Berea Update for September 5, 2025
This Sunday is a joyful day for our church family as we gather to witness a couple of baptisms Sunday afternoon. Few moments in the life of the church are as powerful and encouraging as watching believers publicly declare their faith in Christ. Each baptism is a living picture of the Gospel—death to the old life and resurrection to new life in Jesus. In a world often filled with confusion and despair, baptism stands as a clear testimony of God’s saving work. It reminds us that sin does not have the final word, that Jesus has conquered death, and that His grace is still transforming lives today. When someone enters the water, they are boldly saying, “I belong to Christ,” and we, as the church, rejoice together in that testimony.
This week’s devotional below will focus on the meaning of baptism and the hope it represents. As you read and reflect, may you be reminded of your own salvation, encouraged by the obedience of those being baptized, and stirred to live more boldly for Christ. And if you haven't been baptized, please consider being obedient to Him and talk to one of the pastors!
As you see below, Sunday is a very busy day here at the church, but we also look forward to the upcoming Fall Festival too! We'd love for you to take part in these events as a church family!
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 4:10-23, and is called "Family Talks." We'll also be partaking of the Lord's Supper together as a church family.
2. This Sunday, a new quarter of Sunday School will begin! We'll all gather together in the Family Life Center at 9:00 AM for a brief "Promotion Sunday" ceremony, where we recognize all of the kids moving from one class to another. This ceremony should take 10 minutes or so, and then children will be released to their classes, and adults will begin theirs. For adults this quarter, there are two options:
A Study of the Sermon on the Mount
Teacher: Pastor Mark Gainer
This class, which is a continuation from the summer quarter, 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.
A Look at the Apostle Paul
Teachers: Michael Greenwood and Pastor Brian Miller
Join us for this exciting study on the life and ministry of Paul. We will study his pre-conversion life, including his dual citizenship, family, education, and early childhood. We will also review his miraculous conversion, ministry, and important missionary journeys. You will be challenged by his love and service to our Savior.
To help with room assignments, we ask that you please register for the adult Sunday School class you'd like to attend. If you haven't already, please do this by the end of today. Children do not need to be registered. To register, click here:
Sunday School Information and Registration
3. This Sunday afternoon, we'll also be holding a baptism service at 3:00 PM at the Love's house (4870 Mumper Road, Springfield) in their swimming pool. This event is open to anyone in our church family who would like to attend to share in the joy of the baptisms! The Loves are inviting anyone who would like to stay that they are welcome to bring a swimsuit and towel and swim for a time of fellowship together. If you'd rather not swim, there will be yard games available, and plenty of space to just fellowship with one another! If you'd like to bring a snack to share, you are welcome to!
4. The first regular week of AWANA is here!
AWANA is open to all kids ages 3 (potty trained)-sixth grade, and meets each Wednesday evening from 6:30-8:00 PM here at the church. AWANA's goal is to reach boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ and teach them to serve Him. Each night, clubbers hear a Bible lesson, play games, and work on memorizing Scripture. To find out more information, and to register your child, please visit Berea's AWANA page here:
Berea AWANA Information and Registration
5. Why do we pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child? Operation Christmas Child delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus to children in need around the world who need to hear of Christ's love. Each box packed full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items becomes a tangible expression of God’s immense love for the child. Please help us fill these boxes to spread the Good News. Summer is well underway, and we are taking advantage of school supply sales. We are collecting supplies to fill our 800 shoeboxes for OCC. Right now, we only need about 150 notebooks and we'll have enough school supplies for all of the boxes! A huge thank you to everyone who has helped to contribute!
6. Plan on joining us for a great time together at the Berea Fall Festival, happening next Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14! Saturday of that weekend kicks off at 3:00 PM with games, a scavenger hunt, dunk tank, canoeing, fishing (bring your own pole), Resurrection Garden tours, cake walks, a “Closest to the Pin” challenge, and more. We’ll fire up the grill for hamburgers and hot dogs from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, followed by a Southern Gospel/Bluegrass concert from "New Strength Gospel" at 6:00 PM. Bring a lawn chair and invite your friends and family—this is the perfect chance to introduce them to our church!
