Friday 19th May 2023

Work. When you hear the word…how does it make you feel? Tired? Nauseous? Uneasy? Stressed? Apparently, heart attacks most often occur on Mondays, at least on Saturdays, and hardly ever on public holidays.

Engaging in this activity that absorbs most of our waking hours, finding so much of our identity, and using the most of our abilities can be a stressful experience. What does it say about the health of society when most people spend most of their time at a place where they would not go…unless they absolutely have to. If you are a Christ Follower and the environment wherein you are employed as an antagonistic stance toward your faith, it can increase the tension.

The privilege we have in Australia is that Christians are not persecuted for their faith. Christians by and large make up most of society in terms of religious affiliation. Worldwide, however, Christians are the most persecuted group of people in the world!

“A Christian persecution watchdog has released statistics suggesting a Christian is martyred for their faith every five minutes.

Christian Freedom International has found that more than 200 million followers are facing persecution in 105 countries. This makes Christianity the most persecuted religion in the world.

The report has found that more Christians have been martyred in the 20th and 21st centuries than during the previous 19 combined.”

Florence Taylor Christianity Today

Let me reiterate:

In Australia, we are not persecuted…but we are pressured!

This Sunday, we will focus on how to bring Truth and love to our workplace. It is a very, very important topic. Whether you are a retiree, stay-at-home parent, or a CEO. You are responsible somewhere for some work to be done… What can we learn from Daniel on how to stand firm and love well in the workplace?

Volunteers | Thank you!

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we would like to thank our huge team of wonderful volunteers. You are so friendly, inclusive and make visitors feel like they belong with a caring and kind heart and understand that you are here to serve. You are humble and understand that God is in control of everything. You volunteer being filled with hope and purpose, and are a demonstration of Christ's light in the world. Being His presence in every place!

If you are not volunteering and would like to reach out and see what areas are in need where your gifts and talents could be greatly used, please register your interest.

>>>REGISTER YOUR INTEREST<<<

Food Pantry | Our city needs our help!

Last year the Food Pantry supported 96 families with 231 visits who were in need of crisis support. 96 families! Imagine, they could be your friends or neighbours. Families who are doing it tough. 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 basket 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!

At your next shop, please pick up:

• 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

>>>FOOD PANTRY<<<

Sunday Service | Who's the Boss?

We continue our church-wide series, The Daniel Dilemma. The primary objectives of the series are to “Raise and Equip Followers of Christ” and to “Love People”. The strategy we’ve employed is to go through a journey on truth and love by using the Daniel Dilemma series.

This will be reflected in our Big Church services, Life Groups, FUSE Youth and Kids’ Church. The series helps us learn to stand firm in God’s truth and love well with God’s love in the culture we live in. We will look to Jesus and Daniel as our examples.

Why not come early and enjoy a coffee at our cafe. We look forward to seeing you!

>>>WATCH ONLINE<<<

Kids Church | Sunday 21st May

This week Kids Church…
2 to 4-year-olds |Timothy and Tabitha |1 Timothy 4:12; Acts 9: 36-39
5 to 12-year-olds | Under Pressure: Peter and John face the Sanhedrin | Acts 3: 1- 4:21

Child Dedication Q&A and briefing | Sunday 21st May

If you're interested in Child Dedication, there is a brief Q&A and briefing session this Sunday at 12 noon in room 5.

Forge Young Adult Service | Sunday 21st May

Guest speaker Michael Rojales is the Associate Pastor at Berwick Church of Christ. He is married to Rachel and has a young adult daughter, Megan. He migrated to Australia from the Philippines in 1994, studied IT at Monash University, and embarked on a promising career at the ANZ Bank. In 2018, he left the bank in response to God’s call to become the small groups pastor at Berwick. A recent graduate of Melbourne School of Theology, Michael is passionate about cultivating Christ-centred communities and believes that the Brisbane Lions will win the 2023 AFL Premiership Flag. 5.30pm – 7.30pm and don't forget to bring a meal.

Men's Prayer Group | Sunday 21st May

The Men’s Prayer Group is a group of men who meet to pray together. The group meets at the church every Sunday evening. Where individuals spend time in prayer, worship, and fellowship together as men who walk together to seek the face of God. Starts 5.45pm.

Boys Brigade | Monday 22nd May

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 24th May

Let’s become aware of Him, hear His voice, and enter in, to worship Jesus. Communion will be led by Ps Mat Daniels, and he will also give his testimony of salvation. The Friendship Group meet in the Connect Lounge at 1.30pm to 4.00pm Please bring a plate for everyone to share.

>>>SENIORS MINISTRY<<<

Child Dedication | Sunday 4th June

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. If you are interested, please complete the Child Dedication Application Form and we will contact you.

>>>REGISTER HERE<<<

Baptism Class | Tuesday 6th June

Baptism is a step of obedience in a person’s life. Perhaps you are interested in getting baptised or would like to know more about what baptism is all about. If that is you, then we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.

Complete the expression of interest form if you would like to be contacted about being Baptised. Class is 7.30pm to 9.00pm.

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Mental Health Support Gathering | Tuesday 6th June

The Mental Health Support Gatherings is a ministry of the Berwick Church of Christ. We have been serving our community with support for over 150 years. You may be interested or might want to refer someone you care about to this opportunity. The gathering runs from 7.30pm – 9.30pm.

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

State Youth Games | Friday 9th – Monday 12th June

State Youth Games Registrations close TONIGHT at 11.59pm!! If you need sponsorship, please contact [email protected]. SYG is an event that unites thousands of youth & young adults from across Victoria. We compete against each other in sport, eat (lots), make new friends, build community and get together for night rallies, where we see young people come to Jesus. It’s. Epic.

SYG is an event that unites thousands of youth & young adults from across Victoria. We compete against each other in sport, eat (lots), make new friends, build community and get together for night rallies, where we see young people come to Jesus. It’s. Epic.

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Baptism Celebration | Sunday 18th June

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. There is a Baptism Class on Tuesday 6th June if you would like to know more.

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Alpha Marriage Course | Wednesday 19th July

The Marriage Course is for couples who are seeking to strengthen their relationship. Some couples do the course to intentionally invest in their relationship, others are looking to address more specific challenges. Either way, the course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime.

>>>BOOK NOW<<<

Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place! 

BRAAM BOTHA

Senior Pastor