Stepping up… in the Spirit!​

Senior Pastor Braam Botha Communique
Table of Contents

Stepping up… in the Spirit!

Wednesday 15th May 2024

Christ Followers are blessed with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in navigating the complexities of everyday life. In our journey, the Holy Spirit serves as our divine compass, directing our steps and illuminating the path ahead.

Scripture assures us of the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives. In John 16:13 (NIV), Jesus promises:

 “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” 

This verse underscores the Spirit’s commitment to lead us into truth and reveal God’s will for our lives.

Furthermore, in Romans 8:14 (NIV), we are reminded

 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” 

This passage emphasises our intimate connection with the Holy Spirit as children of God, implying that as His children, we are guided and directed by His Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s guidance is not limited to spiritual matters but extends to every aspect of our daily living. Whether making decisions, facing challenges, or seeking wisdom, the Spirit is ever-present to lead and counsel us. As we yield to His prompting, we experience the peace and assurance that come from walking in alignment with God’s purposes.

Moreover, Galatians 5:25 (NIV) encourages us to “keep in step with the Spirit.” This implies an ongoing, active relationship with the Holy Spirit, where we attune our hearts to His leading and follow His promptings obediently.

In conclusion, the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our everyday living is a precious gift bestowed upon us by our loving Heavenly Father. Let us embrace His leading with humility and gratitude, trusting in His wisdom and provision as we journey through life.

FUEL - Living by the Spirit | Sunday 19th May | 9:00 am & 11:00 am

Join us for the last sermon in our FUEL series as we journey through the New Testament to uncover the profound work of the Holy Spirit. From the empowering presence of God in the Gospels to the dynamic agent of mission in Acts, and the transformative role in Paul’s letters, discover how the Holy Spirit empowers and unites believers in God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

Kids Church | Sunday 19th May | 9:00 am & 11:00 am

This week at Kids Church…
2 to 4-year-olds | I can talk about God to others | Jeremiah 31:3, 29:11
5 to 12-year-olds | Peter sees that Jesus is the Messiah | Matthew 16:13-20

Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 19th May | 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.

Y&Y Service | Sunday 19th May | 7:30 pm

Hey, Youth and Young Adults! Our next Y&Y service is on the 19th of May!!! Our special guest speaker is Ernie Laskaris who will share what’s on his heart regarding the YA space. Make sure you are there and bring your friends!

Ernie Laskaris is the pastor of Strong Tower Church, a small church in Balwyn composed mostly of young adults. He is at the tail end of his doctoral studies, having spent the past four years doing a philosophical study on meme culture (in the hope of being conferred the title “doctor of memes”). This is just a side quest, though, as Ernie is set to become either a full-time minister of the gospel or a future WWE Champion—whatever the Lord wills.

Be sure to join us in food and fellowship after the service. SEE YOU THERE!

Boys Brigade | Monday 20th May | 6:00 pm

For over 20 years, the Boys’ Brigade has advanced Christ’s Kingdom among boys. We provide a Christian community that supports boys and young men and assists in their Christian growth, physical development, and leadership training while teaching life skills. Come along and be part of the action!

ANCHORS | Grades 1 & 2: 6pm – 7:15pm
JUNIORS | Grades 3 – 6: 7pm – 8:30pm
SENIORS | Grades 7 to 18 years old: 7pm – 9.15pm

Future Now CCVT Summit | Wednesday 22nd - Thursday 23rd May 2024

BCOC has the honour of hosting the ‘Future Now’ CCVT Summit on 22-23 May, 2024. Summit is the main annual gathering of CCVT churches, agencies, and members who come to be encouraged, inspired and equipped for ministry. This is an excellent opportunity to build strong connections, meet new like-minded Christians and participate in the AGM.

FUTURE NOW SUMMIT 2024

Register for the entire two-day summit here.

FREE OPEN SESSION | Wednesday 22nd May | 7:00 pm

We invite you to attend the 7:00 pm Wednesday session which is a free event. 

HELPERS REQUIRED

As part of this event we need your assistance in set-up and pack-up during the following times and dates.

  • Tuesday, 21st May at 2:00 pm
  • Wednesday, 22nd May at 9:00 pm
  • Thursday, 23rd May at 4:00 pm

Please register your availability for set-up and pack-up below.

Mental Health Support Gathering | Tuesday 28th May | 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.

Seniors Ministry | Friendship Group | Wednesday 29th May | 1:30 pm

The stage is set for a great afternoon! Lollies, popcorn, and a super movie! This would be a great afternoon to introduce a friend to Friendship Group. Cost $2.

Next Steps Lunch | Sunday 2nd June | 1:00 pm

As a movement, it’s important for us to get to know each other better and take the next steps in our journey of faith. To this end, we want to invite you to the next … Next Steps Lunch.

The Next Steps Lunch is a 3-Sunday Lunch event (Sunday 2nd, 16th and 23rd of June 2024) where you will get the opportunity to get connected, learn more about the movement, and discover your potential whilst enjoying a delicious meal.

The lunches are especially relevant to Newcomers but if you’ve been an attendee, a volunteer, or a partner and you have never been to a Next Step Lunch before, then we encourage you to register.

The expectation is that people who book will attend all 3 lunches as each gathering has a different focus. And did I mention that it’s free?

Writers Group | Saturday 15th June | 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!

Baptism Class | Monday 17th June | 7:00 pm

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 want to be contacted about attending the Baptism Class.

Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!

BRAAM BOTHA

Senior Pastor