Boat Stories

Dear Church Family,

We have been walking through our Boat Stories series — and this week took us out onto the water with Peter.

We looked at Matthew 14:22-33, the story of Jesus walking on the sea in the middle of the night, and Peter's brief, wobbly walk out to meet him. It's a story a lot of us grew up on as a lesson in boldness — "get out of the boat like Peter." But this week we asked a different question: what if the story was never really about grading Peter's performance at all?

A few things we sat with together:

Jesus's words to the terrified disciples — "Take heart, it is I" — echo the very name God gave Moses at the burning bush. This wasn't just Jesus saying, "it's me." It was a claim about who he is.
Peter's request, his walk, and his sink all happen fast — and so does Jesus's response. Matthew uses the word "immediately" three times in this one story, which is unusual for him. Grace doesn't make you wait for it.
Whether Peter's initial ask was bold faith or something closer to testing God, and whether his cry to be saved took great faith or almost none — Jesus met both the same way. The hand came out before the correction did.

Here's where we landed: this story isn't asking you to figure out if you're a "walker" or a "sinker" this week. It's inviting you to see who was standing on the water in the first place — a Savior who is powerful, persistent, and present exactly when it counts. You may sink. The promise was never that you won't. The promise is that you won't drown.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekJuly 26, 2026

Boat Stories

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday we continued our Boat Stories series by looking at one of the most vivid moments in the Gospels — Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4. But as we walked through the text, we discovered the real question at the center of the story wasn't about a storm at all. It was about a heart.

Jesus and His disciples were caught in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. The waves were crashing over the sides, the boat was filling with water, and the disciples — several of them professional fishermen — were convinced they were about to die. And Jesus was asleep. A few feet away, in the middle of the chaos, completely at peace.

When they finally woke Him, they didn't ask, "Can you help us?" They asked, "Do you not care that we are perishing?"

That question turned out to be the heart of the message. When the storm hits, most of us don't actually doubt God's power. We doubt His heart.

We saw that care most clearly in His presence — He was already in the boat before the storm ever started, and His care was never only going to be measured by whether the wind stopped. We saw it in His authority — when He finally spoke, He didn't pray over the storm, He simply commanded it, and it obeyed. And we saw it in His question back to the disciples afterward: "Have you still no faith?" Not whether they had any left, but whether they'd actually reach for what was already theirs.

One of the key truths we took away was this:

His care isn't proven by whether the storm stops. It's proven by the fact that He's already in the boat.

Jesus didn't wait for calm water before He showed up. He got in the boat before the wind ever picked up — and He stays, whether the storm ends the way we hope it will or not. It's the same pattern we saw with Peter the week before, just wearing a different set of clothes: Jesus meets us exactly where we are, with exactly what we need.

If you missed Sunday's message, we'd encourage you to catch up online and join us this week as we continue our journey through Boat Stories.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekJuly 19, 2026

Boat Stories

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday we launched our new series, Boat Stories, by looking at one of the most familiar miracles in the Gospels, the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5. But as we walked through Peter's story, we discovered that the greatest catch that day wasn't the fish. It was a fisherman.

One of the most encouraging discoveries in this passage is that Luke 5 wasn't Peter's first encounter with Jesus. Before Jesus called Peter to leave his nets, He had already met him, spoken a new identity over him, and even healed someone in his family. Long before Peter fully surrendered, Jesus was patiently pursuing him.

That's often how Jesus works in our lives too.

Many of us think our relationship with God begins the moment we decide to follow Him. But often, when we look back, we realize He had been at work long before we recognized it. He was placing people in our lives, opening doors, stirring our hearts, and patiently drawing us closer to Himself.

One of the key truths we took away was this:

Jesus didn't love Peter because of his calling. Jesus called Peter because He loved him.

That same truth is still true today. Jesus doesn't wait until we have everything together before He loves us. He meets us exactly where we are and lovingly invites us into something greater than we could ever imagine.

