Table of Contents
A new identity requires a new birth…
Wednesday 25th September 2024
Everything we do as Christians—our preaching, teaching, counselling, evangelism, prayers, and worship—must come from the understanding that justification has been established in our lives because we have redemption in Christ Jesus. We are not still negotiating redemption with God, hoping to win His favour someday. No, God took the initiative to redeem us. Now, it is something we discover more and more through revelation and embrace through faith.
Over the last few years, I have witnessed the rise of what I consider a wonderful practice in the church, which I will refer to as the “Come as you are” invitation to all. This means that we (the church) will embrace, without judgment, any person who wants to come to our gatherings. However, a common failing I often see in connection with that is the belief that those people should “leave as they were.”
Yes, everyone can come to Christ just as they are. The invitation is wide open to all, and no one has to get “fixed up” before coming to the Fixer. But that doesn’t mean there should be no revelation that would reposition that person’s life.
Being accepted in love is the first step. But letting people depart without helping them find fullness of life would not be aligned with Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. People who have engaged Jesus and embraced redemption should experience fundamental transformation in their lives. Jesus’ followers should all discover the mirror image of their new identity. This identity is being reflected to us through Jesus Christ. For this is what it means to be His disciples.
The basis of our new life in Christ is established in the divine exchange that took place on the cross.
For if, by the one man’s offence, death reigned through the one, many more who receive an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
(Rom. 5:17)
Just as Adam’s sin was applied to all humans,s equally, Jesus’s righteousness is offered to all humans, too. This conviction of being the righteousness of God in Christ goes beyond mere “positional righteousness.” As with all true convictions, it spills over into our practical living, which bears fruit as “practical righteousness.”
The ‘within’ always becomes the ‘without.’
This means that the internal aspects of our identity inevitably manifest in our external behaviour, relationships, and the outcomes we experience in life. As we revere who He has made us through the new birth from Above…we replicate Him in our day-to-day living! With this new nature, a new rule governs our lives.
‘He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
John 3:2-3 NIV
Playgroup | Being His presence to Young Families in our Community
Maybe you have a spare weekday morning?
Maybe you just love young children?
Maybe you are retired or semi-retired and have some time on your hands? (Even if you like to get away for a chunk of the winter, there is still opportunity to join our team).
Maybe you’re a mum or grandma who cares for young children?
Term 4 is a busy term at Playgroup as we prepare for Christmas and we would love to have you join us! Maybe you’d like to come to Playgroup as a participant in Term 4 or as a volunteer?
Why not chat with Sue today? 0403 822 324 or [email protected]
Sunday Service | 29th September | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
The world is desperately looking for hope, purpose and answers. This Sunday, we will explore how the power of the Gospel can bring hope, healing and transformation. Come along to discover how the same power that raised Jesus from the dead can renew your life and your community.
No Onsite Kids Church | Sunday 29th September | School holiday break
Hey, parents and kids! Heads up—there will be no onsite Kids Church on Sunday, September 29th due to the school holidays. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our awesome online Kids Church experience!
Mark your calendars because Term 4 starts with a bang on Sunday, October 6th! Can’t wait to see you all back in action then!
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 29th September | 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.
Growing To Maturity (GTM 1) Course | Tuesday 8th October 2024 | 7:00pm
GTM is the ideal follow-on course to ‘Search to Find’ or ‘Alpha”. It is the perfect next step for those who:
- Are hungry to grow in their relationship with God
- Want their faith to move from head knowledge to life experience
- Desire to learn how to live out the Christian life in a practical way
Growing To Maturity (GTM) is a unique discipleship course that combines the use of:
- Participant workbooks
- DVD’s
- Weekly inspiring audio talks
- Group discussion and sharing
- Special weekends
- Personal challenges
Mental Health Support Gathering | Tuesday 8th October | 7:30 pm
Mental Health Support Gatherings cater for people who may benefit from mental health support. This may be personally or to assist a friend, family member or carer. This is a safe place to be heard, to share life’s challenges, make friendships and have hope restored. Remember, you are not alone.
