Berea Update for December 12, 2025
As we enter the second week of Advent, we turn our attention to the beautiful theme of peace. Christmas has a way of stirring mixed emotions in all of us. There is joy—but also pressure. There is excitement—but also exhaustion. There is celebration—but sometimes, beneath the surface, there is worry, conflict, or grief. Every year, we decorate our homes with lights and greenery, but our hearts are not always as peaceful as our living rooms look. And this is precisely why Christ came.
When the angels appeared to the shepherds, their message was not simply, “A child is born,” but: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…” (Luke 2:14) Peace was the announcement of Christmas. Peace was the mission of the Messiah. Not a temporary peace, not an emotional escape, but a deep, soul-level peace that begins with God and flows into every part of life.
Yet peace can feel elusive this time of year. Our schedules fill quickly. Expectations grow heavy. Many walk into December carrying burdens no one sees. Some are facing relational strain. Some are navigating uncertainty at work. Some are grieving losses that feel sharper during the holidays. Some feel overwhelmed spiritually, longing for rest but unsure how to find it. Into that world—into our world—Christ came as the Prince of Peace.
This week’s devotionals remind us of three life-changing truths:
1. Jesus came to bring us peace with God. We are no longer enemies or strangers. Through Christ, we stand forgiven, reconciled, and fully welcomed into the family of God.
2. Jesus came to give us peace within. Not the fragile peace that depends on circumstances, but the guarding, calming, stabilizing peace that “surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7).
3. Jesus came to empower us to pursue peace with others. The gospel turns us into peacemakers—people who bring calm into chaos and grace into conflict.
As we move through this week, slow down enough to breathe in these truths. Let the Scriptures draw your eyes away from the noise and toward the Savior who still whispers, “Peace, be still.” May the peace of Christ steady your heart, calm your mind, and fill your home as we continue preparing for Christmas together.
Below, make sure you also read through the upcoming events! We hope you and your family will be able to join us for these different events!
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday, I will be starting a three-week series called: "From Promise to Presence: God With Us." And really, that phrase—God with us—is the heartbeat of the entire story of Scripture. From the moment sin entered the world, God didn’t pull away. He moved toward us. He made promises, He revealed Himself through His people, and He showed again and again that His desire has always been to dwell with those He created. All throughout the Old Testament—through the covenants, the tabernacle and temple, and the voices of the prophets—God was pointing forward to a Savior who would come near in the most personal way possible. And in the fullness of time, the Word became flesh. Jesus Christ stepped into our world, not only to make God known, but to make salvation possible. Christmas reminds us that God’s presence isn’t just an idea—it’s a Person. So, over these next few Sundays, we’re going to trace that theme: the God who promised, the God who came, and the God who still dwells with His people today—through His Spirit and with the hope of eternity to come.
This Sunday's message is called: "Before Bethlehem: Promises Made, Presence Foreshadowed." We'll be in many different portions of Scripture, in both the Old Testament and New as we journey through the series!
2. We are aware that the weather forecast looks like several inches of snow will be on the ground Sunday morning. As of now, our hope is to have in-person services, however we do not want to put anyone in harms way either. If changes to Sunday School or the morning worship service occur, we will send messages out using ROCK on Sunday morning.
3. Because of my ordination service last week, we did not do communion as a church family like we normally do on the first Sunday of each month. We will be doing communion this Sunday as a part of the morning worship service.
4. The winter quarter for Sunday School began last Sunday, but it's not too late to join! There are two options for adults:
A Study on the Sermon on the Mount
Teacher: Pastor Mark Gainer
This class, which is a continuation from the Summer and Fall quarters, 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.
Biblical Forgiveness
Teacher: Dana Love
This course explores how Scripture presents forgiveness as the foundation for restoring humanity’s relationship with God. Together we will examine the theological basis for God’s forgiveness and learn how those principles shape our journey to forgive others in practical, meaningful ways.
5. We did not participate in Salvation Army's Angel Tree project this year as a whole church, but there are opportunities for you to be involved if you'd like to provide gifts or help sort and distribute gifts to needy families in Clark County. "Angel Tree Headquarters" is located at the Clark County Fairgrounds in the Youth Building. It is open each day (Monday-Friday) from 8:00 AM-6:00 PM. If you'd like to donate gifts, tags are available at the Fairgrounds today, and gifts would need to be back to the Fairgrounds by Monday of next week. Volunteers are needed next week to help sort and distribute gifts. You do not need to register, you can just go and volunteer your time between 8:00 AM-6:00 PM next week.