As we continue this series, we'll see this pattern again and again:

Jesus meets us exactly where we are, with exactly what we need.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Baptism Sunday as we celebrated lives being changed by Jesus. There is no greater reminder that He is still pursuing people today.

If you missed Sunday's message, we'd encourage you to catch up online and join us this week as we continue our journey through Boat Stories.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekJuly 12, 2026

A Season In The Minors

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, we wrapped up our Season in the Minors series by looking at the final book of the Minor Prophets, Malachi.

Malachi reminds us that Israel's greatest problem wasn't that they had abandoned God. They had simply begun treating Him as ordinary. Their worship continued, but their hearts had drifted. They offered God less than He deserved because they had lost sight of who He truly was.

The same danger exists for us today. It's possible to become so familiar with God that we stop standing in awe of Him. When we lose sight of God's greatness, our worship, our obedience, and our devotion all begin to suffer.

Throughout the series, we've seen the same invitation repeated in different ways. God is continually calling His people back to Himself.

As we concluded the series, we were reminded of three lasting lessons from the Minor Prophets:

Remember His love.
Give Him your whole heart.
Walk faithfully with Him.

The greatest hope of the Minor Prophets is that they all point beyond themselves to Jesus. As Hebrews tells us, God spoke through the prophets in many different ways, but He has now spoken most clearly through His Son. Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father, the Great King who came to rescue wandering worshipers and invite us back into relationship with Him.

As you go through this week, take a few moments to ask yourself:

Have I begun treating God as ordinary, or am I still living in awe of the Great King?

And remember:

If we miss Jesus, we miss everything.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekJuly 5, 2026

A Season In The Minors

Dear Church Family,

This Sunday we continued our series, A Season in the Minors, by looking at the message of the prophet Haggai.

After years in exile, God graciously brought His people home. They had every intention of rebuilding the temple, but as life became busy, their priorities slowly shifted. They rebuilt their homes, pursued stability, and put off what mattered most. The temple remained unfinished.

The problem wasn't that they didn't know what God wanted. They simply kept saying, "Not yet."

That challenge still speaks to us today. Spiritual drift rarely begins with rejecting God. More often, it begins with delaying Him. As we said on Sunday, delayed devotion leads to deadly distraction.

Haggai called God's people to "consider your ways." Their lives felt empty because their hearts had become disordered. We were reminded that a disordered heart always produces a disordered life. When we place anything ahead of God, even good things, we eventually discover they can never satisfy the deepest needs of our souls.

The good news is that God doesn't leave us there.

The people responded to God's Word, and as they obeyed, God made them a wonderful promise: "I am with you." That promise ultimately points us to Jesus, the true temple, through whom God came to dwell among us. We don't rebuild our lives to earn God's presence. We rebuild because, through Jesus, God has already come near.

As you head into this week, ask yourself:

What have I been saying "later" to that God is calling me to do today?

Maybe your next step feels small, but don't underestimate what God can do through one act of faithful obedience. Return to Jesus. Rebuild on the Rock.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekJune 28, 2026

A Season In The Minors

Dear Church Family,

This Sunday, we continued our series, A Season in the Minors, by looking at the book of Micah.

Micah spoke to people who looked spiritually healthy on the outside. They had worship, sacrifices, and the temple. Yet beneath the surface, they had forgotten God’s faithfulness, neglected justice, and assumed God would bless them no matter how they lived.

Micah reminds us that God is not looking for religious performance. He is forming people who reflect His heart.

Micah 6:8 says:

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

This is not a call to earn God’s love by trying harder. It is an invitation to return to Him and walk with Him.

The good news is that we do not have to transform ourselves by our own effort. Jesus came as the Shepherd-King Micah promised. He forgives our sin, heals what sin has broken, and makes possible what we could never do on our own.

This week, consider these questions:

Where have I forgotten God’s faithfulness?
Am I confusing God’s patience with His approval?
What would it look like for me to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God this week?
Where do I need to abide in Jesus instead of relying on my own effort?

God has not called us to perform for Him. He has invited us to walk with Him.

