Table of Contents
Walking in Faith with Christ as Our Guide
Wednesday 19th June 2024
In pursuing a fulfilling and purposeful life, creating space for God to lead us through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is paramount. Jesus’ own words in John 14:6 highlight the exclusivity and necessity of this relationship:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
This declaration points us to the centrality of Christ in our spiritual journey.
A personal relationship with Jesus involves more than acknowledging His existence; it requires an active, daily walk of faith. Hebrews 11:6 states,
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with God, prompting us to seek Him diligently and to trust His provision and guidance.
In creating space for God, we must prioritize time for prayer and meditation on His Word. Psalm 119:105 reminds us,
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Scripture guides us to navigate life’s complexities, revealing God’s will and character. As we immerse ourselves in the Bible, we become more attuned to His voice and direction.
Additionally, Jesus encourages us to abide in Him, as expressed in John 15:4-5:
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing.”
This abiding relationship is crucial for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
By making space for God, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and invite His leadership in our lives. Drawing near to Jesus cultivates a deeper faith, aligns our desires with His will, and empowers us to live out our purpose with divine guidance and strength. Through a personal relationship with Christ, we experience the fullness of life that He promises, walking confidently in His light and truth.
Do you love to spend time with little people and their mums?
We are looking for a child-free helper to join our Wednesday Baby Group (11.15am – 1.00pm) during school terms. Our Baby Groups are super cute!
Vacancies also exist for helpers in some of our regular playgroups (9.30 – 11.00am Monday to Friday) Helpers are only allocated to one group – so you really get to know the mums and children who attend on “your” day.
Interested in being His presence with mums and children from the church and community? Find out more or express your interest by contacting Sue Nicholls 0403 822 324, [email protected] or check out the link below.
Kids Church | School Holiday Break | Online only
This is a friendly reminder that Kids Church will be on school holiday break on Sunday 30th June and Sunday 7th July.
We kick off Term 3 on Sunday 14th July with a super special “Wear your favourite Oodie or Jumper Fun Day” @ 9:00 am and 11:00 am. NB: Our Kids Church online experience will still be available during the break, so jump online and enjoy!
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 [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] or phone (03) 9702 1011.
Sunday Service | Hearing God through changing circumstances | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it can be challenging to find moments of stillness to truly hear God’s voice. We invite you to join us for an inspiring sermon series encouraging you to hit the “pause” button and create sacred spaces for divine communication.
God in the midst of change
As we conclude our ‘Pause’ series, you will learn how life is full of changes, both expected and unexpected. This sermon will help you see God’s hand in all circumstances, teaching you to interpret life events as His communication. Learn to stay hopeful and faithful through transitions, trusting in His plan.
Key Points:
- Recap on hearing God through Scripture and the Holy Spirit
- Trusting God’s sovereignty in circumstances
- Interpreting life events as divine messages
- Responding to God’s voice in change
- Reflecting on changes with gratitude and trust
Kids Church | Sunday 23rd June | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
This week at Kids Church…
2 to 4-year-olds | Joy in the Psalms | Psalms 8 and 19
5 to 12-year-olds | Joy in the Psalms | Psalms 8, 16 and 19
Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 23rd June | 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 24th June | From 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
Mental Health Support Gathering | Tuesday 25th June | 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 26th June | 1:30 pm
Michael Taylor will bring his collection of pearls, and talk to us about the creation of pearls, and point us to the parable of Jesus concerning the Pearl of Great Price. Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm. Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806. Bring: please bring a plate for everyone to share
Water Baptism | Sunday 7th July | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Water 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 would like to be contacted about being Baptised.
YA Social | Sunday 7th July | 6:00 pm
Welcome to our next Y&Y Social for 2024!! We are having a movie night and watching “Jesus Revolution”!!! This is a great opportunity to meet other young adults, and also watch an incredible faith inspiring movie together. Invite your friends!
Snacks and Popcorn will be provided. BYO drinks (this is an alcohol-free event). Bring a chair and we can’t wait to see you there.
Writers Group | Saturday 27th July | 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!
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
