Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Podcast

Sermon - It Is Well With My Soul

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ promise in Gospel of John that troubled hearts can still trust in God’s presence, even in grief and uncertainty. Using the story behind the hymn It Is Well with My Soul, she shows that “it is well” doesn’t mean life is easy—it means our souls are anchored in something deeper than our circumstances. Easter faith reminds us that Christ is with us in the midst of hardship, offering a peace that grows over time and does not depend on everything being okay.

Hands Through Time

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Proverbs 31:20, which describes hands that open to the poor and reach out to the needy. Through the image of mirrors passed down and held by many hands over time, we are reminded that while mirrors reflect appearance, our hands reveal purpose—inviting us to live lives of generosity, service, and love that leave a lasting impact.

Sermon - The Faith We Follow

Rev. Eric Swanson contrasts our culture’s obsession with leadership with the biblical call to faithful followership, using the image of God as shepherd who guides, sustains, and transforms us—even through hardship. Following Christ means trusting that journey, enduring difficulty without retaliation, and becoming people who bring healing and hope to others. As we learn to follow well, we naturally become leaders who reflect Christ’s love in the world.

Refashion

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Jeremiah 18:3–4, where the potter reshapes spoiled clay into something new. Like sea glass smoothed and refashioned into beauty, we are reminded that no life is beyond God’s redeeming work—God continually reshapes what is broken into something meaningful and whole.

Sermon - Check Your SPAM Folder

Pastor Jenny uses the Emmaus story to show how we often miss Christ’s presence—like important messages filtered into “spam”—even when he’s walking with us. She reframes SPAM as Scripture, Presence, Aha moments, and Ministry, inviting us to notice God, recognize those moments of awakening, and share the good news. The resurrection means Jesus is still with us, turning overlooked encounters into faith and purpose.

Simple Kindness and Joy

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ephesians 4:2, which calls us to live with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Through simple, unexpected acts of kindness—like offering flowers at a community meal—we are reminded that small gestures can create space for deep joy, grace, and connection in the lives of others.

Sermon - The Day Jesus Ignored the Doorbell

Pastor Jenny reflects on Easter as God’s “last laugh,” where the risen Christ breaks through fear—even locked doors—to bring peace and joy. The story reminds us that resurrection doesn’t erase wounds but transforms fear into hope and even laughter. Holy humor celebrates that death is not the end and invites us to live as Easter people, carrying joy into everyday life. In the spirit of the day, Jenny and Lisa offer several Holy Humor riddles and anecdotes.

Word of the Week - Go!

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Mark 16:15, where Jesus commands his followers to “go into all the world and proclaim the good news.” As Easter people, we are called to live out that command in everyday ways—stepping out in faith to share God’s love, trusting that wherever we go, God goes with us.

Sermon - Showing Up With Love

Pastor Jenny reflects on the Easter story through Mary Magdalene, showing that resurrection begins in darkness with love that simply shows up. Rather than a dramatic moment, resurrection is often quiet—found in choosing hope, presence, and faith even in grief. We are not only placed but sent, called to carry resurrection into the world through everyday acts of love. Easter means showing up with hope so that new life can rise in our neighborhoods.

Eastertide

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on John 20:18, where Mary Magdalene proclaims, “I have seen the Lord,” beginning the ongoing witness of Easter. As the Easter season continues, we are called to live as people of the resurrection—carrying Christ’s light into the world through acts of justice, mercy, healing, and love.

Holy Focus

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Matthew 21:10–11, where the city is stirred as Jesus enters Jerusalem and people ask, “Who is this?” In the midst of a world filled with turmoil and distraction, we are invited during Holy Week to center our attention on Christ—through Scripture, prayer, and reflection—so that we may fully journey to the hope and joy of Easter.

Sermon-Unbinding Our Neighbors

Pastor Jenny challenges to unbind our neighbors and remind them that they are enough as we hear the Gospel story of Lazarus. We will hear about good neighboring as we explore what Mister Rogers can continue to teach us today about loving our neighbors regardless and being placed for a purpose in our neighborhoods. 

Holding Hope

In this devotional Pastor Jenny shares what it means for us to hold hope in our neighborhoods and as Wisconsinites in the snow of spring as we continue on our Lenten journeys of being placed for a purpose. 

Sermon - Opening Our Eyes to the Work of God

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus healing the man born blind, showing how God’s grace opens both physical and spiritual sight. While others in the story remain blinded by fear, judgment, or rigid beliefs, the healed man simply testifies, “I was blind, and now I see.” The sermon invites us to notice the “invisible neighbors” around us and respond with kindness. When our eyes are opened to others, we become the hands and feet of Jesus in our neighborhoods.

Getting Started

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on James 2:17, which reminds us that faith without action is dead. Like an exercise machine that only starts when we begin moving, our faith comes alive when we take small steps of action—trusting that God will guide and strengthen us as we serve others.