-Pastor Aaron

South CreekJune 21, 2026

A Season In The Minors

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday in our A Season in the Minors series, we explored the book of Amos. Amos was a shepherd and farmer whom God called to deliver a message to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a time of prosperity and success.

At first glance, everything appeared healthy. The economy was strong, the nation was secure, and religious activity was thriving. Yet Amos revealed a sobering truth: what we celebrate on the surface cannot hide what God sees underneath.

We looked at four key movements in Amos:

The Problem: God's people had become satisfied with His blessings and forgotten His heart. As Hosea 13:6 reminds us, "When they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me." Forgetfulness will almost always lead to unfaithfulness.

The Warning: God sees where our hearts really are. Israel continued their religious activities, but their worship had become disconnected from the way they treated others. God was not impressed by worship that never transformed the worshiper.

The Invitation: "Seek me and live" (Amos 5:4). God's desire was not destruction but restoration. The call of Amos was not simply to do more religious things, but to return to God with their whole hearts.

The Hope: God restores what returns to Him. Even in a book filled with warnings, Amos ends with hope and restoration. God's final word is not judgment, but redemption.

One of our key takeaways was this: God wants to transform the real you, not the version of you that you want everyone else to see. That transformation does not begin on the exterior. It begins on the interior, and it begins when we return to Him.

As we continue through the Minor Prophets, may we remember that in every season, God is inviting us to return to Him.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekJune 14, 2026

A Season In The Minors

Dear Church Family,

This Sunday, we began our new series, A Season in the Minors, by looking at the book of Hosea.

Hosea reminds us that God’s people have always struggled with spiritual drift. Israel wanted God’s blessing, but they also chased after other idols. And if we are honest, we can do the same. We may not bow before Baal, but we often look to money, comfort, approval, success, politics, relationships, or even ourselves for what only God can provide.

The warning of Hosea is clear: idols always overpromise and underdeliver. They offer temporary satisfaction, but they cannot give lasting fulfillment.

But Hosea is not only a book of warning. It is a book of invitation and hope. God says, “Return, Israel, to the Lord your God” (Hosea 14:1). The good news is that God’s love is greater than our wandering. In Jesus, God has made a way for wandering people to come home.

Wherever you are this week, hear the invitation again:

Return.

Have a great week friends, join us this Sunday as we dive into the book of Amos.

-Pastor Cole Maxwell

South CreekJune 7, 2026

Children of Promise

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, we had the privilege of welcoming Heather Webb, Executive Director of Children of Promise, who shared how God is making wholeness possible for children around the world through the ministry of child sponsorship.

Drawing from Scripture and stories from around the globe, Heather connected the biblical theme of Jubilee—God’s desire for restoration, freedom, and flourishing—to the mission of Children of Promise.

At the heart of their ministry is a simple but powerful mission:

Making Wholeness Possible.

Through what they call the Core Four, Children of Promise partners with local churches to provide children with:

Nutrition
Healthy bodies are the foundation for thriving lives.
Through sponsorship, children receive food and support that helps families stay together and gives children the opportunity to grow and flourish.

Education
Removing barriers creates new opportunities.
For many children, something as simple as school fees or a uniform can stand between them and an education. Sponsorship helps open doors to a different future.

Healthcare
Care can be life-changing—and sometimes lifesaving.
From basic hygiene supplies to critical medical treatment, healthcare support helps children experience hope and healing.

Discipleship
Children were made for more than their circumstances.
Through the local church, children are introduced to the love of Jesus and encouraged to discover God’s purpose for their lives.

Throughout her message, Heather reminded us that God's heart has always been for the poor, the vulnerable, and those on the margins. From the Year of Jubilee in Leviticus, to Isaiah’s prophecy, to Jesus’ declaration in Luke 4, we see God's desire to bring restoration and hope.

Jesus came to make wholeness possible.

And as His followers, we are invited to join Him in that work.

Whether through generosity, prayer, sponsorship, or simply being present in the lives of others, we each have opportunities to live out the spirit of Jubilee and participate in what God is doing both locally and around the world.

The question Heather left us with was this:

What does it look like for you to make wholeness possible?

