Grace Church, Springfield MO

Acts 8 marks a turning point in the growth of the early church. It reminds us that even in seasons of hardship and uncertainty, God is still moving powerfully through His people. As the gospel spreads into Samaria through Philip's Spirit-filled ministry, we see lives transformed, miracles take place, and the Holy Spirit empower ordinary believers to make an extraordinary impact. This Sunday, Pastor Tim encourages us to trust God more deeply, surrender fully to His Spirit, and believe that He still desires to work powerfully through our lives in the same way He did then.

Stephen's story in Acts 6–7 challenges us to consider what it truly means to follow Jesus with courage, grace, and unwavering faith. This Sunday, we explore Stephen's powerful defense before the religious leaders, the cost of Christlikeness, and the reminder that real ministry flows not from striving, but from being filled with the Spirit. Even when we face persecution and suffering, we continue to overcome through the power and presence of Christ.

As the early church grew, real problems emerged—but so did a powerful solution. As we move into Acts chapter 6, we learn that healthy leadership multiplies by empowering others, not controlling everything. When every role is valued and every person is engaged, the church becomes stronger, more unified, and more fruitful.

What do we do when we pray and nothing seems to change? Pastor Susan May challenges us to remain persistent in prayer trusting God's timing, His character, and His unseen work. With practical steps and biblical encouragement, we're called to keep showing up in faith and never stop praying.

As we continue in Acts chapter 5, we see opposition rise, yet the apostles remain steadfast —choosing obedience to God over man and rejoicing even in suffering. This Sunday Pastor Tim invites us to evaluate the “hills we die on,” trust God when we don't understand His ways, and depend fully on the Holy Spirit. A life rooted in Jesus leads to bold proclamation, enduring faith, and unshakable joy.

Acts 5 reminds us that God cares about both the unity of His church and the integrity of His people. As the early church grows in power and influence, we see that prayer, humility, and gospel clarity fuel real, lasting impact. This message calls us to live with honesty before God and others—being who we appear to be.

He is RISEN!!This Sunday Pastor Tim centered on our hope in Jesus and through his resurrection, death is defeated and life is made available to ALL! The invitation is clear in God's Word: through repentance and faith in Jesus, anyone can experience new life and the promise of resurrection.

Peter and John face the Sanhedrin and the religious leaders and despite the threats and pressure, they didn't retreat. Instead they leaned into the Holy Spirit MORE which resulted in believers having confidence to live boldly, pray faithfully, and share the hope of a living Savior.

In Acts chapter 4 verses 1-22, Peter and John are brought before the religious leaders and not only are they "warned" and found faultless, they also pushed back! This is a reminder that when operating in the name of Jesus we have the same access to the Holy Spirit at those in the book of Acts.

Moving into Acts, chapter 3, Pastor Tim shows us how Peter, despite the miracle that occurred, never falters to remind those watching that Jesus is the ultimate miracle and that we all have access to Him when we surrender ourselves.

On our final Sunday in Acts chapter 2, Pastor Tim reminds us that both "sides" of Acts chapter 2 are needed to accomplish the church's mission -- outpouring and declaration AND living life together.

Our good friend and Grace Church Elder, Dan, takes some time to help us understand the historical, cultural, and relational setting of Acts, challenging us to see ourselves in the story!

Continuing in Acts Chapter Two, Pastor Tim takes a look at Peter's sermon and helps us to see how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit does not discriminate and is available all of God's children, here and now.

This week Pastor Tim continues in Acts chapter 2, highlighting the unity displayed at the beginning of the church as those in the upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit and how that unity is still a goal to this day.

Before the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2, there were plenty of things that not only had to occur, but did occur that was important enough for Luke to mention in the beginning of Acts. And these steps are building blocks to set Acts in motion and the beginning of the church's growth.

In this first session, Pastor Tim lays the groundwork for our Acts series that will run through the rest of 2026 by reminding us that as we read, we don't want it to be a historical or academic review -- but a look at how God's Word can change us.

Pastor Tim finishes our series reminding us that we ALL have a part to play in God's church and that no matter our calling, we are made to minister.

Pastor Jack continues the series "Made to Minister" reminding us that our gifts are meant to serve and minister to others.

In this first session, Pastor Jack begins the series by reminding us HOW we are all ministers and highlighting four (of many) characteristics that ministers adopt when they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

We are all called to leadership and our identity as leaders qualifies us for God's supernatural empowerment.Continuing this Sunday in the book of Numbers, Pastor Tim highlights Eldad and Medad - two elders of the Israelites who weren't present when the anointing of the Spirit arrived, but were still empowered for service.