In addition, the Gatherings also provide tools to assist people in dealing with life challenges and, on occasion, have specialist speakers addressing relevant topics. The Mental Health Support Gatherings are held on Tuesday evening fortnightly during the School Terms from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. If you’re interested in coming along please click the ‘Book Now’ link below and choose: Special Interest Group: Mental Health Support Gatherings. For more information please contact the Church Office 03 9702 1011. The Mental Health Support Gatherings are a ministry of the Berwick Church of Christ.
Seniors Ministry | Friendship Group | Wednesday 9th October | 1:30 pm
Guest speaker, Sarah Johnson (School Chaplain) will share with us about her life in Ireland during “The Troubles” from 1968-1998. She will also speak about her conversion to Christ, and how this impacted family relationships.
Alpha Course | Wednesday 9th October 2024 | 7:00pm
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that create a safe and honest space, where people can explore the meaning of life and faith.
Connect
Connecting with others is important; friends gather around the kitchen table, meeting for coffee or catching up online. It’s no different at Alpha. All sessions start with a time to connect, relax and build friendships – whether in person or virtually.
Watch
The Alpha talks are designed to engage and inspire conversation. Each video talk is around thirty minutes long and explores important issues around faith and the basics of Christianity.
We address questions such as;
“Who is Jesus?”
“How can we have faith?”
“Why and how do I pray?”
“How does God guide us?”
Discuss
One of the most important parts of any Alpha Course is sharing thoughts and ideas in small groups. There’s no obligation to say anything, and there’s nothing you can’t share (seriously). It’s an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly, and respectful environment.
Come along and enjoy a meal with others, watch an Alpha Talk video and have an open discussion in a friendly and non-judgemental environment where everyone’s opinion and experiences are validated.
Next Steps Lunch | Sunday 13th October | 1:00 pm
As a movement, we need to get to know each other better and take the next steps in our faith journey. To this end, we want to invite you to the … Next Steps Lunch.
The Next Steps Lunch is an opportunity to connect, learn more about our church movement, and discover your potential while enjoying a delicious meal.
The lunch is especially relevant to Newcomers, but we encourage you to register if you’ve been an attendee, volunteer, or partner and have never been to a Next Step Lunch before.
And did I mention that it’s free?
Writers Group | Saturday 19th October | 9:00 am
Aspiring writers, 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 community of like-minded individuals.
Whether you write poetry, short stories, essays, 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 each other to reach new heights and unlock our full potential as writers. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be a part of something truly special.
Join us today and let your creativity soar!
Baptism Class | Sunday 20th October | 12:45 pm
Baptism is the complete immersion into water 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. Come along to hear more as we unpack scriptures together.
Book now if you want to be contacted about attending the Baptism Class.
Y&Y Service | Pastor Dave Edgar | Sunday 20th October | 5:30 pm
Pastor Dave and his wife, Ailen, are the State Directors of Youth Alive Victoria and have been leading YA Vic since 2016. Dave and Ailen were youth pastors at Faith Church for the better part of a decade and saw incredible fruit from their ministry. Dave brings the skills he learned as a youth pastor into the Youth Alive network and is wholeheartedly committed to equipping, empowering, and encouraging youth pastors to be as effective as possible in their local settings.
Dave is a passionate evangelist. He is articulate and has a powerful testimony of loss, tragedy, and the power of God to bring good from moments of despair. He has a degree in ministry, sound Bible knowledge, and a strong anointing to impart breakthrough faith.
Be sure to join us in food and fellowship after the service. SEE YOU THERE!
Child Dedication | Parent Briefing | Q&A | Sunday 27th October | 1:00 pm
If you are interested in your child(ren) being dedicated on Sunday November 17th at our 9.00am or 11.00am service, there is a brief but important Briefing Session which includes a Q&A. Also complete the Child Dedication form as soon as possible.
Men's Camp | Xtreme Character Challenge | Thursday 31st October 2024
Men, are you ready for a challenge on 31 Oct – 3 Nov 2024 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.
NB: This is NOT a Church Men’s Camp. The XCC is set up like an endless adventure; men are confronted with significant physical challenges, deep camaraderie, and profound moral and spiritual input moments. Through the XCC process, men find perspective; they evaluate who they are and find a purpose worth living for.
Cost: $450:00
*Note: This event is run independently from Berwick Church of Christ.
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!
We will 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), but you are welcome to book a cabin if you prefer.
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 the good sites and cabins go quickly!
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
