Table of Contents
The Good News about you
Wednesday 18th September 2024
If our cities are to be transformed, it will happen through transformed people. It saddens me when I speak with Christians who do not understand who they are in Christ. To see communities change, it must start with people discovering who they truly are in Christ and learning how to represent this new life in broken communities.
Until we all fully understand that and live in it, it will always be beyond our reach to become city changers who can bring about the kind of community and culture we long to live in. Meaningful change in our culture and enduring change in communities are rooted in transformed character.
We need gospel-centred environments to help people understand God’s intention for their lives and their effect on society. All true transformation starts with and is sustained by knowing God. Knowing God means profoundly understanding God’s work in identification, intimacy, and integrity.
You were fully included in the redemption won by Jesus. You have been proclaimed righteous, not because of your righteous deeds but because you were folded into the moment of His perfect sacrifice and victory on the cross. Through faith in Christ’s completed work on the cross, you and I no longer approach life from the perspective of the fall of Adam but from the standpoint of victory in Christ. It will help to look at how Paul discussed this in the book of Romans:
‘…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.’
Romans 3:23-24
So many Christians are still trying to fix themselves as if they’re stuck in verse 23. They talk about their sinfulness, their tendency to rebel against God, and their unworthiness. They may do it partially out of a well-intentioned desire to remain humble before God and not think too highly of themselves. But it results in a false humility and a defeated life, and is so far from what God intended for them that it is almost unrecognisable.
Think about this: When a godly couple adopts a child, they don’t want that child to grow up saying, “I’m so sorry I’m not your child. I won’t eat much, I promise. I won’t make a mess, make any sounds, or ask of you anything. I’m so sorry that my existence causes you to have to buy more groceries. If you have any awful jobs, please give them to me. Nothing is too degrading for me—it’s what I deserve. I vow to dedicate my life to making you not sorry you took me in.” Of course not! That couple wants the child to forget about being adopted and wants them to feel like a child naturally born into the family.
As much as we were adopted into God’s family, we must also adopt God as our Father!
This will bring about a transformation of who we believe ourselves to be – it will bring about a reborn identity:
‘Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky’
Philippians 2:12,15 NIV
Another Transformed Life | Baptismal Testimony by Isla
I was raised in a very privileged Christian household. We attended church every Sunday and participated in youth camps and programs. I have a loving and supportive family consisting of my two brothers, mother and father. I am incredibly grateful and blessed for the love and encouragement I receive from my many friends and family members.
I have always been a Christian but in 2022 I had a life changing experience. I attended a Christian Youth Camp. As a teenager returning to the real world after lockdowns, I found it difficult to readjust. During a worship night, the preacher’s message struck a chord with me. I realised that my faith journey had stagnated like I had hit a wall. That night, I felt the presence of God in a way that’s hard to put into words. I felt joy, awe and yet, confronted—experiencing what I now understand as the fear of God. I didn’t know what to do, but when some leaders approached me and offered to pray for me, I agreed. I had been feeling guilty and ashamed of who I was, but in that moment, I felt God reassuring me that He was with me and that He loved me, regardless of how I saw myself. After their prayers, I experienced an immense sense of relief and tranquillity, which remains the best feeling I’ve ever had. Since then, my story has had its share of struggles and tests of faith, but whose hasn’t?
A verse that has stuck with me is Psalm 91, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” The power of these words has pushed me to do things I never thought I could do with the confidence that God is by my side. While getting to know God I have grown as a person. Talking to new people and doing new things has become easier. Talking about my faith journey doesn’t feel awkward. I am proud of the person I am. I have truly recognized myself as a masterpiece that was meticulously created by God in his perfect image. The insecurity I had felt for so long in my appearance, my interactions, friendships and relationships (with not only my family but with God) has completely disappeared. I know where I stand, who my people are, and who I am through God.
Now, more than ever, I know that God is my piece, safety and security through times of calamity. I am ready to declare that I am a follower of Christ, Jesus, his death, burial, and resurrection.
Playgroup | Being His presence to young families in our community
Maybe you have a spare weekday morning?
Maybe you just love young children?
Maybe you are retired or semi-retired and have some time on your hands? (Even if you like to go away for a chunk of the winter, we would rather have you for 80% of the school year than not at all!)
Maybe you’re a mum or grandma who cares for young children?
Maybe you’d like to come to playgroup as a volunteer or participant in term 4?
Term 4 is a busy term at playgroup as we prepare for Christmas and we would love to have you join us!
Why not chat with Sue today? 0403 822 324 or playgroup@bcoc.com.au
Serve Your City | Volunteering Opportunities
At Berwick Church of Christ, we encourage everyone to Follow Christ, Love People, Serve their City, and Grow Faith Communities. We want to invite you to prayerfully consider serving your city in one of the following three ways. We look forward to helping you go and be His presence in these places.
Do you have a heart for refugees? We are looking for mentors to support eligible people from a refugee background through the COACH Community Mentoring Program located in the Dandenong/Casey region.
