Mercy Hill

Paul had a strange kind of ambition.Not the kind that chases titles or applause. The kind that pulls him toward places where Christ hasn't been named yet.In Romans 15:14-21, Paul tells the church in Rome exactly why he preaches where he preaches. He's not interested in building on someone else's foundation. He wants to go where the gospel hasn't gone.That should unsettle us a little.It's easy to let our faith get comfortable. To keep our witness inside people who already know. To call that "ministry" and leave it there.But Paul's ambition wasn't about him. It was about who still hadn't heard.This Sunday we're asking a simple question: who hasn't heard from you?Not because you need to have all the answers. Not because you need a stage. Just because someone in your life — a neighbor, a coworker, a family member — is still waiting to hear it from someone who actually knows them.

Hope isn't wishful thinking. It's what keeps us moving forward.In Romans 15:4-5 & 13, Paul reminds us that the Scriptures were written to give us endurance and encouragement — so that we could have hope. And that hope doesn't come from our circumstances or our own willpower. It comes from "the God of hope," who fills us with joy and peace so that we can overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.Life has a way of wearing us down. Discouragement is real. But we're not meant to press on by gritting our teeth and hoping things get better. We press on because our hope is anchored in Someone who never runs out of it.

Have you ever been somewhere and thought to yourself, “Something just seems off”? For instance, maybe you were at Chick-fil-A and the cashier didn't say, “My pleasure.” Those two words are so woven into the culture of Chick-fil-A that it feels strangely out of place when you don't hear them.In Romans 15:4–7, Paul paints a beautiful picture of the church using words like “hope,” “harmony,” and “welcome.” But as we compare that picture to our own experience, we may find ourselves thinking that something feels off. We read about the hope Jesus gives, but do we feel hopeful? We see the harmony Scripture describes, but are we experiencing it? We hear that we're called to welcome one another, but is that reflected in the culture of our church?

Growth was never meant to happen alone.In Romans 15:1-4, Paul reminds us that those who are strong carry a responsibility — not to please themselves, but to bear with others and build them up. Even Christ didn't live to please himself. He gave himself for others, and that's the pattern we're called to follow.Formation isn't just something that happens to us in isolation. It happens in community — when we choose to encourage, strengthen, and carry each other instead of just looking out for ourselves.This Sunday we talked about what it looks like to live for someone else's growth, not just our own — and how that's actually the path to real spiritual maturity.

For the past several months we've walked through the rise and fall of Israel's kings. We've seen Saul's failure, David's triumphs and sins, Solomon's wisdom and downfall, a divided kingdom, and the nation's continual longing for a faithful King.To conclude this series, we'll leave the Old Testament and turn to Luke 1:30–33. Before Jesus ever preached a sermon or performed a miracle, an angel showed up with a promise. Gabriel told a young girl named Mary that her son would be great — called the Son of the Most High, given the throne of his father David, reigning over Jacob's house forever. No pressure, right?That's not just an announcement about a baby. It's an announcement about a King — a different kind than anyone expected, born in a manger instead of a palace, but promised an eternal throne all the same.This week we asked a simple question: if Jesus really is the King Gabriel described, what does that mean for how we live under his rule right now?

There's a moment on Mount Carmel where Elijah stands alone against 450 prophets of Baal, and he asks Israel a question that still lands like a gut-punch today: "How long will you waver between two opinions?"Not exactly subtle. But then again, neither is God.This week we were in 1 Kings 18, and it might be the most dramatic showdown in the whole Old Testament. Altars. Fire. A very sarcastic Elijah taunting false gods that don't answer because — spoiler — they can't. And then, in front of everyone, the real God shows up in a way nobody could miss.But here's what gets me every time I read this: the question isn't really about ancient idols. It's about ours. The things we quietly serve when we think no one's watching — comfort, approval, control, the version of life we've built for ourselves instead of the one God's actually calling us to.We all have an altar. The question is who's on it.

Solomon was gone. His son Rehoboam was on the throne. The people came with one simple request: ease up on us.Rehoboam had a choice. Listen to the elders who'd seen it all, or listen to his friends who wanted to look strong. He chose strong, and he chose wrong. Within days, the kingdom that took generations to build was torn in half. Never to be fully whole again.This Sunday we were in 1 Kings 12. It's a story about pride, power, and what happens when we'd rather win an argument than win a heart. I don't think this story is just about ancient kings. I think it's about us — our homes, our friendships, our own stubborn hearts.

