Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Podcast

In this sermon, Pastor Brad Mather explores the story of Sarah’s laughter at the promise of new life, revealing God’s humor and grace in the face of impossibility. Through biblical comedy, dad jokes, and Pope Francis’s wit, he reminds us that laughter is a holy gift—one that lifts pain, builds connection, and teaches us to take ourselves a little less seriously.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Luke 24:5, where the angels proclaim, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen." In light of Easter and the hope-filled words of Pope Francis, we are reminded that we were made for life, not death, and are called to rise up in hope, trust, and love as Easter people.

“Paradise Restored” by Pastor Jenny Arneson

This Easter sermon reflects on how the resurrection transforms death from a final word into a new beginning, calling us to live as Easter people who restore glimpses of paradise through love, justice, and compassion. From garden to garden—Eden to Gethsemane to the empty tomb—Pastor Jenny reminds us that resurrection living begins right where we are, with acts of kindness that ripple outward to heal the world.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on John 20:18, where Mary Magdalene proclaims, “I have seen the Lord,” marking the beginning of the Easter message. As Easter people, we are called to carry that same message forward—living with hope, joy, and the belief that God’s love is stronger than fear, doubt, or even death.

This sermon from Pastor Jenny Arneson, Garden Stones, draws from Luke 19:28–40 and explores how even in moments of silence, God’s truth will find a voice—sometimes even through the stones. On this Palm Sunday, we are reminded that the message of love, justice, and compassion cannot be silenced, and that we are called to carry it forward with our lives.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson invites us into Holy Week through the lens of Jesus’ example in John 13, where he washes his disciples’ feet and offers a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved us. In the midst of change and uncertainty, we are reminded that hope and love remain our calling—and our witness.

🎧 The Good We Can – Episode 1

Community & Neighbor: Living Our Faith in Connection

In our first episode, co-hosts Bill Anciaux and Sarah Prather explore what it means to live out our faith through neighborly care and community connection. Inspired by the Revised Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, this episode brings together three local leaders:

• Patricia Harrington, Outreach Chair at Sun Prairie UMC
  
  
• Nikki Powell, Community Health Worker with the City’s Neighborhood Navigators
  
  
• Stacey Christensen, Community Schools Program Coordinator with the Sun Prairie Area School District
  
  

Together, we talk about compassion in action, equity, partnerships, and the small steps we can each take to build a thriving Sun Prairie.

📩 Connect with us at sunprairieumc.org
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🎧 Episode: The Garden of Gethsemane
Speaker: Pastor Jenny Arneson

In this Lenten reflection, Pastor Jenny guides us into the Garden of Gethsemane—a place of beauty, sorrow, and surrender. On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus wrestles with anguish and obedience, praying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

Through scripture, reflection, and personal insight, this message invites us to consider: What does it mean to trust God fully, even in our hardest moments?

Scripture: John 18:1–2, Matthew 26:36–46
Theme: Prayer, trust, and surrender in the face of suffering
Reflection Question: When have you felt called to surrender your own will and trust God's path instead?

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson, titled Garden Promises, reflects on John 12:24, where Jesus teaches that like a seed that must die to bear fruit, we are called to selfless acts of kindness that grow and multiply through God’s love. As we plant seeds of kindness and gratitude, especially in this Lenten season, we embody Christ’s example and help others witness the promises of God’s flourishing garden.

On this fourth Sunday of Lent, Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Moses’ encounter with the burning bush and the longing for a return to Eden. Through the image of the Promised Land, we’re invited to consider how turning aside, paying attention, and showing up with courage can bring us closer to the world as it’s meant to be—a place of blessing, purpose, and hope.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Hebrews 6:19, reminding us that hope is a sure and steadfast anchor. Like a seed, hope may start small but can grow into something beautiful with faith and trust in God.

In this sermon, Pastor Brad Mather reflects on the parable of the mustard seed, exploring how small, seemingly insignificant beginnings can lead to surprising growth. Using the nursery rhyme “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” as a creative entry point, he considers what it means to nurture faith in challenging times.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ecclesiastes 3:1—"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven"—inviting us to see spring not only in nature, but in the rhythms of our lives and faith. Even in the muddy, messy places of early spring and Lent, God walks with us, reminding us that every season has meaning and purpose.

In this second Sunday of Lent, Pastor Jenny Arneson continues our Lenten theme of “In the Garden,” focusing on the Garden of Eden. This message explores the story of creation, temptation, and the loss of paradise, inviting us to reflect on how these themes still shape our lives today. What does it mean to listen to God’s voice over the voice of temptation? And how does God’s grace call us to renewal, even after we fall? Join us as we journey through this foundational story and its lasting significance.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on 1 Peter 3:15, encouraging us to be prepared to share with an "Elevator Speech" our faith story with gentleness and respect.