What is COACH Mentoring?
Coach Mentoring assists refugees who are seeking to become economically independent.
Each mentee’s goals are identified before being matched with a suitable mentor.
Typically, mentors and mentee’s meet once a week, for an hour and this relationship would continues for a period of 12 months.
Mentors are allocated a COACH Coordinator as a contact point to support them throughout this mentoring relationship.
Our mentoring program suits people with a heart to come alongside and support refugees as they settle in Melbourne. Mentors undergo training and screening checks, before being matched with a participant. The purpose of the mentoring relationship is to be a “friend with purpose”, to support them as they work towards achieving their identified goals, such as education, employment and making community connections.
If you have questions, or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to send an email to refugees@coachnetwork.org with your contact details.
As a Kids COACH Mentor, you can help children learn positive social skills, have fun, reach their goals, and build resilience. Come alongside a child at school to offer practical help and be a positive role model for one hour a week, for a minimum of 12 months. This opportunity is in partnership with Crossway South East, with an initial commitment of one day of in-person training and an online module. (10 volunteers for Term 3, 2024).
For more information, contact Ps Mat Daniels. Email: mdaniels@bcoc.com.au or phone (03) 9702 1011.
Would you like to empower primary-aged students to implement positive change in their lives? As a REBOOT program volunteer, you can help upper primary school students (grades 5 and 6) learn about wellbeing through fun games and activities during lunchtime. The wellbeing topics covered are Self-Esteem, Perceived Control, Optimism, Personal Relationships, and Achieving in Life, which are delivered in an actionable format. (5 volunteers for Term 1, 2025 training to be confirmed).
For more information, contact Ps Mat Daniels. Email: mdaniels@bcoc.com.au or phone (03) 9702 1011.
Fuse Youth | Friday 20th September | 7:00 pm
Hey Fuse! We are going to Rush HQ! Like last year, we have booked out the ENTIRE PLACE for Fuse Youth! That means we will have the whole trampoline park to ourselves! Make sure you invite all of your mates and we can’t wait to see you there!!
Sunday Service | 22nd September | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
We will continue our 3 week series on Worship, delving into what happens in the heart of a true worshiper and how we can be more intentional when we enter God’s presence both in our private and congregational times of worship.
No Onsite Kids Church | Sunday 22nd & 29th September | School holiday break
Hey, parents and kids! Heads up—there will be no onsite Kids Church on Sunday, September 22nd and 29th due to the school holidays. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our awesome online Kids Church experience!
Mark your calendars because Term 4 starts with a bang on Sunday, October 6th! Can’t wait to see you all back in action then!
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 22nd September | 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.
Growing To Maturity (GTM 1) Course | Last Chance | Tuesday 24th September 2024 | 7:00pm
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
Seniors Ministry | Friendship Group | Wednesday 25th September | 1:30 pm
Tiny and sometimes annoying though they be, we can learn some lessons from ants. With more than 15,000 species, and 2.5 million for every human on earth, we have lots to learn!
Mental Health Support Gathering | Tuesday 8th October | 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 Tuesday evening 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.
Alpha Course | Wednesday 9th October 2024 | 7:00pm
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that create a safe and honest space, where people can explore the meaning of life and faith.
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.
Come along and enjoy a meal with others, watch an Alpha Talk video and have an open discussion in a friendly and non-judgemental environment where everyone’s opinion and experiences are validated.
Writers Group | Saturday 19th October | 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!
Y&Y Service | Pastor Dave Edgar | Sunday 20th October | 5:30 pm
Pastor Dave and his wife, Ailen, are the State Directors of Youth Alive Victoria and have been leading YA Vic since 2016. Dave and Ailen were youth pastors at Faith Church for the better part of a decade and saw incredible fruit from their ministry. Dave brings the skills he learned as a youth pastor into the Youth Alive network and is wholeheartedly committed to equipping, empowering, and encouraging youth pastors to be as effective as possible in their local settings.
Dave is a passionate evangelist. He is articulate and has a powerful testimony of loss, tragedy, and the power of God to bring good from moments of despair. He has a degree in ministry, sound Bible knowledge, and a strong anointing to impart breakthrough faith.
Be sure to join us in food and fellowship after the service. SEE YOU THERE!
Men's Camp | Xtreme Character Challenge | Thursday 31st October 2024
Men, are you ready for a challenge on 31 Oct – 3 Nov 2024 at the Snowy Mountains, NSW? An XCC is a mind, body, and soul adventure – an active and challenging endurance event for men out in the wild.
NB: This is NOT a Church Men’s Camp. The XCC is set up like an endless adventure; men are confronted with significant physical challenges, deep camaraderie, and profound moral and spiritual input moments. Through the XCC process, men find perspective; they evaluate who they are and find a purpose worth living for.
Cost: $450:00
*Note: This event is run independently from Berwick Church of Christ.
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