Solomon had it all — wisdom beyond any king before or after him, wealth, peace on every border. In 1 Kings 3, God granted him a wise and discerning heart.So how does his story end in chapter 11 with foreign gods and a kingdom on the brink of collapse?Knowing the right thing isn't the same as doing it. Compromise by compromise, the wisest man alive made some of the most foolish choices in Scripture.I don't think this story is really about ancient kings. I think it's about us — about how good starts can still end badly if we're not guarding our hearts.

There's a book in your Bible that most people avoid.It's not exactly a feel-good read. No triumphant victories, no mountaintop moments. Just one man — Solomon, the wisest who ever lived — staring hard at the reality of life and telling you the truth.You're going to die.Everyone does. The righteous, the wicked, the good, the bad. The same destination waits for all of us. Solomon doesn't sugarcoat it. He doesn't spiritualize it. He just says it plainly, because pretending otherwise is what keeps us from actually living. But here's where it gets interesting.Right in the middle of all that honesty about death, Solomon turns a corner — and he tells you something that sounds almost reckless: Go eat your food with gladness. Drink your wine with a joyful heart. Enjoy life with the people you love. Not someday. Not after you've earned it. Now. Today. This is your lot, and God has already approved it.The joy God intends for your life isn't waiting for you somewhere down the road. It's right in front of you.This Sunday, we were in Ecclesiastes 9:1–10 with a message called Live Before You Die — and I want to challenge you to come ready to actually receive it. Not just nod along. Not just take notes. But to leave with fresh eyes on the ordinary moments of your life.The people around your table. The work in your hands. The day right in front of you.

Picture eight brothers lined up in a row. Seven of them look the part — tall, strong, every inch a king. One's out in the field with the sheep.God walks right past the seven and picks the one.That's how David's story starts, in 1 Samuel 16. But, it's not how it ends.This Sunday we continued our King of Kings series by looking at the full arc of David's life — from the unlikely shepherd boy anointed, to his devastating sin..David was anointed by God, waited years for the throne, united the kingdom, and yet still fell as far as a man can fall. His story reminds us that even the best king Israel ever had couldn't ultimately save God's people.Join us as we explore David's rise, his failure, and how his life points us to the true King we need — Jesus.

Camp week is officially in the books — and what a week it was.This Sunday, we got to celebrate together. Camp Pastor Cole is going to share with us how all of creation points to God, straight from Psalm 19:1!

Israel wanted a king. Not because God hadn't been leading them — but because they wanted to look like everyone else.That's what we're digging into this week in 1 Samuel 12-13. Samuel stands before the whole nation and basically says, "You got what you asked for. Now let's see what you do with it." And Saul — the people's choice — starts strong. Then he doesn't wait on God. He takes matters into his own hands, and it costs him everything.I think most of us have a little bit of Saul in us. We want a king we can see, control, or rush when God feels slow. But the story of Saul isn't really about Saul. It's about the difference between a king the people chose and the King God had already promised.This Sunday we talked about what it looks like to stop crowning our own solutions and start trusting the King who never needed our permission to reign.

This Sunday, we had Landon Reesor, pastor in Connecticut and father to one of our members, join us.

We live in a moment of deep political division and competing visions of leadership—and it turns out, this isn't the first time.This Sunday, we launched King of Kings, a new series that takes us into the ancient story of Israel's kings. From Saul to David to Solomon, we'll trace a sobering pattern: misplaced hope, flawed leaders, and unmet expectations. Yet woven through every failure is a greater promise—God never abandoned His people to broken leadership.These stories aren't just history. They're an invitation to step back from the noise of today and ask a deeper question: What kind of King do we really need?

This week, Pastor Lucius Rouzer IV of UMovement Church in Marietta joined us.

You probably didn't give her much credit at the time. None of us did.But somewhere along the way — maybe it was a decision you almost made, a warning you almost ignored, or a value you realized you'd carried for years without knowing where it came from — it hit you: she knew things.This Sunday, we're going to dig into one of the most underrated forces in your life: the faith of the people who came before you. The Apostle Paul looked at a young man named Timothy and said, "That thing in you? It started in your grandmother. Then your mother. And now it's yours to carry."There's a spiritual momentum that gets passed down through generations — and it runs deeper than you think.But here's the part that hits even harder: what if the legacy you inherited wasn't all good? What if there were cycles, blind spots, and patterns that got handed to you along with everything else?God can redeem the past and rewrite the future. At the intersection of His grace and your faith, the story can change — for you and for everyone who comes after you.

