Table of Contents
The Messiah, the Lord has come!
Wednesday 18th December 2024
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, our hearts turn to the good news announced by the angel to shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem:
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” Luke 2:11 NIV
This declaration is a moment of comfort and a cosmic announcement of God’s intervention in human history.
Scripture teaches us to view this proclamation through the lens of God’s kingdom breaking into the world. The title “Messiah” carries the weight of centuries of Jewish hope, the expectation that God would send a deliverer to rescue His people and establish His reign. Yet, the birth of Jesus turns those expectations upside down. Here is the Messiah, born not in a palace but in a manger, demonstrating that humility makes God’s power perfect.
The title “Lord” is equally radical. In the Roman world, this title was reserved for Caesar, the one who claimed divine authority over the empire. By calling Jesus “Lord,” the angels declare that true authority and divinity belong to this child born in Bethlehem, and not to worldly powers. Jesus is the one who will bring justice, peace, and restoration—not through force but through self-giving love.
This story is not simply about the past; it speaks to our present and future. As Isaiah foretold,
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned”
Isaiah 9:2 NIV.
In Jesus, the light of God’s rule shines into our lives, dispelling fear, sin, and despair. He invites us to live as people of that light, embodying His love and hope in a world still longing for redemption.
Christmas reminds us that the Messiah, the Lord, has come for Israel and all creation. His birth is the beginning of God’s mission to make all things new—a mission we are invited to join.
May this season fill you with awe at the humility of the Messiah, the Lord, and inspire you to live as agents of His kingdom. Let us proclaim that the true King has come, and His reign of peace is everlasting.
Join our Fantastic Volunteer Team!
Fulfilling the vision and mission of Berwick Church of Christ is only made possible through the dedication and service of our wonderful volunteers. As we have grown, the need for more volunteers has increased. Volunteering is partnering with Jesus to touch lives with his love. Serving as a volunteer is hugely rewarding, and a fun way to meet new friends and help our church community to flourish. We need your support for 2025 in the following areas…
- Worship – Musicians and Sound Technicians
- Kids Church – Sign-in, Safety, and Room Team
- Playgroup
- Food Pantry – Set up Team
Ready to jump on board? Click the link and complete the Volunteers Application Form.
Thank you for being a part of our community. We can’t wait to see you make an impact!
Kids Church Resumes 2025
Kids Church resumes on Sunday 26th January for a Kids Summer Fun Day. Bring a hat, wear some joggers, reconnect with buddies and bring along a friend for a great day!
Kids Church | Sunday 22nd December 2024 | Online Only
This week online at Kids Church…
2 to 4-year-olds | Happy Birthday, Jesus! | Luke 1:26-33, 38; 2:1-20
5 to 12-year-olds | Shepherds and Angels | Luke 2:8-20
A King has come | Sunday 22nd December | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Christmas celebrates the arrival of a new eternal Kingdom that has no end. His Kingdom is not of this world but for this world! It introduces a new rule that breaks through to the depths of the human heart and reaches to the breadth of the cosmos.
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 22nd December | 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.
Christmas Day Service | Wednesday 25th December 2024 | 9:00 am only
On Christmas Day we will celebrate our Saviour’s birth with one service at 9:00 am. How wonderful to start this special day by worshiping our risen King and enjoying fellowship with our church family and friends.
No Church services | Sunday 29th December 2024
As the year comes to a close, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers for their incredible dedication and support. They have given so much, and now it’s time for a well-earned break. There will be no church services on Sunday 29th December as our volunteers will be taking a rest over the Christmas holidays, and we will be reopening on Sunday, 5th January 2025.
We are deeply grateful for everything our wonderful volunteers do in supporting church wide ministries, and we wish you all a joyful and peaceful holiday season. We can’t wait to serve with you again in the New Year!
Raising Awareness of Neurodiversity | Special Event | Thursday 20th February 2025 | 7:00 pm
We have the great honour to host this special event to raise awareness of neurodiversity needs in our church and broader community. Sandhya 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. During this event Sandhya will present strategies to help broaden inclusion, specifically in group settings. This is an ideal PD opportunity for teachers and practitioners.
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. This is a unique opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s leading experts in this field. Book early to secure a seat.
Young Families | Camping Weekend | Friday 21st February 2025
Calling all camping families – kids of any age are welcome!
Get ready for a weekend of making unforgettable memories! We invite you to join us from February 21st (Friday) to February 23rd (Sunday) 2025, for the Young Families Camping Weekend at Warburton. Strengthening the bonds between your family and others is our main priority!
Enjoy crisp, fresh air, surrounded by stunning nature and a sense of freedom, watch children play around the campsite, enjoy the fantastic free Water Park and paddle in the Warburton River. Warburton has plenty of cafes, and Redwood Forest has fantastic walking and cycling trails and is great fun for photos.
At night, get ready for cosy campfires, where we’ll swap stories, roast marshmallows, and enjoy fellowship.
We are staying at the Warburton Holiday Park. Camping is loads of fun (and much easier with a group).
So gather your adventurous spirit, pack your sense of humour, and join us for this amazing weekend. Come and embrace the great outdoors with us!
Please mark your calendars and book soon because our Young Families Camping Weekend awaits and sites are filling up with 120 people already registered!
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.
From the Governance Committee
The following new HR policies were finalised and approved by the Elders on the 18th December 2024, and will be implemented in early 2025.
- Flexible Working Policy – this policy sets out our approach to flexible working requests by staff under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
- Remote Working & Working from Home Policy (and associated templates) – this policy outlines our guidelines for staff who may work from a location other than our offices.
These policies relate to staff only and will not be published on our website.
If you have any questions or feedback about any of our policies, simply email [email protected] or contact Karen Fletcher at the Church Office (9702 1011).
You will find all volunteer-based policies on the church website.
Interested in becoming a Volunteer?
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please check out the volunteering page on the website. There are several ministries listed but if you do not see the ministry you are interested in, click on the “Volunteer Application Form – Other Ministries” link at the bottom of the page for all our other ministry opportunities.
What is involved?
You will need to complete a Volunteer Application Form, have an interview with one of the Pastors, hold a current Working with Children Check, sign our Policy Induction, and undergo online safety training (which helps us meet all our insurance and legal obligations).
This may seem like a lot, but it is a once only process, with a safety training refresher every 3 years, and allows you to serve in any ministry area, with only one additional requirement if you serve in the Food Pantry, Café or Kitchen you will need to hold a Food Handler’s Certificate.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, please talk to one of our Pastors or feel free to contact Karen Fletcher at the Church Office 9702 1011.
Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!
BRAAM BOTHA
Senior Pastor
