Friday 23rd December 2022

We’re in the final week of the year! It will include Christmas as well as New Year’s!  Expectations will meet reality, and for most of us it will be a mixed bag with mostly fulfillment and a little bit of frustration sprinkled here and there.  Within this context, it is so important to give yourself a clear set of values by which to engage this season. The alternative – to be guided by your emotions – may just end up in more frustration.  You may be one of those encountering a couple of challenges: A first Christmas without someone that always used to be part of it. A first Christmas in a new country. A first Christmas as a Christ-follower. A first Christmas with a sobering diagnosis… Make it a time where you are anchored in sound values!

In fact, we will be spending the whole of January focused on how hope is an anchor for our souls.

As said last week, I’d like to propose four values that you can take with you as you engage over these next few weeks with people during festivities. This week we will look at the last two:

Be serving

The inevitability of a season immersed in marketing campaigns related to the secular “X-mas” concept is consumption. Consumption has a way of playing with our minds. Our privileges become rights, responsibilities become entitlements, and the downward spiral towards self-centeredness gains momentum. If you put on the “servant attitude” while surrounded by “consumers” it may be overwhelming… it may even feel as if you are giving up a hard earned position in the “pecking order” as far as your relationships go! But there is a promise that directly ties God’s interference in such settings: Godly greatness.

'Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” '

Mark 10:43-45 NIV

ps. What is that one thing no-one else wants to do in your household? Why don’t you become the servant  by example and own it?

Be humble

Humility is a characteristic of which the current holder never becomes the sole owner! You have to take it up every day… We all collectively should inspire each other to be humble. There is of course the misconception that humility equals an insecure posture, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Humility is understanding that God is in control of everything and you are here to serve His purposes and not the other way around! Living from this understanding brings ultimate security and confidence:

'For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. '

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

From my family and I: May you have a merry, merry Christmas and a prosperous new year…may you be focused on Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, and confident in the Father’s love!

Kids Church Online | Sunday 25th December

While our Kids Church leaders and volunteers are taking a break, you can still watch Kids Church online! Visit our website and tune in for some fun and great teaching.

>>>KIDS CHURCH ONLINE<<<

Sunday Service | 9am Christmas Day

It's a very special Christmas service Sunday. Don't forget we will be starting at 9am and concluding at 10am. Join us as we celebrate our King.

We would love to see you at 9am here at Berwick Church of Christ, 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806. If you can't make it, you can catch up on our YouTube channel.

>>>WATCH LIVE STREAM<<<

Office Closed | Monday 26th December 2022 – Tuesday 3rd January

The office will be closed Monday 26th December 2022 and open Tuesday 3rd January 2023. If you are in need of a pastor or support, please call (03) 9702 1011 and leave a message and we will contact you.

No Service | Sunday 1st January

Our wonderful volunteers are having a well deserved break and will be back Sunday 8th January 2023! Why not watch one of our live stream services on YouTube or Facebook that you may have missed in 2022.

Mental Health Support Gathering | Tuesday 3rd January

These Gatherings are facilitated by Christians who wish to walk alongside people in their journey, loving and caring for them by providing a safe place to be heard and share life’s challenges together, offering friendship and hope. In addition, the Gatherings will provide tools to assist people in dealing with life, with specialist speakers addressing relevant topics.

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Anchored In Hope | Sunday 8th January

Our exciting new series, Anchored In Hope starts off 2023! 

We would love to see you at 10am here at Berwick Church of Christ, 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806. Come early and enjoy a hot drink at our cafe. If you can't make it, you can catch up on the YouTube channel.

>>>WATCH LIVE STREAM<<<

Food Pantry opens | Tuesday 17th January

The Food Pantry will open Tuesday 17th January 2023 between 10.30am – 2.00pm to support those in crisis. If you would like to donate food, please leave it in the Food Pantry basket in the foyer from Tuesday 3rd January 2023. The Food Pantry is where friendships and connections have been made with beautiful stories of hope. 

>>>MORE DETAILS<<<

Vision Sunday 2023  | Sunday 29th January

Our first Vision Sunday for the year will have the worship team taking us to heavenly places. We will bring you a fantastic message giving us direction for 2023. Why not come early and enjoy a coffee at our cafe. We look forward to seeing you!

We would love to see you at 10am here at Berwick Church of Christ, 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806. Come early and enjoy a hot drink at our cafe. If you can't make it, you can catch up on the YouTube channel.

>>>WATCH LIVE STREAM<<<

ALPHA | Wednesday, 1st February

WHAT IS ALPHA?
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that create a safe and honest space, where people can explore life, faith and meaning.
Enjoy a meal with others, watch a video and have an open discussion and conversation in a friendly and non-judgemental environment.

CONNECT
Connecting with others is important; friends gathered 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 one is around thirty minutes long and played as a video. They explore important issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions from Who is Jesus? and How can we have faith? to Why and how do I pray? and How does God guide us?

DISCUSS
One of the most important parts of any Alpha is the chance to share 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 open environment.

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

GTM1 | Tuesday 7th February

Growing To Maturity course (GTM1)
GTM is the ideal follow-on course to ‘Search To Find’ or ‘Alpha” and is perfect 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

Who could you bring? 

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Seniors Ministry | Wednesday 8th February

The Friendship Group is back for 2023! Come along and invite someone new who has not come to the Friendship Group before.

Details:

• Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
• Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
• Bring: please bring a plate for everyone to share

>>>SENIORS MINISTRY<<<

Life@Work Conference | Saturday 18th February

The Future of Work: How to love your colleagues and share Jesus in an ever-changing landscape

Life@Work Conference is City Bible Forum’s annual conference to encourage Christians in the workplace. Since 2013, the conference has been equipping and empowering Christians from around Australia, and the world, for their life and witness in the workplace.

Join us at Life@Work Conference 2023 as we discover the answers. Feel confident to be a Christian in your daily work, in spite of uncertainty!

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Young Families Camping | Friday 3rd March – Sunday 5th March

Who would like to go camping at Warburton Holiday Park, 30 Woods Point Road Warburton. Located approximately one hour from Berwick? This is a chance for young families to camp together and experience the fun of connecting through camping. You’ll need to provide your own camping equipment, bedding, meals etc. Make sure you book.

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place! 

BRAAM BOTHA

Senior Pastor