The significance of Christmas
Wednesday 29th November 2023
Christmas should embody the essence of this season—it should be a celebration of the birth of Christ through timeless melodies, creative expressions, and eternal truths. On the 3rd of December, we will have two special Christmas Carol services. These services aren't solely a time for Christ-followers; they are invitational spaces where the message of hope and salvation in Christ can touch the hearts of unbelievers. We, as Christ-followers, embodying the spirit of sharing the joyous story of Christ's birth, can extend warm invitations to friends and families to come and celebrate with us.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands his disciples to
“go and make disciples of all nations,"
illustrating the inclusive nature of spreading the Gospel. The Christmas Carol services provide a gentle and accessible way to introduce non-believers to the message of Christ. The content narrates the miraculous story of Jesus' birth, resonating deeply with the human spirit.
Scripture also emphasises the importance of fellowship and sharing the Gospel. In Romans 10:14, it's stated,
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
I want to encourage all of you to extend invitations to loved ones and align with the mandate to share the Gospel. BCOC is well known for fostering a welcoming environment. Philippians 2:3-4 encourages believers to:
“do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Providing warm welcomes, informational conversations, and post-service interaction conveys the message of love and inclusivity in a practical and relevant way.
The Christmas Carol services aren't just for the sake of being artistic, they are opportunities to extend the love and grace of Christ to those seeking connection and hope. Your compassionate invitations coupled with the nurturing environment of BCOC, can help others to embrace the Christmas season as an occasion to share the profound message of how the Gospel can transform the lives of individuals and communities in a season that is well poised for this!
Fuse Youth | Friday 1st December
This week is our last Real Talk for the year and we are talking about all things relating to forgiveness! We’ll worship together, hear from Jordan, and have good chats! 7-9.30 pm, $5.
Sunday Service | 3rd December | 9 am & 11 am
O Come Let Us Adore Him – Our special Christmas Carol Services are being held on Sunday 3rd of December at 9 am and 11 am. “Christmas should embody the essence of this season—it should be a celebration of the birth of Christ through timeless melodies, creative expressions, and eternal truths being communicated” (Senior Pastor Braam Botha).
With this thought as our inspiration, the BCOC Christmas Carol Services will be filled with joyous songs, celebrations, and creative expressions of truth. They will provide great opportunities to come together to acclaim the birth of our wonderful Saviour Jesus Christ and His gift of Life for all and to extend the love and grace of Christ to those seeking connection and hope. Please invite your loved ones, friends, and neighbours to come and enjoy this special time together. This service will not be live-streamed due to copyright.
Kids Church | Sunday 3rd December | 9 am & 11 am
Parents and Carers, please note the Sign-in times for the 3rd Dec:
- 9 am service: 8:50 am to 9:15 am
- 11 am service: 10:50 am to 11:15 am
Sign-in is through the Family Life Centre doors (near the bathrooms) as per usual.
Pick-ups are via the external glass sliding doors of the Family Life Centre – just along the covered walkway on the outside of the building. Please support our Kids Ministry Teams by picking up your child(ren) as soon as possible after the services close (aka; before coffee 😊). Our teams need time to reset each room, have a break between sessions, and finish by 12:30 pm so they can enjoy fellowship with their church family in the foyer. Thank you for your careful attention to this request. 😊
11 am Kids Church session: For parents planning for their children to attend the 11 am Kids Church session, please ensure your children have eaten morning tea before they come as they get quite hungry by 12:30 pm.
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 3rd December | 5.45 pm
The Men’s Prayer Group is a group of men who meet regularly to pray together. James 5:16 – speaks about the effect of fervent prayer and how it achieves great things! Come along and enjoy fellowship, worship, and prayer as men of faith gather to seek God for mighty breakthroughs. Time: 5.45 pm – 7.30 pm.
Boys Brigade | Monday 4th December | From 6.00pm
This is a shout out to all boys Grades 1 to 12. For over 20 years the Boys’ Brigade has advanced God’s Kingdom through empowering and equipping boys in the faith in practical ways. Come join in and be part of the action.
ANCHORS | Grades 1 & 2: 6 pm – 7.15 pm
JUNIORS | Grades 3 – 6: 7 pm – 8.30 pm
SENIORS | Grades 7 to 18 years old: 7 pm – 9.15 pm
Sunday 10th December | End of Year Kids Church Celebrations and Grade 6 Graduations
We will be celebrating God’s goodness and reflecting on why Jesus came in each of our Kids Church Rooms.
Please note: This is the last Kids Church session for 2023. What a great year it has been!!!
Grade 6 Graduations
Our Grade 6 Graduations will take place during the first part of the worship service. Please note: All children from Grades 1 – 6 will be escorted into the auditorium by their Room Leaders for this special celebration. If your child(ren) is in Grades 1 – 6, please endeavour to sign-in them in before 9:55 am so they are ready to go into the service with their Leaders at 10am sharp. Many thanks. 😊
If you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions, please email [email protected].
Clyde Church | Sunday 10th December | 10.00am
Jesus promised a thriving life – but how do we practically step into this new life? It all begins with an encounter so join us on Sunday, December 10th at the Clyde Public Hall (30 Railway Rd, Clyde) for the Life With New Freedom Series. A trained prayer team will be available for anyone seeking freedom or healing.
YA Social | Sunday 17th December | 5.30 pm
HEY YOUNG AD’S, WE’RE GOING LAWN BOWLING!!! You are invited to our FINAL social of 2023! We are going to Berwick Bowling Club for some lawn bowls and dinner. The cost is $20, which includes bowls plus dinner. We can't wait to see you there!
Key Details:
- Date: 17th December 2023
- Location: Berwick Bowling Club, Edwin Flack Reserve, Berwick 3806
- Time: 5:30 pm
- Cost: $20
- What to wear: Your best bowls attire!
All YA invited (including VCE). Drinks are not included but there is a cafe where you can buy drinks. Please note this is an alcohol-free event.
Young Families Camping Weekend at Warburton Holiday Park | 23rd-25th February
Yes, it's on again in 2024! This year about 60 people had an amazing time together at our first-ever Young Families Camping Weekend.
We are so looking forward to our next Young Families Camp in 2024. This is an awesome opportunity to invite camping friends who don't attend church and give them a chance to connect with other Christian young families in a relaxed environment.
Please check out next year's event by clicking on the link below and booking as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a campsite.
>>>BOOK NOW<<<
Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!
BRAAM BOTHA
Senior Pastor
