Table of Contents
Is there anything better than Jesus’ presence?
Wednesday 26th June 2024
In John 16:7 (NIV), Jesus makes a profound promise:
“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”
This passage underscores the pivotal role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth.
The Holy Spirit as the Advocate
The term “Advocate” (Greek: Parakletos) encompasses a multifaceted role: Comforter, Counselor, Helper, and Intercessor. The Holy Spirit’s arrival (as promised by Jesus) marked a transformative shift for His followers. In His physical absence, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to empower believers, guiding them into all truth (John 16:13) and equipping them for their mission to usher in the rule of God in a pain-filled, broken and sinful world.
Empowerment for Mission
Acts 1:8 highlights the empowering function of the Holy Spirit:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This empowerment is not merely for personal edification but for effective witness. The Holy Spirit equips believers with boldness, wisdom, and the spiritual gifts necessary to fulfil their missional calling.
Conviction and Transformation
The Holy Spirit also plays a crucial role in convicting the world of Jesus’ payment for sin, restoration of righteousness, and fulfilment of judgment (John 16:8). This conviction is essential for the transformation of individuals and communities. As Christ-followers live out their faith, the Holy Spirit works through them to reveal the truth of the Gospel, bringing about repentance and renewal. This process is integral to establishing God’s Kingdom, as hearts and minds are turned towards God.
Guidance and Revelation
In John 16:13, Jesus assures us that the Holy Spirit will
“guide you into all the truth.”
This divine guidance is crucial for Christ’s followers as they navigate the complexities of life and mission. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s will, illuminates Scripture, and provides discernment. This ensures that the efforts to establish God’s Kingdom are aligned with His divine purposes and timing.
Unity and Community Building
The Holy Spirit fosters unity among believers, which is vital for the missional task. Ephesians 4:3 urges us to
“make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
This unity is a powerful testimony to the world and enhances the Church’s collective witness. As believers operate in harmony, they more effectively demonstrate Christ’s love and work together to advance His Kingdom.
A Better Reality
Through the Holy Spirit, Christ’s followers are ushered into a “better reality” where they are not merely passive recipients of grace but active participants in God’s redemptive plan. The Holy Spirit transforms lives, communities, and societies, reflecting the Kingdom of God on earth. This “better reality” is marked by justice, peace, and the tangible presence of God’s love.
In conclusion, John 16:7 underscores the necessity and benefit of the Holy Spirit’s presence for the mission of Christ’s followers. As we embrace the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, guidance, and transformative work, we become effective agents of God’s Kingdom, working towards a reality that mirrors heaven on earth.
May we continually seek the Holy Spirit’s infilling, allowing Him to lead us in our mission to establish God’s Kingdom here o
The Art of Neighbouring | 7 week church wide series
We want to let you know of an exciting initiative we are doing together as a church. But first, watch the video below.
Wherever you live, whatever you do, you are a neighbour to someone. What if Jesus actually meant what he said, when he invites us to love our neighbours? What does this look like? Who are your neighbours? Do you know them? Do you love them?
To address these questions, our church is running a churchwide series called the “Art of Neighbouring” where we get to explore the second half of the Great Commandment, that is, “Love your neighbour.” We will dive deep into what it looks like to transform our neighbourhoods by simply becoming a good neighbour.
So how can you take part?
Firstly, attend the 6 weekend services. All sermons will relate to loving our neighbour.
Secondly, participate in weekly life groups. We encourage life groups to meet weekly for 7 weeks to watch the teaching videos and go through the book and study guides. If you are not in a Life Group then we encourage you to start one up or sign up to one by clicking here. The book ($20) and study guide (free) will be available from Sunday, 23 June at The Desk.
And lastly, if you are a parent of school aged children, I invite you to bring your kids to Kids’ Church and/or FUSE Youth as they will be running the series as well.
Want to know more?
Come to The Desk after the service.
Send your queries to transformed@bcoc.com.au.
Check out the website at berwickchurch.org.au/neighbouring.
Let us love our neighbours well, together!
