The Prodigal Son July 11/12, 2026
Guest Pastor Ricky Jenkins explores Jesus's parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, revealing the Father's heart toward wayward hearts. We discover that God's compassion runs to meet us before we even finish our confession, showing that his love is never earned by good behavior or lost through failure. We learn that even though we often turn from the Father’s love like the sons in this story, we are encouraged to confess our sin honestly, and receive the Father's grace that welcomes every wandering heart home.
11Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’20So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
This Weekend
Giving Tables | Fill The Bus
July 11-26
Let’s help students in our community start the school year ready to learn.
Each July, Giving Tables focus on gathering school supplies for local schools we partner with through Kids Hope. These donations help meet practical needs and show care to students, teachers, and Kids Hope mentors.
Following Jesus
This is the foundation—a commitment to lifelong trust and surrender. It's not just a one-time decision. It's a daily posture of saying, "Jesus, I'm yours, and I'm following you." Galatians 2:20 captures it beautifully: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
What will your next step be?
Growing Together
We don't do this alone. Growing Together is about becoming more like Christ in community—in groups, in friendships, in serving alongside one another. Acts 2:42 gives us a picture of what this looks like: a community devoted to the Word, to prayer, to breaking bread together. That's the kind of church we're trying to be.
What is your next Growth Step?
Pursuing God's Mission
Faith isn't just personal—it's missional. Pursuing God's Mission means living generously, serving one another, and sharing the gospel. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go and make disciples of all nations." We're all a part of that.
