Berea Blog for August 1, 2025
Welcome to this week's blog! I'm back from some vacation time--my family and I went to Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for a week. It's the "World's Largest Airshow." It's hard for me to really put into words the full scope of the event, but with over 10,000 airplanes and 700,000 people in attendance during the week, it was definitely something we will all not soon forget! As I was up there, I was constantly amazed at the variety of aircraft that were on display, from blimps, to single seat personal aircraft, to helicopters, to incredible military fighters. As I walked around, I thought about what Wilbur and Orville Wright would think about everything if they were still alive, but I also thought a lot about the abilities that God has given us. God is the ultimate Creator, and as image bearers of Him, He allows us opportunities to show great creativity in what we are able to discover and invent. Our proper response should not be, "Wow! Look what man can do," but rather, "Wow! Look what God can do through man!" Being creative and inventive is a form of worship, and we should strive to do great things for the glory of God! This week, I've created a seven-day "Airventure themed" devotional tied to the idea of creativity.
Please see other important updates below!
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday Pastor Miller will be continuing sermon series on the book of Philippians called "Holding Steady in our Storms." This week's message is from Philippians 2:1-18 and is called "Unity and Humility." We will also be partaking of the Lord's Supper together as a church family.
2. There have been many items that have collected in our "Lost and Found" box over the last several months. This Sunday there will be a table set up in the Gathering Area with all of those items. Please check to see if you've accidentally left something behind! All items remaining on the table after this Sunday will be donated.
3.
As you shop the back-to-school sales, continue to look for pencils, pens, crayons and notebook paper for our Operation Christmas Child boxes! We're well-stocked on crayons, but we desperately need the rest. Donations can be dropped off in the green box in the Gathering Area on Sunday mornings. There continue to be other needs as well. An Amazon Wishlist is available to view here:
OCC Amazon Wish List Consider taking a look to see how else you can fill the boxes!
4. We rejoice in the hope of eternal life as we share that Connie Mathena went home to be with the Lord earlier this week, surrounded by her family. After battling health issues for quite some time, she is now free from suffering, and rests in the joy of His presence. A visitation will be held at the church on Monday, August 4 from 5:00-8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held here at Berea on Tuesday, August 5 at 10:30 AM, immediately followed by a graveside service at the Terre Haute Cemetery. A lunch will be provided for anyone who would like to join back at the church following the graveside service.
You can view her obituary here:
Connie Mathena Obituary Please continue to pray for Ray, her family, and friends, that they may find comfort and strength in God’s promises as they mourn and navigate their grief during this time.
5. Join us in equipping our newly acquired shed in Resurrection Garden! We're launching a Tool Harvest to collect new or gently used tools for our Berea volunteers to use. We have tags suggesting items we need or you can let us know what you might like to donate. Pick up tags at our display in the Gathering Area. This is a perfect time to make purchases, as tax-free days run from August 1-14 in stores and on Amazon for items under $500. For those preferring to give monetarily, envelopes are provided at the display—simply place your donation and selected tag inside and drop it in the offering box. We will be accepting donations through Sunday, August 17. For more information, contact Wendy May or Michael Greenwood.
A special thanks is extended to all volunteers who have worked at Resurrection Garden this summer and to those who donated to the purchase of the shed!
6. Would you like to learn more about how you can protect yourself while using the internet? Mark your calendars now for August 17, immediately following the morning worship service, as Howard May is preparing an informative session on internet security for anyone who would like to attend. Registration information will be coming soon!
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for the various members of our worship team! We are so thankful to each of them for using the talents that God has given them to lead us in singing each week!
2. Pray for administrators, teachers, and students who will be returning to school soon! We know that our church family has many who homeschool as well, so pray for those parents and families as they prepare for the school year!
***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 Creator’s Majestic Work
Genesis 1:1–5 (ESV): "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day."
At Airventure, the vast array of aircraft—from sleek fighters to humble single-seat planes—showcased human ingenuity. Yet, all creativity finds its source in God, the ultimate Creator. Genesis 1 reveals a God who speaks light into existence, bringing order from chaos. His creative power is not just a past event but a present reality, inspiring us to reflect His image through our own creations. When we marvel at human achievements, let’s redirect our awe to the One who designed both the universe and our capacity to invent.
Reflection Question: What is one human creation (like an airplane or artwork) that amazes you, and how can you use it to praise God’s creative power today?
Day 2: Created in His Image
Genesis 1:26–27 (ESV): "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
The Wright brothers’ first flight was a spark of human creativity, but it was God who gave us the ability to dream and build. Being made in God’s image means we carry His creative spirit. Whether designing a helicopter or painting a picture, our acts of creation reflect His likeness. This is a sacred calling—to use our gifts not for self-glory but to honor the Creator who entrusted us with dominion and imagination.
Reflection Question: How can you use a creative skill or idea you have (e.g., writing, building, or problem-solving) to reflect God’s image this week?
Day 3: Creativity as Worship
Exodus 35:30–35 (ESV): "Then Moses said to the people of Israel, 'See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.'"
At Airventure, the craftsmanship of each aircraft was evident, from polished propellers to intricate cockpits. Similarly, God filled Bezalel with His Spirit to create beautiful works for the tabernacle. Our creative endeavors—whether engineering a plane or cooking a meal—can be acts of worship when done for God’s glory. The Spirit empowers us to craft with excellence, pointing others to the Creator.
Reflection Question: What is one way you can approach a task or project this week as an act of worship to God?
Day 4: The Creator’s Imagination
Psalm 104:24–26 (ESV): "O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it."
The variety at Airventure—blimps, jets, and helicopters—mirrors the diversity of God’s creation, from tiny creatures to mighty Leviathan. God’s imagination is boundless, and He delights in variety. When we create, we tap into that divine joy, whether building ships to sail the seas or planes to soar the skies. Our creativity should celebrate God’s wisdom and point others to His marvelous works.
Reflection Question: What part of God’s creation inspires your creativity, and how can you use that inspiration to honor Him?
Day 5: Stewards of Creation
Genesis 2:15 (ESV): "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."
The pilots at Airventure steward their aircraft with care, just as Adam was called to steward Eden. God’s gift of creativity comes with responsibility—to use our talents wisely and care for His creation. Whether inventing new technology or tending a garden, we’re called to reflect God’s love for His world. Our creations should enhance, not harm, the earth He entrusted to us.
Reflection Question: How can you use your creative abilities to care for or improve the world around you?
Day 6: Creativity Through Perseverance
Hebrews 11:3 (ESV): "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."
The Wright brothers faced countless failures before their first flight, yet their perseverance led to aviation’s birth. God created the universe by His word, unseen yet powerful. Our faith in Him fuels our creativity, even through setbacks. When we trust God’s unseen plan, we can persevere in our creative work, knowing it’s part of His greater purpose.
Reflection Question: What creative project have you faced challenges with, and how can faith in God’s plan help you push forward?
Day 7: Creating for God’s Glory
Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
The roar of a jet at Airventure thrilled the crowd, but our ultimate audience is God. Every act of creativity—whether designing an aircraft or teaching a child—is an opportunity to serve Christ. When we work heartily for His glory, our creations become offerings of worship, pointing others to the Creator. Let’s commit to using our gifts to honor Him.
Reflection Question: What is one creative task you can dedicate to God this week, and how will you ensure it glorifies Him?
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
Q: Why did the students study in an airplane?
A: Because they wanted higher grades.
I'm keeping the same word search link here for this week that I've used in the past, as it goes so well with Pastor Miller's sermon series!
Philippians Word Search
Let us know if there's something we can do for you this week!
Take care,
Mark