Thursday 14th April 2022

“Let me introduce you to a problem with fish by noting an old saying. It goes something like this:

Here they are:

Even among us as Christians the individualistic and psych-identity value system has become so ingrained. It has become the “water” we the “fish” find ourselves in:

Contemporary Christianity has become a message on how to increase your personal happiness through God – without offending anyone who holds a different perspective. It has almost no reference to the mandate to preach the gospel, with even less reference to the need for transformation of individuals or communities and almost no reference to the discipling of all nations, and an even lesser reference to being different than the world we live in.

This is why it is so very important, that during this Easter we revisit why Jesus came to the Cross! His death and resurrection is the essence of our faith. It is not just He that rose to life but, in Him, we did as well:

'I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. '

Galatians 2:20 NIV

Let’s not narrow the gospel down to our own personal needs only, but share it wider and with more love – so nations may be discipled. I know, in the street I live, there are Iraqi’s, Italians, Africans and British folk – but they are individuals. Let’s approach this Easter with this prayer:

“Lord, you brought salvation for much more than just myself as an individual. Create in me a vision of what it looks like to disciple all nations. Amen”

Let’s take up our vision afresh this Easter:

Alpha Marriage Course | Highlights

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Recently, one of our Life Groups went on a retreat to Phillip Island to complete the final sessions of Alpha Marriage Course. It was a great time of bonding between couples and community within the group. In the same way that we invest financially, we also need to invest relationally, that is, we need to invest in marriages and relationships. One of the ways to do that is by joining a Life Group where you can connect, learn, and grow (and eat a lot of food!) together. Interested? Click here to express your interest in joining a life group.

Welcome Team | Lunch highlights

The Welcome Team recently had a gathering to discuss, plan and pray as to how our church can be better at welcoming. It was also a time of fun, food and fellowship where new team members were welcomed into the group. It was so good to catch up with one another especially coming from the season we have come from as a church.

The Faithbook talks about how we should welcome one another. 

Romans 15:7 ESV

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Perhaps, God is knocking at your heart to serve by welcoming people. I would encourage you to sign up and be a welcomer, just as Christ welcomed you for the glory of God!  Click here to join the team.  

Forge Young Adults | Service highlights

This past Sunday we had an amazing Y&Y service! It was so great to get together as a community and build relationships together. We were honoured to have Pastor Rowan from Winepress come and share with us, encouraging us to begin to dream with God again. It was amazing afterwards to share pizza and build relationship with the Winepress Young adult community! Stay tuned for life groups and our next service.

State Youth Games | Book now!

It is with great excitement that we can say State Youth Games is finally back! Registrations are now open so if you are a youth or young adult, book your place now! This is a weekend you will not want to miss!

Key Details:

Friday 10th June – Monday 13th June

Cost: $220 – part time options are available (includes transport, accommodation, food across the whole weekend, sport & your nightly worship rally pass) 

For more information, head to the Trybooking link to book now!

A bit more about SYG: SYG is an event that unites thousands of youth & young adults from across Victoria. We head down to Lardner Park for the weekend and compete against each other in sport, eat (lots), make new friends, build community and get together for night rallies, where we see young people come to Jesus.

Do you have a heart to sponsor our youth and young adults?

We are also looking for people who may be able to help out by sponsoring some of our youth and young adults to come away on this incredible weekend who would otherwise not be able to come. If this is something you can help out with, please contact Genny Smith [email protected] or Melinda Izvekov [email protected].

Playgroup | Do you love families?

Playgroup is such an exciting space this year!  God is truly at work in the families, with many expressing interest in faith or attending church! 

If you’d like to come alongside the families from our church and community as a parent or grandparent with your child, or as a child-free helper, we are looking to expand and would love to hear from you.

We also hope to offer parenting and other courses to our mums, so if daytime childminding in our well-resourced room is something you could be part of, please complete the volunteer application form on the church website or speak to Sue.  Mobile: 0403 822 324 Email: [email protected]

Good Friday | 9am service

5 Things the Cross has accomplished

This Good Friday, don't just hear a message, enter the experience, and encounter the reality of what happened on the cross and how it relates to your greatest needs. This is not your typical good Friday service – from the moment you step into the building the experience will begin. What you see, hear, and feel can have a lasting impact! Bring friends, family, associates and even your enemies, anyone willing to check it out. If you can't practically be there in person, watch online then share the experience with others.  

If you can’t make it in person, join us online and watch live stream via YouTube or Facebook at 9am.

No Kids Church | School holidays

The Kids Church Leaders and Team are having a well deserved break over the Easter and Anzac Weekends. 

There will be Easter themed colouring-in activities available at the back of the auditorium during the Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. 

We are looking forward to an amazing term 2 which kicks off on 1st May, 2022. 

NB: May we encourage you to plan to arrive at church by 10am each week? The Kids Ministry Sign-In Desk opens at 9:45am, this allows you time to relax, have a coffee and chat before the service. 🙂   

May you and your family experience a fresh outpouring of the powerful love of Christ during this Easter time. 

Baptisms | Easter Sunday

Galatians 2:20 NIV
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

What is the next step in your journey of faith? Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Easter and  express “Christ living in us" through water baptism. 

Click here if you would like to get baptised. 

Easter Sunday | 10am service

Much more was gained over Easter than was ever lost! We truly live in a “much more” reality when it comes to the Gospel of God’s Kingdom through Jesus Christ. Let’s discover together how we can live with “much more” purpose and fulfilment because of Easter!

If you can’t make it in person, join us online and watch live stream via YouTube or Facebook at 10am.

Seniors Ministry | 27th April 2022

Our Seniors Ministry will have guest speaker Elsie Carter from Ayrbrae plants to speak to us about gardening through the seasons and answer any tricky questions we may have. Please come ready to purchase plants from approx.  $5.25 -$6.

Details:

• Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
• Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
• Bring: please bring a platter for everyone to share

Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place! 

BRAAM BOTHA

Senior Pastor