Valley Church

Sunday, May 3, 2026In this sermon from Exodus 20:7, Pastor Jacob preaches on the third commandment: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” Far more than a warning against careless language, this command calls God’s people to carry His holy name with reverence and integrity. God first reveals His covenant name, YHWH, to His people, showing that He is personal, self-existent, and sovereign. Because Christians bear the name of God, we are called to revere Him in our words, promises, and daily lives. We must represent Him truthfully, refusing to attach His name to lies, manipulation, or sin. Finally, as followers of Jesus, we are sent to carry His name to our neighbors and the nations, so the world would see His glory and worship Him alone.

Sunday, April 26, 2026In this sermon from Exodus 20:4–6, Pastor Jacob continues our study through the Ten Commandments by unpacking the second commandment: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image.” God does not leave worship up to our imagination, preference, or creativity. He alone defines how He is to be approached and worshiped. Yet this command also points us to a greater hope. Humanity was made in the image of God, designed to reflect His nature and character, but sin has distorted that reflection. The good news is that Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God, broken for broken image-bearers. Through faith in Christ, we are forgiven, restored, and invited to worship the one true God in the way He has revealed.

Sunday, April 19, 2026This week at Valley Church, Gary Merksamer continued our Ten Commandments series by looking at the first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” In Exodus 20, God reminds His people that He is the One who rescued them from slavery before He ever gave them commands. We explored how our hearts still drift toward false gods—comfort, success, money, family, approval, or self—and how those idols can never truly satisfy. But the first commandment is not only a command; it is also a promise that one day God’s people will walk with Him forever, face to face, with no rivals for our worship. Because Jesus fulfilled the law and rescued us from sin, we are invited to turn from lesser things and give our hearts fully to the one true God who alone is worthy. 

Sunday, April 12, 2026Before we get to the Ten Commandments, we need to ask a deeper question: How did we get here? In this message from Exodus 19:1–9, Pastor Jacob walks through the events leading up to the giving of the law and shows that God’s commands were never meant to be a cold list of rules. Before the law, there was rescue—God delivered His people from slavery. Before the law, there was relationship—He brought them to Himself. Before the law, there was mission and grace. This message reframes how we understand obedience: not as a way to earn God’s love, but as a response to it. The same is true for us today—through Jesus, we are rescued, brought near, and invited to live for Him.

Sunday, April 5, 2026In this Easter message from Luke 24:13–33, Pastor Jacob walks through the story of two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus. As they wrestle with disappointment, doubt, and confusion, the risen Jesus draws near and walks with them—though they don’t yet recognize Him. Through this encounter, we see that Jesus pursues us in our lowest moments, reveals Himself through all of Scripture, and lovingly transforms our hearts when we respond to Him in faith. This message reminds us that Christianity isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about walking with Jesus. Whether you’re skeptical, hurting, or searching, this sermon invites you to consider what it would mean to respond to Jesus by faith and begin a new life walking with Him.

Sunday, March 29, 2026In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Jacob walks through Luke 19:28–40, revealing Jesus as the true King of Peace. While the crowds welcomed Him with praise, they misunderstood the kind of King He came to be. Jesus didn’t come to bring military victory or political relief—He came to bring true peace with God through His life, death, and resurrection. Many today still wrestle with unmet expectations of God, longing for control instead of surrender. But our greatest need is not external change—it’s salvation from sin. Jesus is the Savior of the world, worthy of our trust and worship. All of creation was made to worship worship Jesus - will you?

Sunday, March 22, 2026In this sermon from Ephesians 6:10–24, Pastor Jacob Ambrose closes out the book of Ephesians by reminding us that the Christian life is a spiritual battle. He unpacks how our struggle is not against people, but against Satan and the spiritual forces of evil, and calls us to recognize the enemy’s schemes in our everyday lives—distraction, deception, isolation, and more. Pastor Jacob then walks through the armor of God, showing how truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the gospel, and the Word of God equip us to stand firm. Finally, he emphasizes that we are not meant to fight alone, but alongside our spiritual family, the church. Because of Jesus’ victory, we can stand firm with confidence, strength, and hope.