May we continue to be people who reflect the heart of Christ by extending His hope, compassion, and restoration to those around us.

- Pastor Cole Maxwell

South CreekMay 31, 2026

Living Hope

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, we wrapped up our Living Hope series by looking at 1 Peter chapter 5 and Peter’s final encouragement to believers facing pressure, suffering, and uncertainty.

Using the story of Desmond Doss from Hacksaw Ridge, we were reminded what it looks like to stand firm when everything around you feels unstable. Doss repeatedly went back into danger with one simple prayer: “Lord, help me get one more.” In the same way, Peter reminds followers of Jesus, not to retreat when life gets difficult, but to remain faithful and hopeful because our living hope in Jesus never fails.

Peter leaves us with three powerful reminders:

• Stay humble
• Stand firm
• Remember God is still in control

One of the key reminders from this week was this:

Living hope begins with surrender.

Humility is not weakness, it is trust. Peter encourages us to cast all our anxieties on Jesus because He cares for us. We were never created to carry the weight of the world on our own.

We were also reminded that standing firm does not mean never struggling. It means refusing to let go of Jesus in the middle of the struggle. Suffering is real, but suffering is not ultimate. God is still writing the story.

A few key reminders from the message:

• Pride says, “I can carry it myself.” Humility says, “God, I need You.”
• Standing firm means continuing to trust, obey, and follow Jesus even when life hurts
• Pain has a timeline, but God’s goodness does not
• Our hope is not built on our ability to hold onto Jesus, but on His ability to hold onto us

So, when life feels chaotic:
• Stay humble
• Stand firm
• Remember He is in control

Jesus gives us a living hope because His love never fails.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekMay 24, 2026

Living Hope

Dear Church Family

This Sunday in Living Hope, we looked at how Jesus gives us a hope that changes everything, including how we live with people, respond to conflict, and speak about our faith.

In 1 Peter 3:1–18, Peter reminds us that hope is not just something we believe internally; it becomes visible in the way we treat others.

One of the key reminders from Sunday was this:

“The gospel is often seen before it is heard.”

Peter challenges believers to live in a way that honors people, heals relationships, and points others to Jesus. In a world that often pushes retaliation, pride, and fairness above all else, Jesus calls us to something different.

“The world says fairness, Jesus says forgiveness.”

If God only gave us fairness, none of us would stand. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus took what we deserved so we could receive grace instead.

As we closed, we talked about three practical ways to live out this living hope this week:

• Model the gospel before you speak it.
• Choose forgiveness over fairness.
• Share what God has done for you.

You do not need perfect answers to point people to Jesus. People are not always changed by eloquent words; they are often changed by honest ones.

May we be people whose hope is visible in how we live, love, forgive, and serve.

See you Sunday as we continue our Living Hope series and look at what hope looks like when life gets hard.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekMay 17, 2026

Living Hope

Dear Church Family,

This Sunday in Living Hope, we looked at how Jesus gives us a hope that changes everything, including how we live with people, respond to conflict, and speak about our faith.

In 1 Peter 3:1–18, Peter reminds us that hope is not just something we believe internally; it becomes visible in the way we treat others.

One of the key reminders from Sunday was this:

“The gospel is often seen before it is heard.”

Peter challenges believers to live in a way that honors people, heals relationships, and points others to Jesus. In a world that often pushes retaliation, pride, and fairness above all else, Jesus calls us to something different.

“The world says fairness, Jesus says forgiveness.”

If God only gave us fairness, none of us would stand. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus took what we deserved so we could receive grace instead.

As we closed, we talked about three practical ways to live out this living hope this week:

• Model the gospel before you speak it.
• Choose forgiveness over fairness.
• Share what God has done for you.

You do not need perfect answers to point people to Jesus. People are not always changed by eloquent words; they are often changed by honest ones.

May we be people whose hope is visible in how we live, love, forgive, and serve.

