August 2025 sermon series: Faith & Journey
August 10: Part 2: The Prodigal Son
Luke 15: 11-24

Jacob Perez, preaching

Our sermon series for the month of August, "Faith & Journey," is an attempt to discuss the core elements of the Christian walk and way of worship and a perfect opportunity to invite friends who might be skeptical about belief or may have lost contact with church over a period of time. I look forward to this series and hope to see you there with a friend!

Faith isn't always a straight path. Sometimes we wander. Sometimes we walk away. And sometimes we are unsure if we can ever really return after wandering.

This week in worship, we'll explore Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son, a story about grace. A young man demands his inheritance, leaves home, and loses everything. But the turning point comes not when he fixes his life, but when he remembers there's still a home he can return to!

And while he's still far off, his father sees him and runs to meet him. This is the heart of God: not waiting with judgment but rushing toward us with compassion. No told-you-so's, no conditions. Just embrace, welcome and joy.

The father in the parable doesn't just forgive, he restores. A robe for dignity. A ring for identity. A feast for belonging. It's not about earning love. It's about receiving what's already been given.

As we continue our series, Faith & Journey, this story reminds us that grace is not a reward, it's at the core of our relationship with God. It's one that invites us home no matter how far we've gone.

And in a world that tells us we must prove our worth, Jesus tells us: You are already worthy. Come home.

See you on Sunday, bring a friend!

The way we worship is the way we live.

Worship is the work of the people, bringing together our fullest selves in a communal act of love and gratitude.  Each voice is important; each person is valued as the Spirit draws out our authentic gifts and talents, shared in the ever-widening circle of God’s people.  We hope you’ll join us this week as we gather to worship the God of extravagant welcome.