Weekend Messages from Jacob's Well

New Birth

What are you chasing after in life? In this, the final week of our Close series, we explore the story of Nicodemus in John 3—a man risking everything to meet Jesus in secret. Confronted with the truth of spiritual rebirth, he begins to realize that the things we pursue in life, which seem so important, often leave us empty. Only through Jesus can we find the renewal and purpose we were created for. We conclude this powerful series by discovering how closeness to God truly changes everything....

Do You Want To Be Healed

What do you really want? In this message, we explore this question through the story of a man stuck for 38 years, both physically and spiritually. Jesus’s question, “Do you want to be healed?” invites us to confront our own areas of stagnation. Too often, we settle for what’s comfortable or place our hope in the wrong things, missing the deeper healing only Jesus can offer. This message challenges us to trust Him, take a step of faith, and experience the wholeness we truly long for.

Bring Them to Jesus

Do you ever feel vulnerable as a parent? Parenting can leave us feeling exposed, yet it also brings profound meaning, focusing our lives on love and dependence on God. In this message, we’ll explore what it means to bring our children—with all their struggles—to Jesus, the only one who fully understands our heartache and hopes for them. Join us as we unpack a powerful story of a desperate father who finds healing and hope in Jesus and discover how we, too, can approach God with our family's deep...

The Light of Understanding

Have you ever felt lost in the dark, not sure where to find hope or clarity? In this message, "The Light of Understanding," Grace Subiaga shares the story of a blind man healed by Jesus, showing how even our toughest struggles can open our eyes to a deeper truth. Grace shows us how Jesus’s light guides us, heals us, and brings us closer to God, even when life feels darkest. You'll be encouraged to look for His light right where you are.

Caught

How angry would you have to be to throw a stone at someone’s head? In this message, we reflect on what it means to cast stones—not just physically, but with our words, actions, and silence. In a world filled with anger and fear, we often justify our stone-throwing behavior. But Jesus shows us a different way. Come and explore the powerful story of forgiveness, grace, and the wisdom to put down the stones we carry.

Family: It's Complicated

This week, Pastor Paul dives into the messy reality of family—where misunderstandings, jealousy, and rejection often hit hardest. Even Jesus dealt with complicated family dynamics, and His response offers us a powerful example. How do we set boundaries with love? How can we extend grace when family hurts us? And what does God ask of us in the middle of it all? To find out how Jesus navigated these challenges and how we can apply His wisdom to our own lives, don’t miss this week’s message—it’s on...

God Speaks

In week 2 of our Close series, we explore how God is constantly speaking to us and how listening to Him transforms our lives. Using the story of the woman at the well, Pastor Paul shows how her encounter with Jesus changes everything when she opens her heart to His voice. She moves from isolation to becoming a powerful force in her community, simply by responding to God. As we gather, we expect to hear from God and be reminded that when we truly listen, He uses us in ways beyond our imagination....

Come And See

Discover the closeness that God offers through Jesus as we dive into the Gospel of John. Pastor Paul explores the profound mystery of a transcendent God who became human, stepping into our world to invite us into an intimate love relationship with Him. This isn’t about rules or rituals; it's about being known, seen, and loved by God. Pastor Paul challenges us to reflect—are we close to Jesus, truly following Him, or is He a distant thought?

Making Room

We are invited to explore how we can make space in our hearts and lives for the work God is doing in and through us. Drawing from the story of the woman at Jacob's Well, we see how Jesus broke through barriers to reach those on the margins and how we are called to do the same. As our church continues to grow, we are challenged to embrace stewardship—not just of our resources, but of our time, talents, and opportunities—as we create room for more people to encounter Jesus and experience life tran...

