Berea Update for June 6, 2025
Happy Friday! This upcoming week is our Adventure Camp VBS at the church! Approximately 55 kids between the ages of 7-13 will be here Monday through Thursday for a week of fun as they learn how to canoe, fish, set up a campsite, read maps, and do archery. More than that, each camper will hear from God's Word each day, with each day's lesson tied to the different activities they'll be doing. Please be in prayer for this event--not just for the campers and their protection, but also for all the volunteers who will help make this event possible! Pray for strength and wisdom for the week! We are so excited to see God work in powerful ways!
This week, I read Psalm 23, which is a very familiar portion of Scripture, but I think because of Adventure Camp, I read it with a different perspective this week. See my thoughts below as I've put together a devotion to lead you through the familiar Psalm during the week.
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday, I'll be preaching a message in the series on the promises of God called "More Than Smart: The Promise of God's Wisdom." It will be based on several different portions of Scripture. We'll also be honoring our high school graduates as a part of the morning worship service.
2. The summer quarter for Sunday School is underway! 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. Grief Share's "Loss of a Spouse" is a 2-hour seminar for people grieving a spouse’s death. It will be held this Sunday from 3-5 PM at the church. There is no cost. The seminar features video interviews with counselors, grief experts, and widowed men and women. They offer helpful insights on:
-What to expect in the days to come
-How to deal with loneliness
-What to do with your spouse’s belongings
-Why it won’t always hurt this much
-And other practical help for dealing with the challenges of widowhood
Everyone who attends will receive a booklet with over thirty short readings on how to live with grief and eventually rebuild your life. This event is open to both Berea attendees and those who do not regularly attend our church. To register, click here:
Grief Share Loss of a Spouse Registration
4. 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!
5. 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.
6. 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. Pray for Ena Tiago and Caleb Stevens as they will be married tomorrow (Saturday) here at the church in Resurrection Garden. Pray that the wedding goes smoothly, but also that the Lord riches blesses them as they begin their marriage together!
2. As mentioned above, pray for Adventure Camp VBS! We are so excited to welcome all of the campers for an exciting week together! Pray for God's protection and that His Spirit be moving in powerful ways this week!
***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 Lord as Our Guide
Psalm 23:1 (ESV): "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
On a camping trip, a guide ensures you have everything you need—food, shelter, and direction. Similarly, God, as our Shepherd, provides for our every need, guiding us through life’s wilderness with care and provision. Trusting Him frees us to rest in His sufficiency.
Reflection Question: How can you trust God as your guide today, relying on Him for your needs?
Day 2: Resting by Still Waters
Psalm 23:2 (ESV): "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."
After a long hike, finding a peaceful spot by a lake restores your strength. God leads us to places of rest and refreshment, inviting us to pause and trust His provision. In life’s busyness, He offers spiritual rest to renew our souls.
Reflection Question: What can you do today to pause and find rest in God’s presence?
Day 3: Paths of Righteousness
Psalm 23:3 (ESV): "He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."
A good trail map keeps campers on the right path, avoiding danger. God restores our souls and guides us on righteous paths, not for our glory, but for His. Following His lead keeps us aligned with His purpose.
Reflection Question: What choice can you make today to follow God’s righteous path in your life?
Day 4: Fearless in the Valley
Psalm 23:4 (ESV): "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Dark valleys or stormy nights while camping can feel daunting, but a trusted guide brings comfort. God’s presence is our strength in life’s darkest moments. His guidance and protection banish fear, assuring us we’re never alone.
Reflection Question: What fear can you surrender to God today, trusting His presence to comfort you?
Day 5: A Table in the Wilderness
Psalm 23:5 (ESV): "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."
Imagine a feast set up in the wild, surrounded by challenges. God provides abundantly, even in hostile environments, blessing us beyond our needs. His provision and favor overflow, no matter the circumstances.
Reflection Question: How have you seen God’s provision in your life, even in difficult situations?
Day 6: Pursued by Goodness and Mercy
Psalm 23:6 (ESV): "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Like a faithful companion behind, God’s goodness and mercy pursue us throughout our journey. His steadfast love ensures we’re never out of His care, and His promise secures our eternal home with Him.
Reflection Question: How can you reflect God’s goodness and mercy to others in your actions today?
Day 7: Dwelling with God
Psalm 23:6 (ESV): "...and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
A successful camping trip ends with the joy of returning home, but our ultimate home is with God. This eternal perspective gives us hope and purpose, anchoring every adventure in His everlasting presence.
Reflection Question: How can the promise of dwelling with God forever shape your perspective on today’s challenges?
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
Q: If you’ve got four tents, eight sleeping bags, and six camping chairs in your wheelbarrow, what have you got?
A: A big wheelbarrow.
Q: Where did the sheep go camping?
A: The Baa-hamas!
Let us know if there's something we can do for you this week! See you all Sunday!
Take care,
Mark