Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Podcast

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Proverbs 31:20, which describes hands that open to the poor and reach out to the needy. Through the image of mirrors passed down and held by many hands over time, we are reminded that while mirrors reflect appearance, our hands reveal purpose—inviting us to live lives of generosity, service, and love that leave a lasting impact.

Rev. Eric Swanson contrasts our culture’s obsession with leadership with the biblical call to faithful followership, using the image of God as shepherd who guides, sustains, and transforms us—even through hardship. Following Christ means trusting that journey, enduring difficulty without retaliation, and becoming people who bring healing and hope to others. As we learn to follow well, we naturally become leaders who reflect Christ’s love in the world.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Jeremiah 18:3–4, where the potter reshapes spoiled clay into something new. Like sea glass smoothed and refashioned into beauty, we are reminded that no life is beyond God’s redeeming work—God continually reshapes what is broken into something meaningful and whole.

Pastor Jenny uses the Emmaus story to show how we often miss Christ’s presence—like important messages filtered into “spam”—even when he’s walking with us. She reframes SPAM as Scripture, Presence, Aha moments, and Ministry, inviting us to notice God, recognize those moments of awakening, and share the good news. The resurrection means Jesus is still with us, turning overlooked encounters into faith and purpose.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ephesians 4:2, which calls us to live with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Through simple, unexpected acts of kindness—like offering flowers at a community meal—we are reminded that small gestures can create space for deep joy, grace, and connection in the lives of others.

Pastor Jenny reflects on Easter as God’s “last laugh,” where the risen Christ breaks through fear—even locked doors—to bring peace and joy. The story reminds us that resurrection doesn’t erase wounds but transforms fear into hope and even laughter. Holy humor celebrates that death is not the end and invites us to live as Easter people, carrying joy into everyday life. In the spirit of the day, Jenny and Lisa offer several Holy Humor riddles and anecdotes.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Mark 16:15, where Jesus commands his followers to “go into all the world and proclaim the good news.” As Easter people, we are called to live out that command in everyday ways—stepping out in faith to share God’s love, trusting that wherever we go, God goes with us.

Pastor Jenny reflects on the Easter story through Mary Magdalene, showing that resurrection begins in darkness with love that simply shows up. Rather than a dramatic moment, resurrection is often quiet—found in choosing hope, presence, and faith even in grief. We are not only placed but sent, called to carry resurrection into the world through everyday acts of love. Easter means showing up with hope so that new life can rise in our neighborhoods.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on John 20:18, where Mary Magdalene proclaims, “I have seen the Lord,” beginning the ongoing witness of Easter. As the Easter season continues, we are called to live as people of the resurrection—carrying Christ’s light into the world through acts of justice, mercy, healing, and love.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Matthew 21:10–11, where the city is stirred as Jesus enters Jerusalem and people ask, “Who is this?” In the midst of a world filled with turmoil and distraction, we are invited during Holy Week to center our attention on Christ—through Scripture, prayer, and reflection—so that we may fully journey to the hope and joy of Easter.

Pastor Jenny challenges to unbind our neighbors and remind them that they are enough as we hear the Gospel story of Lazarus. We will hear about good neighboring as we explore what Mister Rogers can continue to teach us today about loving our neighbors regardless and being placed for a purpose in our neighborhoods. 

In this devotional Pastor Jenny shares what it means for us to hold hope in our neighborhoods and as Wisconsinites in the snow of spring as we continue on our Lenten journeys of being placed for a purpose. 

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus healing the man born blind, showing how God’s grace opens both physical and spiritual sight. While others in the story remain blinded by fear, judgment, or rigid beliefs, the healed man simply testifies, “I was blind, and now I see.” The sermon invites us to notice the “invisible neighbors” around us and respond with kindness. When our eyes are opened to others, we become the hands and feet of Jesus in our neighborhoods.

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on James 2:17, which reminds us that faith without action is dead. Like an exercise machine that only starts when we begin moving, our faith comes alive when we take small steps of action—trusting that God will guide and strengthen us as we serve others.

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman to show that Christ meets people in ordinary places and offers real connection, healing, and dignity. The sermon reminds us that no one is disposable, and that being placed in a neighborhood means noticing others, crossing barriers, and becoming the hands and feet of Jesus right where we live. Like the woman at the well, we are invited to receive living water and then share that hope with others. Lent calls us not just to ask who our neighbor is, but whose neighbor we are.