Light, Life, Belief, Part 2

This Sunday, Pastor Paul concludes our Escape Into Reality series with the message, Light, Life, Belief, Part 2. In this powerful final week, he shares a "spiritual prescription" that addresses our deepest fears, anxieties, and mental health struggles—a prescription that leads us to joy. Through the lens of John 1, Pastor Paul unpacks how Jesus, the Logos, is the ultimate reality, grounding us in truth and transforming our perspective. He also dives into the connection between faith and obedienc...

Light, Life, Belief

This week in the "Escape Into Reality" series, Pastor Paul explores the powerful themes of light, life, and belief from John 1. In a world where truth is often distorted, Jesus—the Word made flesh—reveals what is real, grounding us in the truth. As the light of the world, Jesus exposes what we hide in darkness, freeing us from what enslaves us. Through Him, we find life in relationship with God and belief through obedience. Living in His light brings joy, clarity, and true freedom. Join us as we...

The Logos

This week Pastor Paul invites us to dive deep into the profound concept of the "Logos," as revealed in the Gospel of John. In this message, we are reminded that Jesus is the Logos—God’s spoken word, logic, and reality brought to life. Pastor Paul unpacks how the Logos is not just a philosophical idea, but the very embodiment of truth, reason, and order, making sense of a world often caught in chaos and delusion. He challenges us to ask ourselves: Are we listening to God's voice? In a culture fil...

Confronting the God of Your Gut

In the final week of our Be Our Guest series, guest speaker Dr. David Clark discusses how people often know a lot about God but struggle to truly feel close to Him. He tells a story about a seminary student who, despite his knowledge, was afraid of God. Dr. Clark explains that our early relationships shape how we connect with God, and issues like anxiety or keeping others at a distance can block us from feeling His love. He encourages us to move beyond just knowing about God by practicing spirit...

The Heart of A Teacher

In this back-to-school message honoring teachers, Brian Sullivan, Head of School at Venture Academy, highlights the profound influence teachers have on students and families. He draws parallels between their impact and the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing how exceptional teachers use compassion, creativity, and personal connection to inspire and guide. Effective teaching involves more than transferring knowledge; it builds confidence and supports students through challenges. Teachers empower thei...

Knowing the God of the Universe

In this message, guest speaker Dr. David Clark challenges us as believers to think critically about our faith, demonstrating that Christianity is not based on circular reasoning but is supported by clear thinking and evidence. He guides us through Psalm 19 to show how the natural world reveals God's existence and connects scientific discoveries, like the Big Bang, to reinforce the belief that the universe's beginning points to a divine cause. Dr. Clark strengthens our faith by encouraging us to ...

The Anxious Connection - Technology

In this message we explore Psalm 46, focusing on how God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble. Pastor Sean Miller discusses the importance of being still and knowing God, illustrated by the story of Jesus calming the storm, showing how faith and inner peace help us overcome fear. And finally we discuss the impact of technology on our mental health. We look at practical advice on seeking God's guidance, reassessing our relationship with technology, and aligning our thoughts with God's p...

Crisis of Connection

Have you ever found your deepest relationships are fragile or struggling due to emotional wounds in your past? In Pastor Sean Miller’s first message of our "Be Our Guest" series, we confront this "Crisis of Connection" and explore how God's love can help overcome relational challenges and mend past hurts. We also find practical steps to build deeper connections with others, both here in our church and in our everyday lives.

Final Instructions

In this final message in our Hope in a Hostile World series, Amanda teaches through the Apostle Paul's final instructions to the church in Thessalonica, where he encourages them and gives guidance on living a good life while waiting for Jesus to return. Amanda shows the parallels for our own lives—staying hopeful, supporting the leaders in our church, and being kind to each other. She stresses the importance of working hard for the right things, remaining positive, staying in prayer, and being t...

Assurance Beyond Doubt

Purity & Sanctification

In Week 4 of our "Hope in A Hostile World" series, we delve into practical ways to pursue purity in every aspect of life, drawing wisdom from 1 Thessalonians and Romans. Matt Rees guides us through the transformative process of sanctification and shows us how to align our lives more closely with God's will. Together, we discover how living in anticipation of Christ’s return can help us navigate challenging times with love and hope. Matt also provides practical steps for personal and spiritual gr...