6. SAVE THE DATE! We will be doing our annual Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday, December 24 at 4:30 PM here at the church. Our desire is that might all be able to come together, and still leave time for family dinners and gatherings that evening. Invitation cards will be available for you to pick up on Sunday at the Welcome Center.
7. Interested in participating in drama? Plans are underway to have both a Good Friday and Easter drama this upcoming year! If you are interested in acting, helping with set design, costumes, or in any other way, please see Phil Berrien, or sign-up at the Welcome Center this Sunday!
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray that the Lord would use each Christmas service to point people to the true meaning of the season—Jesus Christ—and that those who attend would encounter His peace, hope, and saving grace.
***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
DAY 1 — The Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6 — “For to us a child is born… and his name shall be called… Prince of Peace.”
From the very beginning, the Messiah was introduced not as a warrior king or political conqueror, but as the Prince of Peace. Israel expected someone to overthrow Rome, but God sent someone to overthrow sin, fear, and spiritual death. Peace is not something we achieve; it is Someone we receive. If your heart feels restless today, start here: Peace is a Person, and He has come near.
Reflection Question: Where do you need the Prince of Peace to reign in your heart today?
DAY 2 — Peace with God
Romans 5:1 — “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Before Christ, we were not neutral toward God—we were enemies. Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to end our war with God. Through His sacrifice, believers stand fully forgiven and reconciled. Peace with God isn’t a feeling; it is a position—your standing in Christ. When guilt or shame rises, remember: the peace Christ purchased cannot be undone.
Reflection Question: Do you live as someone who is truly at peace with God?
DAY 3 — Peace Within the Storm
Mark 4:39 — “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
Winter storms roll in quickly and unpredictably—so do the storms of life. The disciples panicked as waves crashed into their boat, forgetting who was with them. Jesus did not simply calm the storm; He revealed His authority over every storm. The peace He offers is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of the One who rules over it. You may not be able to silence your circumstances, but Christ can silence your heart.
Reflection Question: What storms are raging around you right now, and how is Christ calling you to trust Him?
DAY 4 — Peace that Guards
Philippians 4:7 — “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This peace is supernatural—beyond explanation. Paul describes it as a guard, a military term meaning a soldier standing watch over something valuable. God's peace does not merely comfort; it shields. It stands at the door of your heart and mind, refusing to let anxiety dominate. While the world around us grows louder and heavier, the peace of God grows stronger and steadier in those who trust Him.
Reflection Question: Where do you need God’s peace to “stand guard” in your life?
DAY 5 — Peace in Our Relationships
Ephesians 4:2–3 — “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Christmas gatherings can expose relational tensions—old wounds, differences in opinions, unspoken frustrations. Peace is not passive; it is something we “eagerly” pursue. The gospel frees us to be peacemakers: patient, gentle, humble. When Christ rules in our hearts, we become the kind of people who stabilize the room rather than stir it up.
Reflection Question: Is there someone you need to pursue peace with this week?
DAY 6 — Peace that Leads Us
Colossians 3:15 — “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”
The verb “rule” means to act as an umpire or decision-maker. Many of us make decisions based on fear, pressure, or hurry. Christ calls us to let His peace guide us instead. When His peace rules, clarity grows, fear shrinks, and hurried hearts slow down. As Christmas approaches and decisions pile up, let His peace be the deciding voice.
Reflection Question: Which decision in your life right now needs to be shaped by the peace of Christ?
DAY 7 — Peace Yet to Come
Revelation 21:4 — “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes… and death shall be no more…”
The peace we experience now is real, but it is only a preview. One day, Christ will return and establish a kingdom where peace is permanent, universal, and unbroken. No more conflict. No more fear. No more anxiety. No more pain. Christmas points our eyes forward to the promised future where peace will not only fill our hearts—it will fill the universe.
Reflection Question: How does the promise of eternal peace shape the way you live today?
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
Q: Why did the snowman go to the doctor?
A: Because he had COLD symptoms.
Q: Why don't mountains get cold in the winter?
A: Because they wear snow caps!
Hope to see you all on Sunday!
Mark