We dream of lives being transformed

We dream of lives being transformed

Friday 28th October 2022

This week I’d like to use the Chair of our Board at BCOC, Glenda Hutchinson’s address to our Partners as our preamble to the communique. I do this because it glorifies Christ on so many levels as well as centre us on what is most important for us as a faith community:

“Welcome and thank you for making it a priority to come out on an evening like this to gather as Partners. When we stepped into the role of Partners, we took up the responsibility of co-owning the vision and mission of our church and movement. That’s why the terminology was changed from Member to Partner to reflect active involvement.

Please remember that the Elders here are also your fellow Partners, whom you have appointed to serve our church in our role. Your support, prayers and positive involvement is vital to us.

Before we start talking about rebranding, I want us to step back and refocus on the big picture – God’s big picture for our church – why do we exist? What is God’s unique purpose for our faith family?

Through the years, much time has been invested seeking God’s heart for our church, including collecting prophetic words spoken over our church. We have captured this as our vision, mission and purpose. (Put up your hand if you think you can quote what it is).

We dream of lives being transformed through the power of the gospel. 

We do it by following Christ, loving people, serving our city and growing faith communities.

By doing this we will be His presence in every place!

The joy of baptising my son Peter, who had not been walking with the Lord, but whose life has now been transformed by the power of the gospel, through the work of the Holy Spirit and through the ministry of this church.

For all of us who have loved ones who are not currently walking with the Lord, this is our dream, our prayer and our vision – their lives transformed by the power of the gospel. I encourage us all to personalise our church vision in terms of how it could be fulfilled in the relationships in our life. Let’s make it our personal dream and vision – name those whose lives you desire to see transformed by the power of the gospel, through the work of the Holy Spirit.

As Peter now joins us in our mission by following Christ, loving and serving, God has planted in his heart the dream to see his friends’ lives also transformed – he is now focussed on growing a faith community within the sphere of his relationships.

Therefore, let’s not allow the rebranding to distract us from our vision. It needs to support our vision, not to become our vision!

As we continue our rebranding journey, let’s interact in a way that is consistent with our church culture and values – by being loving, helpful, hopeful and serving.

I have been quite shocked by the degree of emotions this process has evoked, including some hurtful things that have been said to people. Let’s journey forward together, being His Presence to one another, such that we are known as His disciples by our love for one another!”

Partnership is something special. It makes us as church, strong. Let’s partner, not only as members of a church, but as Christ Followers as we continue to be a church that lives in absolute obedience to Him!

'And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.'

Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV

Invite Sunday | 6th November 2022

It is easy to feel pulled in all directions by the messaging and expectations of society and culture. Many, feel stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. Others feel bombarded by information and decisions, deadlines and demands. Is there another way – a counter culture way – where the pressure is off? Invite your family and friends!

>>>INVITE FAMILY AND FRIENDS<<<

Invite Sunday | 13th November 2022

Instead of being overwhelmed, it’s time to overcome! When it comes to mental and emotional health, physical and family wellbeing, many people face an unseen enemy that makes it difficult to thrive in life. Few in the professional realm understand. Discover where the real battle lies and how to get free. Healing and freedom prayer will be available for all who want it. Invite your family and friends!

>>> INVITE FAMILY AND FRIENDS<<<

Bringing Christmas to life | Buy a tag!

As families across Melbourne come together and celebrate Christmas, let us not forget those who are struggling at this time of year.
To this end we are having an event where we invite our Food Pantry clients, pour love on them, and give them the ability to celebrate Christmas with their families.
Join us in by blessing…

  • a family with a hamper for $50 and/or
  • child with a gift for $30

Bring Christmas to Life by purchasing your gift tags at the Next Steps Desk Sundays between 9.30am and 12.30pm, 446 Centre Road, Berwick.

Your Story | My journey to the kingdom

One call changed my entire life…. wiped off my life that was wrapped in the dark and rescued into the light. It was in November 2018 and I had a call from God. On a busy Monday, I was driving 100km per hour on the Monash Freeway returning from family lawyers finalising the agreements of my child's care and finances.
Emotionally, it was a time that I hit rock bottom. I felt an unfathomable force pulling my hands that were on the steering wheel, towards the service lane. I stopped the car and felt a voice directing me to visit the “church".
I was not a part of a church, nor have I touched the bible. Weeping in agitation, I searched for the nearest church to my home on Google maps. I drove to ‘Berwick Church of Christ’ and walked into the reception. The lady at reception saw me with my exhausted eyes and voice. She introduced me to pastor Michael who just listened and who has supported me.
A year and a half prior to this calling, God saved me from an abusive marriage of 18 years. I was born to a Buddhist family. Followed most of the rituals and traditions, worshipping idols and listening to astrologers who also read my so called horoscope, and said that I was 99% matched to be wedded to the man who violated everything God ordained the marriage to be. I now understand that the ceremony and the union were not how God designed them to be.
One day in March 2017, God removed me from the pit I was in. He rescued me from the darkness and bought me to the light. In March 2019, after 4 months after my first encounter with God, I had a dream. God called me to give my heart to Jesus. I woke up the next morning, went to church, and surrendered my life to Christ. I felt like a butterfly, so free. I forgave all who hurt me and asked for forgiveness for worshipping idolatry. I let go of all my scars and feelings of being worthless
All good gifts are from God. He gave me life, a new breath of fresh air, and a new heart. I was born again. Since that day my entire life is being guided by our father in heaven. My son had an encounter with Jesus too after about 10 days of my union with Jesus. One thing after another that was robbed from my life started to be restored. I lost houses that were bought with endless hours of work. All the money that I saved for my son, the education centre that I built with years of hard work, my innocence was crushed, and my relationship with my family was shattered. All that was lost was restored.
Soon after my new journey with Jesus, I managed to buy a house. I rebuilt my tutoring centre and am now in a relationship with a man who follows my faith and I walk serving God according to his will. I accept and cherish the gift from my father above, yet I have realised all worldly things are temporal and only to be used while I travel this earth and that I become dust and my Jesus will have a room for me in my father's house.
My life at present is like a drop compared to my eternal life and I am ready to be with him when he calls me. My life has been a miracle. Jesus is the way, the truth, and life.