See you Sunday as we continue our Living Hope series and look at what hope looks like when life gets hard.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekMay 10, 2026

Living Hope

Dear Church Family,

This Sunday, we continued our Living Hope series by asking a simple but powerful question:

What are you known for?

Jesus made a bold statement in John 13:34–35 — His followers would be known by their love. Not their opinions. Not their arguments. Their love.

And then, about 30 years later, Peter shows us what that kind of life actually looks like in 1 Peter 2:11–25.

Living hope produces a life that is undeniable in love and incorruptible in freedom.

Below are three key take aways from how we should represent this living hope.

1. Undeniable Love

Peter reminds us to “live such good lives” that others see it.
Our lives should make it hard for people to dismiss our faith.

At the same time, we acknowledged something important: Sometimes the reason people struggle with Jesus… is not Jesus. It’s us. A life that contradicts Jesus will never convince people to follow Him.

2. Incorruptible Freedom
We are free in Christ, but not to live for ourselves.
We are free to reflect Him.

Just because you can… doesn’t mean you should.

3. A Christlike Response
Peter ultimately points us to Jesus.

He didn’t choose bitterness.
He chose blessing.
He didn’t choose retaliation.
He reflected a gracious God.

So this week, let’s live this out in a simple, intentional way:

Show undeniable love
Walk in incorruptible freedom
Respond like Jesus, with humility and grace

And ask yourself:

Who in my life needs to experience that kind of love from me this week?

The world will know Jesus by how we love, so let’s live in a way they cannot deny.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekMay 3, 2026

Living Hope

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, Pastor Jerry Ausbrook continued our Living Hope series by walking through 1 Peter 2:4–12 and reminding us of something powerful:

God is not just saving individuals, He is building something.

Peter describes us as living stones, being built into a spiritual house with Christ as the foundation. It is personal, but it is never meant to be private. We are connected to Jesus and to one another.

Three movements we see in the text:

Placed
God places us strategically.
Often, we do not realize it in the moment. But as we follow Him, we begin to see how He is shaping our identity in Christ and connecting us into His community.

Formed
God is forming us into people of light.
Not by our own effort, but through surrender. Scripture reminds us that in Christ we are a new creation, shaped with intention and purpose.

Sent
We are not just saved, we are sent.
God commissions us to live on mission, carrying His love, truth, and hope into the world around us.

At the center of it all is this truth from 1 Peter 2:10:
“Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Mercy is what binds it all together.
It is the “concrete” that connects the living stones.
We receive God’s mercy, and then we extend that same mercy to others.

Once we are placed in Christ, we are formed to become like Him, and then we are sent to reflect Him.

God is working in your life, even in ways you cannot see.
He is orchestrating more than you realize.

So the invitation is simple:
Respond to Him.
Trust Him.
Follow Him.

Join us this Sunday as we continue our Living Hope series.

-Pastor Aaron Perry

South CreekApril 26, 2026

Living Hope

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, we continued our Living Hope series by looking at how the hope Jesus gives doesn’t just shape what we believe, it shapes how we live.

In 1 Peter 1:13–21, Peter challenges us to be intentional, not passive. To be alert, to set our hope fully on Jesus, and to live lives that reflect that hope.

It’s possible to be sincere and still be headed in the wrong direction. Many of us don’t struggle to have hope, we struggle to place it in the right place. When our hope is misplaced, our lives will eventually feel off. But the good news is this: Jesus gives us a hope that changes everything.

We walked through three key ideas:

Awakened
To be awakened is to live with clarity in a world of chaos. If we’re not intentional, the world will shape where we place our hope. When our hope is misplaced, we become distracted, derailed, and ultimately misdirected.

Aligned
To be aligned is to move in the direction of your hope. It’s not just about what we believe, it’s about how we live. As Peter writes, we are called to be obedient and set apart. Alignment is not about intention, it’s about action. Our direction, not our intention, determines where we end up.

Anchored
To be anchored is to be grounded in what Jesus has already done. We don’t pursue holiness to be redeemed, we pursue holiness because we have been redeemed. Our hope in Jesus is not fragile, it is secure, firm, and steady, even in the middle of life’s chaos.

