Berea Update for March 14, 2025
This week is the AWANA Grand Prix! The boys and girls who are a part of our club are so excited to race and show off their cars. Each contestant is vying for the top prize in a race where every heat counts. It’s a picture of what the Bible calls us to as followers of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (ESV), Paul writes, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” Whether it’s a car speeding down the track or our daily walk with God, we’re called to give our best—not for a trophy that fades, but for an eternal prize that lasts forever.
Scripture gives us the "playbook" for racing well: Hebrews 12:1-2 urges us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus,” our ultimate finish line, while Philippians 3:13-14 challenges us to forget what’s behind and “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” As our clubbers race their cars this week, let’s cheer them on and take a cue from their effort. Win or lose, we can all run with purpose—staying on track, giving our all, and keeping our eyes on the eternal victory Christ has won for us. Hope to see you at the Grand Prix!
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday, Pastor Miller will be continuing his series in the book of Ephesians, preaching a message entitled "Radical Christianity" from Ephesians 2:11-22. After the morning worship service, you are all invited to go into the kitchen to vote on AWANA cars that will be racing Wednesday. We'll need your help to select the "Best Design" and "Best in Show."
2. It's not too late to join us for tomorrow's (Saturday, March 15) IFCA Ohio Regional event, "Bound Together." Dr. Richard Bargas, Executive Director of the IFCA, will be the guest speaker for this event, walking us through the first chapter of Philippians, focusing on our partnership in the Gospel. All IFCA churches in Ohio have been invited to attend, and you are also invited to attend to learn more about the IFCA and hear from God’s Word. The event will run from 9:00-3:00 that day, and lunch will be provided.
3. If you interested in playing basketball together, please plan on joining us on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM in the Family Life Center. Basketball is open to anyone who would like to play--you are even encouraged to invited friends to come along, as it's a great time of fellowship together. We'll continue to play each Tuesday until further notice.
4.
A new session of small groups will begin this upcoming week. The topic of the next small group series is “Busy: Tackling the Problem of an Overloaded Christian Life.” If you are not a part of small groups, I would encourage you to sign up for this session! To register, please click here:
Spring Small Group Registration
5. Race day is almost here! The AWANA Grand Prix will be this Wednesday, March 19 here at the church beginning at 6:30 PM! Even if you don't have an AWANA clubber participating in the race, you are invited to attend to come cheer on all the clubbers who are working hard right now designing the best cars they can!
6. We will be having another Baby Dedication Ceremony as a part of our morning worship service on March 30. If you are interested in participating, please let the office know by March 23.
7. We have several work days coming up to prepare our church building and facility for Easter and Spring. Please plan to join us as you are able! The first day will be Saturday, March 29 at Resurrection Garden. We'll get started that morning at 9:00 AM. There is quite a bit of cleanup necessary after the winter, and we'll be doing a few other tasks to prepare for the Easter week services. Another workday will be held on Saturday, April 12 beginning at 9:00 AM. That morning, we'll work on inside tasks, and also will do a few outdoor tasks up near the building. It will also serve as the "rain date" for March 29. We have jobs for everyone, young and old, so please plan to join us--many hands makes lighter work!
8. On the first work day, Saturday, March 29, we'll be having a men's breakfast at 8:00 AM in the Family Life Center. Men of all ages are invited to attend that morning and enjoy some pancakes and bacon! Then, plan to stay to help down at the Resurrection Garden!
9. Plan to join us on Saturday, April 5 as we visit a few local nursing homes to sing some "Easter hymns" and share the hope of the Gospel with residents. We'll begin the day here at the church at 1:45 PM, and will be finished at the last nursing home around 4:00 PM.
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for the upcoming IFCA Ohio Regional here at the church. Many individuals who will be attending will be traveling some distance to get here. Pray too, that the time together would be a time to build relationships with other churches throughout the state who are similar to Berea, and that we may truly be "Bound Together" in the work of the Gospel.
