Table of Contents
Prayer and Fasting for Breakthrough
Wednesday 26th February 2025
In times of uncertainty, challenge, and extraordinary opportunity, we are reminded that some of our most potent weapons are prayer and fasting. Scripture provides numerous examples of how these spiritual disciplines brought about divine breakthroughs. Today, I invite you to reflect on some biblical testimonies and join in a renewed commitment to seek God’s face through heartfelt prayer and intentional fasting.
Consider the story of Esther. When her people were threatened with annihilation, Esther declared a fast for all the Jews, saying,
“Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast”
Esther 4:16
In that desperate hour, the nation united in fasting and prayer, and God moved mightily to reverse the impending doom. Esther’s bold intercession not only secured the deliverance of her people but also demonstrated that when we humble ourselves before God, He listens and acts powerfully on our behalf.
Another profound example is found in Daniel’s life. In the book of Daniel, we read about a period of national confession and fasting. Daniel 9 records his prayer of repentance for the sins of Israel, acknowledging their need for God’s mercy. Later, in Daniel 10, after a three-week fast, Daniel received a visionary message from God that prepared him to confront the challenges facing his nation. These instances remind us that fasting and earnest prayer can pierce the veil of our circumstances and bring clarity, strength, and divine intervention.
We also see the ultimate example in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Before beginning His public ministry, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2). During this time, He faced temptations and prepared Himself for the mission ahead. Jesus’ example teaches us that fasting is not merely abstaining from food; it is a purposeful act of aligning our hearts with God’s will and empowering us to overcome spiritual battles.
Furthermore, the early church embraced these practices wholeheartedly. Acts 13:2 tells us,
“While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'”
This passage underscores that fasting and prayer are not isolated acts but are integrally connected to the calling and empowerment of ministry. They open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s leading and set the stage for God’s breakthrough in our lives and communities.
As we face our challenges, let us remember that prayer and fasting are pathways to divine intervention. They are tools to align our spirit with God’s purposes, to humble ourselves before Him, and to invite His transformative power into every area of our lives.
May we as a community, embrace these practices with faith and determination, confident that our God is the God of breakthroughs. Let us commit to seek His face in prayer and fasting, trusting that He will surely deliver us from every trial we may face.
Writers Group | Saturday 1st March 2025 | 9:00am
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!
Kids Church | Sunday 2nd March 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
Join the fun onsite at Kids Church this Sunday as we begin our series on Jesus can do anything!
Sunday Service | Sunday 2nd March 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
Join us to discover prayer as a transformative conversation with God, a relational act, and not just a ritual. We will unpack how prayer deepens our intimacy with God and is the central way to know God and grow in grace. It is an invitation to experience heaven on earth.
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 2nd March | 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 3rd March 2025
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
Seniors Ministry | Wednesday 12th March 2025 | 1:30pm
Aden Green from the Dandenong Gem Club will explain the meaning of different gemstones in relation to “Aaron’s breastplate.” (Exodus 28: 15-30)
Details:
- Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
- Bring: Please bring a packet of food for everyone to share
Exploring Partnership | Sunday 16th March 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.
Alpha Course Commencing | Wednesday 16th April 2025 | 7:00pm
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.
Baptism Class | Tuesday 22nd April 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.
GTM 1 Course Commencing | Tuesday 29th April 2025 | 7:00pm
Growing To Maturity course (GTM1)
GTM is the ideal follow-on course to ‘Search To Find’ or ‘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
Growing To Maturity (GTM) is a unique discipleship course that combines the use of:
- Participant workbooks
- DVD’s
- Weekly inspiring audio talks
- Group discussion and sharing
- Special weekends
- Personal challenges
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
