Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Podcast

Dawn from Heaven

Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Luke 1:78-79, exploring the theme of God's compassion and the "dawn from heaven" as a guiding light through life's darkness.

Trust Renewed: An Advent Reflection

Advent is a season of waiting, reflection, and trust, inviting us into a personal journey of renewed faith. Like Zechariah in his months of silence, we are called to let go of our certainties, quiet our restless thoughts, and turn toward God's presence with hope and holy longing.

Sermon - I Must Be Dreaming

In "I Must Be Dreaming," Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Joseph's often-overlooked role in the nativity story, highlighting his courage, compassion, and unwavering faith in the face of uncertainty. Through Joseph's example and his trust in God's guidance—even via dreams—she invites us to embrace hope, grace, and courage as we navigate life's challenges and live out the meaning of Emmanuel: God with us.

Dream Catchers

In this Word of the Week devotion, Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on the symbolism of dreamcatchers and the circular nature of God’s endless love, drawing connections to Advent traditions like wreaths. By embracing God’s unchanging love and our dreams, we are inspired to embody compassion, reconciliation, inclusion, and grace in our lives.

Hope Rooted in Love

This devotion highlights Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians, emphasizing that love is both the foundation and catalyst for hope. As we cultivate love within the Christian community, we strengthen our faith and inspire renewal, creating the unity and action needed to face today’s challenges with hope.

Sermon - Testifying to the Truth

In her sermon Testifying to the Truth, Pastor Jenny Arneson explains Christ the King Sunday, emphasizing allegiance to Christ over worldly powers. Drawing from John’s Gospel, she highlights Jesus’ kingdom as rooted in truth and challenges listeners to live out his love and compassion. Through stories, she urges reflection on embodying Christ’s reign in daily life.

In-Between

Pastor Jenny discusses the "in between" times of life, focusing on the transition from Thanksgiving to Advent. She encourages embracing gratitude and hope, trusting in God's constant love during periods of change.

Finding Our Place in God's Presence

This devotion reflects on Psalm 132, emphasizing that God’s presence is not something humans create or control, but is rooted in God’s promise to be with us. Rather than seeking to make a place for God, the spiritual journey involves recognizing God's ongoing presence and activity in our lives, as seen through Christ and the Spirit.

Sermon - The Church

Pastor Brad Mather's sermon, "The Church," contrasts the universal Church with local congregations, highlighting the early Christian community's unity and care for one another. He emphasizes how local churches continue to make God's love real through their actions and outreach.

Knots

In this week's "Word of the Week" devotion, Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on the moments when life's challenges leave us feeling "tangled in knots." She reminds us that, just as we once needed help tying our shoes, God is always there to untangle the knots in our lives and offer the help we need.

Seeking Signs in a World of Uncertainty

This week’s devotion explores the themes of uncertainty and anxiety through the lectionary reading from Mark 13:1-8. Reflecting on Jesus' warnings about the dangers of seeking signs, the discussion emphasizes finding faith and reassurance in God’s presence rather than in dramatic or miraculous events.

Sermon - Water Washed and Spirit Born

In the sermon Water Washed and Spirit Born, Pastor Jenny delves into the sacrament of baptism, highlighting it as a covenant through which we experience God’s unconditional love and grace. She explains that baptism connects us to Jesus’ example, calls us into a supportive faith community, and empowers us to live as God’s beloved, sharing hope and compassion in the world.

Trust

In this week’s Word of the Week devotional, Pastor Jenny explores Trust, drawing from Psalm 139:11-12, where even darkness is light to God. Just as our eyes adjust to darkness and reveal hidden clarity, trusting in God can illuminate our way through life’s uncertainties.

Faith Over Perfection

In this week's devotion, we explore the profound assurance found in Hebrews 9, where we’re reminded that Christ’s sacrifice, given once for all, frees us from striving for perfection. Join us as we reflect on what it means to live in peace and trust, knowing that God will handle the rest.

Sermon - The Power of Holy Communion

In this series, we’ll uncover the deep meaning behind three powerful gifts in the Christian journey—Communion, Baptism, and the Church. Today’s sermon takes us to the Communion table, where generations have gathered, and where a young boy's "tea party" with Pastor Jenny and a child breaking his sandwich to "take Jesus in" 20 times reveal how these sacred traditions shape us in unexpected ways.