Table of Contents
New Creation, New Orientation
Wednesday 7th January 2026
In every generation, the church must carefully examine not only what it believes, but how those beliefs are shaping the everyday lives of God’s people. One of the subtle challenges facing the Western church today is a quiet shift in how the gospel is understood and lived.
Where consumer Christianity often says, “Jesus helps me live my best life,” the biblical gospel proclaims something far deeper and far more demanding:
“Jesus is Lord, and through Him God is putting the world to rights.”
This difference matters enormously.
The consumer version of faith tends to place me at the centre. Jesus becomes a helper, a healer, a problem-solver—someone who supports my goals, affirms my preferences, and comforts me in my distress. While Jesus is indeed compassionate and gracious, this framing subtly reduces Him to a means to an end. Faith becomes therapeutic, morality becomes optional, and discipleship is often shaped by personal comfort rather than costly obedience.
Scripture tells a different story.
The resurrection of Jesus is not merely the assurance that our sins are forgiven—though it gloriously includes that. It is the declaration that Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth. He is not an accessory to our lives; He is the rightful King over all creation. To confess “Jesus is Lord” is to acknowledge a new authority, a new allegiance, and a new way of life.
This truth directly confronts what many theologians describe as Moral Therapeutic Deism—the belief that God exists to make us feel better, be nicer people, and step in when life goes wrong, while largely staying out of the rest of our lives. The gospel does not invite us to manage God into our personal story; it invites us to be caught up into His redemptive story.
Through Jesus, God is putting the world to rights. That includes restoring broken hearts, forgiving sins, and offering eternal life—but it also includes renewing our minds, reshaping our priorities, and calling us to live as ambassadors of His Kingdom here and now. New creation does not simply change how we feel; it changes who we follow and how we live.
For us as a church, this means discipleship is not primarily about self-improvement, but about reorientation. Our lives—our relationships, our work, our ethics, our generosity, our use of power and influence—are all brought under the loving lordship of Christ. Grace is not licence to live as we please; it is the power to live as God intended.
As partners at Berwick Church of Christ, we are committed to forming disciples who do more than admire Jesus—we follow Him. We want to be a community shaped not by consumer expectations, but by Kingdom allegiance. A people who live with hope, humility, courage, and faithfulness as God continues His work of renewal through Christ.
May we continually resist a smaller gospel, and joyfully embrace the transforming truth that Jesus is Lord—and His Kingdom is breaking in.
With gratitude and hope,
Braam
Sunday Services | Sunday 11th January 2026 | 9am & 11am
“The resurrection of Jesus was the declaration that He is Lord of heaven and earth.”
This means:
- Jesus is not merely my Saviour
- He is the world’s rightful King
- New creation requires new allegiance
This week we unpack the meaning of this for us!
Kids Church | ONLINE ONLY | Sunday 11th January 2026
This week Kids Church will be online only.
2 to 4-year-olds | Philip | Acts 8:26-35
5 to 12-year-olds | The Lord’s Prayer | Matthew 6:9-13
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.
Playgroup | Being His presence with young families!
Do you have a weekday morning available during school term (with flexibility to allow for holidays and other commitments)?
And do you love God and enjoy showing His love to young families?
The Playgroup Helper role may be a perfect fit for you!
Why not talk to God about it/get in touch with Sue Nicholls 0403 822 324 to find out more about how to get involved. We have a great team of women of varying ages but there’s room for more!
Also if you’re keen to join Playgroup with a child or grandchild please use the Expression of Interest Form on the website or get in touch.
Kids Church Returns | Sunday 25th January 2026 | 9am & 11am
Kids Church is on summer break and returns with a Summer Fun Day on Sunday 25th January – 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 seven-week 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 seven-week 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!
Growing To Maturity (GTM 1 & 2) Course | Commencing Tuesday 28th April 2026 | 7:00 pm
GTM1 is the ideal follow-on course to Alpha. It is the perfect next step for those who:
- Are hungry to grow in their relationship with God
- Want their faith to move from head knowledge to life experience
- Desire to learn how to live out the Christian life in a practical way
GTM2 is aimed at developing deeper levels of intimacy and obedience to Christ and is an option for further growth for those who have completed GTM 1.
Growing To Maturity (GTM) is a unique discipleship course that combines the use of:
- Participant App
- Videos
- Weekly inspiring audio talks
- Group discussion and sharing
- Special weekends
- Personal challenges
Join us! Book now and find the truth.
Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!
BRAAM BOTHA
Senior Pastor
