be moved, challenged, and deeply blessed as we reflect together on her remarkable journey and the timeless lessons her life teaches us. Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired and strengthened in your own walk of faith!
Details:
- Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
- Bring: Please bring a packet of food for everyone to share
Men's Camp | Xtreme Character Challenge | Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th November 2025
Men, are you ready for a great challenge from Thursday, 6th to Sunday, 9th November 2025, at the Snowy Mountains, NSW? An XCC is a mind, body, and soul adventure – an active and challenging endurance event for men out in the wild.
The XCC is set up like an endless adventure; men are confronted with significant physical challenges, deep camaraderie, and profound moral and spiritual moments. Through the XCC process, men find perspective; they evaluate who they are and find a purpose worth living for.
*Note: This event is run independently from Berwick Church of Christ.
Writers Group | Saturday 15th November 2025 | 9:00am
Aspiring writers, published authors, and everyone in between—are you looking for a creative outlet to showcase your writing talents and connect with fellow literary enthusiasts? We are thrilled to invite you to join our Writers Group, where your words will come to life in a supportive community of like-minded individuals.
Whether you write poetry, short stories, essays, blog posts, or anything in between, we welcome all writing styles and genres. So come join us and, ignite your passion for writing! Together, we will inspire one another to reach new heights and unlock our full potential as storytellers.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be part of something special. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a few publications under your belt, we’d love to have you with us.
Join us today and let your creativity soar!
Family Camping Weekend or Day Out | 20 February 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 22 February 2026 @ 12:00 pm
It’s on again! Calling all camping families – kids of any age are welcome!
We invite you to join us from Friday February 20th to Sunday February 22nd 2026, for the Family Camping Weekend at Warburton. Our main priority is to strengthen the bonds between your family and others.
We’ll enjoy being surrounded by stunning nature and a sense of freedom as we watch children play, enjoy the fantastic free water park and paddle in the Yarra River. The nearby town has plenty of cafes and a Redwood Forest with walking and cycling trails; a great place for fun photos.
At night, get ready for cosy campfires, where we’ll swap stories, roast marshmallows, and enjoy fellowship (please note that campfires and the water park are not available if a Total Fire Ban is declared)
We are staying at the Warburton Holiday Park. Camping is always loads of fun, and even better in a group, but you are welcome to book a cabin if you prefer.
Engage your adventurous spirit, pack a sense of humour, and book a site or cabin for this fantastic weekend. Come and embrace the great outdoors with us! We do advise booking soon if possible as cabins and good sites go quickly!
If the whole weekend isn’t an option for you, you are very welcome to bring food etc and join us on Saturday (provided it is not Total Fire Ban), just let one of the organisers know to expect you, and use the ‘Book Now’ button so we have your details and can keep you updated.
When and where is this all happening?
CAMPING Option:
- Date: Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd February 2026
- Time: Arrive from 2.00 pm Friday, leave by 12.00 pm Sunday, or time of your choosing on Saturday
- Address: Warburton Holiday Park, 30 Woods Point Rd, Warburton, VIC, 3799
DAY Option:
- Date: 21st February
- Time: From 9:00am to 9:00pm or whatever time suits your family
Here’s what to do next!
- Choose your site from the “L”, “F” and “C” sites. You can see where others are camped here, so please add your family to this list after booking.
- Call and book a campsite 5966 2277 or visit the Warburton Holiday Park website or use this interactive map to book. A powered site costs $59 per night for two people, plus extra for children (book for Friday and Saturday nights unless you want to stay longer than the rest of us). You can also book a cabin or lodge if that suits you better. Advise the caravan park office or note in the comments section that you are with Berwick Church of Christ. Note that a laptop is easier than a phone when navigating the online booking system.
- Importantly, we need to know that you are coming so we can send communication updates. After booking with Warburton Holiday Park and obtaining a site or cabin number, please REGISTER HERE.
- If you plan to come for the day, please also REGISTER so we can update you and look out for you. We will add campers and day visitors to the WhatsApp chat group for easy communication before and during the weekend.
Shout out if you have any questions
Sue 0403 822 324 or sue@bcoc.com.au
Mikayla 0431 317 332
James 0449 662 512
Amie 0448 762 314
Sarah 0490 016 122
We look forward to seeing you in Warburton whether for the weekend or the day!
The Compliance Compass
What is it? The Compliance Compass is a monthly update on policies and safety to help guide staff, partners and volunteers and ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Each month we review our policies and procedures to ensure our standards of safety are improved. Our policies are not just a list of rules; they are a clear statement of our commitment to protecting the vulnerable and ensuring a compassionate, appropriate response should a concern or problem arise.
This past month we continued with the process of developing policies and procedures for our WHS Management System and on the 15th of September 2025 the Elders approved the following policy and procedure:
- Fitness for Work Policy
- Fatigue Management Procedure
Once the WHS Management System is fully complete, we will look at what implementation procedures will need to be taken. These may include training, guidelines or manuals to help our staff and volunteers know what safety precautions have been put in place to ensure everyone is protected and supported in their important roles at Berwick Church of Christ.
We encourage questions or feedback about any of our policies or procedures, simply email policies@bcoc.com.au or contact Karen Fletcher at the Church Office (9702 1011).
Interested in becoming a Volunteer?
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please check out the volunteering page on the website. There are several ministries listed but if you do not see the ministry you are interested in, click on the link “Volunteer Application Form – Other Ministries” located at the bottom of the page.
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