2. Pray for the launch of a new session of small groups this week. Pray that those who participate would grow to become more like Christ and that they also grow closer to one another!
3. Pray for the AWANA Grand Prix on Wednesday. There are a lot of logistics that go into the event. Pray that all the details come together. In addition, families and friends are invited to attend, and a short Gospel presentation will occur. Pray that hearts might be ready to receive that message!
***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
I've developed a little "racing themed" devotion for this week:
Day 1: Start Strong
Passage: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (ESV): “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
At the Grand Prix, every car starts at the same line, engines ready—or in this case, gravity ready to take over! Paul says our life with God is like a race: we’re all in it, but we’ve got to run with purpose. It’s not about beating everyone else; it’s about aiming for the “imperishable” prize—God’s eternal reward. How do you start your day to run well for Him? What’s one way you can begin this week with focus on God’s purpose for you?
Day 2: Stay on Track
Passage: Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…”
An AWANA car doesn't go down the track very smoothly if it’s not aligned right—just like us when we let distractions or sin pull us off course. This passage says to keep our eyes on Jesus, our finish line, and let go of anything slowing us down. Imagine the crowd at the Grand Prix cheering; God’s given us a “cloud of witnesses” to root for us too! What’s one “weight” (distraction or habit) you can lay aside today to stay focused on Jesus?
Day 3: Push Through Obstacles
Passage: James 1:2-4 (ESV): “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Sometimes a car hits a bump on the track and doesn’t make it past the heat. Life throws obstacles too—big or small. James says these challenges aren’t the end of the race; they build our “steadfastness” (like endurance for runners). When we push through with joy, God shapes us to finish stronger. How can you find joy in a challenge you’re facing right now, trusting God to help you grow?
Day 4: Keep Moving Forward
Passage: Philippians 3:13-14 (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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
In the Grand Prix, a car doesn’t back up—it’s all about forward momentum. Paul says the same for us: don’t dwell on past mistakes or even past wins. Keep “straining forward” toward God’s goal. Whether your car takes first or not, the race of faith is about pressing on every day. What’s something from your past you can let go of to focus on God’s next step for you?
Day 5: Pace Yourself
Passage: Galatians 6:9 (ESV): “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
A race isn’t just about speed—it’s about finishing. At the Grand Prix, the cars zoom fast, but in life, we need steady effort. Doing good—helping others, loving God—can feel tiring, but this verse promises a “harvest” if we keep going. God’s timing is perfect, even when we feel worn out. Where do you feel weary, and how can you ask God for strength to keep doing good today?
Day 6: Cheer Each Other On
Passage: 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.”
Grand Prix night is mostly about the race, but it isn’t just about racing—it’s about the crowd cheering every car down the track! In our faith race, we’re not alone; we’re a team. This verse says to encourage each other, pushing one another to love and do good. A kind word or high-five can keep someone running strong. Who can you encourage today to keep going in their race with God?
Day 7: Finish with Joy
Passage: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Imagine crossing the finish line at the Grand Prix—win or not, there’s joy in finishing! Paul looks back on his life and says he “finished the race” by keeping faith. Our prize isn’t a ribbon, but a “crown of righteousness” from Jesus. Run well, and celebrate the journey with Him! How can you run your race today so you can look back and say, “I kept the faith”?
Kids (and Kids At Heart) Korner
Here's a little racing joke in honor of the AWANA Grand Prix---
Q: Who was the fastest runner in the Bible?
A: Adam! He was first in the human race!
I'm also keeping the same link up this week for our kiddos! Here are a bunch of different activities that you can do that go along with Pastor Miller's sermon this Sunday! Coloring pages, word searches, and even a maze!
Ephesians 2 Activities Print them out to have some fun this week!
Let us know if there is something we can pray for you about! Have a good week! See you Sunday!
Keep pressing on toward the prize,
Mark