As we closed, we were challenged with a simple but important question:
Where is your hope set, and where is your life headed?

If you’re looking to live with that kind of hope, we’d love for you to keep walking with us in this series.

Join us this Sunday as we continue Living Hope.

-Pastor Aaron

South CreekApril 19, 2026

Living Hope

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday we kicked off our new series, Living Hope, with a simple but powerful truth:

Jesus gives a hope that changes everything.

We started in 1 Peter 1, where Peter writes to people who felt scattered, out of place, and overlooked. And before he tells them how to live, he reminds them who they are.

Chosen.
Set apart.
Forgiven.

Because understanding who you are shapes how you think. And understanding whose you are shapes how you live.

So many of us spend our lives trying to change ourselves, fix ourselves, or prove ourselves. But the invitation of Jesus is different.

You don’t live for identity… you live from it.

And when that identity is rooted in Him, everything begins to change how you see yourself, how you face your future, and even how you walk through trials. God wastes nothing, not even your pain. What feels like it’s breaking you, He can use to form you.

This week, take time to reflect on this: Where have I been living like I’m overlooked, instead of chosen?

And remember: Stop trying to change your life and step into who Jesus has already called you to be.

We’re just getting started. This Sunday, we’ll continue in Living Hope and look at how this hope begins to shape how we live.

Hope to see you there.

-Pastor Aaron

South CreekApril 12, 2026

Easter

South Creek Church Family,

I want to take a moment to simply say thank you.

Your generosity and faithfulness are making a real difference. Not just in numbers, but in lives. What God is doing in and through our church right now is something worth celebrating, and you are a part of it.

Already this year, we have seen four people take the step of baptism, publicly declaring new life in Jesus. And the best part is, more are on the way. Lives are being changed, and hope is being restored.

Because of your giving, we were also able to send a team of 12 to Guatemala. While there, they built two homes, installed two stoves for families in need, and led a VBS for over 100 kids. That is more than a trip. That is the love of Jesus crossing borders and transforming communities.

Here at home, we are seeing incredible momentum. Our average Sunday attendance has increased by about 10 percent since the beginning of the year, and we continue to reach new families each week. On Easter alone, we had over 400 people gather to celebrate the hope we have in Jesus. That is 400 stories, 400 opportunities, and 400 reminders that God is still moving.

This is what generosity does.

It fuels ministry.
It creates space for life change.
It allows us to love people and lead them to new life in Christ.

And here is what I believe with all my heart:
What God has done so far is just the beginning.

As we look ahead, there are more people to reach, more lives to impact, and more opportunities to step into what God is calling us to. I want to invite you to continue to live open-handed. Continue to invest in what God is doing here. Continue to be part of a mission that is bigger than any one of us.

Your generosity is not just sustaining the mission, it is expanding it.

Thank you for being a church that loves people well.
Thank you for being a church that is all-in on the mission.

Loved people, love people.

Grateful to be your pastor,

Aaron Perry

South CreekApril 5, 2026

Rhythms of Grace: Serving

Hey South Creek family,

This week we wrapped up our Rhythms of Grace series by looking at the practice of serving.

Throughout this series, we have been reminded:
Genuine growth is gradual.
And genuine growth is intentional, not accidental.

We ended with this truth:
Sometimes what looks ordinary is actually shaping something extraordinary.

Like Jerry Rice catching bricks as a kid, what happens in the unseen often shapes what God does through us later.

Jesus served us, so we joyfully serve others.

Serving is not just something we do, it is part of who we are becoming.

If you want the life of Jesus,
you must adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.

And Jesus lived a life of serving.

Why Serving Matters

1. It changes our perspective
Serving shifts our focus from ourselves to others.
It helps us see the way Jesus sees.

2. It shapes our heart
Serving forms humility, compassion, and love in action.
You become like what you practice.

3. It advances the Kingdom
Serving is where heaven touches earth.
Small acts of love carry eternal weight.

The Tension We Cannot Miss
We do not serve to be saved.
But when we are saved, we will serve.

