JW - Sunday Messages from Jacob's Well Church

For 25 years we've seen God's faithfulness—now we dare to ask a dangerous question: "What If" He's not finished yet? In this message, we're invited to lift our eyes, join Jesus in His mission, and dream together about becoming a true gift to the Valley for generations to come.

Without vision, we settle for what's broken—but Jesus calls us to imagine what could be. Discover how facing the hard things in our lives and our church can lead to courage, change, and a future shaped by living water.

Today we celebrate 25 years of God's faithfulness at Jacob's Well—honoring the courageous “yes” that started it all and the countless lives changed since. As we look back with gratitude, we're reminded why we exist: to meet people wherever they are and take steps together to know and become like Jesus—and to trust Him for what's next.

What if the hope of what's coming could change how you live right now? In this message, we look at how resurrection hope helps us face the limits and frustrations of our bodies, and how it invites us to live faithfully in the space between the “now” and the “then.”

From Lunchables and Pop-Tarts to the hidden systems shaping our habits, this message explores how much of the world around us is designed to make our families unwell. We'll uncover what's influencing our kids and ourselves, and hear God's gracious call to choose life as we take faithful steps toward healthier, more whole families together.

What if being whole and holy isn't about trying harder, but about paying attention to what's happening in your body? In this message, we explore how stress is not a spiritual failure or emotional weakness, but a real, physical response—and how God invites us to care for our bodies as sacred gifts.

Every day we're putting things into our bodies, our minds, and our lives—but rarely stop to ask the most important question: "What is this going to do to me?" In Week 3 of the Whole & Holy series, we explore the Biblical principle of blessing and curse, and how God's good gifts—from food to relationships to daily habits—can either bring us life or quietly work against us.

Every day we tell ourselves a story about who we are, how life works, and what's possible for us. When those stories are shaped by fear or insecurity, they can quietly hold us back. In this message, we confront our personal narratives with God's truth and begin telling ourselves a better story.

What if your body isn't a problem to fix, but a gift to receive? This message invites us to step back from shame and disappointment and rediscover God's view of the body—as something good, intentional, and deeply connected to our spiritual lives.

On Christmas Eve, we remember that God did not come with power or spectacle, but with a heartbeat. In the quiet vulnerability of a tiny heart, Jesus chose less so we could receive true peace—with God, within ourselves, and with one another.

Christmas Communion invites us to step off the Christmas crazy train and slow down long enough to be fully present with Jesus. Rather than learning something new, this message creates space to remember—through quiet, scripture, ancient prayers, and communion—the God who chose less so we could have what matters most. In stillness and gratitude, we rediscover the simplicity, intimacy, and hope found in Christ's birth, life, death, and promised return.

Pastor Brian helps us take an honest look at the frenzy that December so easily becomes—and how often busyness steals the very peace, joy, and presence our souls are craving. What if the life we actually want is on the other side of slowing down? Come explore the invitation Jesus gives us to step off the “busyness crazy train” and rediscover a pace that leads to calm, clarity, and spiritual life this Christmas season.

Christmas can feel like a crazy train—packed schedules, pressure to create perfect moments, overspending, and a pace that leaves us exhausted by January 2nd wondering, "What just happened?" What if the thing we're actually longing for this season isn't more… but less? If you've ever wished you could do this season differently, listen now, and get off the Christmas Crazy Train!

Discover why seeing Jesus as the embodiment of God's wisdom can reshape how you make decisions, handle relationships, and navigate real life. If you've ever wondered whether there's a smarter, steadier way to live, this message points to the One who shows us how—inviting us to learn His way, live His way, and experience the difference it makes.

In this message, we explore what Proverbs teaches about true wealth—how wisdom reshapes the way we see money, purpose, contentment, and the kind of life that really lasts. Come see how a wiser path can bring clarity, freedom, and a deeper sense of meaning.

Walking with the wise leads to wisdom. The people we walk with don't just shape us—we shape them. In this message, we'll explore how to intentionally walk with those around us in ways that lead to deeper wisdom, healthier relationships, and lives that reflect the heart of God.

In this message from Proverbs, we explore how wisdom in parenting begins with respect—formed through humility, discipline, and centering our lives on God.

Who are you listening to? In this message, we meet Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly in Proverbs and discover how the voices we follow shape our path toward life—or away from it.

What is wisdom? Is it just what you know, or how you live? From Socrates to Solomon to Jesus' words that “wisdom is known by her children,” Proverbs trains us in real-world discernment for the choices that shape our relationships, work, and home. This message opens the door to discovering what true wisdom looks like—and where it begins.

What if right and wrong are nothing more than personal opinions—does the Christian story still hold up? Guest speaker Greg Koukl from Stand to Reason examines where moral relativism fails and shares a clear, loving strategy for responding to the accusation of intolerance.

