Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother
Friday 5th May 2022
Your entrance into humanity is impossible without the involvement of a mother. As we approach Mother’s Day 2022 I am so aware of the complicated season we have been through over the past two-and-a-half years, and how much of the drain it caused was absorbed by our mothers:
- The hunting for toilet paper in the panic-buying seasons
- The sudden responsibility of homeschooling
- Being the “at home medical officer”
- Acting as resident counsellor in our dark days
- Being the general “solution finder” for anything families are confronted with that they haven’t been scripted for
And then you add the normal responsibilities they carry. There can hardly be a greater servant than a mother. Scripture is rich in its reference to this. Here are just ten of them. I am sure as you read through them…you’ll see your mother in them. Let’s celebrate them well this year. Let’s honour them as a gift from God!!!
1. Mothers comfort
Isaiah 66:13
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you."
2. Mothers think about us
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?"
3. Mothers rekindle hope
Proverbs 31:25
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
4. Mothers counsel
Proverbs 31:26
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."
5. Mothers inspire
Proverbs 31:28–29
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'"
6. Mothers teach
Deuteronomy 6:6–7
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
7. Mothers are role models
Proverbs 31:31
“Honour her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
8. Mothers carry us in our most vulnerable season in life
Psalm 139:13-14
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
9. There is no life without them
Genesis 3:20
“The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living."
10. Their true beauty is from within
1 Peter 3:4
“You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."
Thank God for mothers…but let’s not forget to thank mothers for being mothers!
Volunteers | We thank you!
A big to shout out to Krishan, Christine and Ray, our fantastic volunteers who jumped in Sunday to help out. We have a wonderful group of volunteers who regularly and casually assist. If you have a heart to serve our community and have a few spare hours, fill out a volunteer application form found here.
Food Bus | Update
This week, we had a very special visitor. The Big Purple Bus from the Food Bank came and operated their mobile food pantry from our Church. The bus carries 3000 kg of food and is run by 6 workers. Our Food Pantry team was able to assist and see how they worked. Together we helped approximately 100 people with food and some laughter and conversation along the way. The Big Purple Bus travels all over Melbourne helping to feed struggling people and we look forward to working with them again soon.
Food Pantry | Balls of wool
There is a lovely group of ladies in the local area who knit blankets and items for our local community. If you have any spare or leftover balls of wool, please leave them in the Food Pantry basket. Big or small, any size would be greatly appreciated!
Mother’s Day | Photo competition!
Get your best smile on to upload a photo of your mum, grandma, nan or female caregiver Sunday 8th May on Facebook. Look out for the competition post Sunday 6am and upload your photo in the comments. We want to see your beautiful family in the photo too! You can also email your photo to [email protected].
The competition closes at midnight Tuesday 10th May 2022 so be quick and don't miss out. Three winners will be announced Sunday 15th May during our 10am service so make sure you turn up in case you win one of three prizes!
Fuse Youth | Friday 6th May
At Fuse Youth this week we are kicking off our new series Discipleship! Ryan is going to be sharing an awesome message plus we will have live worship, small groups and good food!
Details:
- Time: 7.00pm – 9.30pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
- Cost: $5
Kids Church | Sunday 8th May
Join us in person or online 10am this Sunday at Kids Church…
PREP – GRADE 2 | Peter and John face the Sanhedrin
Keep going even when it gets tough | Acts 3: 1-4 to 4:21
WONDERKIDS & LITTLE SPARKS | God made everything and God made me
Creation Days 3 & 4| Gen 1: 9-19
Sunday Service | The Best Gift from a Mum
Mother's Day is a day of celebration for most but for some it is a difficult time because of their experience as a mum or because of their experience with their mum. The Bible talks about a woman, who despite her difficult circumstances, was blessed by God to be the mum of the kingmaker. Come, join us and be blessed.
If you can’t make it Sunday in person, join us online and watch live stream via YouTube or Facebook at 10am.
Boys Brigade | Monday 9th May
Be part of the action Monday night. 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
Seniors Ministry | Wednesday 11th May
Our Seniors Ministry invites a skilled artist, Lynton who will inspire us with how he presents The Gospel through his art.
Details:
- Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
- Bring: please bring a platter for everyone to share
Annual General Meeting | Sunday 15th May
This is an annual meeting where we gather with our partners to conclude items of business for the previous year. This meeting can be attended by non-partners (they do not hold voting rights, however) who have registered their attendance at the church office before the event. We hold these meetings according to our constitution to
- confirm the minutes of the previous annual General Meeting and of any other General Meeting held since the previous annual General Meeting;
- to receive from the Board reports (including financial statements) on the activities of BCOC during the previous Financial Year;
- to confirm the appointment of Elders or the Senior Minister as required;
- to appoint an auditor for the following Financial Year; and
- do any other thing required to be done by the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) at an annual General Meeting.
Details:
- Date: Sunday May 15th 2022
- Time: 12.00pm – 1.00pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
Partners Gathering | Sunday 15th May
This is a partners only gathering where we will:
- galvanise our unity before Christ as head of our movement
- communicate important information on the state of the movement
- share with our partners information about future developments
- celebrate key breakthroughs in our movement
- build a stronger sense of community and relationship as partners
- create an opportunity to foster healthy communication
Details:
- Date: Sunday May 15th 2022
- Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
Forge Young Adults Service | Sunday 15th May
Come along to our fantastic Forge Young Adults service. It starts at 5.30pm!
Child Dedication Q&A meeting | Sunday 22nd May
If you're interested in Child Dedication, there is a brief Q&A and Briefing Session being held Sunday 22nd May immediately after service in Room 6 (Family Life Centre). Please phone or contact the church office to register your interest.
Next Steps lunch | Sunday 22nd May
If you are a newcomer then we especially invite you to join us at the Next Steps Lunch beginning 22 May.
The Next Steps Lunch is a 3-Sunday Lunch event (22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun) where you will get the opportunity to get connected, learn more about the movement, discover your potential, and take the next steps in your faith journey whilst enjoying a sumptuous meal.
The expectation is that people who book will attend all 3 lunches as each lunch has a different focus. And did I mention that it’s free? Book now.
State Youth Games | June 10th – 13th
It is with great excitement that we can say State Youth Games is finally back! Registrations are now open so if you are a youth or young adult, book your place now! This is a weekend you will not want to miss!
Key Details:
- Date: Friday 10th June – Monday 13th June
- Cost: $220 – part-time options are available (includes transport, accommodation, food across the whole weekend, sport & your nightly worship rally pass)
If you have any old Fuse T-Shirts or old towels that you no longer need and would be able to donate to us, that would greatly appreciated! We are also looking for some caravans that could be borrowed for our SYG helpers to stay in over the weekend. Please contact Genny (0400 896 644, [email protected]) or Mikayla (0431 317 332) if you are able to help out!
Do you have the heart to sponsor our youth and young adults?
We are also looking for people who may be able to help out by sponsoring some of our youth and young adults to come away on this incredible weekend who would otherwise not be able to come. If this is something you can help out with, please contact Genny Smith at [email protected] or Melinda Izvekov [email protected].
Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!
BRAAM BOTHA
Senior Pastor
