Table of Contents
The Word of Our Testimony
Wednesday 15th October 2025
Revelation 12:11 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” That is a startling truth. Our testimony — the story of what God has done in us — is not sentimental; it’s spiritual warfare. The enemy thrives on lies, but testimony declares truth: God is faithful, Jesus saves, grace restores, and love never fails. And this all is a free gift received by faith!
In John 9, a blind man healed by Jesus is interrogated by sceptics. His reply is beautifully simple: “One thing I know. I was blind, but now I see.” That’s testimony — humble, truthful, and powerful. It doesn’t glorify the person; it magnifies the Saviour.
Your testimony is the evidence that Christ is alive. It’s not about having a dramatic story; it’s about having a real one. Every time you speak of His free gift and faithfulness, you pierce the darkness. When you share how He met you in grief, or healed your heart, or redirected your life, your story becomes a bridge between someone’s doubt and their discovery of God’s love.
At BCOC, we believe discipleship is not just taught — it’s proclaimed. Testimonies are the living curriculum of the Church. They remind us that God’s story continues through His people. This week, write down your story — even briefly. Identify what life was like before Jesus, how you encountered Him, and how your life has changed since. Then pray for one person who needs to hear it. The word of your testimony may be the spark that ignites hope in someone else’s heart.
Care Meals Team
A home-cooked meal can be such a blessing and an expression of love and care in times of need. We would love to expand our team of people who are willing to prepare meals, either to deliver or bring them to the church freezer for distribution as needed. Does this sound like a way that you could be His presence in the lives of others?
Please use this form to express your interest in being part of our Care Meals Team (or email sue@bcoc.com.au if you have questions). Sue Nicholls.
Food Pantry | Our City Needs Your Help
The City of Casey Council recognised the generous support the Food Pantry and volunteers give to our local community. Council presented BCOC Food Pantry with the ‘Community Group of the Year’ award. Let’s reach out and show our support by purchasing something from our list in your next shop. You can drop it off in the Food Pantry trolley located in the foyer, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or Sundays 9am-12 noon.
Let’s Love People and Serve Our City, and buy one item to be His presence in the City of Casey!
- Biscuits (e.g. Arnott’s)
- Jam Spreads
- Pasta sauces
- Olive oil
- Muesli bars
- Tinned tuna
- Soup (e.g. tinned, powdered)
- Long life milk
- Toothpaste & toothbrushes
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Blankets
We also accept cash, card, and online donations. Payment via cash or card can be made during the above times or you can donate online.
Account name: Berwick Church of Christ Inc.
- BSB: 033 609
- Account number: 434168
- Reference: FOOD PANTRY
Bring Christmas to Life for Local Families in Crisis | Donate
As Christmas approaches, many of us look forward to laughter around the table, the joy of giving, and the warmth of being together.
But for some families in our local community, this season can be one of deep stress and uncertainty, wondering if there will be food on the table at all.
Bringing Christmas to Life is our way of changing that story.
We provide Christmas Food Hampers for Food Pantry families doing it tough and struggling to make ends meet, single parents, grandparents caring for children, and individuals facing unexpected hardship.
A simple hamper may seem small, but to someone in crisis, it means the world. It’s an expression of God’s love; and an action of unexpected kindness that brings hope.
This year, the need is greater than ever. Your generosity can help us fill each hamper with practical essentials and festive treats that bring smiles and relief to Food Pantry clients when it’s needed most.
Together, we can make sure every family we reach experiences the true heart of Christmas: love, kindness, and hope.
Thank you for helping us share the joy of Christmas with those who need it most and be His presence in every place.
Donations can be made:
- The Desk (Sundays 8:30am–1:00pm), Cash or EFTPOS
- Reception (Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm), Cash or EFTPOS
- Account name: Berwick Church of Christ Inc. | BSB: 033 609 | Account number: 434168 | Reference: BCTL
Operation Christmas Child
Would you like to bring joy and the love of Jesus to the lives of children? How about 200 children? How about 300 children? You have the opportunity to do this by taking part in Operation Christmas Child.
And you can do it in 6 easy steps!
- Purchase a box at the Desk for $1.00
- Fill the box with the gifts
- Label your box
- Bring the box back by Sunday, 19th October 2025
- Make a $12.50 donation for shipping and gospel materials
- Pray for the child who will receive your box
Bring joy and Jesus to the life of a child this Christmas by taking part in Operation Christmas Child.
Any questions? Come to the table set up in the foyer after the service, and the team will be happy to assist and respond to your queries.
Sunday Service | 9:00am & 11:00am
There is an important story being written at Berwick Church of Christ.
It’s the story of how ordinary people are being shaped and transformed by God’s Word and empowered by His Spirit. In this new series, Overcomers, we will learn what it means to be His presence in every place, in our:
- Homes
- Schools
- Workplaces
- Communities
This new series will help us discover how to live as Overcomers; not just surviving the pressures of life, but modelling the way of His Kingdom.