Kids Church | School Holiday Break | Online only
This is a friendly reminder that Kids Church will be on school holiday break on Sunday 30th June and Sunday 7th July. Activity sheets will be available for both services, and don’t forget to check out the online Kids Church videos.
We kick off Term 3 on Sunday 14th July with a super special “Wear your favourite Oodie or Jumper Fun Day” @ 9:00 am and 11:00 am.
Serve Your City | Volunteering Opportunities
At Berwick Church of Christ, we encourage everyone to Follow Christ, Love People, Serve their City, and Grow Faith Communities. We want to invite you to prayerfully consider serving your city in one of the following three ways. We look forward to helping you go and be His presence in these places.
Do you have a heart for refugees? We are looking for mentors to support eligible people from a refugee background through the COACH Community Mentoring Program located in the Dandenong/Casey region.
What is COACH Mentoring?
Coach Mentoring assists refugees who are seeking to become economically independent.
Each mentee’s goals are identified before being matched with a suitable mentor.
Typically, mentors and mentee’s meet once a week, for an hour and this relationship would continues for a period of 12 months.
Mentors are allocated a COACH Coordinator as a contact point to support them throughout this mentoring relationship.
Our mentoring program suits people with a heart to come alongside and support refugees as they settle in Melbourne. Mentors undergo training and screening checks, before being matched with a participant. The purpose of the mentoring relationship is to be a “friend with purpose”, to support them as they work towards achieving their identified goals, such as education, employment and making community connections.
If you have questions, or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to send an email to refugees@coachnetwork.org with your contact details.
As a Kids COACH Mentor, you can help children learn positive social skills, have fun, reach their goals, and build resilience. Come alongside a child at school to offer practical help and be a positive role model for one hour a week, for a minimum of 12 months. This opportunity is in partnership with Crossway South East, with an initial commitment of one day of in-person training and an online module. (10 volunteers for Term 3, 2024).
For more information, contact Ps Mat Daniels. Email: mdaniels@bcoc.com.au or phone (03) 9702 1011.
Would you like to empower primary-aged students to implement positive change in their lives? As a REBOOT program volunteer, you can help upper primary school students (grades 5 and 6) learn about wellbeing through fun games and activities during lunchtime. The wellbeing topics covered are Self-Esteem, Perceived Control, Optimism, Personal Relationships, and Achieving in Life, which are delivered in an actionable format. (5 volunteers for Term 1, 2025 training to be confirmed).
For more information, contact Ps Mat Daniels. Email: mdaniels@bcoc.com.au or phone (03) 9702 1011.
Sunday Service | His purpose for your life | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Join us this Sunday to discover how the Holy Spirit can transform your life and equip you to actively participate in establishing God’s Kingdom. You’ll hear an inspiring testimony on how the Spirit can lead and guide you to His purpose for your life. Let’s embrace the Holy Spirit’s guidance and reflect heaven on earth. See you there!
Kids Church | Sunday 30th June | ONLINE 9:00 am
This week at Kids Church…
2 to 4-year-olds | God will give us joy | Habakkuk 3: 17-18
5 to 12-year-olds | Reason to believe | Habakkuk 3: 17-18
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 30th 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.
Seniors Ministry | Friendship Group | Wednesday 26th June | 1:30 pm
Michael Taylor will bring his collection of pearls, and talk to us about the creation of pearls, and point us to the parable of Jesus concerning the Pearl of Great Price. Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm. Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806. Bring: please provide a plate for everyone to share.
Water Baptism | Sunday 7th July | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Water 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.
Complete the expression of interest form if you would like to be contacted about being Baptised.
YA Social | Sunday 7th July | 6:00 pm
Welcome to our next Y&Y Social for 2024!! We are having a movie night and watching “Jesus Revolution”!!! This is a great opportunity to meet other young adults, and also watch an incredible faith inspiring movie together. Invite your friends!
Snacks and Popcorn will be provided. BYO drinks (this is an alcohol-free event). Bring a chair and we can’t wait to see you there.
Mental Health Support Gathering | Tuesday 16th July | 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 Tuesdays 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.
Writers Group | Saturday 27th July | 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!
Exploring Partnership | Sunday 28th July | 1:00 pm
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 some of our Church Leadership as we chat 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