We've been walking through the book of Acts together for a while now, and this Sunday we land on the final chapter. The last scene. The closing verses of one of the most action-packed books in the entire Bible.And you know what's wild? It doesn't really end.Acts 28 doesn't close with a neat bow. No grand finale. No trumpet fanfare. Luke just... stops writing. Paul is in Rome, under house arrest, and he's still preaching. Still welcoming people. Still talking about Jesus to anyone who will listen — Jews, Gentiles, leaders, strangers.The early church didn't get a conclusion. They got a continuation.This Sunday, in Acts 28:17–31, we're going to sit with that tension and let it ask us something important: If the book of Acts is really the ongoing story of what Jesus is doing through His people... what is He doing through you?This isn't just the end of a series. It's an invitation.

There's something about those moments in life when you find yourself across the table — or across the room — from someone powerful, someone skeptical, maybe even someone who holds your future in their hands... and you still have to decide whether you're going to speak the truth or play it safe.I think most of us have been there in some form. And if you're being honest, you probably know which choice feels easier.This Sunday, we're stepping into one of the most electric scenes in all of Scripture. Paul — chained, on trial, with nothing left to lose — stands before King Agrippa and does something remarkable: he shares the Gospel. Not a watered-down version. Not a careful, politically safe pitch. The real thing. Face to face. King to prisoner.In Acts 26:15–27, we'll see how Paul recounts his encounter with the risen Jesus, the mission he was given, and why he simply couldn't stay silent — even in front of royalty. And Agrippa's response? It'll stop you in your tracks.

In Acts 21, Paul and his team are wrapping up their third missionary journey. Paul has decided his next stop will be Jerusalem, despite repeated warnings that he will face persecution and imprisonment there. Still, he believes the Lord is leading him to go, so he continues on to Jerusalem. It is highly unlikely that any of us will be arrested for our faith in Christ. And I don't think the Bible is teaching us that we should pursue being arrested in order to follow Paul's example. But we do often find ourselves in situations where obedience to God may come with real consequences. So how should we respond?

This Sunday, we step into one of the most personal moments in Acts.In Acts 20:17–38, Paul gives a final, heartfelt charge to the Ephesian leaders—calling them to live faithfully, speak boldly, and guard what matters most. It's a reminder that following Jesus shapes not just what we believe, but how we lead, live, and love.It's also a passage that asks something of us:Are we building something that will actually last?

There's something about this time of year that just feels like a fresh start. The weather's warming up, the trees are filling back in, and flowers are starting to bloom everywhere you look. It's like the world is waking up again. And if we're honest, I think a lot of us are looking for that same kind of renewal in our own lives too.That's part of why Easter matters so much. It's not just a date on the calendar—it's the reminder that real renewal is possible. In Acts 13, Paul tells the story of God's faithfulness through generations, and it all leads to this simple, powerful truth: God raised Jesus from the dead. That changes everything. It means hope is real, forgiveness is available, and new life isn't just an idea—it's something we can actually experience.

One of the most compelling storylines of this year's Winter Olympics was U.S. hockey, with both the men's and women's teams bringing home gold. It reminded many of us of the iconic 1980 men's team that unexpectedly won gold. That team was the youngest and most inexperienced the U.S. had ever sent to the Olympics.In the semifinal game, they faced the mighty Soviet team, who were not only heavily favored but had previously defeated the U.S. national team 10–3. No one expected the young U.S. team to even keep up. Yet in the third period, the U.S. scored two goals to take the lead, and goalie Jim Craig blocked shot after shot to hold it. Against all odds, the U.S. team prevailed, leading to Al Michaels' famous call: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”In Acts 19, Paul and his team are in Ephesus, a major city deeply committed to the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis. It's not the kind of place you'd expect people to be ready and willing to embrace the message of Jesus. But again, against all odds, the good news of Jesus prevails.