Sunday, March 15, 2026In this message, Pastor Jacob teaches from Ephesians 6:1–9 about how the gospel transforms the relationships closest to us. When the Holy Spirit fills our lives, He doesn’t just change what we believe—He changes how we live at home and at work. Children are called to honor their parents, and parents are called to disciple their children with patience and intentionality. In the workplace, we are reminded that our work ultimately serves Christ, not merely human supervisors. Likewise, those in positions of authority must lead with justice, humility, and care, remembering that they too answer to God. The Spirit-filled life reshapes every relationship—parent and child, employee and employer—so that our homes and workplaces increasingly reflect the character and authority of Jesus.

Sunday, March 8, 2026In this message from Ephesians 5:17–33, Pastor Jacob teaches what the Spirit-filled life looks like in everyday relationships. Paul commands believers to be filled with the Spirit, and the result is a transformed community marked by wisdom, worship, gratitude, and humility. A Spirit-filled church becomes a worshiping community where believers encourage one another and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Paul then shows how the Spirit also transforms marriage. Husbands are called to sacrificially love their wives as Christ loved the church, while wives are called to respectfully submit to their husband's loving leadership. When these roles are lived out according to God’s design, marriage becomes a powerful picture of the gospel. Ultimately, Spirit-filled lives transform both the church and the home so that the world can see the beauty of Christ.

Sunday, March 1, 2026This week at Valley Church, Pastor Jacob preached from Ephesians 5:1–16 in a message titled “Like Father, Like Children.” As beloved children of God, we are called to imitate our Father — walking in holiness and love in every area of life. Paul shows us what that looks like practically: Holy in what we Love (sexual purity and freedom from greed), Holy in what we Say (speech marked by gratitude instead of crudity), Holy in our Witness (shining as light in a dark world), and Holy in our Walk (living with wisdom and urgency). God cares deeply about our holiness — not to restrict us, but because He loves us and desires our flourishing. In Christ, we are made new — and new people walk differently.

Sunday, February 22, 2026In this message from Ephesians 4:17–32, Gary Merksamer walks us through what it means to face—and resolve—our identity crisis. He reminds us that before Christ, we weren’t just people who made mistakes; we were spiritually dead, separated from God, and hardened in heart. But through Jesus, we are given a completely new identity. Gary emphasizes that we don’t merely learn about Christ—we “learn Christ” in a personal, relational way. Because we’ve put off the old self and put on the new, our lives should reflect real change: truth instead of lies, forgiveness instead of bitterness, grace instead of corrupt speech. This isn’t behavior modification—it’s identity transformation. In Christ, the old has passed away, the new has come, and we are called to walk in joyful obedience to the Savior who made us new.

Sunday, February 15, 2026In Ephesians 4:1–16, we discover how Christ grows His church. Just like a Winter Olympic team depends on every athlete doing his or her part, the church thrives when every believer participates. Paul calls us to walk together in unity, work together using our spiritual gifts, and grow together into maturity in Christ. Unity is something Christ has already secured through the cross — our responsibility is to maintain it with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Each believer has been given spiritual gifts to serve the body. When every part works properly, the church grows in depth and in number. You have a role to play. The question is: will you step into it?

Sunday, February 8, 2026In Ephesians 3:14–21, we hear Paul’s heartfelt prayer for the church—and it’s a prayer we need just as much today. As a diverse and growing church, we cannot become who God has called us to be through our strength alone. Paul prays that the church would be strengthened together by the Spirit, rooted and grounded in Christ’s infinite love, and filled with all the fullness of God as we grow into spiritual maturity. This kind of growth is God’s work in us, both individually and corporately, and it leads to one ultimate goal: God’s glory alone. As we follow Paul’s example, Pastor Jacob reminds us that the church needs prayer—because our God is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine!