On Sunday, September 14, "New Strength Gospel" will lead us in worship outdoors under the tent for our 10:00 AM service (no Sunday School that morning; bring a lawn chair), followed by an old-fashioned “Bring Your Own Lunch” picnic and cornhole. Stay tuned for more details and invite cards to share!
7.
We need volunteers for all areas of the Fall Festival! If you haven't signed up to help, please click here:
Berea Fall Festival Volunteer Sign-Up There are roles for young and old, so please check it out, and plan on helping to make that weekend an exciting one! If you'd prefer to sign up at church, we'll have sign up sheets available after church this week! The Izers will be available to answer any questions that you might have.
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for our fall ministries! There will be many launching over the next month: AWANA, Sunday School, Small Groups, and more! Pray for the leaders of these ministries, and for those individuals who take part that they all might grow into the image of Christ.
2. Pray for our upcoming Fall Festival! Pray for good weather, safe travels for the band, and a good time of fellowship together with our church family.
***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: Baptism and New Life
Romans 6:4 (ESV) – “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Baptism beautifully pictures what happens when someone trusts Christ: the old life is buried, and a new life begins. Going under the water symbolizes dying to sin, and rising out of the water shows new life in Christ. This act doesn’t save—it points to the salvation already received by faith. As we witness baptisms, we’re reminded of our own new life and the daily call to walk in it.
Reflection Question: How does baptism remind you of your own new life in Christ, and how are you living it out?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for the gift of new life in Christ and pray for those being baptized to walk faithfully with Him.
Day 2: A Step of Obedience
Acts 2:41 (ESV) – “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
In the early church, baptism followed belief. Those who trusted the message of the Gospel were baptized, publicly declaring their faith in Jesus. Baptism should be the first step of obedience for every believer. It is an outward sign of inward faith and a joyful declaration that Jesus is Lord.
Reflection Question: Have you taken the step of baptism since believing in Christ? If so, how does that moment encourage you today?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for the example of the early church and pray for believers to be bold in obeying Christ through baptism.
Day 3: Identified with Christ
Galatians 3:27 (ESV) – “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Baptism marks our public identification with Christ. Just as a uniform identifies an athlete with their team, baptism shows that we belong to Jesus. When someone is baptized, they declare, “I’m His!” It’s not about perfection, but about publicly identifying Christ as Savior and Lord of your life.
Reflection Question: How does publicly identifying with Christ in baptism strengthen your faith and witness to others?
Prayer Focus: Thank God that we can be identified with Christ and pray for courage to live boldly as His disciples.
Day 4: A Public Witness
Matthew 10:32 (ESV) – “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.”
Baptism is more than a private moment—it’s a public declaration. When a believer is baptized, they are confessing before the church and the world that Jesus is Savior and King. It is a testimony of God’s grace and a proclamation of the Gospel itself.
Reflection Question: How can your own baptism—or witnessing someone else’s—encourage you to publicly share your faith with others?
Prayer Focus: Praise God for the testimony of baptism and pray that many would come to faith as they hear these public declarations of Christ.
Day 5: A Picture of Cleansing
Acts 22:16 (ESV) – “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”
The waters of baptism do not cleanse us, but they picture the cleansing that only Jesus provides. When a believer is baptized, it symbolizes sins being washed away through the blood of Christ. The outward washing reminds us of the inward cleansing that has already taken place by faith.
Reflection Question: How does baptism remind you of the cleansing power of Christ’s blood in your own life?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for the forgiveness of sins through Christ and pray for continual renewal in His cleansing grace.
Day 6: United with the Body
1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV) – “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
Baptism not only identifies us with Christ, but also unites us with His body, the church. Each baptism is a reminder that we are not alone in the Christian life. We are joined to a family of believers who walk together in faith, worship, and mission.
Reflection Question: How does knowing you are united with the church family encourage you in your Christian walk?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for the fellowship of the church and pray for unity as we live and serve together.
Day 7: Looking Forward to Resurrection
Colossians 2:12 (ESV) – “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
Baptism not only looks back to what Christ has done, but also forward to what He will do. Just as Christ was raised, all who belong to Him will one day be raised in glory. Baptism is a hopeful act—it declares that the story isn’t over, and resurrection is coming.
Reflection Question: How does the hope of resurrection give you strength to endure today?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for the promise of resurrection and pray for steadfast hope as you await His return.
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
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!
With Hope,
Mark