Friday 4th November 2022

As we approach our invitation weekends in the current series, I want to refresh our memory on the importance of how we as His body approach our community and its events. Soon we will have state elections, and no doubt with the election comes the need to take up the responsibility of citizenship (if you are one) and vote in line with your conscience, while doing it prayerfully. For those not able to vote, we can still pray!

Throughout history we see the Church has taken various positions:

• The Protesting Church – sees the world as evil and we must posture against. There is a time to be a prophetic voice – but that should not be our only identity.

Picket lines, demonstrations, and public protests are hallmarks of this approach

• The Absent Church – Christian community seeks to isolate itself. Where the Church abdicates its role in society – Society quickly moves on without it, seeing the Church as irrelevant. We are not of the world, but need to be present in the world.

Absence = Irrelevance

• The Cultural Church – The pendulum swings to the other side with the Church assimilating the value system of Babylon and is indistinguishable from the world.

Pollution = Powerlessness

• The Representative Church – When we do live in and for and through Christ, something extraordinary happens, we become carriers of His grace.

As Jesus – we engage with GRACE and TRUTH.

What does being “representative” mean? It is found in the truth of how Christ came and lived us. A working definition of  representational ministry is “the immersion of one’s self into a local culture and ‘becoming Jesus’ to that culture.” Representative ministry seeks to dispense with ministry “from a distance” and embrace ministry “up close and personal”—the love of God and the gospel of Christ are “incarnated” or embodied by the person ministering. Just as the Son of God took on human flesh and came into our world, we should adopt the culture to which we are ministering and “become Jesus” within it. A central tenet of the incarnational ministry concept is “live the good news and preach the good news.” This means that when we are present we are taking the presence of Christ into our world. We actively dismantle the deception of dualism by integrating Sunday’s faith with Monday’s realities!

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV

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.

FUSE Youth | Friday 4th November

FUSE Youth get ready for live worship, an incredible message from our very own Annie & a time of ministry together. Of course, we will have food and fun included in the night!
7pm start, $5 for the night!

Important details:

• @BCOC
• @7-9.30pm
• $5 for the night!

>>>FUSE YOUTH DETAILS<<<

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.

Kids Church | Sunday 6th November

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

PREP – GRADE 6 | You make me brave

Joshua and Caleb | Numbers 13-14

WONDERKIDS & LITTLE SPARKS | I can thank God for He is good

Every good and perfect gift | James 1:17; Genesis 1

>>>KIDS CHURCH DETAILS<<<

Sunday Service | Overwhelmed?

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?

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<<<

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<<<

Boys Brigade | Monday 7th November

Be part of the action Monday night. 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

>>>CHECK OUT BOYS BRIGADE<<<

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. Featuring special guests – Phoenix Barber Shop Quartet as well!
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

The Mental Health Support Group is a ministry of the Berwick Church of Christ. We have been serving our community with support for over 150 years. You may yourself be interested or might want to refer someone you care about to this opportunity.

We have two groups:

• one group for people who live with a mental health issue/s; and
• another group for those who are caring for them. 

These support groups 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, this support group will provide tools to assist people in dealing with life, with specialist speakers addressing relevant topics.

You are not alone.

The Mental Health Support group meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.

Our first open evening is on Tuesday 15th November so please book now as numbers will be capped.

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

Baptisms | Sunday 4th December

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.

>>>EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM<<<

Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place! 

BRAAM BOTHA

Senior Pastor