This week in our Summer Shorts series, we dig into the entire book of Philemon, one of the shortest letters in the New Testament and one of the most personal. Paul writes from prison to his friend Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave, asking Philemon to receive him back not as property but as a beloved brother in Christ. Along the way, Paul models something remarkable: rather than pulling rank, he appeals to relationship, to love, and to the kind of generosity that flows naturally from genuine faith. The story of Onesimus, slave turned free, debt paid by another, is a picture of the gospel itself, mirroring exactly what Jesus did for every one of us. And the story of Paul, once a persecutor of Christians and now their greatest champion, reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's transforming grace. Whatever you feel enslaved to today, the debt has already been paid.

This week we kick off our new summer series, Summer Shorts, big truths from some of the Bible's smallest books, starting with the book of Titus. Paul's letter to Titus covers a lot of ground fast: what it looks like to lead a church with integrity, why sound doctrine matters and must be defended, and how older believers are called to pour into younger generations in real, relational ways. We also dig into one of the most important distinctions in all of scripture: the difference between being saved by works and being saved for works. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, salvation is a gift we could never earn, and that's exactly the point. Freed from the burden of earning God's favor, we get to ask a different question: what good works has God already prepared for me to walk in? That's the life Paul is calling Titus, and all of us, into.

What does it really mean to be a good dad? In this Father's Day message, we look at Exodus 34, where God reveals his own heart as a father: merciful, patient, steadfast, and forgiving, and explore what it looks like to reflect those qualities in our families. We dig into what it means to have a tender heart toward those in our care, to protect our families from our own anger, to pursue our loved ones with relentless curiosity and engagement, and to offer grace when judgment seems more deserved. The truth is, we can't give what we haven't experienced and the good news is that everything God calls us to as parents is found fully in Jesus Christ. Whether you're a dad, a mentor, an uncle, or simply someone who wants to love the people around you better, this message is for you. Come as you are, grow where you can, and let your faith in Jesus be the source of everything you pour out.

What happens when the very place meant to bring healing becomes the source of pain? In this final message of The Tough Stuff series, we explore one of the most uncomfortable topics in the church: church hurt. Drawing from Ezekiel 34 and the Gospel of John, Vicar Alex unpacks the image of the shepherd and what it reveals about leadership, accountability, and the danger of entitlement in the pews. The sobering truth is that church hurt doesn't only come from the top, it can come from any one of us. Whether you've been wounded by the church or wonder if you've ever been the one doing the wounding, this message invites honest reflection. And for those carrying that pain, there is a word of hope: the church at its best is a place where the wounded are are welcomed. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and he is still in charge.

What do you do with the mistakes you can't take back? In this sermon, we get honest about one of the most universal human experiences: regret. But scripture doesn't shy away from this topic. In fact, one of the most surprising verses in the entire Bible reveals that even God himself is described as experiencing regret over creating humanity. Rather than explaining that away with a comfortable interpretation, this message digs into what that passage actually means and what it has to teach us. Through the stories of the Apostle Paul, the shocking Genesis 6 text, and the fascinating real-life account of Alfred Nobel (the man who invented dynamite and later founded the Nobel Prize) we discover that we serve a God who doesn't just sympathize with our regret, he empathizes with it. No matter how dark or deep your regret may be, this message points to a God whose grace will always dwarf it.

What should you look for in a spouse, and what happens when you and your spouse don't share the same faith? In this message, we tackle one of the most tender topics in relationships: navigating a mixed-faith marriage. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 7, we explore what God's Word says about staying committed, finding peace, and understanding that your marriage, even an imperfect one, is valued and seen by God. If you're in a spiritually unequal relationship, this message is for you. Discover how your faith, your example, and your prayers can become a powerful witness right inside your own home. Your job isn't to bring your spouse to Jesus; it's to bring Jesus to your spouse.

Have you ever been angry at God and didn't know what to do with it? In this message, Pastor Ben Griffin tackles one of the most honest but overlooked emotions in the Christian life: anger toward God. Drawing from Psalm 22 and Ephesians 4:26, we explore what the Bible actually says about anger, why unmet expectations and life's hardships drive us to frustration, and how God invites us, not to suppress those feelings, but to bring them to him through lament. You'll learn a practical four-step model for lamenting: remembering who God is, pouring out your honest emotions, asking for help, and declaring your trust in him. Whether you're wrestling quietly beneath the surface or have been carrying anger for years, this message is for you.

We all have a battle with sin, and part of that battle happens in secret. In this message, we open a brand new series called, The Tough Stuff, by taking an honest look at the hidden, shameful, and often habitual sin that none of us want to talk about. Drawing from Romans 7 and Ephesians 5, we explore what it means to wake up to the reality of our sin, drag it out of the darkness and into the light through confession, both to Jesus and to trusted people in our lives, and then fight it not from a place of fear, but from a foundation of deep gratitude for the grace we already have in Christ. What's done in the dark always comes to the light. The question is whether you bring it there yourself.

Moms spend so much of their time trying to understand and meet the needs of everyone around them, and yet so rarely does anyone stop to ask what's going on inside their hearts. This Mother's Day message is for every parent who's locked themselves in a bathroom just to cry, gripped the steering wheel after school drop-off, or laid awake wondering if they're getting it all wrong. That voice is real. But it's not the only voice. From Lamentations 3, we find a promise that cuts through all of it: that God's mercies are new every single morning, that He sees what no one else notices, forgives what you're most ashamed of, and that your identity is not your responsibility. You are not what you do. You are whose you are.

What do a wandering sheep, a missing coin, and a rebellious son have in common? They were all pursued. In this message, we explore the two parables Jesus told before the Prodigal Son, a prequel that reveals one of the most powerful truths in Scripture: no matter how lost we are, God relentlessly pursues us. Drawing from Luke 15, we unpack what it means to be found by a God who doesn't wait for us to come back but runs to meet us right where we are.