The church can be both breathtakingly beautiful and painfully imperfect. It's a place where grace and brokenness meet, where real people walk out their faith together in all its messiness and complexity. In this final message of the series, Pastor Brian explores what it means to become a “Churchless Christian,” why that path leaves us vulnerable, and how God's vision for His people calls us into something far deeper and more powerful than going it alone.

You'll be surprised at the Holy Spirit's power—It's still moving today, just as in the book of Acts. This message unpacks the Great Commission and the legacy of a church devoted to Scripture, fellowship, prayer, and witness. You'll be invited to pray for three people by name, tell your story, and join the mission God is already blessing in the Chippewa Valley.

What do we do with our anger, grief, and disappointment when the church itself becomes the source of hurt? In this message, we face the reality of “church hurt” head-on and wrestle with how Jesus invites us to respond differently. Instead of letting pain harden us, we're called to channel anger into compassion, hate into love, and to rediscover the hope of Christ's promise: the church is still His, and He is still redeeming it. This is a message for anyone who has ever felt wounded by God's people yet longs to see the healing only He can bring.

What does true love for our country really mean—holding onto pride, or humbly living out God's call? This week we look at an ancient warning that challenges us to rethink patriotism and discover where our ultimate allegiance belongs.

Every family tells a story. Some chapters are marked by love and faith, others by pain and brokenness. From the book of Zephaniah, we see how one generation's choices shape the next—and how cycles can be broken when someone chooses a different path. What legacy of faith will you leave behind?

Is the story of Jonah all about the big fish—or is it really about something more? In this message, we see a man clinging to anger while God patiently invites him to let go. And just like Jonah, we can hold onto control or resentment, instead of letting our compassionate Father rewrite our story through repentance.

Ever feel like you're busy building a good life, yet still come up empty? Haggai shows us how even good things—family, success, comfort—can get out of order and leave us dry. In this message, Pastor Ryan invites us to realign our loves with God and discover the life and peace only He can bring.

Have you ever felt everything in life was right on track and how it should be—only to find out it's definitely NOT? In week two of Fall Fast, Fall Forward, the book of Amos reveals how God's plumb line exposes the flaws that we can't see, calling us to repentance, truth, and restoration in Christ.

Rediscover the power of repentance—not as a heavy burden, but as a skill that leads to deep transformation. Our lives are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves, and too often those stories keep us stuck. But God, in His mercy, calls us to return—to rethink, to realign, and to experience healing, renewal, and joy.

Connections Pastor Whitney Berthiaume wraps up our Surprised by Joy series with a powerful and personal message titled “He Calls Me Redeemed.” Drawing from her own story and the words of Paul in Philippians, Whitney reminds us that even in our most broken moments, God is near—calling us by a new name, offering healing, and inviting us into joy. If you've ever questioned your worth or wondered if your past disqualifies you, this message is for you.

In this message, Worship Leader Grace Holthe shares how true internal peace comes not from getting what we want, but from surrendering what we hold most tightly. Through Philippians, Grace invites us to open our hands, trust God's timing, and discover the lasting joy that comes from knowing Jesus is already more than enough.

When life gets hard, it's easy to stall out at base camp and wonder why the view isn't what we expected. In this message, Tim Huebner explores what it means to press on—not just to survive the climb, but to actively pursue a deeper, daily walk with Jesus. Drawing from Philippians 3 and a brutal backpacking trip in the Smokies, Tim contrasts the achievement-driven mindset of our culture with Paul's joy-filled pursuit of Christ. Whether you're stuck, striving, or just starting out, this message invites you to take your next step—because the journey with Jesus is worth every step.

What does it mean to have joy even when life hurts? In this honest and heartfelt message, Michael Bohrer reflects on suffering—from sports heartbreaks and personal setbacks to deep grief and loss—and how the Apostle Paul's words in Philippians offer a surprising invitation: to find joy not after suffering, but within it. Through personal stories, biblical truth, and a reminder that we're not meant to walk alone, Michael points us to a kind of joy the world can't steal—a joy rooted in Jesus, forged in hardship, and shared through community.

Where do we place our confidence—our effort, our energy, our hope? In this message, Ciera Wessels, Executive Admin unpacks a bold warning from Paul in Philippians 3 and invites us to trade in our striving for true security found in Jesus. Whether you're a recovering perfectionist, a rule-follower, or just someone who's tired of trying to be enough, this message offers a freeing reminder: we don't have to earn it. We simply get to receive it—and discover joy on the other side.

Have you ever had a before-and-after moment that changed everything? In this message, we explore how the gospel first arrived in Europe through a group of unlikely people—a businesswoman, a slave girl, and a Roman jailer—and how their encounters with Jesus sparked a church in Philippi. As we begin our journey through Philippians, we're invited to know Christ in a deeper, more personal way—beyond information and into transformation. Discover how knowing Jesus reshapes our mindset, reframes our stories, and grows joy in every circumstance.

