Berea Update for May 23, 2025
After a one week break, the Berea blog is back for another update of all the upcoming events here at the church! For many kids, this time of year marks a time of celebration as summer is beginning and another school year has come to a close. We certainly pray that each family's summer is full of good memories and lots of time spent together!
For years prior to coming on staff here, I attended high school graduation ceremonies as an elementary school principal--excited to see students cross the "finish line" of high school and enter into a new phase of life. But, high school graduation certainly hits you in a different way when your child is one moving onto the next phase of life. That's what we're experiencing in our house this year, as our oldest is graduating.
As I've watched hundreds of kids cross the platform to receive their diploma, there's always a bunch of grins, and there's sometimes the pumping of fists in celebration. For some the steps to graduate were easy, while for others it is such a grind. There's this unspoken confidence that in graduating, they're ready to face whatever might come their way. I don't know about you, but as I look back on my graduation, I now realize that it's not really the finish line that some make it out to be. It's just another step toward the ultimate finish line that we are pressing on towards as believers.
This weekend, I'll be preaching as a guest in another church from Philippians 3:12-16, where Paul talks about pressing on toward the goal of the "upward call of Jesus Christ." Paul admits very clearly in this passage that he's not arrived--he has a long way to go on the journey towards Christlikeness. And if Paul is saying that, I can't help but think how much more we all need to realize that we have yet to arrive. Oh, how we need Jesus to help mold us and shape us into His image. Like those high schoolers, some will have easier journeys than others, but we should stand resolute in pressing with all of our might toward heaven, and with humility, we need to cry out for the Lord's help along the way. The amazing thing is that come what may, we have the power of the Holy Spirit, which is our Helper and Advocate, helping to carry us across the ultimate finish line.
Upcoming Events
1. Sunday, we'll be hearing a message from Pastor Miller entitled "The Christian Home: A Well Protected Pearl" from Ephesians 6:1-9. We'll also have a short tribute in honor of Memorial Day.
2.
There are over 30 kids registered for Adventure Camp VBS already, and we are hopeful that more will plan to join us on June 9-12 here at the church! Adventure Camp is open to all boys and girls, ages 7-13 from 9:30-2:00 each of those days. Participants will hear from God's Word daily while they also learn how to canoe, fish, do archery, set up campsites, and and read maps. They'll also do crafts, sing songs, and play games each day!
Registration is open now, and will stay open until May 30. The cost is $25 per camper, and includes lunch each day, as well as a t-shirt and other fun things! To register, please click here:
Adventure Camp VBS Registration
3. We are still in need of volunteers for our upcoming Adventure Camp. If you would like to help with one of the activities, help with lunch, or help prepare the grounds, please reply to this email if you haven't already let us know your desire to help! We'd love to have a large team working with the kids during that week!
4. A new session of
small groups is underway, but it's not too late to join! This session’s title is “Rest Assured: Embracing Certainty in Times of Insecurity” which will be a look at 1 John. If you're interested in joining one of the two groups, please click here:
May Small Group Registration
5. Next Sunday, June 1, a new quarter for Sunday School begins. We would love to have you join one of the two adult offerings for this quarter:
A Study of the Sermon on the Mount
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
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.
It is important that you register so that room assignments can be determined. To register, please click here:
Summer 2025 Sunday School Registration (Kids do not need to be registered--they will continue in their same classes through the summer.)
6. We are still in need of a Sunday School teacher for kids ages 4-5 for the summer quarter (June-August)! If you are interested in teaching, please reply to this email to let me know. Per church guidelines, you are required to be a member of Berea Bible Church in order to teach a Sunday School class.
7. We need your help! This upcoming Thursday, May 29 at 6:00 PM, a group will be setting up the tent for Caleb and Ena's wedding that's coming up in June. Many hands will make lighter work, so if you're available, please plan to come and help!
8. Susan Kirby is moving a week from Saturday, on May 31, and we'd like to help her! If you're available, we'll start at her old house (1143 Foxboro Rd., Springfield) at 8:00 AM that morning, and will move items to her new home. We'd love to have a large group come help to encourage her! If you have a truck, trailer, or other moving supplies, such as blankets or a dolly, it would be great if you could bring those as well! If you have not already let me know that you can come, please reply to this email so I have an idea of who is planning on helping.
9. The church office will be closed on Monday, May 26 in honor of Memorial Day.
10. A huge thank you to everyone who helped contribute to the soccer balls during the month of April for Operation Christmas Child! We are happy to announce that we've reached our goal!
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for our upcoming Adventure Camp VBS. There are many details to still finalize, but we look forward to hosting many children this summer and expose them to God's Word and a lot of fun outdoor activities! Also pray for Berea's Youth Group, who is gearing up for a mission trip this summer where they will be putting on a VBS for children in inner-city Cleveland.
2. Continue to pray for our country and it's leaders. As we celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, please also pray for our military and their families.
***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
Given my thoughts about about Philippians 3:12-16, I thought I would create a devotional for the week based on that portion of Scripture.
Day 1: Acknowledging Our Imperfection
Philippians 3:12 (ESV): "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."
Paul humbly admits he hasn’t reached perfection, yet his focus is on pursuing Christ’s calling. Acknowledging our imperfections frees us from pride and opens us to rely on Christ’s grace as we grow.
Reflection Question: What area of your life can you surrender to Christ today, trusting His grace despite your imperfections?
Day 2: Pressing Forward with Purpose
Philippians 3:12 (ESV): "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."
The phrase “press on” reflects Paul’s determination to pursue God’s purpose for his life. As believers, we’re called to live intentionally, moving toward the goal Christ has set for us.
Reflection Question: What is one step you can take today to intentionally pursue God’s purpose for your life?
Day 3: Belonging to Christ
Philippians 3:12 (ESV): "...because Christ Jesus has made me his own."
Our pursuit of God is rooted in the truth that Christ has claimed us as His own. This assurance of belonging fuels our motivation to live for Him and trust His work in us.
Reflection Question: How does knowing you belong to Christ encourage you to live faithfully today?
Day 4: Forgetting the Past
Philippians 3:13 (ESV): "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."
Paul chooses to let go of past failures and successes, focusing instead on God’s future for him. Forgetting the past allows us to embrace God’s grace and move forward unburdened.
Reflection Question: What past regret or achievement do you need to release to focus on God’s plan for your future?
Day 5: Straining Toward the Goal
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV): "...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
The image of “straining forward” suggests effort and focus in pursuing God’s calling. As believers, we’re called to persevere with discipline, keeping our eyes on the eternal prize.
Reflection Question: What distraction can you set aside today to focus more fully on pursuing God’s call?
Day 6: Living with Spiritual Maturity
Philippians 3:15 (ESV): "Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you."
Paul encourages mature believers to adopt a mindset of pressing on while trusting God to guide those still growing. Spiritual maturity involves humility, focus, and openness to God’s correction.
Reflection Question: How can you cultivate a mature, humble mindset in your walk with Christ today?
Day 7: Holding Fast to Progress
Philippians 3:16 (ESV): "Only let us hold true to what we have attained."
Paul urges believers to stay steadfast in the progress they’ve made in faith. Holding fast means living consistently with the truth and growth God has already worked in us.
Reflection Question: What truth or growth in your faith can you hold fast to today as you continue to follow Christ?
Let us know if there's something we can do for you this week! See you all Sunday!
Take care,
Mark