A Contagious Narrative

Hunter Gagner's message for Week 3 of our Hope in A Hostile World series explores how the story of the Gospel permeates the world and how we have the opportunity to be a part of it. Discover how our personal stories can contribute to the greatest story ever told, spreading love and hope through the power of Jesus.

Sharing Hope

This powerful message challenges us to share our faith fearlessly, to embody Christ's transformative love, and to live a life worthy of our divine calling. Learn to be a courageous witness for Christ, sharing His hope with unwavering conviction and intention.

Faith, Love & Hope from Thessalonica

In this first of 6 messages, long-time local Pastor and our special guest, Jerry Cellan explores the inspiring story of the Thessalonian church as detailed in I Thessalonians 1:1-10. This passage reveals how these early believers, living in expectation of Christ’s return, responded with unwavering faith, profound love, and steadfast hope even amidst hostility. Jerry delves into their incredible start, their radical transformation by embracing the gospel message, and how their faith became an exa...

A Grand Adventure • Father's Day 2024

A father’s love prepares a child for a life filled with adventure, passion, compassion, resilience, and freedom. Pastor Paul interviews his son Ben, who completed an epic 87-day, 2,000-kilometer canoe expedition from Ely, Minnesota, to Hudson Bay up in Canada. They discuss how this journey reflects the role of fathers in protecting and preparing their children. We explore the gifts of courage, passion, compassion, resilience, and self-control that fathers instill in their children, and learn pra...

Showing Up is Half the Battle

Are life's challenges weighing you down? In this message, Pastor Brian talks about the act of showing up in alignment with God’s values– how this can bring purpose and peace to our daily lives. Through personal stories and the powerful example of Elijah, we'll learn how to hear God's gentle whisper amid our daily chaos. We'll identify practical ways to incorporate the spiritual discipline of solitude into our routines– deepening our connection with God and ultimately discovering the peace of His...

Prayer as Friendship

Can you imagine holding your breath all day? It seems impossible, doesn’t it? Living a fulfilling Christian life without prayer is just as unthinkable. In Week 3 of “Summer in the Son,” we explore the essential role of prayer, described as the heartbeat of our faith and our spiritual muscle memory. Though many struggle with prayer, it holds transformative power. Curious about making prayer as vital as the air you breathe this summer? Watch Pastor Paul's message to learn how.

Focus

Ever feel like your spiritual journey takes a vacation as soon as summer rolls around? We've all been there. But what if this summer could be different? In this message, Pastor Paul shows us the secret to keeping our faith vibrant, even when the sun's out and the lake is calling our name. Get ready for a summer of surprising growth and the JOY of a deeper connection with God, with just an intentional step or two each day.

Finding Alignment with God's Pace

In this message, we reflect on life's changing seasons, confront the challenges of busyness, and seek to understand their impact on our connection with God. Through intentional alignment with God's pace and values, discover how small shifts in daily life can lead to profound spiritual transformation, infusing our journey with purpose and fulfillment. Join us on the path to deeper alignment with God.

Ashes, Complaint and Lament

In this message we explore suffering and loss through the lens of Job's story. We learn to face hardships with resilience and faith, avoiding despair and oversimplified explanations. By embracing the complexity of God's character and the mysteries of life, we discover the potential for healing and peace amidst adversity.

At The Right Hand of the Father - Easter 2024

In this Easter 2024 message we explore the significance of Jesus' resurrection and its profound impact on the early church and future generations. Delving into prayer, Pastor Paul highlights its relationship with the triune God and its role in deepening our connection with Him. We see that prayer is more than a ritual or list of requests but a pathway to a loving relationship with God. Through examining the prayers of the early church and Jesus Himself, we discover the transformative power of pr...