Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Podcast

In her sermon, “Whose Image Do You Bear?”, Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ response to a question about paying taxes to Caesar, reminding us that while coins bear Caesar’s image, we bear the image of God. Generosity, then, is more than a financial obligation—it is a spiritual response rooted in gratitude, trust, and the recognition that all we have comes from God. As we continue our generosity journey, we are invited to take faithful steps toward sharing our gifts, serving others, and offering our hearts and lives to God.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ecclesiastes 3:1 and the changing seasons of life, reminding us that every season has its purpose. Drawing on the beauty of autumn, Pastor Jenny encourages us to trust in God’s unchanging presence and faithfulness, knowing that even through difficult or unexpected changes, God continues to work in our lives and guide us toward new beginnings.

Pastor Jenny reflects on Paul’s words in Philippians, reminding us that generosity begins within, shaped by what we choose to notice and nurture in our hearts. Through a memorable story about an elderly friend who taught her to look for beauty in autumn leaves, she illustrates how practicing gratitude and paying attention to God’s goodness can transform our perspective from fear and scarcity to hope and abundance. Generosity, then, becomes more than giving something away—it becomes a joyful response to what we have received and an opportunity to participate in God’s love and work in the world.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 16:11 and the joy that comes from living in God’s presence. Inspired by Milwaukee Brewers player Jackson Chourio’s exuberant celebration of a playoff victory, Pastor Jenny reminds us that joy transcends language and can become a powerful expression of faith, revealing God’s goodness through our kindness, gratitude, and hope.

Pastor Jenny begins “Our Generosity Journey” by reminding us that generosity is not a destination but an ongoing process of growing, trusting, giving, and serving. Like Paul pressing toward the goal, we inherit a story of generosity from those who came before us and are invited to take our own next step. As we learn to see all we have as gifts entrusted to us, “What do I have?” slowly becomes “What can God do with what I have?”

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on 1 Corinthians 10:17 and the World Communion Sunday reminder that, though we are many, we are one Body of Christ. Pastor Jenny invites us to live out that unity through inclusion, compassion, and service, allowing God to widen our hearts toward those who are needy, rejected, hurting, or too easily forgotten.

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ parable of the two sons and the simple but demanding lesson: do what you say. Faith ultimately becomes more than words or good intentions—it takes shape through commitments, generosity, service, and action. Celebrating the congregation’s fulfillment of its commitment to pay off the church mortgage, she invites the church to see this achievement not as a finish line but as a new beginning for putting God’s love into action.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Matthew 1:23 and the promise of Emmanuel, “God with us.” Playing with the idea of “Christmas creep,” Pastor Jenny invites us to welcome Christmas not merely earlier on the calendar, but more deeply into our hearts by becoming increasingly aware of God’s presence with us each day.

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard, contrasting our instinct for fairness with the surprising generosity of God’s grace. God keeps returning, inviting, and making room for those still waiting, offering a grace based not on what we have earned or deserve but on God’s unconditional love. The challenge is to stop keeping score, make room for others, and receive God’s generosity with gratitude rather than resentment when that same grace is extended to someone else.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 and the simple kindergarten lesson that we don’t have to do things alone. Drawing on the many people who recently stepped up to help with a church flooring project, Pastor Jenny reminds us that everyone has something to contribute and that, by helping one another, we can accomplish together what none of us could do alone.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on the hymn I Love to Tell the Story and the ways stories help us remember who we are, where we belong, and what we have been given. As Sun Prairie United Methodist Church celebrates 180 years, Pastor Jenny invites us to keep telling and retelling our stories of life and faith—especially the “old, old story” of Jesus and his love.

 

 

 

 

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ practical guidance for navigating conflict, reminding us that the simple kindergarten lesson “Use Your Words” is also a lifelong gospel practice. Rather than avoiding hurt, holding grudges, or seeking revenge, Jesus calls us to speak truth in love, listen to one another, and seek healing and reconciliation. Our words can wound or heal, build walls or open doors—and Christ promises to be present with us even in the difficult conversations

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ephesians 4:32 and the simple but essential lesson to “be kind.” Drawing on the word “kind” tucked inside “kindergarten,” Pastor Jenny reminds us that ordinary acts of compassion, patience, forgiveness, and attentiveness are never wasted and can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ call to “take up your cross and follow me,” reminding us that Christian faith is not a spectator activity but a life of discipleship and participation. Rather than asking what the church can do for us, we are invited to ask what God might do through us as we offer our gifts, time, and lives in service to others. As a new ministry year begins, the challenge is not to have everything figured out, but simply to know whom we are following—and to have the courage to follow wherever Jesus leads.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Isaiah 9:6 and the Christmas promise of Emmanuel, God with us, a promise worth celebrating in every season. Drawing on Howard Thurman’s “The Work of Christmas,” Pastor Jenny reminds us that we live out Christmas joy each day as we care for the lost, broken, hungry, and hurting and become instruments of God’s peace.