Have you ever been in a situation where knowing a bit of background or context would have changed how you handled it? I know I have. From making the wrong joke in front of the wrong person to mishaps on international trips, I've definitely put my foot in my mouth and wished I had known one key piece of information.In Acts 17, we see Paul sharing the good news of Jesus in Thessalonica and later in Athens. Interestingly, he approaches each place differently. Why? Because the context of each city, each culture, and each audience is different. This Sunday, we'll take a closer look at this chapter and discover what we can learn from Paul about engaging different cultures and people with the good news of Jesus.

There is an intense debate that rages in the Southeast U.S.: Should you put salt on watermelon? At first, it's hard to imagine that salt would be good on watermelon. But some people swear by this unexpected combination. They say the salt intensifies the sweetness of the watermelon in a unique way.In Acts 16, Paul sets off on his second missionary journey, expecting to end up in Asia Minor. But God has other plans. God redirects Paul and his team about 400 miles away from their original destination. Yet this unexpected redirection produces some amazing results.

This Sunday we're in Acts 15:1–35, a pivotal moment in the early church where a major conflict threatens to distort the gospel itself. As more Gentiles come to faith, a question rises to the surface: Is faith in Jesus enough, or is something more required?What follows is honest debate, tension, and a gathering of leaders to discern what's true. It's not a small disagreement—it's about the very foundation of salvation.In the middle of it all, we see something powerful: God brings clarity through community, Scripture, and His Spirit.Peter stands and reminds everyone that salvation comes through grace alone. Paul and Barnabas share how God is moving among the Gentiles. James points back to Scripture to confirm what God has been doing all along. And together, they refuse to add burdens where God has not.This passage shows us that:The gospel must be protected. Even well-meaning additions can quietly distort what Jesus has already accomplished.Conflict isn't always bad. When handled with humility and truth, it can actually lead to greater clarity and unity.Clarity leads to encouragement. When the church sends its decision, it doesn't weigh people down—it lifts them up.It leaves us with a question worth considering: Are we holding tightly to the true gospel—or subtly adding to it?Because even today, it's easy to drift toward performance, pressure, or preference. But the good news is still the same: we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus—nothing more, nothing less.

This Sunday we'll be in Acts 14:8–23, a passage that moves fast and hits hard. In one moment, Paul is being worshiped like a god after a miraculous healing. In the next, the crowd turns—and he's stoned and left for dead outside the city.It's a jarring picture of how quickly people can shift—how easily we can elevate something one minute and reject it the next. But right in the middle of that instability, we see something steady: the unshakable mission of the gospel.As Paul and Barnabas respond, we watch the gospel do three important things:It confronts false worship. When the crowd tries to offer sacrifices to them, Paul refuses the spotlight and redirects their attention to the one true God.It endures real opposition. Following Jesus doesn't shield them from suffering—it leads them straight into it.It keeps moving forward. Even after being nearly killed, Paul gets back up, returns to strengthen believers, and continues the work God called him to.What stands out most isn't hype or momentum—it's resilient, steady faithfulness.Paul doesn't measure success by comfort or applause. He measures it by obedience. And as he revisits the churches, he reminds them of a truth we don't always like but desperately need: “It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.”This passage invites us to wrestle with some honest questions:What happens to our faith when the response shifts from encouragement to resistance?Are we anchored in approval—or in calling?Will we stay faithful when obedience becomes uncomfortable… or even costly?Because the reality is, God often does His deepest work not on the mountaintop moments, but in the quiet, costly, in-between places where faith is tested and formed.And the good news? He's building something that lasts. Something not dependent on public opinion, but grounded in His power and purpose.

This Sunday is our fourth and final week of Neighbors and Nations. We'll be highlighting our partnership with the International Mission Board and how we work together to take the good news of Jesus to more people in more places.We'll also continue our series through the book of Acts. In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas proclaim the good news of Jesus in Antioch of Pisidia. While some of the Jewish religious leaders reject their message, many Gentiles receive it with joy and put their faith in Jesus. Together, we'll see how God's mission continues to move forward to new people in new places.

This Sunday is week three of our Neighbors and Nations campaign. You have already been incredibly generous. Thank you for considering how you can sacrificially give to the mission!We're turning our attention to an often-overlooked story in Acts 13. The church in Antioch is flourishing. There's momentum. Ministry is thriving.And then, the Spirit of God leads them to take the surprising step of sending out two of their very best leaders on mission. What would cause a church to willingly send away two key leaders at the height of its growth? Why are they willing to sacrifice so that the good news of Jesus can get to new people and new places?