Sunday, February 1, 2026In our message today from Pastor Jacob, Paul pauses mid-prayer to reflect on the calling God has given him—to steward the gospel faithfully among the Gentiles, even at great personal cost. In this message, we ask the searching question: Am I a faithful steward of the gospel?  We learn several things about what faithfulness requires. First, faithful stewards have clarity about the message—the good news that all people can come to God through faith in Jesus. Second, faithful stewards embrace their calling, recognizing that God not only saves us but sends us as ambassadors into the places we live, learn, work, and play. Finally, faithful stewards persevere in suffering, trusting that God uses hardship and persecution to advance His purposes. As we reflect on Paul’s example—and the testimony of the global church—we’re invited to steward the gospel with clarity, obedience, and perseverance wherever God sends us.

Sunday, January 25, 2026In Ephesians 2:11–22, Paul reminds us that before Christ, we were separated—separated from God and separated from one another. Divided by walls and hostility, the Gentiles lived far apart from the Jews, unable to approach God or truly belong together. But through the cross, Jesus brought those who were far off near. By His sacrifice, He fulfilled the law, tore down the dividing wall, and reconciled us both to God and to each other. In Christ, former outsiders become members of God’s family with equal access to the Father. Paul goes on to show that the church is not a building but a people—being built together on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus as the cornerstone. Through the cross, Jesus forms us into one Spirit-filled family - the Church!

Sunday, January 18, 2026In Ephesians 2:1–10, Pastor Jon Chasteen reminds of the true story of the gospel: we were not just struggling—we were spiritually dead. The Apostle Paul shows us in Ephesians 2 that real change doesn’t come through effort or self-improvement, but through resurrection. Because God was "rich in mercy and great in love," He made us alive together with Christ, by grace alone. Salvation begins with God’s character, not our performance, and it frees us from guilt, fear, and striving. This grace doesn’t leave us unchanged—it recreates us. We are God’s workmanship, saved not by good works but for them, prepared by God Himself. The gospel moves us from death to life—and into a whole new way of living, walking daily in the freedom and purpose Christ has already secured for us.

Sunday, January 11, 2026In this message from Ephesians 1:15–23, we see how the apostle Paul prays for real spiritual growth for the church in Ephesus. Paul prays that believers would have their hearts opened to truly know Jesus—His hope, His power, and His authority. We are reminded that spiritual growth is not something we achieve through effort alone, but something God does in us through His Spirit as we trust Him. The same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in every believer today, giving us strength to change and confidence to trust Him. And because Jesus reigns with all authority, we are invited to surrender control and rest in His loving leadership—both in our personal lives and in the church.

Sunday, January 4, 2026We begin our journey walking verse-by-verse through the book of Ephesians by lifting our eyes from everyday life to the spiritual blessings God has given us in Jesus. Paul opens his letter with praise, reminding believers that our identity and security are rooted not in circumstances, but in Christ. Through Ephesians 1:1–14, we see four incredible blessings: we are adopted into God’s family, fully forgiven through Jesus’ blood, given an eternal inheritance, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. These truths give us deep belonging, lasting hope, and unshakable security. Because we know how the story ends, we can live with confidence and joy today. This message invites us to come to God through faith in Jesus and respond with praise for every spiritual blessing we have in Him.

Sunday, December 28, 2025As we look back on the past year and ahead to a new one, this end-of-year reflection centers on the prayer of Ephesians 3:14–21 and the faithfulness of God. In this devotional message, we pause to “look up out of the fog” of a busy season and give God glory for what He has done. Paul’s prayer reminds us that our strength comes from the Holy Spirit, our motivation must be rooted in the love of Christ, and our faith rests in the God who is able to do far more than we could ask or imagine. Reflecting on the growth, outreach, and lives changed this year at Valley Church, we celebrate God’s work and look forward with hope. As we enter the new year, we are invited to move ahead in God’s strength, grounded in His love, and confident in His power and faithfulness.*A video of this devotional is available here.

Sunday, December 21, 2025In this Christmas message from Luke 2:1–21, we are reminded that the birth of Jesus is far more than a sentimental story—it is the arrival of the true King. Luke shows us that Jesus is the promised Davidic King, sent by God at the right time to be our Savior. Yet this King comes not in power or privilege, but in humility—born in a stable, laid in a manger, and destined to suffer for our salvation. Finally, the angelic announcement to shepherds reveals Jesus as the Shepherd-King who came for all people, regardless of background or status. From the powerful to the broken, the religious and the outsider, Jesus offers salvation by grace through faith. The humble, sacrificial King has come—calling us to trust Him and respond in worship. 

