Berea Update for March 21, 2025
Happy Friday! This past week has been a busy one at the church! I wanted to share with you some of the exciting things that have been going on:
Last Saturday, we hosted the IFCA Ohio Regional's "Bound Together" conference. Several IFCA churches were represented from across the state, with Dr. Richard Bargas, the Executive Director of the IFCA sharing from Philippians 1. Dr. Bargas also spent time sharing about the purpose and mission of the IFCA and their various regional groups across the country. If you were not able to attend the event, but would like to view the sessions, those are now available on Berea's YouTube page.
There was a ton of excitement in the Family Life Center on Wednesday evening as we held our annual AWANA Grand Prix. 44 cars in total raced their way across the finish line! Congratulations to Berea's own, Hogan Kitchen, for winning the race, having the fastest car overall! Several others in our Berea family top honors for their AMAZING designs, including: Christian Hansford, Micah Stephens, Ellie Stephens and Sadie Kitchen. What a wonderful job by all!
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday, Pastor Miller will be continuing his series in the book of Ephesians, preaching a message entitled "A Pearl Discovered" from Ephesians 3:1-13. We'll also be having a special music number this week!
2.
A new session of small groups started this week, but it's not too late to join a group! The topic of this 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
3. We will be having a 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 this Sunday.
4. 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!
5. 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!
6. 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.
7. Easter is now a month away. We have several different events planned for the week leading up to Easter, which we'd like for you to put on your calendar now :
Wednesday, April 16- "Day of Prayer" We will be having a prayer service in the Resurrection Garden at 6:30 PM. There is no AWANA that night due to Easter week. We are also encouraging the church family to begin a day long fast that evening at 6:30 PM. During the fast, we encourage you to pray, and spend time in God's Word.
Thursday, April 17- Communion Service 6:30 PM in the Family Life Center. We will break our fast together that evening by partaking in the Lord's Supper.
Friday, April 18- Good Friday Service 6:30 PM at the crosses near Resurrection Garden. Each of our pastors/elders will be sharing a brief message about the various characters in the crucifixion account.
Sunday, April 20- Sunrise Service 7:00 AM at Resurrection Garden; 8:00 AM Breakfast; 10:00 AM Regular Worship Service (No Sunday School)
We have cards prepared with all of these events listed for you to take with you this Sunday, if you'd like. Additionally, we have cards made up that you can use to invite family and friends to attend Good Friday or Easter Sunday. Look for those at the Welcome Center.
The church will be providing a week-long devotion for all families and individuals to use throughout the week, that connect to the different events going on at the church. This devotion will be distributed on Palm Sunday (April 13), but will be available online as well.
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for the launch 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!
2. Pray for Berea's Youth Group. Many of them are preparing to go on a mission trip this summer to Cleveland. Pray that as they begin preparation now, that this group would bond together, and that the details with the Vacation Bible School they'll be doing with kids in Cleveland comes together well.
3. Pray for those who do not know Christ. Easter season provides many opportunities to share the Gospel. Be praying for opportunities to reach those in your circle who need to hear the "Good News!"
***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
Small groups have been launching this week on the topic of the busyness that fills many of our lives. Being busy is not a bad thing in and of itself, but if busyness causes distractions in your walk with the Lord, that's when it can become a real issue. As a part of this small group study, we'll be looking at God's design, which includes rest. So, this week's devotion shares a few thoughts from God's Word on the idea of rest:
Day 1: Rest is God’s Gift
Passage: Genesis 2:2-3 – “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” From the very beginning, rest was part of God’s plan. God didn’t rest because He was tired—He rested to set an example and to sanctify a day for us. In a world that glorifies hustle, God invites us to see rest as a holy gift, not a weakness.
Reflection Question: What keeps you from viewing rest as a blessing rather than a burden?
Day 2: Rest in God’s Presence
Passage: Exodus 33:14 – “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” God promised Moses rest in the midst of leading a nation through chaos. This rest wasn’t just physical—it was the peace of knowing God was near. When busyness overwhelms us, God’s presence is where true rest begins.
Reflection Question: How can you intentionally seek God’s presence today to find rest?
Day 3: Rest is an Act of Obedience
Passage: Exodus 20:8-10 – “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.” The Sabbath isn’t a suggestion—it’s a command. God knows our tendency to overwork, so He built rest into His law to protect us. While we may not observe the Sabbath in the same way as the Israelites, obeying this call to rest is an act of trust that God’s way is better than our endless striving.
Reflection Question: What would it look like for you to set aside a day for rest this week?
Day 4: Rest for the Weary
Passage: Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus offers rest not just for our bodies, but for our souls. His yoke is easy because it’s rooted in grace, not in what we do. When busyness leaves us exhausted, Jesus invites us to trade our heavy loads for His light one.
Reflection Question: What burdens do you need to bring to Jesus today to find soul-deep rest?
Day 5: Rest in Trust
Passage: Psalm 4:8 – “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Resting well requires trust. David could sleep peacefully, even amid danger, because he knew God was in control. In our busy lives, letting go of worry is a step toward the rest God promises.
Reflection Question: What worries keep you from resting, and how can you entrust them to God?
Day 6: Rest is a Choice
Passage: Hebrews 4:9-11 – “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.” Rest isn’t passive—it’s a deliberate choice. A choice to resist the world’s demand for constant productivity. Entering God’s rest means trusting that our worth isn’t tied to what we do, but to who we are in Him.
Reflection Question: How can you resist the pressure to always be “on” and choose rest instead?
Day 7: Rest While Looking Ahead
Passage: Mark 6:31 – “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” Jesus saw His disciples’ busyness and called them away—not to abandon their mission, but to recharge for it. Rest isn’t an escape; it’s preparation for what God has ahead. As we launch this small group series on busyness, let’s practice rest with purpose.
Reflection Question: How might taking time to rest this week prepare you for what God wants to do through you?
Kids (and Kids At Heart) Korner
Let us know if there is something we can pray for you about! Have a good week! See you Sunday!
Rest in Him This Week,
Mark