Table of Contents
Ready For The Future
Wednesday 22nd January 2025
As we reflect on Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength,” we are reminded of God’s incredible capacity within each of us. Scripture invites us to see ourselves not as passive recipients of God’s grace but as active participants in His Kingdom. We are empowered to navigate life’s challenges, step into uncertainties, and live boldly, entirely relying on God’s strength.
God has uniquely equipped us with gifts, talents, and abilities designed to be used in the flux of life. These gifts are not accidental but intentional, placed within us by the Creator who knows us intimately. Our calling is deeply tied to God’s redemptive work in the world. The strengths and capacities God has given us are tools to reflect His love and transform the spaces we inhabit.
When life feels uncertain, it is easy to doubt our ability to rise to the challenge. The future can feel daunting, full of changes and pressures beyond our control. But as Christ followers, we are not left to face these moments alone. God’s power is at work within us, enabling us to move forward with courage. Paul’s words in Philippians remind us that our strength comes not from our efforts but from the Spirit of God who lives within us. This divine partnership empowers us to approach challenges, knowing we are not abandoned but upheld by His strength.
Living boldly begins with a mindset shift. Instead of focusing on our limitations, we are called to focus on God’s limitless power. We maximise our potential when we recognise that every moment, every opportunity, and every challenge is an invitation to trust God’s power at work in us. This truth reminds us that this isn’t about striving harder but participating in God’s ongoing work of new creation.
Practically, this means taking steps of faith even when the path ahead is unclear. It means speaking words of life into challenging situations, using our gifts to serve others, and trusting that God will provide the strength we need as we step out in faith. It means leaning into the community for encouragement and accountability as we continually seek God’s guidance through prayer and Scripture.
Friends, let us embrace our God-given capacity, knowing we are empowered for the future. In Christ, we have the strength to live boldly, love deeply, and step confidently into whatever lies ahead.
Playgroup | A new thing for you in 2025?
If you have a regular weekday morning free during school term and would like a stronger sense of connection, Playgroup could be the answer! Playgroup is a ministry for the families of our church and community, gathering parents and grandparents with little ones to give opportunities to play and socialise. And our team is a wonderful group of women who help make playgroup happen and show Christ’s love towards the families, but gain some lovely connections along the way themselves! You can be involved whether or not you have a child or grandchild to bring!
You can find out more and register your interest here, or Sue would love to hear from you on 0403 822 324 or playgroup@bcoc.com.au.
Kids Church | Summer Fun Day | Sunday 26th January 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
Kids Church resumes this week, with a fun day of games, reconnection with friends and zooper doopers (fruit with no added sugar, of course ; ). Why not bring along a friend or a neighbour as a good way to introduce them to Kids Church?
Sunday Service | Empowered by our God-given capacity | Sunday 26th January 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
Do you know the distinctive gifts and strengths God has placed in you? Find out how to overcome challenges and trust God’s power in every area of your life. Discover practical ways to maximise your potential and live boldly being ‘Empowered by Our God-Given Capacity’.
New Series | Heaven on Earth | Starts Sunday 2nd February 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
Join us to discover how prayer is 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.
Boys Brigade | Monday 3rd February 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
Baptism Class | Monday 10th February 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.
Raising Awareness of Neurodiversity | Special Event | Thursday 20th February 2025 | 7:00pm
We have the great honour to host this special event to raise awareness of neurodiversity needs in our church and broader community. Sandhya Menon is a Multiple Neurodivergent Educational and Developmental Psychologist. Her organisation, Onwards and Upwards Psychology in Melbourne, focuses on upskilling and empowering clinicians, parents, and teachers to understand and support autistic and ADHDer individuals, with the ultimate goal of better well-being for these communities.
Sandhya has previously authored two best-selling children’s books using a neurodiversity affirming approach, The Brain Forest and The Rainbow Brain, and speaks at national and international conferences on autism, ADHD and cultural perspectives.
During this event Sandhya will present strategies to help broaden inclusion, specifically for group settings. NB: Only questions related to group settings will be addressed in the Q&A not individual needs.
This is a great PD opportunity for teachers and practitioners – the full price for this event is $60. Book early to secure a seat.
For all BCOC volunteers, Board and staff, this event is free onsite training. An email with a discount booking code will be sent out later this week. Please use the code when booking.
Young Families Camping Weekend and Young families Day Out | Friday 21st February 2025
Young Families Camping Weekend and Young families Day Out – Warburton – February 21-23 or February 22.
Our Young Families Camping Weekend at Warburton Holiday Park has been hugely popular and the area we are camped in is almost completely full, with over 140 people registered!
If you want to camp with us please use this link for online bookings.
If you can’t find a site or cabin, contact Sue Nicholls 0403 822 324 so you can be added to a cancellation list.
If camping isn’t your thing, or if you have missed out on a site or cabin, you can join us for the day on Saturday, February 22.
The day could include a trip to Redwood Forest for great photos, a sausage at our communal BBQ for lunch, watching children play in the free water park and even BYO marshmallows around our campfires in the evening – just register your interest using this link so we can keep you informed.
Baptism Celebration | Sunday 23rd February 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
Do you want to get Baptised?
Baptism is the complete immersion into water of those who have confessed their faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and their Saviour and baptisms are a wonderful source of encouragement and inspiration to the entire congregation. It has a number of significant meanings. If you are considering being baptised, please book now into the baptism class on Monday 10th February.
YA Summer Camp - Empowered for Unity | Friday 28th February 2025 | 10:00am
WELCOME YA! Empowered for Unity
Join us for fun, worship and fellowship. Here are some of the things we will be doing!
- Water sports
- Optional Golf
- Y&Y Service on the Saturday Night
- BBQ Dinner on Friday
- Dinner at the Bonnie Doon Hotel on Saturday Night
- Plenty of chances to hang out with friends as well as making new ones.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Next Steps Lunch | Sunday 2nd March 2025 | 1:00pm
As a movement, we need to get to know each other better and take the next steps in our faith journey. To this end, we want to invite you to the … Next Steps Lunch.
The Next Steps Lunch is an opportunity to connect, learn more about our church movement, and discover your potential while enjoying a delicious meal. The lunch is especially relevant to Newcomers, but we encourage you to register if you’ve been an attendee, volunteer, or partner and have never been to a Next Step Lunch before. And did I mention that it’s free?
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
