Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Podcast

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ difficult encounter with the Canaanite woman to show that God’s mercy refuses to remain within the boundaries we create. Her persistence reveals a faith that trusts even the “crumbs” of Christ’s mercy are enough, and Jesus ultimately responds with healing. We are challenged to notice those we too easily ignore and to offer the kind of mercy that listens, draws near, and reaches to the margins.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Hebrews 13:8, which reminds us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Like home plate on a baseball field, God’s truth remains a steady and unchanging reference point amid the shifting circumstances, opinions, and uncertainties of life.

Rev. Eric Swanson reflects on Paul’s words, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” emphasizing that Christian strength does not mean doing everything alone. God first meets us with presence, then gives us endurance—often through the people and community who walk beside us. Faith reminds us that when life feels too difficult to carry ourselves, “we’re in this together,” strengthened by God and one another.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Romans 5:3–5, where suffering produces endurance, character, and ultimately a hope rooted in God’s love. “Grounded hope” does not deny pain or offer easy optimism, but trusts that God is present with us in life’s hardest realities—and calls us to help hold that hope for others.

Pastor Jenny reflects on the feeding of the 5,000, emphasizing that God's work begins not with abundance but with the willingness to offer what we already have. Jesus shifts the disciples' focus from what they lack to what is in their hands, reminding us that God multiplies ordinary gifts—time, compassion, resources, and service—into extraordinary blessings. Rather than waiting for someone else to solve the world's needs, we are invited to place what we have into Christ's hands and trust God to create abundance.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on the hymn God of Grace and God of Glory, with its prayer, “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days.” Written during a time of global uncertainty, the hymn reminds us that amid today’s divisions and challenges, God continues to redeem our time, calling us to live with wisdom, courage, hope, and faithful love.

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus' parables of the mustard seed, yeast, treasure, and pearl, reminding us that God's kingdom often begins through small, ordinary acts of faithfulness. Rather than waiting for a grand opportunity, Christians are called to plant small seeds of kindness, compassion, and service, trusting God to bring the growth. Joyful service isn't about doing something impressive—it's about faithfully offering what we have and letting God multiply its impact

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 62:8, encouraging us to trust God completely and pour out our hearts to the One who is our refuge. Quoting Henri Nouwen’s story of trapeze artists, Pastor Jenny reminds us that faith is like the flyer trusting the catcher—our role is to trust, knowing that God is always faithful to catch us and help us soar.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 69:13–14, where the psalmist trusts God to answer “at an acceptable time” according to God’s steadfast love. In a culture shaped by instant, on-demand expectations, we are invited to pray with patience, trust God’s timing, and faithfully keep sowing seeds of love, compassion, and justice.

Pastor Jenny reflects on the Parable of the Sower, reminding us that God generously scatters the seeds of grace everywhere, regardless of where they fall. While our hearts can become hardened, shallow, or crowded with life's worries, God patiently prepares us through prayer, worship, forgiveness, and community to become "good soil." Joyful service is the fruit of a heart cultivated by God's grace and ready to receive and share Christ's love.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 16:11, which reminds us that true joy is found in God’s presence, not in perfect circumstances. Contrasting the discouragement of “oy” and “oy vey” with the deeper joy Christ offers, Pastor Jenny encourages us to choose joy each day by keeping our hearts centered on God, even in the midst of life’s challenges.

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28–30, reminding us that everyone carries burdens and that faithful service begins not with striving but with receiving Christ's rest. Through stories of a weary mother at a laundromat and John Wesley's ministry, she emphasizes that we are not meant to carry life's loads alone but to be "yoked" with Christ, whose grace sustains and refuels us for joyful service. True discipleship flows from staying deeply connected to Christ, allowing God's strength—not our own—to become the source of compassionate service to others.

Pastor Jenny takes a deeper look at the letter to the Romans as she explores what "Go Out And Love" can mean for our summer of service. 

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus' words in Matthew 10, reminding us that even the smallest acts of kindness—a cup of cold water, a welcoming smile, or a caring conversation—can become holy moments that reflect Christ's presence. Using stories of a struggling monastery and the Penguin Project, she emphasizes that lives and communities are transformed when people intentionally notice, welcome, and serve one another. The sermon invites us to ask each day, "Who needs a cup of cold water today?" and to trust that simple acts of hospitality are how God’s grace reaches the world.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Isaiah 28:17, where God sets justice as the plumb line and righteousness as the measuring standard. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we are invited to measure our lives and communities not by human achievement but by God’s standards of justice, compassion, and truth, praying for hearts aligned with God’s purposes.