In the Bible, we see many examples of leaders inviting others into leadership roles to grow and learn. This Sunday, Pastor Tim highlights one of those examples in Numbers, chapter 11 and reminds us that it's not about accomplishments, it's about lives being changed.

On this last session of Sharing Advent, our NextGen Pastor, Jack Gilbert, shares with us on the love of Jesus and how we can share that love every day with someone!

On this third session of the Advent Season, Pastor Tim shares on Joy and that it's not something you keep to yourself -- it's meant to be SHARED!

On this second Sunday for the Advent Season, Pastor Tim shares with us the peace God desires for each of us only available through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

During this Advent season, Pastor Tim starts by sharing with us the hope that is in Jesus Christ.

God redeemed Joseph despite all that happened with his brothers, with his masters, with his family...and he can do that for us too.In this final session, Pastor Tim outlines the final few chapters of Joseph's story in Genesis and reminds us that God's redemptive work gives us life.

Famine strikes the land, as Joseph predicted, the brothers come to Egypt seeking food for their family, and a family reunion occurs. Although it doesn't happen right away!This Sunday, Pastor Tim walks us through the changes that occur for the brothers as they learn who Jospeh is and what God has done through him.

This Sunday, we welcomed Pastor Brandon Williams as he reminds us that wherever we go, we will always have Jesus.

Jospeh's life has just as many twists and turns as ours -- with his twists resulting in years of faithfully waiting, in less than favorable conditions. But, as God does to those who are faithful, he not only redeems Joseph, he elevates him to second over all of Egypt.In this third session, Pastor Tim reminds us that despite hardships and betrayals in our lives, God can (and will) heal the pain from those hurts and He will bless us and make us fruitful whoever we are!

Joseph remains faithful to the Lord despite unwanted and unwelcome advances from Potiphar's wife -- resulting in him being back in prison.In this session, Pastor Tim reminds us that challenging circumstances in our lives help us to walk closer with the Lord in our future.

In this first session, Pastor Tim starts at the beginning of Joesph's story and reminds us that despite challenges we may face with family, God's plans for us will never be changed.

In this final session, Pastor Tim challenges us to help the poor. Not because it's a good idea, but because God's Word tells us that's what we should do.

In this session, Pastor Tim answers two questions that focus on debt, 1) Is it a sin? and 2) Should we use debt (as Christians)?

Proverbs has a lot to say about wealth and work. This Sunday, Pastor Tim focuses on three proverbs to help us understand the difference between working hard and not being lazy.

Two important questions have surfaced based on recent events in our nation and our world...What does it cost to follow Jesus? AND Are we (you) willing to bear that cost?This Sunday, Pastor Tim takes a Sunday to address current events and remind us that in Jesus we have peace, because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

The "labels" the world puts on us aren't there to define us. God's Word is the source of our definition and it's important to remember that we not only need to receive His Word into our lives, but to share it with others.

Raising the next generation is not JUST the church's responsibility, it's the responsibility of parents and adults interacting with kids.Pastor Jack shares with us a brief update on where the next generation is in their walk with Jesus and how they seek to better understand God's Word.

In our final Growing Deeper session, Pastor Tim shares with us about Sabbath and how the value of this spiritual practice has diminished in a world where a constant "go, go, go" is expected.

The next semester of our small groups begin in just a few weeks, and Pastor Tim takes this Sunday to help us understand the importance of being connected to others in relationship that more than just the quick conversations we have on Sunday mornings.

As with fasting, or meditation, lament isn't discussed often in the modern church. When troubled times come, our western culture allows for grieving to take place, but then there's a "turning point" we are expected to go through without truly placing our hearts (and hurts) before the Lord.This Sunday, Pastor Tim looks at lament in the Bible and shows us how the practice of taking time to grieve also helps us to grow deeper in our walk with the Lord.

Meditation is scriptural. Old Testament, New Testament, it's all throughout. In the Psalms, King David even comments on meditation often.But, the practice of slowing ourselves down, "chewing" on God's Word and allowing it to refine our thinking and doing, is not something Christ-followers do today. The world demands busy from us. So, we have to be intentional about slowing down and spending time meditating on what He is saying to us.

Fasting is one of those spiritual practices that is discussed in the Bible often, but not a common practice in our culture.In this session, Pastor Tim takes some time to help us understand fasting and to remind us that this spiritual practice is something that can help us elevate the eternal above the temporary.