Table of Contents
Intimacy with God in ‘Babylon’
Wednesday 28th May 2025
It is one thing to believe in God; it is another to walk with Him closely. The invitation of the gospel is not merely to adopt a set of beliefs, but to enter into a relationship of deep, personal intimacy with the living God. This kind of relationship is not reserved for the spiritual elite—it is the birthright of every believer in Christ.
John Lennox often speaks about the “rational intimacy” of faith. In his discussions on science and Christianity, he challenges the myth that faith in God is irrational or blind. Instead, he shows that the God of Scripture invites us to know Him both relationally and intellectually. “God is not a distant concept,” Lennox says. “He is a Person who speaks, listens, and loves.” Practical intimacy with God, then, involves an intentional cultivation of both mind and heart through Scripture, prayer, and presence.
Intimacy with God is not an escape from the world, but an engagement with God in the midst of it. In reflecting on prayer, we need to see prayer as sharing the quiet joy of walking in “the garden” with God “in the cool of the day”, not as a religious duty. This echoes Genesis—and points us forward to a new Eden where God’s presence fills every corner of our lives. Intimacy with God is not confined to “quiet times”; it becomes the oxygen we breathe as we learn to live in step with the Spirit throughout the day.
‘And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.’
Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV
Let’s bring this idea home in the realm of the heart. The Christian life is not primarily about performance, but communion.
The goal of prayer is not to get things from God but to get God.
Scripture warms our affections and leads us into dialogue with God. The Psalms are not only God’s words to us—they are our words back to Him. Intimacy deepens as we begin to share our honest joys, sorrows, doubts, and hopes with God, knowing we are fully loved.
So how do we grow in this intimacy?
Start by slowing down. Create space to hear God’s voice. Use Scripture not just for information but for transformation. Talk to God throughout your day. Invite Him into your work, your worries, your conversations. Worship not just on Sundays, but in the small moments—while driving, walking, or washing dishes.
Above all, remember this: God longs to be with you more than you long to be with Him. His Spirit is within you. His Word is near you. And His heart is for you.
Let’s live as people who don’t just know God, but ones who truly know Him.
A Heartfelt Thank You
A huge thank you to all the amazing Working Bee volunteers who turned up to the Berwick Church of Christ on Saturday! Your time, effort, and servant hearts made a real difference — not just in the work completed, but in the love and joy shared throughout the day.
Every task, no matter how big or small, was a beautiful expression of being His presence in every place. Through your willingness to serve, you reflected Christ’s love in practical and powerful ways.
We are so grateful for each of you. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus and helping to make our church a place of welcome, care, and community.
Food Pantry | Help us knit a little more love
At the Food Pantry, we serve more than just meals — we serve love, compassion, and hope. While food is our primary mission, we’ve understood that basic human needs go far beyond what’s on the table. Warmth and comfort are just as vital, especially in winter.
That’s why we’re reaching out with a simple request: please donate a ball of wool.
Wool can be made into scarves, beanies or clothes. With the help of local knitters, we turn donated wool into warmth for those who need it most.
If you have extra yarn or two tucked away in a closet, from an old project or a new hobby you never got around to, we’ll gladly take it off your hands. You can drop off your donation at Berwick Church of Christ’s Food Pantry basket in the foyer, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm or Sundays 8:30am to 12:30pm.
Thank you for helping us knit warmth and weave love into the lives of our neighbours. Together, we’re more than a Food Pantry. We’re a community being His presence in every place.
Cafe | New Open Hours
At Berwick, we deeply value every opportunity for people to encounter Jesus and be present in our Sunday services. To help create a space where everyone can fully engage in our services, our cafe orders will be closing 15 minutes before each service. This means the cafe won’t be taking orders after 8:45am for the 9:00am service and 10:45am for the 11:00am service. We encourage you to grab your coffee early and join us in the auditorium as we gather to seek and encounter Jesus together.
Do You Love To Bake? | SYG
We would love some of your home-baked treats (muffins, slices and cookies are always popular!) to feed our cold and hungry young people and the volunteers who drive them around and cheer them on. This year we have 185 people registered so that’s a lot of mouths to feed in a tent kitchen!