The Antonine Plague of the second century was devastating. Historians estimate that nearly 10% of the population of the Roman Empire lost their lives. While most people fled affected areas, Christians stayed behind to serve the sick and dying. Their sacrificial care, offered to both believers and nonbelievers alike, made a deep impression on the surrounding communities.We find a similar story in Acts 11, when the young church in Antioch hears of a severe famine in Judea and responds by sending help.

Our 2026 Neighbors & Nations Campaign is starting this week! Every year, we set aside several weeks to focus on God's mission in our world and how each of us can engage in that mission. During this campaign, we'll see how the church in Acts continued to participate with God in His work. We'll also hear from our local, national, and international partners about how God is at work, from our community, to our nation, and around the world.Each week, we'll ask you to do three things: Pray, Give, and Go.Pray. Every Sunday, we'll share specific ways you can pray for our missions partners. We've also created a daily prayer guide that you can access by clicking the link below.Give. This year, we've set a goal of raising $32,000 to support our partners in Cobb County, across the country, and around the world. We're asking you to sacrificially give over the next four weeks to help meet real needs on the ground through our local partners, as well as NAMB and IMB.Go. We'll also provide opportunities for you to go. That includes training to help you engage in God's mission in your everyday life, as well as hands-on opportunities to serve.

In Acts 9, Saul sets out for Damascus fully intent on threatening, bullying, and even arresting Jews who have become followers of Jesus. He carries letters from the high priest confirming that he has the authority to do so. More importantly, he believes this mission is his responsibility before God. That's the part we often forget. Saul doesn't just think he's doing the right thing, he believes he's doing the godly thing.After all, this new movement of Jesus' followers is disrupting the well-established religious order. In Saul's mind, it is his duty to stop it and restore things to the way they are supposed to be. And it is in the midst of his rage, indignation, and self-righteous fervor that Jesus meets him in a dramatic and life-altering way.

In Acts 8, God calls Philip to leave what appears to be a booming ministry among the Samaritans and head toward a remote desert road. We aren't told what Philip initially thought, but I know what my reaction would have been: “What? Why?” Yet despite the strangeness of the request, Philip obeys.Now imagine the scene. Philip is standing alone beside this empty desert road when, in the distance, he sees a chariot approaching. He draws near and discovers that the man inside, a high-ranking official from Ethiopia, is reading from the prophet Isaiah. What are the chances? God is orchestrating every detail in a remarkable way.

This Sunday we're in Acts 8:4–25, where the gospel begins to move in a surprising direction—to the Samaritans. What starts as persecution and scattering turns into something God uses for good. As believers are pushed out, they carry the message of Jesus with them, and suddenly, people who were once seen as outsiders are experiencing the joy and power of the gospel.Through Philip's ministry, we see lives changed, barriers broken, and a reminder that the good news of Jesus isn't limited to a certain kind of person—it's for everyone.But this passage also challenges us. As the gospel spreads, it confronts pride, exposes false belief, and calls for genuine faith—not just fascination with what God can do.It leaves us with a question worth wrestling with: Are we open to God working beyond our expectations—and even through us—to reach people we might overlook?

As Christmas gets closer, the anticipation starts to build—lights go up, plans come together, and there's a quiet excitement about the gifts we'll soon unwrap. Advent invites us to pause in the middle of all that and remember something deeper: God's greatest gifts don't always arrive the way we expect.This Sunday, we're looking at Luke 1:57–80 and the birth of John the Baptist. It's a story that feels both joyful and surprising. After years of waiting, Elizabeth and Zechariah finally hold their promised child—but this son isn't just a long-awaited answer to prayer. He's a messenger, sent ahead to prepare the way for something—and Someone—even greater.John's life reminds us that sometimes the gift isn't the destination—it's the direction. He was born with a purpose: to point people to Jesus.What's just as powerful is how God chooses to work through this story. Zechariah and Elizabeth weren't famous or influential by the world's standards. They were ordinary, faithful, and patient in the waiting. And yet, God used their lives in a pivotal moment of His redemptive story. When Zechariah finally speaks again, his words overflow with praise and prophecy—declaring that God is visiting His people and bringing salvation.It's a moment that invites us to ask:Are we open to the ways God might be working differently than we expected?Are we willing to be used—even in ordinary ways—to point others to Jesus?Because the truth is, God is still writing stories like this. He's still using everyday people to prepare the way—through conversations, invitations, acts of kindness, and faithful presence.As we continue through Advent, this passage reminds us that the greatest gift is already on the way—and we get to be part of helping others see it.