We love to hear inspirational stories about how individual lives have been changed! If you would like to share 'Your Story', please email: [email protected] and inspire others!

FUSE Youth | Friday 28th October

FUSE Youth ARE BACK. IMAGINE IF… Annie was an animal, what would she be?
We’re having an Imagine If themed games night this week and we can’t wait to see what you think about our leaders!
7pm start, $5 for the night!

Important details:

  • @BCOC
  • @7-9.30pm
  • $5 for the night!
>>>FUSE YOUTH DETAILS<<<

Walking Group Clyde | Saturday 29th October

Get ready to put on your walking shoes! If you are looking for a social walking group in Clyde, you have found it. We are of all ages and fitness levels. Bring your family and friends. Make new friends, build a support network, have fun, and work on your fitness.

Details:

  • Date: Every Saturday, weather permitting. Check the iConnect Facebook page for updates.
  • Time: 8.30am – 9.30am
  • Address: Casey Fields Playspace car park
>>>iConnect FACEBOOK PAGE<<<

Kids Church | Sunday 30th October

Join us in person or online 10am this Sunday at Kids Church.

PREP – GRADE 2 | Deliver us
Burning bush and the 10 plagues | Exodus 3:6-12; Exodus 7 – 12:42
WONDERKIDS & LITTLE SPARKS | God’s plans are always best
Joseph and the grains | Genesis 41-45

>>>KIDS CHURCH DETAILS<<<

Sunday Service | The Gospel Modelled

A real life unscripted conversation as Ken shares the Gospel with an unchurched guest. Anything could happen!

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<<<

Gospel Training | Four events

How to share the gospel with confidence!
In just two hours of training, we aim to increase your level of conviction and confidence in sharing the most powerful truth for transforming lives and communities.

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” Instead of being ashamed, be equipped!

Register your interest now.

>>>TUESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER | 8.20AM<<<
 
>>>TUESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER | 11.00AM<<<
 
>>>TUESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER | 7.20PM<<<
 
>>>THURSDAY 3RD NOVEMBER | 7.20PM<<<

Child Dedication Service | Sunday 6th November

Child dedication is the acknowledgment that not only are children a gift from God, but they are His children. You place your child into God’s hands and trust that He will guide you in parenting. Essentially, dedicating your child to God is to declare that you will train your child in the ways of the Lord.

Child Dedication is part of our regular service and requires the parents to bring their child to the front of the church at the appropriate time. We encourage siblings of the child to join in and we like to display a photo of your child on the monitor so everyone can see.

Register your interest now.

>>>CHILD DEDICATION APPLICATION FORM<<<

Men's Event | Sunday 6th November

Arthur Bolkas is a criminologist and writer who was raised on welfare in a Greek migrant family. He had been a successful athlete, school captain, and dux of his final year. But partway through an Arts/Law degree, his life spiralled out of control. Addicted to drugs and desperate for money, he was involved in a series of armed robberies and landed in prison. At the four-year mark of his sentence, lost and suicidal, a miraculous discovery changed Arthur’s life.

Since his release from prison, Arthur has driven taxis, run men’s groups, worked with at-risk youth and prisoners, pastored a church, spoken internationally, and featured in the general media. However, his life has not been easy. He feels strong but vulnerable; broken, but healing; grateful to be alive. He lives one day at a time and strives for balance in his life.

Details:

  • Date: Sunday 6th November 2022
  • Time: 6.00pm – 9.00pm
  • Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, room 1
  • Age: 16+
  • Cost: $10
  • Included: BBQ, drink & roaring fire
>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Seniors Ministry | Wednesday 9th November

Our Seniors Ministry will have guest speaker, Julie-Ann Van Tatenhove share about the mental well-being programs offered through GROW. GROW offers a range of programs for people looking for support with their mental health.
A Freewill offering will be taken

Details:

  • Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
  • Bring: please bring a plate for everyone to share
>>>SENIORS MINISTRY DETAILS<<<

Mental Health Support Group | Tuesday 15th November

As followers of Christ, we love people and understand that at times you may feel isolated emotionally or uncertain about your identity. There is good news! You can be filled with hope and purpose and know that God can transform any situation.

Come along and check out our Mental Health Support Group. You will discover a bigger purpose to live for. Our first open evening is on Tuesday 15th November from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Numbers will be capped so get in early to be filled with hope and purpose!

Details:

  • Date: Tuesday 15th November 2022
  • Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
  • Address: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, Vic, 3806
  • Cost: Free
>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Young Families Picnic | Sunday 27th November

Come along and join us at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick with your picnic lunch. We are looking forward to seeing all our families with young children connect and get to know new people while enjoying a picnic together.

Details:

  • Date: Sunday 27th November 2022
  • Time: 12 noon
  • Where: 34 Homestead Rd, Berwick VIC 3806
  • BYO: Picnic lunch

Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place! 


BRAAM BOTHA

Senior Pastor