If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly

Stories of Struggle: The Pathway Through is a 10-week series where we look at real people in Scripture who faced fear, rejection, waiting, and more—and how God led them through. Discover how He meets us in our struggles and leads us forward with faith, courage, and purpose.

To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/

In this message titled "When I Feel Unseen or Rejected," Pastor Rick Long explores the biblical story of Hagar, an Egyptian servant in the household of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 16). The message offers encouragement for anyone feeling overlooked, unwanted, or forgotten, emphasizing that God sees, meets, and speaks to people in their deepest pain.

Key Takeaways on Navigating Rejection:
Bring God all your pain (19:45): Healing begins when we stop hiding and bring our true, raw emotions to God. He is present in the wilderness of our struggles.
Listen for God's voice (31:20): God speaks to those who slow down, eliminate distractions, and prayerfully seek His truth in His Word (36:00).
Let God alone define you (38:08): Our identity is not determined by human rejection, societal labels, or social media. We are known, loved, and named by God, who is Jehovah El-Roi—the God who sees (39:28).
Follow God's direction (45:12): Even when it requires humility or returning to a difficult situation, following God's path—not necessarily the easiest or most prestigious one—leads to true satisfaction and purpose.
Believe God isn't finished yet (50:29): God met Hagar in the desert and promised her a future, reminding us that our current "wilderness" season is often a turning point where God provides and redeems (51:53).
Ministry Announcements:
Fourth Annual Forge Fury Classic Golf Tournament: Scheduled for September 14th at Arrowhead Golf Course, with a goal of raising $120,000 for the Forge Fieldhouse (58:42).
Church Schedule Change: There will be no service next Saturday, but the church is encouraging everyone to pack the house for Sunday services on July 5th to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday (1:00:50 - 1:02:22).

0:00 Introduction and Welcome
0:40 Pastor Rick Long's Message Begins
1:58 The Story of Hagar
6:22 Four Deepest Human Struggles
10:47 Biblical Context of Hagar's Story
15:12 The Trauma of Rejection
16:15 The Pathway Through Rejection
19:45 1. Bring God All Your Pain
24:17 Three Ways We Run Emotionally
31:20 2. Listen for God's Voice
35:54 Four Steps to Hearing God's Voice
38:08 3. Let God Alone Define You
45:12 4. Follow God's Direction
50:29 5. Believe God Isn't Finished Yet
56:33 Salvation and Invitation
58:42 Ministry Announcements
1:00:50 4th of July weekend service times

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly

Stories of Struggle: The Pathway Through is a 10-week series where we look at real people in Scripture who faced fear, rejection, waiting, and more—and how God led them through. Discover how He meets us in our struggles and leads us forward with faith, courage, and purpose.

To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/

This video, led by Paul Faust at Grace Church, is part of a series titled "Stories of Struggle: The Pathway Through." It explores the theme of turning inadequacy into opportunity by examining the life of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.

Key Themes and Lessons from Joseph's Life:
God Chooses the Faithful: Contrary to the idea that Joseph was just an "extra" in the Christmas story, the message emphasizes that God specifically chose him to raise Jesus. The takeaway is to be faithful with what God has already placed in your hands (12:46 - 13:13).
Joseph’s Character:
Joseph was poor and likely felt the weight and shame of not being able to provide luxury, yet he remained obedient (14:36 - 17:59).
He was righteous and compassionate, choosing to protect Mary rather than shame her when he learned of her pregnancy (21:18 - 25:00).
He was committed to godly habits, ensuring his family participated in customs and rituals, creating a home where following God was normal (29:40 - 35:31).
Becoming a Person God Trusts:
Offer stability and protection to the vulnerable: Joseph prioritized the safety of Mary and Jesus over his own plans (35:54 - 44:00).
Respond quickly to God’s guidance: The narrative highlights how Joseph repeatedly acted upon divine direction (e.g., fleeing to Egypt, returning to Israel) without hesitation (46:39 - 50:13).
Trust God with reputation and legacy: Even when Jesus stayed behind in the temple at age 12, Joseph displayed humility, accepting his role and continuing to lead his family (50:15 - 56:15).
Core Takeaway
Instead of worrying about large, world-changing tasks, the message encourages viewers to focus on their current responsibilities—marriage, children, work, and community—and remain faithful in the mundane. Paul Faust concludes that by being faithful with what is right in front of us, we can witness incredible things and be part of God's greater plan (1:04:41 - 1:05:38).

0:00 - Introduction & Welcome
0:41 - Grace Kids Extreme Recap
5:12 - Celebrating Grace Kids Ministry Stats
7:06 - Series Intro: Stories of Struggle
7:43 - Personal Story: Dealing with Inadequacy
11:06 - Introducing Joseph: The Father of Jesus
12:32 - What kind of man did God choose?
14:36 - Joseph was poor
21:18 - Joseph was righteous and compassionate
29:40 - Joseph was committed to godly habits
35:31 - How to become a person God trusts
35:54 - Offer stability and protection to the vulnerable
46:39 - Respond quickly to God’s guidance
50:15 - Trust God with reputation and legacy
56:15 - Living faithfully in the mundane
1:05:38 - Call to Salvation
1:08:53 - Closing Song: Abide

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly

Connected: Where Life and Relationships Begin is a 7-week journey designed to help you experience the life God created you for—rooted in Him and lived out in authentic relationships. This series will challenge and encourage you to stay connected daily and live with purpose

To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/
In this message, Pastor Rick Long discusses the biblical principles of healthy love and relationships, drawing from the Book of Ruth to illustrate how God orchestrates connections for those who put Him first (8:05, 15:55).