This week in our Advent series, we step into a quiet but powerful moment in Luke 1:39–56—when Mary visits Elizabeth. It's a simple scene on the surface: two women, a shared embrace, and a conversation. But underneath it is something much bigger—the joy of God's promises coming to life.Mary has just received unbelievable news—that she will carry the Son of God. Before anything is visible, before the world sees the miracle, she goes to visit Elizabeth. And the moment she arrives, everything shifts. Elizabeth's baby leaps, she's filled with the Holy Spirit, and she declares what Mary may still be trying to fully grasp: God is doing exactly what He said He would do.What follows is Mary's response—often called the Magnificat. It's not polished or performative—it's a heart overflowing. She praises God not just for what He's doing in her life, but for what He has always been like: faithful, powerful, and mindful of the humble. Mary sees her story as part of a much bigger one—God's long track record of keeping His promises.This passage invites us to wrestle with a simple but deep question: Can we trust God's promises before we see the outcome?Mary and Elizabeth remind us that joy doesn't have to wait for the finished miracle. It can begin right in the middle of uncertainty—rooted in who God is and what He has already said.As we continue through Advent, this moment calls us to slow down, to notice God's faithfulness, and to respond with trust and worship—even when we're still waiting.

The story in Luke 1:26–38 is a familiar one. God sends the angel Gabriel to Mary, a young virgin betrothed to be married, to deliver astonishing news: she will conceive and bear a child unlike any other who has ever been born. Seeing an angel would be overwhelming enough, but hearing that she would become pregnant without intercourse—and before marriage—must have been even more unsettling. I can only imagine how Mary's head must have been spinning.Yet the most remarkable part is that Gabriel's mysterious message to Mary is actually good news for us. It's the “good news of great joy” that we celebrate during the Christmas season. I'd love for you to join us this Sunday as we unpack the hope and wonder in Gabriel's announcement.

Have you ever found yourself caught in the grind of religion or the ruts of life? Have you somehow lost that sense of wonder and awe that we serve a God who is able? Well, you may discover you share quite a bit in common with the people in this story from scripture.

Have you ever been in a high-pressure situation—maybe facing a tight deadline at work or having to make an unexpected, high-stakes decision? It's often in those moments that we discover who we truly are.Last week, we met Stephen, a leader in the Jerusalem church. He was chosen to help care for widows and preserve unity within the church. In Acts 6:8–7:60, Luke tells us more of Stephen's story. Like other church leaders of his day, he is falsely accused, arrested, and put on trial. When questioned, he courageously stands firm in his convictions, even though doing so only intensifies the danger around him.The situation escalates quickly, and a furious mob stones Stephen. Talk about a high-pressure moment.

Conflict happens. It is a part of all human relationships. Thriving marriages, booming businesses, and close friendships all experience conflict. Churches aren't any different.In Acts 6:1–7, we see the first recorded church conflict. And no—it wasn't about the color of the carpet or whether deviled eggs are appropriate for a church fellowship meal.So what happened?The church had been generously giving to meet needs, including providing food for widows. But a problem arose: the Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, while the Aramaic-speaking widows were receiving their food. What seems like a simple oversight that could easily be remedied began to grow into a much larger issue.How did the early church respond? And what can we learn from their example about handling conflict within the body of Christ?

Over the past few weeks in our study of the book of Acts, we've seen how the early church practiced radical generosity. This week brought two pressing areas of need to the forefront—one global and one local. This is a great opportunity for our church to follow the example set in Acts and respond with generosity.Global Need:Hurricane Melissa has caused devastating damage across the Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. Our partners at Send Relief are responding by providing power generators, meals, clothing, and temporary shelter. There is an urgent need for 1,000 water filters, and we can help meet that goal.A gift of $25 to Send Relief supplies one water filter. Would you consider serving our global neighbors by helping provide clean water?You can give here, just be sure Send Relief is selected in the dropdown.Local Need:Many of our neighbors will soon be impacted by the suspension of SNAP benefits. We've reached out to our partners at Storehouse Ministries, Dowell Elementary, and Cheatham Hill Elementary to identify how we can best serve. We'll keep you updated as specific needs arise, but for now, Storehouse has a critical need for peanut butter.We're asking every family, college student, young adult, and senior adult to bring at least one jar of peanut butter this week to help meet that need.