Sunday, December 14, 2025In this Advent message, one of our leaders Gary Merksamer walks us through the birth of John the Baptist in Luke 1. Gary shows us how God’s mercy breaks through silence, doubt, and fear, reminding us that God’s mercy isn’t earned through effort or control—it’s received through surrender. As Elizabeth rejoices over God’s mercy, Zechariah is restored through obedience and praise, and the surrounding community begins to see that God is speaking again. John’s birth points back to God’s covenant promises and forward to the coming of Jesus, the true source of hope and salvation. This message invites us to stop wrestling with God, trust His promises, and rejoice in the tender mercy that has come to us in Christ.

Sunday, December 7, 2025In this message, Pastor Jacob shows us how God chooses unlikely people to accomplish His Kingdom purposes, just as He chose Mary—a young, ordinary woman from an overlooked town—to bear the promised King, Jesus. We trace the storyline of God’s promises through David, the anticipation of a Messiah, and the announcement delivered by Gabriel that Jesus would be the eternal King whose reign never ends. Throughout the message, we’re invited to consider the kind of heart God uses: not the impressive, but the humble and faith-filled. Mary’s response—“Let it be to me according to your word”—becomes a model for us as we face situations that feel confusing or impossible. The call is clear: servants of King Jesus trust in His plans, surrender fully, and respond to Him in faith.

Sunday, November 30, 2025In Luke 1:5–25, we meet Zechariah and Elizabeth—an elderly couple who walked faithfully with God yet lived through deep disappointment. After 400 years of divine silence, God breaks in with a stunning announcement: He is still working, still faithful, and still keeping His promises. Through the angel Gabriel, God promises to send someone who would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Even in Zechariah’s moment of doubt, God remains gracious and moves His mission forward. Pastor Jacob Ambrose reminds us from this passage that God is always working beneath the surface, even when life feels cold, quiet, or confusing. In the silence, in the struggle, and in every season of waiting, God is faithfully shaping His people for His glory and their good.

Sunday, November 23, 2025In this week’s message from Psalm 67, Pastor Jacob shows that God blesses His people not just for their good, but for His global purpose—that all nations would know Him and worship Him. We first receive God’s blessing in faith: a restored relationship with Him through Jesus. Then we extend that blessing to others, carrying God’s love to our neighbors, to New England, and to the nations. Psalm 67 echoes God’s promise to Abraham and points forward to the vision of Revelation 7, where people from every tribe and language worship the Lamb. As a church, we pray, give, and go so that all people might hear and respond to the gospel and join in the joy of knowing God.

Sunday, November 16, 2025In this message from 2 Timothy 2:1–7, Pastor Jacob calls our church to embrace God’s mission of multiplying disciples, groups, and churches throughout the Merrimack Valley. Just as the gospel was faithfully passed down to Timothy, we’re invited to pass the baton and entrust the good news to others who will continue the mission. Paul urges Timothy to stay focused like a soldier, disciplined like an athlete, and faithful like a farmer—pictures of a life centered on helping people follow Jesus. We’re reminded that multiplication isn’t optional for a church; it’s essential. And the best way to ensure every man, woman, and child in the Merrimack Valley has multiple opportunities to hear and respond to the gospel is through planting more churches. God is inviting us to join His Mission by following Him and helping others do the same.