Our world is in desperate need of good, strong men—men of character and courage who grow, lead, and serve like Christ. Whether you're a dad, a mentor, or just trying to figure it out, you're called to rise up. This is a message about legacy, responsibility, and the kind of strength that makes a difference.

It creeps in quietly—sometimes while sitting in your favorite chair, sometimes when scrolling past someone else's life. Coveting may not seem as dangerous as other sins, but it can poison your heart, relationships, and even your view of God. In this message, we'll unpack how this subtle yet toxic mindset of comparison, entitlement, and envy can steal your joy and contentment—and discover how Christ offers us a better way to live with freedom and gratitude.

This Memorial Day weekend, Pastor Paul invites us to see the Ten Commandments not just as a list of rules, but as a call to become people who honor life and reflect God's heart in our relationships. Jesus moves the conversation from behavior to the heart—showing us that contempt, lust, and dehumanization are as destructive to our souls as outward actions. As we remember the value of every person made in God's image, we'll explore how true life is found in giving life, protecting dignity, and choosing love over contempt, even in the most difficult relationships.

In this heartfelt and practical Mother's Day message, Terri Markquart invites us to rediscover the beauty and power of the fifth commandment—honor your father and mother. With wisdom, humor, and personal stories, we explore what it truly means to attach value to others, beginning in the home. From parenting's heavy moments to the quiet strength of caring for aging parents, this message challenges us to become people of honor in a world that desperately needs it.

What do you worship—really? In this powerful message, we're invited to consider that worship isn't just singing songs or praying; it's about what captures our heart, attention, and sacrifice every single day. Whether we realize it or not, we all worship something. Pastor Paul unpacks the first three commandments not as rules, but as life-giving principles that reveal how worship shapes our identity, our priorities, and our relationships. 

We were made for covenant, not chaos. In this message, we begin rediscovering the power of covenant—where love and commitment meet to create the foundation for flourishing families, churches, and nations. Through the lens of the Ten Commandments, we see how God's timeless truths are not just ancient rules, but a path to real freedom, written on our hearts through Jesus.

What if the empty tomb wasn't just a symbol of hope—but the turning point of your entire story? In this Easter message, Pastor Paul unpacks the deeper meaning behind the resurrection of Jesus and the gifts it offers to every one of us. Whether your life feels stuck in tragedy, weighed down by fear, or wandering without direction, the risen Christ invites you into something greater. Something lasting. Something true. Come discover the three gifts of the empty tomb—and what they might mean for your story.

The disciples thought they knew what Jesus came to do—but His words in the upper room turned their expectations upside down. In this message, we're invited to wrestle with disappointment, rethink what we truly need, and discover the kind of joy that can't be taken away.

Jesus didn't leave us on our own—He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and empower us. In this message, we'll look at who the Spirit is, how He works in our lives, and what it means to walk with Him daily in truth, love, and power. Also, Pastor Paul's Making Room update!

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed? In this message, we're invited to slow down, name what we're feeling, and experience comfort for the troubled heart. Through a simple spiritual practice, we'll learn how to notice God's presence, rest in His promises, and find peace in who He is.

Of all the things Jesus asks of us, the most difficult—and most defining—is His command to love one another. Not a sentimental, feel-good love, but a costly, courageous, and sacrificial love that reflects the way He loves us. In this message, we're invited to rediscover what real love looks like, especially when it's hard, undeserved, or painful. 

Have you ever stepped into something new, convinced you'd be great at it, only to be humbled by how hard it really was? Whether it's parenting, marriage, a new job, or even just a hobby like golf, we all encounter moments where our confidence meets reality. In this message, Pastor Brian shares his personal journey of learning humility and grace—lessons shaped on the football field, in parenting, and through the quiet example of Jesus washing His disciples' feet. Discover how embracing the postures of love, humility, and submission can reshape not only how we serve others but how we become more like Christ.

What does it mean to live a life that truly matters? In his message Lifted Up, Pastor Paul shares a personal story about growing up in a big old house with hidden stained-glass windows—beautiful, but covered up and kept in the dark. He uses this image to remind us that God created each of us to be glorious, like stained glass that shines when light passes through it. But that kind of beauty and purpose isn't found by holding on to our own desires. It comes when we choose a life of service, sacrifice, and daily surrender to God. 

Fear, frustration, and pain—negative emotions we often try to push down and just press on with life. But what if true healing only comes from facing these emotions, not running from them? In this message, Pastor Paul talks about facing our painful emotions with faith, letting Jesus transform them, and finding real peace, joy, and healing in Him. As we enter Lent, a season marked by ashes and renewal, this is our chance to bring our struggles into the light once and for all. Jesus knows our pain—He walked through suffering and gave His life to overcome it.