Serving is not the root of salvation.
It is the fruit of salvation.

As we close this series, do not just admire the way of Jesus. Practice it.

Start small
Start where you are
Stay consistent

You do not find a life of service.
You build one, one small yes at a time.

If you want to follow a serving Savior,
you cannot live a self-centered life.

Serving changes how we see, shapes who we are, and advances what God is doing.

Loved people, love people.

South CreekMarch 30, 2026

rhythms of grace

Dear Church Family,

This week in Rhythms of Grace, we talked about the practice of Scripture.

Have you ever looked into a really good mirror? At first, you like what you see.
But the longer you look, the more it reveals.

A good mirror does not distort reality, it reveals it. That is what Scripture does. Scripture was not given to merely inform us, but to form us

The goal is not to get through Scripture. It is to let Scripture get through to us.

One of the primary ways we learn from Jesus is through His Word.
If prayer is how we speak to God, Scripture is how God speaks to us.

What Scripture Does
Scripture is:
• Foundational, it guides our path
• Formational, it renews our mind
• Freeing, it leads us into truth and life

If we are not being formed by Scripture, we are being formed by something else.

What Scripture Is Not
• Not a self-help manual
• Not just history
• Not a weapon against people

Jesus did not use Scripture to burden people.
He used it to overcome lies.

Practical Ways to Start
• Start somewhere
• Stay consistent
• Ask what God is saying
• Do what it says

Consistency matters more than intensity.

Over time, the voices we listen to become the voices that shape us.

And most importantly: If we miss Jesus, we miss everything.

Let’s be people who don’t just read the Word but are shaped by it.

South CreekMarch 22, 2026

rhythms of grace

Dear Church Family,

This week in Rhythms of Grace, we continued exploring the spiritual practices that help shape our lives as we follow Jesus. This Sunday we focused on the practice of generosity and how it teaches us to live open-handed toward God and others.

Jesus invites us into a different way of living. In Matthew 11:28–30, He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened… and you will find rest for your souls.” One of the ways we experience that lighter life is by learning to release the things we tend to grip too tightly.

In the message, I shared a simple illustration about how monkeys can be trapped by grabbing fruit inside a hollow coconut. The trap itself is not what holds them. Their grip does. All they would have to do to escape is let go.

In many ways, our hearts can work the same way. We can hold tightly to money, possessions, control, or security. But often the tighter we grip those things, the heavier life becomes. Generosity loosens our grip and teaches us to live open-handed.

One of the reasons generosity matters so much is because of what God does in us, through us, and for us when we practice it.

First, generosity changes something in us.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:21, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our hearts tend to follow what we value. When we practice generosity, it begins to reshape what we trust and what we treasure. It trains our hearts to trust God as our provider rather than trusting what we hold in our hands.

Second, generosity works through us to bless others.
In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul reminds us that God enriches His people so that they can be generous on every occasion. Through the generosity of God’s people, needs are met, ministry expands, and lives are changed. God often chooses to work through open hands.

Third, generosity does something for us.
Jesus warned that possessions can easily become masters. We cannot serve both God and money. Generosity helps break that grip. It restores perspective and reminds us that life is not built on what we accumulate but on our relationship with God. Generosity brings freedom, joy, and a healthier perspective on what truly matters.

Toward the end of the message we looked at Jesus’ parable of the treasure hidden in a field. When the man discovered the treasure, he joyfully sold everything he had to obtain it. The treasure changed how he viewed everything else.

When we clearly see the treasure we have in Jesus and His Kingdom, letting go of lesser things becomes joyful rather than painful.

This week, consider taking one small step toward practicing generosity:

• Start with gratitude
• Start somewhere
• Stay consistent
• Stay ready to bless others

Generosity is not ultimately about an amount. It is about the posture of our hearts.

The greatest act of generosity the world has ever seen was the cross. Jesus opened His hands and gave Himself for us so that we could receive the life we could never earn. Because He lived open-handed toward us, we can learn to live open-handed toward God and others.

South CreekMarch 15, 2026