Sunday, November 9, 2025In the sermon Faithfulness in Exile, Pastor Jacob Ambrose explores what it means to live as followers of Jesus in a world that isn’t our home. Drawing from Jeremiah 29:4–7, he reminds us that like the exiles in Babylon, we are called not to withdraw or blend in, but to live faithfully right where God has placed us. Christians are exiles—citizens of heaven—yet we’re called to flourish in the places we live, work, and raise families. God invites us to seek the good of our communities, to be a presence of peace and wholeness, and to pray for our towns. As we live faithfully in exile, we point others to the true peace that comes only through Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Sunday, November 2, 2025In this message from Matthew 28:18–20, Pastor Jacob Ambrose challenges us to see our lives through the lens of God’s mission. We were not just saved from something, but saved for something—to join God in His work of making disciples of all nations. Jesus sends His followers out with His power, His purpose, and His presence. Through stories and practical examples, Pastor Jacob reminds us that living “on mission” isn’t reserved for pastors or missionaries—it’s for every believer in every place of life. Whether in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, or workplaces, God has strategically placed us to represent Him and invite others to follow Jesus. This message calls us to live with intentionality and courage, embracing the Great Commission as our personal mission. Discover how you can live sent and take your place in God’s plan to multiply disciples across the world.

Sunday, October 26, 2025In this week's sermon, we welcomed a Guest Preacher from Redemption Hill Church in Medford, Jon Chasteen. Jon taught on the importance of recognizing the church as our family. We aren't like a family; we ARE a family, united by our faith in Jesus. Pastor Jon also shares four steps for peacemaking, a helpful framework for when we offend one another in the church.

Sunday, October 19, 2025God has given every believer unique gifts through His Holy Spirit — not for our own recognition, but to humbly serve the church. In this message on Romans 12:3-8, Pastor Jacob Ambrose leads us to look at how God’s grace unites a diverse body of believers with one purpose: to glorify Him together. We’re reminded that no gift is too small and no role too hidden when it’s used for God’s glory. Discover how to identify your spiritual gifts, serve joyfully, and strengthen the body of Christ through faithful, humble obedience.(This week's sermon was during a church brunch, which explains the difference in audio quality.)

Sunday, October 12, 2025The church was never meant to be a building or a weekend event—the church is a spiritual family united by faith and mission. In A People on Mission Together, Pastor Jacob Ambrose unpacks Acts 2:42–47 to show how the early church modeled a life of devotion: to God’s Word & prayer, to one another, and to God’s mission. When ordinary people are filled with extraordinary power, God does remarkable things through them. Valley Church is called to live this same way—rooted in truth, sharing life in community, and joining God’s mission to reach our world with the gospel. Through stories of real-life transformation and examples from Scripture, this message reminds us that we grow stronger together and that every believer has a vital role to play in God’s story of redemption.

Sunday, October 5, 2025In this message, Pastor Jacob Ambrose teaches from Ephesians 4:17–24 on what it means to walk in the new life God has given us. Just as we outgrow old clothes, followers of Jesus are called to “put off” their old ways and “put on” the new self created in God’s likeness. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, our minds and hearts are renewed from within. Pastor Jacob explores how sanctification works in our daily lives, the difference between positional and practical holiness, and how to live the life we were made for. Discover how to leave behind what’s broken, be changed by the Spirit, and embrace the new life that fits who you are in Christ.

Sunday, September 28, 2025In this message from Matthew 6:5–15, Pastor Jacob Ambrose unpacks what it means to be truly connected to God through prayer. Prayer isn’t about performance or impressing others—it’s personal and authentic communication with the God who sees and hears us. Jesus teaches us to come to God simply and sincerely, trusting that He already knows our needs. More than a way to get what we want, prayer reshapes our desires to align with God’s will and deepens our dependence on Him for daily provision, forgiveness, and direction. Using the model prayer, Jesus shows us that prayer is both relational and transformational—it changes us as we draw closer to Him. Whether you’re just beginning your walk with Jesus or seeking to grow deeper in your faith, this message will encourage you to develop a vibrant, life-giving prayer life that anchors you in God’s presence and power.

Sunday, September 21, 2025Psalm 1 paints two pictures: a fruitful tree rooted in God’s Word, and empty chaff blown by the wind. In this message, Pastor Jacob Ambrose explores what it means to thrive spiritually through daily delight in Scripture, not just a weekly visit to church. Using vivid illustrations and real-life examples, he shows that true joy and stability come from being planted in God’s Word, while life apart from Him leads to emptiness. Discover practical tools to deepen your roots and walk with Jesus.

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