Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Podcast

Sermon - Born Again for the Sake of the World

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus to explore what it means to be “born again.” Rather than a single dramatic moment, new birth in faith can be a gradual transformation as God’s Spirit reshapes our lives. This new life draws us deeper into loving our neighbors and building real community. Because God loves the whole world, being born again means living that love outwardly for the sake of others.

Being Curious

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Exodus 3:3, where Moses turns aside to see the burning bush and encounters God. In this Lenten season, we are invited to practice holy curiosity—pausing, asking reflective questions, and remaining open to God’s presence in the interruptions and “burning bushes” of our daily lives.

Peace Walk

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on John 14:27, where Jesus offers a peace unlike what the world gives and tells us not to be troubled or afraid. Inspired by monks who walked across the country to embody compassion, we are reminded that peace is not merely an idea but a daily practice—nurtured step by step and shared heart to heart in our communities.

Sermon - Faith That Comes Down The Mountain

Pastor Jenny reflects on the Transfiguration, where the disciples glimpse Jesus’ glory and hear God’s voice telling them to listen to him. But the point of the mountaintop moment is not to stay there—Jesus leads them back down into ordinary life, where people are hurting and faith must be lived out. True faith is carried into the real world through courage, justice, compassion, and love for neighbor. Encounters with God strengthen us so we can bring hope into a broken and divided world.

Seeds of Hope 2026

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Mark 4:8, where seed falling on good soil produces abundant growth. Even in the cold of winter and at the start of Lent, we are invited to plant and nurture seeds of hope—trusting that when hearts are receptive, God can bring new life and growth in every season.

Sermon - Salt + Light = Hope

Pastor Jenny explains that when Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world, he is naming who we already are and how we are meant to live in difficult times. Being salt and light means choosing integrity, compassion, forgiveness, and courage in a divided world. When Christians live this way publicly, they reveal God’s presence and offer an different way of being together. Salt and light working together create hope—a confident trust that God is still at work among us.

Being Seen

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 139:1–4, which proclaims that God searches us, knows us, and understands every word before we speak it. Even when we feel unnoticed or unseen by others, we are reminded that we are always fully seen, known, and loved by God.

Sermon - An Artist's Brush

Pastor Brad reflects on 1 Peter, reminding us that even in times of adversity, God offers hope and new life through faith. Using the story of artist Renoir, who continued painting despite poverty and severe illness, he shows how perseverance reveals deeper beauty. The sermon teaches that suffering does not cancel purpose. Instead, God can use hardship to shape our faith into something stronger and more meaningful.

 

 

 

Hope of Spring

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ecclesiastes 3:1, reminding us that there is a season for everything under heaven. Using Groundhog Day and the hope of spring as a metaphor, we are invited to trust in God’s timing and hold onto the deeper hope that even in winter seasons of life, renewal and light are quietly on their way.

Sermon - Serving In Unity

Pastor Jenny reflects on Micah’s call to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God,” showing that true service flows from unity and love. Justice, she reminds us, is “love gone public”—lived out through compassion, humility, and action. Serving joyfully not only blesses others but also transforms and heals us. When we serve together in Christ, we reflect God’s heart to a hurting world.

Best and Worst of Times

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Hebrews 10:23, which urges us to hold fast to our hope without wavering because God is faithful. Drawing on Charles Dickens’ words about “the best of times” and “the worst of times,” we are reminded that even in seasons of contrast, light and darkness, hope and despair, our anchor remains God’s steadfast promise.

Sermon - Called to Reflect

Pastor Jenny highlights how John the Baptist serves by pointing away from himself and toward Jesus, simply saying, “Look, the Lamb of God.” Jesus then invites his first disciples with the question, “What are you looking for?” followed by the open invitation, “Come and see.” The sermon reminds us that joyful service is about reflecting Christ through how we live, not just what we say. When we love and serve faithfully, others are drawn to notice and encounter Christ for themselves.

Remembering

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Amos 5:24, calling us to let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. As we remember the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are invited to carry forward his vision of justice, hope, and love—believing that through faithful service and courage, God’s dream for the world is still possible.

Sermon - Baptismal Water

Pastor Brad reflects on Jesus’ baptism as the moment that fulfills God’s plan, identifies Jesus fully with humanity, and begins his public ministry. He connects this directly to our own baptisms, reminding us that baptism is not just a past event but a lifelong calling. Every Christian—regardless of role or stage of life—is called into ministry through baptism, living out faith through daily actions, relationships, and service.

More Than Water

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Romans 12:2, calling us to be transformed rather than conformed to the world. Remembering Jesus’ baptism and our own baptismal vows, we are reminded that baptism is more than water—it is a lifelong commitment to resist injustice, live Christlike love, and embody God’s peace in the world.