Core Principles for Healthy Relationships:

Put God at the Center (21:35): Rather than seeking a partner to complete you—a notion the pastor identifies as a cultural lie—individuals should first prioritize their relationship with God, as only He can fulfill that role (29:38, 30:01).
Pursue Commitment Over Chemistry (31:28): While attraction is real, long-term healthy love is built on character, loyalty, and dedication to God’s plan, not just physical chemistry (33:14, 35:13).
Honor Boundaries (39:18): Boundaries are presented as tools to protect love and integrity rather than restrictions. The pastor encourages maintaining purity and avoiding sexual compromise before marriage (40:03, 44:41).
Invite Wise Counsel (49:43): Relying on godly, experienced voices is essential for avoiding isolation and navigating life's challenges. The pastor emphasizes the value of community and resources like Celebrate Recovery (50:13, 51:28).
Trust God Beyond Your Control (52:39): Regardless of circumstances, trusting in God's sovereignty allows for peace and eventual restoration, as seen in the lineage of Ruth and Boaz (53:19).
The Ultimate Example:
Pastor Long concludes that the story of Ruth and Boaz points to the greater love story of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, who died to buy humanity back from sin (56:00).

Additional Notes:
The message opens with a celebration of the Forge Christian High School girls' soccer team state championship win and highlights the church's ongoing community and educational initiatives (0:51, 1:01:17).

0:00 Welcome to Grace Church
0:41 Introduction to the Connect Series
0:51 Celebrating Forge Christian High School Girls Soccer State Title
8:05 Healthy Love Starts Here
12:35 Worldly views vs. God’s view of relationships
15:55 The Book of Ruth: A model for love
21:35 Principle 1: Put God at the center
31:28 Principle 2: Pursue commitment over chemistry
39:18 Principle 3: Honor boundaries
49:43 Principle 4: Invite wise counsel
52:39 Principle 5: Trust God beyond your control
56:00 The ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer: Jesus
57:30 Invitation to trust in Jesus
1:01:17 Final announcements and closing worship

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly

Connected: Where Life and Relationships Begin is a 7-week journey designed to help you experience the life God created you for—rooted in Him and lived out in authentic relationships. This series will challenge and encourage you to stay connected daily and live with purpose

To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/

This video, led by Pastor Rick Long at Grace Church, is the fourth installment of the "Connected" series. The message explores the profound impact that our social circles have on our personal lives and future, emphasizing the biblical principles of building intentional, godly friendships.

Key Themes and Principles:
Friendships Shape You: The core premise is that your circle of friends determines your future (17:39).
The Covenant of Jonathan and David: The speaker uses the friendship between Jonathan and David as a model for a covenant-based relationship rather than a casual one (26:47 - 31:37).
Six Keys to a Healthy Circle:
Choose the Right People: Surround yourself with those who share your spiritual purpose and agree with your values (32:20).
Invest in the Relationship: Friendships require intentional time, effort, and commitment; they do not happen by accident (38:00).
Remain Loyal: True loyalty involves standing by friends even in difficult seasons or when it is personally costly (42:52).
Communicate Truth in Love: Have the courage to address issues with honesty, while maintaining a foundation of love and humility (48:26).
Lift Each Other Up Spiritually: Friends should challenge and encourage one another to grow closer to God (54:20).
Express Sacrificial Love: Real friendship involves being willing to sacrifice time, resources, and even oneself for the well-being of the other (1:01:02).
Additional Highlights:
Trek Trailblazers Graduation: The service begins by celebrating the graduation of 6th-grade students as they transition to student ministry (11:45).
Singalong: The congregation participates in a fun series of friendship-themed song snippets (2:07 - 11:45).
Invitation to Faith: The message concludes with an invitation to personal faith in Jesus, explaining Him as the ultimate friend who offers sacrificial love (1:07:25).

0:00 Introduction
0:40 Connected Series Overview
2:07 Friendship Song Singalong
11:45 Trek Trailblazers Graduation
15:48 The Importance of Friendship Circles
17:48 Pastor Rick’s Personal Experience
25:09 Responsibility of Leadership
26:47 The Story of Jonathan and David
31:37 Six Keys to Building the Right Circle
32:20 1. Choose the Right People
38:00 2. Invest in the Relationship
42:52 3. Remain Loyal to Great Friends
48:26 4. Communicate Truth in Love
54:20 5. Lift Each Other Up Spiritually
1:01:02 6. Express Sacrificial Love
1:07:25 Invitation to Faith
1:09:16 Church Announcements and Updates

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly

Connected: Where Life and Relationships Begin is a 7-week journey designed to help you experience the life God created you for—rooted in Him and lived out in authentic relationships. This series will challenge and encourage you to stay connected daily and live with purpose.

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthly

Connected: Where Life and Relationships Begin is a 7-week journey designed to help you experience the life God created you for—rooted in Him and lived out in authentic relationships. This series will challenge and encourage you to stay connected daily and live with purpose. Be part of our baptism service the first week as we celebrate powerful stories of life change.

Find out more about Grace Church here: https://gracechurchco.com

0:00 Beginning of Message
29:50 5pm Baptisms
54:50 9am Baptisms
1:13:22 11am Baptisms