Berea Update for June 13, 2025
Wow! What an amazing week we just had at the church with Adventure Camp VBS! 57 campers and over 25 volunteers helped make the event one to remember! Campers spent time in canoes on the pond, learned how to set up camp sites, did archery, learned how to read maps, fished, and did crafts and games each day. Also, each day, campers heard from God's Word and were challenged to memorize a verse each day. It was awesome to build new relationships, push campers outside their comfort zone, and see kids excited about the Bible. Below are a few pictures from the week, but more will be shown on Sunday morning, so I would encourage you to come to our morning worship service! A HUGE thank you to everyone who volunteered to serve as a part of the week! The event could not have been what it was without you!
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday, I'll be preaching another message in the series on the promises of God called "Ask, Seek, Knock: The Promise of Answered Prayer." It will be based on Luke 11:1-13 and several different portions of Scripture. We'll also be honoring our fathers as a part of Father's Day and will be showing a recap video of Adventure Camp!
2. The summer quarter for Sunday School is continues! We would love to have you join one of the two adult offerings for this quarter:
A Study of the Sermon on the Mount (Meeting Location: Family Life Center)
Teacher: Pastor Mark Gainer
This 13-week class on the Sermon on the Mount, will explore Jesus’ transformative teachings in Matthew 5–7 diving into themes of kingdom living, righteousness, and discipleship. Discover how these timeless principles challenge and inspire us to live faithfully in today’s world. This sermon is as relevant today as it was back then! Participants will be encouraged to apply Jesus’ teachings to their own lives in very practical ways throughout the course.
Christian Life & Witness (Meeting Location: Front Left Room off Family Life Center)
Teachers: Pastor Brian Miller and Pastor Tom Wolverton
This course will work through "Christian Life & Witness," written by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The study is designed to help Christians revitalize their own faith and share it with others. The hope is that this class will inspire you to deepen your personal faith and confidently share the Gospel. Explore practical ways to grow spiritually and impact others through this transformative study.
If you have not done so already, please register by clicking here:
Summer 2025 Sunday School Registration (Kids do not need to be registered--they will continue in their same classes through the summer.)
3. Berea's Youth Group will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Saturday, June 21 from 8:30-11:30 AM here at the church. Mark your calendars now so that you don't miss this event to help support their upcoming mission trip to Cleveland in July!
4. Awesome job, Berea! We reached our goal of 400 soccer balls and pumps for our OCC boy’s boxes. God is AMAZING. For the month of June we are collecting plastic cars. We need cars that are larger than hot wheel size but not too big as they will be fitting in shoeboxes with a soccer ball and a water bottle. The BIG BOX in the foyer will have an example of what we are looking for, and here is a link to Amazon for another idea:
Amazon OCC Cars (6 for $7.99) . If you have any questions, please see one of Berea’s OCC Project Leaders. Thank you for your desire to fill our OCC shoeboxes for great gifts to show the love of Christ to these boys and girls and their families.
5. WHOLLY SMOKED! Save the Date! As announced last week in the blog, this year, we are moving Wholly Smoked to the weekend of September 13 and 14! This will hopefully allow for slightly cooler days to enjoy time together as a church family. Our band for this year was booked this past week, and you're not going to want to miss them! Keep on the lookout for the big reveal, and more details about the weekend together!
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. There were many Gospel seeds planted at Adventure Camp VBS! Pray for the campers and their families that they might respond to God's Word and the hope we have in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection!
2. Pray for Pastor Tom as he concludes his time on staff here at the church at the end of the month. Pray that he finishes strong, and that the Lord might continue to provide for he and Theresa.
***Please know that there are many individuals who need prayer this week due to health concerns and other events going on in their lives. Out of sensitivity to each individual's situation, these requests may not appear in this weekly blog. We have a "Prayer Team" at the church who receives more detailed information, and commits to praying for individuals in our church family.
This Week's Devotions
On Sunday, I'll be preaching a message on prayer, which is one of the spiritual disciplines that we should all be regularly practicing. For this week's devotion, I've included prayer, but also have some thoughts on other spiritual disciplines that I would encourage you to make a regular part of your day-to-day lives!
Day 1: The Discipline of Prayer
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Devotional Thought: Prayer is like a conversation with a trusted friend who never tires of listening. It’s an invitation to bring every worry, need, and gratitude before God, trusting He hears and responds. Through prayer, we exchange anxiety for His peace, which anchors us in life’s storms.
Reflection Question: What specific concern or gratitude can you bring to God in prayer today to experience His peace?
Day 2: The Discipline of Bible Study
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Devotional Thought: Studying Scripture is like exploring a guidebook that reveals God’s heart and will. It equips us for every challenge, correcting and guiding us toward righteousness. Regular study transforms our minds, aligning us with God’s purposes.
Reflection Question: How can you make time today to study a passage of Scripture and apply its truth to your life?
Day 3: The Discipline of Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV): "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Devotional Thought: Fasting is like clearing distractions from a busy life, creating space to focus on God. By setting aside physical needs, we deepen our dependence on Him, seeking His strength and clarity in secret, trusting His reward.
Reflection Question: What could you fast from today (food, media, etc.) to draw closer to God and seek His guidance?
Day 4: The Discipline of Worship
John 4:23-24 (ESV): "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Devotional Thought: Worship is like offering a heartfelt gift to God, expressing our awe and devotion. Whether through song, prayer, or service, worship aligns our hearts with His truth and Spirit, drawing us into His presence.
Reflection Question: How can you incorporate worship into your day to honor God with your heart and actions?
Day 5: The Discipline of Solitude
Mark 1:35 (ESV): "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."
Devotional Thought: Solitude is like stepping into a quiet space to hear a gentle whisper. Jesus modeled withdrawing to be alone with God, finding strength and clarity. In solitude, we quiet the noise of life to listen for God’s voice.
Reflection Question: Where can you carve out a moment of solitude today to connect with God without distractions?
Day 6: The Discipline of Service
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Devotional Thought: Service is like extending a helping hand to a neighbor, an act of love that builds community. Serving others reflects Christ’s humility and uses our freedom to bless, not curse. It’s a discipline that shapes our hearts to love like Jesus.
Reflection Question: Who can you serve today in a practical way to reflect Christ’s love?
Day 7: The Discipline of Fellowship
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Devotional Thought: Fellowship is like gathering with close friends to share life and encouragement. It’s in community that we inspire, challenge, and grow together in faith. Regular fellowship strengthens us to live out God’s calling.
Reflection Question: How can you engage in meaningful fellowship today to encourage or be encouraged by another believer?
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
Q: What do you call a dinosaur that goes to church?
A: A Pray-ceratops!
Let us know if there's something we can do for you this week! See you all Sunday!
Take care,
Mark