Join us and be equipped to overcome fear, temptation and cultural hostility by embodying the victory of Christ.
Kids Church | Sunday 19th October 2025
This week at Kids Church…
2 to 4-year-olds | Gideon | Judges 6 and 7
5 to 12-year-olds | Solomon Chooses Wisdom | 1 Kings 3:4-5 Supporting: Proverbs 15:1; 3:5-6; 17:17
Y&Y Service | Sunday 19th October | 5:30 pm
Come join us for the Y & Y Service and FORGE Worship team lead us in worship.
Make sure you stick around afterwards for some food and fellowship.
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 19th October | 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 20th October 2025 | 6:00pm
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
Prayer & Fellowship Walk | Tuesday 21st October | 6:30am
The Tuesday morning Prayer and Fellowship Walk is around the church property and is a powerful time of seeking the Lord together in prayer.
We pray for our church, community and nation. So come and join us at 6:30 am in the Berwick Church of Christ Car Park.
This is a wonderful way to start the day and you are most welcome to join us. If you haven’t joined us before please message 0419 277 500 by 8.00pm on Monday evening so we can keep you updated of any changes to the plans.
Exploring Partnership | Sunday 9th November | 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.
Men's Camp | Xtreme Character Challenge | Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th November 2025
Men, are you ready for a great challenge from Thursday, 6th to Sunday, 9th November 2025, 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.
The XCC is set up like an endless adventure; men are confronted with significant physical challenges, deep camaraderie, and profound moral and spiritual moments. Through the XCC process, men find perspective; they evaluate who they are and find a purpose worth living for.
*Note: This event is run independently from Berwick Church of Christ.
Writers Group | Saturday 15th November 2025 | 9:00am
Aspiring writers, published authors, and everyone in between—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 supportive community of like-minded individuals.
Whether you write poetry, short stories, essays, blog posts, 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 one another to reach new heights and unlock our full potential as storytellers.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be part of something special. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a few publications under your belt, we’d love to have you with us.
Join us today and let your creativity soar!
Family Camping Weekend or Day Out | 20 February 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 22 February 2026 @ 12:00 pm
It’s on again! Calling all camping families – kids of any age are welcome!
We invite you to join us from Friday February 20th to Sunday February 22nd 2026, for the Family Camping Weekend at Warburton. Our main priority is to strengthen the bonds between your family and others.
We’ll enjoy being surrounded by stunning nature and a sense of freedom as we watch children play, enjoy the fantastic free water park and paddle in the Yarra River. The nearby town has plenty of cafes and a Redwood Forest with walking and cycling trails; a great place for fun photos.
At night, get ready for cosy campfires, where we’ll swap stories, roast marshmallows, and enjoy fellowship (please note that campfires and the water park are not available if a Total Fire Ban is declared)
We are staying at the Warburton Holiday Park. Camping is always loads of fun, and even better in a group, but you are welcome to book a cabin if you prefer.
Engage your adventurous spirit, pack a sense of humour, and book a site or cabin for this fantastic weekend. Come and embrace the great outdoors with us! We do advise booking soon if possible as cabins and good sites go quickly!
If the whole weekend isn’t an option for you, you are very welcome to bring food etc and join us on Saturday (provided it is not Total Fire Ban), just let one of the organisers know to expect you, and use the ‘Book Now’ button so we have your details and can keep you updated.
When and where is this all happening?
CAMPING Option:
- Date: Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd February 2026
- Time: Arrive from 2.00 pm Friday, leave by 12.00 pm Sunday, or time of your choosing on Saturday
- Address: Warburton Holiday Park, 30 Woods Point Rd, Warburton, VIC, 3799
DAY Option:
- Date: 21st February
- Time: From 9:00am to 9:00pm or whatever time suits your family
Here’s what to do next!
- Choose your site from the “L”, “F” and “C” sites. You can see where others are camped here, so please add your family to this list after booking.
- Call and book a campsite 5966 2277 or visit the Warburton Holiday Park website or use this interactive map to book. A powered site costs $59 per night for two people, plus extra for children (book for Friday and Saturday nights unless you want to stay longer than the rest of us). You can also book a cabin or lodge if that suits you better. Advise the caravan park office or note in the comments section that you are with Berwick Church of Christ. Note that a laptop is easier than a phone when navigating the online booking system.
- Importantly, we need to know that you are coming so we can send communication updates. After booking with Warburton Holiday Park and obtaining a site or cabin number, please REGISTER HERE.
- If you plan to come for the day, please also REGISTER so we can update you and look out for you. We will add campers and day visitors to the WhatsApp chat group for easy communication before and during the weekend.
Shout out if you have any questions
Sue 0403 822 324 or sue@bcoc.com.au
Mikayla 0431 317 332
James 0449 662 512
Amie 0448 762 314
Sarah 0490 016 122
We look forward to seeing you in Warburton whether for the weekend or the day!
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