In the book of Acts we see the early church explode onto the scene. There were powerful sermons, miracles, and life transformations taking place daily. But what marked the early church wasn't just their preaching or miracles — it was their radical generosity.As we continue through Acts, we'll look at how the gospel didn't just change what believers gave, but who they were. Join us as Pastor Mike teaches from Acts 4:32–36 on how Gospel Generosity transforms hearts, builds unity, and points the world to Jesus.

This Sunday, we're thrilled to welcome our friend Abner Ruiz from Comunidad de Fe, who will be preaching from Acts 4:23–31. After facing opposition, the disciples didn't retreat—they prayed. What happened next changed everything. Together, we'll discover how prayer ignites boldness in the Church today.We're especially excited to worship alongside our friends from Comunidad de Fe and experience a glimpse of the scene described in Revelation 7—“from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb… crying out with a loud voice,‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'”If you've never joined us for a joint service with Comunidad de Fe, you're in for a treat. You'll experience worship in both English and Spanish, Abner preaching in Spanish with his wife, Jessica, translating into English, and a joyful picture of the global Church—a diverse family of believers lifting high the name of Jesus together.

We're continuing our study in Acts 4:1–22, exploring how the early disciples responded to opposition.

Join us as we continue to walk through Acts

Have you ever been part of something so amazing that it instantly connected you with the people around you? That's what we see in Acts 2:42–47 when the very first church was coming together. After the incredible experience of Pentecost, these new believers didn't just go back to life as usual. Instead, they stuck together. They gathered regularly, shared meals, cared for one another, and opened their homes with generosity.It's pretty amazing to think about. Something so powerful had happened that it completely reshaped the way they lived.

Last Sunday, we began exploring the origin story of the church. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples of Jesus in a miraculous way, which drew a huge crowd.In the midst of all the excitement and confusion, Peter stood up and explained to the crowd what they were witnessing. This week, as we continue in Acts 2, we'll see Peter quickly shift gears. After clarifying what was happening, he tells them why it was happening and how they need to respond.

I've always been captivated by origin stories. I don't just want to know that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, I want to know how he became Spider-Man. It's not only the Marvel Cinematic Universe that grabs my attention; I love real-life origin stories too. It's fascinating to learn that Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak launched Apple in Jobs' garage, or that Phil Knight started Nike by selling shoes out of the trunk of his car.In Acts 2, we find the origin story of God's new people—the church. If you want to know how a skinny, nerdy Peter Parker became a web-slinging, wall-climbing, friendly neighborhood hero, you go back to Marvel Comic's Amazing Fantasy #15, published in 1962. But if you want to know how a small group of uneducated, ordinary men and women ignited a worldwide movement that continues to this day, Acts 2 is the place to start.

We're kicking off a new teaching series this Sunday through the book of Acts, called Acts: The Story Continues. Written by Luke, the same author of the Gospel of Luke, Acts picks up right where his first book left off. While the Gospel tells the story of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, Acts shows how the good news of Jesus spreads from person to person and place to place.Have you ever been given a task that felt far too big for you? In Acts 1, Jesus leaves his small band of disciples with an overwhelming mission: spread the word about me to the entire world. No doubt they felt unprepared and outmatched. But Jesus also gave them a promise—they would not be alone. He would send the Holy Spirit to empower them every step of the way.

This Sunday, we are continuing our mini-series on family discipleship. As school starts and the schedules of going from one thing to the next increase their rapid pace, how are we using the time that we are given to intentionally invest in our kids? This Sunday, we will look at Deuteronomy 6, talk about how we can use four main rhythms to disciple our kids well, and re-visit why this is so important! No matter what stage of life you are in, there are valuable truths for all of us in the Word!

Over the next two Sundays, we'll be diving into Deuteronomy 6 together. Deuteronomy is a book about new hope for the next generation. The failures of the previous generation of Israel were behind them, and Moses exhorted this new generation of God's people to faithfully follow the Lord.

This Sunday, we looked at The Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11–25. Jesus tells the story of two sons who both struggle in their relationship with their father in very different ways. In the end, the story reveals the incredible power of God's grace.