Table of Contents
Christmas | An Invitation to Join God’s Mission of Renewal
Wednesday 17th December 2025
Christmas is not only the story of Jesus coming into the world—it’s the story of why He came. He came to save, to restore, and to renew. And part of the wonder of Christmas is this: God invites us to join Him in His mission to make all things new.
The Christian hope is not escaping the world but seeing the world transformed. Jesus’ birth signals that God’s Kingdom has broken into history—not in full, but in seed form. The King has arrived, and His renewal project has begun. Every healing, every act of forgiveness, every moment of justice and compassion is a sign that God is reclaiming His world.
Christmas is the moment when God says,
“I am not giving up on creation—and I invite you to participate in its healing.”
When Christ came, He didn’t just come as a teacher or leader; He came as a substitute. The cross is the ultimate expression of God’s justice and mercy meeting. But the resurrection is the launch of the new Kingdom reality—new life beginning now, not just later.
“The gospel creates a whole new identity and sends you out into the world in sacrificial love.”
Tim Keller
Christmas, therefore, commissions us.
Just as Jesus was sent, so we are sent.
The shepherds did not return to their fields unchanged; they returned glorifying God. The Magi went home by another way—not just geographically but spiritually. Even Mary, treasuring these things in her heart, began participating in God’s mission by raising the Messiah Himself.
In the same way, Christ’s coming reshapes the life of every believer.
Christmas invites us to join God’s mission by:
- Bringing peace where there is conflict
- Practising generosity where there is need
- Offering hope where there is despair
- Extending forgiveness where there is hurt
- Serving faithfully where God has placed us
You don’t need a platform, title, or special gifting to participate. You need only a willing heart. The Kingdom of God grows wherever ordinary people respond to the extraordinary grace of Christ.
And this is the beauty of the Christmas invitation: God doesn’t merely work for us—He works through us.
Every act of love is a Kingdom act.
Every prayer is a Kingdom seed.
Every sacrifice is a Kingdom signpost.
Every step toward justice, compassion, or reconciliation is a proclamation that the true King has come.
This Christmas, as lights shine, gifts are exchanged, and families gather, remember that the greatest gift you can offer this world is your surrendered life—your willingness to say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
The manger invites you not only to worship the King who came, but to join the King who is still at work.
This is His world.
This is His mission.
And Christmas is His call to take your place in it.
Help wanted | Share the load in 2026
Are you looking for an opportunity to serve our church and local community who are in need? Do you have a few hours spare on Monday’s to help gather resources for the Food Pantry team? Have you got a car that can tow a trailer?
We are looking for help in collecting food from the Food Bank in Dandenong each Monday during school terms. It usually takes 2-3 hours. This would greatly help share the load between our current volunteers. We will provide all training and ongoing support.
To participate in this role, you will need to register as a BCOC volunteer. If you are not a current volunteer, please click here to complete the Volunteer Application Form.
Please contact Ps Arlo (arlo@bcoc.com.au), Joy McKerihan (0400 062 962) or Lyn Stephens (0414 517 849). We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sunday Service | The Inn-vitation | 9am & 11am
What if the Incarnation didn’t end at Christmas—but continued through us?
This Sunday, we’ll explore how the Church is called to be the living, breathing invitation of God in the world. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:17–20 and Matthew 5:14–16, Genny will unpack how every believer carries the light of Christ into everyday spaces—as ambassadors of reconciliation and innkeepers of grace.
As Christmas Day approaches, this message will challenge and encourage us to see our love, language, and lifestyle as signposts of God’s new creation—visible, welcoming, and full of hope.
Come ready to be inspired, and to take one simple but powerful step: personally inviting others to encounter the good news of Jesus this Christmas.
We are the light. We are the invitation. And the doors are open.
Kids Church | ONLINE ONLY | Sunday 21st December 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
This week at Kids Church…
2 to 4-year-olds | The Shepherds |Luke 2:8-20
5 to 12-year-olds | Jesus Is Born | Luke 2:1-20
Prayer & Fellowship Walk
The Tuesday morning Prayer and Fellowship Walk is taking a break over the holidays and will resume in February.
Please message 0419 277 500 if you’d like to know more.
Christmas Day Services | Thursday 25th December | 9am & 11am
Christmas is the beginning of God’s new creation, the moment His Kingdom breaks into the world with unstoppable hope. Jesus came not merely to inspire us, but to rescue us—because we needed salvation, and because His love is deeper than our brokenness.
Join us and let Christ fill your home with peace, your heart with joy, and your steps with renewed purpose!
Kids Church Returns | Sunday 25th January 2026 | 9am & 11am
Kids Church is on summer break and returns with a Summer Fun Day – another great outreach opportunity for family and friends.
Alpha Course Commencing | Tuesday 3rd February 2026
WHAT IS ALPHA?
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that create a safe and honest space, where people can explore life, faith and meaning.
Enjoy a meal with others, watch an Alpha Talk video and have an open discussion in a friendly and non-judgemental environment.
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.
The Marriage Course Commencing | Wednesday 11th February 2026
The Marriage Course is for married couples who are seeking to strengthen their relationship. Some married couples attend the course to intentionally invest in their relationship, while others are looking to address more specific challenges. Either way, the course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime.
The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all married couples with or without a church background. The course will help you to:
- Understand each other’s needs
- Communicate more effectively
- Grow closer by learning methods to resolve conflict
- Recover from the ways you may have hurt each other
- Recognise how your upbringing affects your relationship
- Improve relationships with parents and in-laws
- Develop greater sexual intimacy
- Discover each other’s “love language” and much, much more….
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 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!
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