To help with baking, you will need to have a Food Handling Certificate lodged with the church. If you don’t have one, here is the link to the free course – it only takes 30 minutes to complete. Once you have completed your Food Handling Certificate, please upload using this link.
Please contact Sue Nicholls if you have any questions (0403 822 324 or sue@bcoc.com.au). Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Ascension Day Special Event | Thursday 29th May 2025 | 7:00pm
The Ascended Christ. A Night of Prayer and Worship.
We are thrilled to invite you to a soaking and stirring evening of prayer and worship themed “Beholding the Ascended Christ.”
In a world filled with distraction and distortion, we believe the clearest vision we need is of Jesus Himself — risen, reigning, and radiant in glory. As 2 Corinthians 3:17–18 (NIV) reminds us:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory…”
This is more than a prayer event — it’s an invitation into transformation. As we gather with unveiled hearts, we believe the Holy Spirit will meet us with freedom, revelation, and glory. We are coming to behold Jesus — not in part, but in His ascended fullness. And in beholding Him, we will be changed.
Expect extended worship, scripture-soaked prayer, and sacred space to encounter the living Christ. Come with your heart open and your eyes fixed on Jesus. Whether you feel weary, hungry, or expectant — this night is for you.
Let’s behold Him together… and become like Him together.
Writers Group | Saturday 31st May 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!
Sunday Service | Building In Babylon - INTIMACY | Sunday 1st June 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
You’re invited to join us as we continue our series, “Building…in Babylon!”
In a world that often feels chaotic and increasingly secular, how do we build faith, hope, and resilience?
Over the course of seven powerful weeks, we’re diving deep into God’s Word, uncovering timeless truths and practical wisdom that equip us to thrive — even in today’s “Babylon.”
From navigating the dynamics of Manhood and Womanhood to understanding the Foundation of Family, Identity, and Intimacy, this series tackles relevant topics that shape our everyday lives. We’ll also explore the Holy Spirit’s power during Pentecost and the unwavering importance of integrity as we live out our faith in a challenging world.
“…Seek the peace and prosperity of the city… for I know the plans I have for you…” – Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV)
Don’t miss this transformative journey as we boldly navigate the challenges of living as believers in a secular world. Together, let’s build faith and strength in the face of adversity. Join us for “Building…in Babylon!”.
Kids Church | Discover How To Love Like Jesus | Sunday 1st June 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
This week at Kids Church…
2 to 4-year-olds | Jesus shows his disciples how to love others | Matt 8:5-13; Mark 5:24-34, 10:13-16
5 to 12-year-olds | I Will Follow (Live Like Jesus) | Philippians 2:5 (Supporting: Philippians 2:1-8)
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 1st June | 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 2nd June 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
Prayer & Fellowship Walk | Tuesday 3rd June | 6:30am
Every Tuesday morning, there’s a Prayer & Fellowship Walk around the church property.
This is an uplifting time of seeking the Lord together, presenting prayer requests for our church and community while enjoying great fellowship. We meet every Tuesday morning 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.
Seniors Ministry | Wednesday 11th June 2025 | 1:30pm
Missionary Aviation Fellowship
Pilot Garrett Munyard will speak to us about the work of MAF, which trains and supports Christian pilots to fly in remote and dangerous areas in support of God’s workers.
Details:
- Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
- Bring: Please bring a packet of food for afternoon tea for everyone to share
Baptism Class | Monday 16th June 2025 | 7:00pm
Baptism is 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. Book now if you want to find out more.
Exploring Partnership | Sunday 22nd June 2025 | 1:00pm
Exploring Partnership is an important step in taking up co-ownership of the vision, mission, and purpose of our Church. This meeting is an opportunity to understand the role of partnership in the broader functioning of the Church. You will meet leadership and we will talk about how you can partner with us to make our vision a reality.
If you regularly attend Berwick Church of Christ and are not yet a partner, we would like to invite you to attend our next meeting and enjoy lunch together.
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
