Berea Update for June 20, 2025
Happy first "official" day of summer! It looks like the week ahead will be quite a hot one! Be safe outside! I don't know about you, but I'm thankful for the change of seasons. As much as I like sunshine and warmth, I also am thankful for the snow in the winter and the amazing colors we have in the fall. It allows us the unique opportunity to see God's handiwork in a variety of ways! May we not take that for granted, and may we also not complain either, even though it is hard to be cheerful when the temperatures are in the single digits!
This change of weather has me thinking about the book of Ecclesiastes. In chapter 3, God (through Solomon) talks about the various seasons of life that we all go through. The reality is life "under the sun" is full of both good times and trials, and God uses each for His purposes. This week, in the devotion below, we'll look a bit more closely at Ecclesiastes 3--my prayer is that through God Word's you'll remember that in all things we are to consider things eternal rather than the "here and now!"
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday, I'll be preaching another message in the series on the promises of God called "Anchored in His Peace." It will be based on John 14:25-31, Isaiah 26, and several different portions of Scripture. I pray that you'll be able to join us to worship together, fellowship together, and hear from God's Word together!
2. Berea's Youth Group will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser TOMORROW (Saturday) from 8:30-11:30 AM here at the church. Plan to come to help support their upcoming mission trip to Cleveland in July!
3. The summer quarter for Sunday School is continues! 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.)
4.
This upcoming Thursday, June 26 from 10:00 AM to about noon, there will be an Operation Christmas Child (OCC) workday here at the church. There are projects for both those who sew and those who do not, so please plan to come if you are available! For the month of June we are collecting plastic cars. We only need about 100 more 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.
5. On Wednesday of this week (June 25) at 6:30 PM, we'll be taking down the tent that is currently set up in Resurrection Garden. If you are available, please come help! Many hands makes lighter work!
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. There were many Gospel seeds planted at Adventure Camp VBS! Continue to pray for the campers and their families that they might respond to God's Word and the hope we have in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection!
2. Pray for Pastor Tom as he concludes his time on staff here at the church at the end of the month. Pray that he finishes strong, and that the Lord might continue to provide for he and Theresa.
3. Both Pastor Miller and Jeannette and Pastor Tom and Theresa will be attending the IFCA Convention in Greenville, South Carolina this upcoming week. Pray for safety for their travels, and for a good time of encouragement and fellowship together with fellow pastors and ministry partners!
4. Pray for Berea's youth group, who are working diligently to prepare for their upcoming mission trip at the end of July. They will be leading a VBS in inner-city Cleveland the week that they are away. Pray that the last-month preparations go smoothly, and be praying now for the connections they will make while there!
***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
As mentioned above, here are some thoughts to consider from Ecclesiastes 3 for this week!
Day 1: A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."
Devotional Thought: Life unfolds in seasons, each with its purpose under God’s sovereign hand. Like a master conductor, God orchestrates every moment—birth, death, planting, harvesting. Embracing His timing brings peace, trusting that He makes everything beautiful in its time.
Reflection Question: What season of life are you in right now, and how can you trust God’s timing in it?
Day 2: A Time to Weep and Laugh
Ecclesiastes 3:4 (ESV): "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."
Devotional Thought: Emotions are part of God’s design, each with its moment. Weeping and mourning draw us to God’s comfort, while laughter and dancing celebrate His joy. Both are sacred, teaching us to lean on Him in every emotional season.
Reflection Question: How can you invite God into your current emotions, whether sorrow or joy, today?
Day 3: A Time to Keep and Cast Away
Ecclesiastes 3:5-6 (ESV): "A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away."
Devotional Thought: Life requires discernment to know when to hold on and when to let go. Like sorting treasures, we learn to keep what aligns with God’s purpose and release what hinders. Trusting God’s guidance helps us navigate these choices with wisdom.
Reflection Question: What is one thing you might need to let go of or hold onto to align with God’s purpose today?
Day 4: A Time to Be Silent and Speak
Ecclesiastes 3:7 (ESV): "A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak."
Devotional Thought: Words and silence both carry power. Silence can be a space for listening to God, while speaking can share His truth and love. Knowing the right time for each reflects a heart attuned to the Spirit’s leading.
Reflection Question: Is there a moment today where you need to choose silence or speak up to reflect God’s love?
Day 5: A Time for Love and Peace
Ecclesiastes 3:8 (ESV): "A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace."
Devotional Thought: Love and peace are God’s gifts, meant to guide our relationships and actions. Even in conflict, we’re called to pursue peace and love as Christ did, trusting God to redeem every struggle for His glory.
Reflection Question: How can you show God’s love or pursue peace in a challenging situation today?
Day 6: God’s Eternal Perspective
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Devotional Thought: God’s work is beautiful, weaving every moment into His eternal plan. Our longing for eternity points to His design, yet only He sees the full picture. Trusting His perspective brings hope when life feels uncertain.
Reflection Question: How can you rest in God’s eternal perspective when facing uncertainty today?
Day 7: Finding Joy in God’s Gifts
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (ESV): "I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man."
Devotional Thought: Joy is found in embracing God’s gifts—simple pleasures, good deeds, and honest work. These are not distractions but divine invitations to experience His goodness. Living with gratitude transforms our daily tasks into worship.
Reflection Question: What simple gift from God (food, work, relationships) can you thank Him for and enjoy today?
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
Q: How do you know the ocean is friendly?
A: Because it waves!
Let us know if there's something we can do for you this week! See you all Sunday!
Take care,
Mark