Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Podcast

Holding Hope

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Romans 15:13, which calls God the “God of hope,” who fills us with joy and peace so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. As Advent begins, Pastor Jenny reminds us that hope is not passive or wishful thinking but an active trust in God’s steadfast love—an invitation to hold onto divine hope through prayer, generosity, and simple acts of faith each day.

Sermon - A Sign for All Times

Preaching on Colossians 1:15–20 for Christ the King Sunday, Pastor Jenny reminds us that Christ is the eternal sign of God’s love—unshaken by history, politics, or circumstance. In Jesus, “the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,” revealing a divine presence that transcends time and invites personal reflection on who Christ is for each of us. Through stories of transformation and perseverance, she contrasts worldly power with Christ’s reign of peace, mercy, and reconciliation. Christ’s kingship, she concludes, is not about domination but about love that holds all things together—a sign for all times.

Reflection question:
When in your own life have you glimpsed Christ as a steady sign of love and peace amid change or chaos?

Call to Prayer

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, which calls us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. Using the ringing of her church bell as a daily reminder, Pastor Jenny invites us to let ordinary sounds and moments become gentle calls to prayer—drawing our hearts back to God’s presence throughout each day.

Sermon - Distant Lands

Preaching from Ruth 1:8–18, Pastor Brad reflects on faith, endurance, and divine provision through the intertwined stories of Naomi and Ruth. Like the pilgrims who crossed the ocean with trust that “God would provide,” Naomi and Ruth stepped into an uncertain future, leaving behind security for the promise of new life. Ruth’s steadfast declaration—“Where you go, I will go”—embodies courageous loyalty and trust in God’s unseen plan. Both stories remind us that faith often leads through distant lands, where God’s grace sustains and redeems even in loss and hardship.

Reflection question:
Where might God be calling you to step into unfamiliar territory, trusting that divine provision will meet you there?

God In Three Persons

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Genesis 1:26, where God says, “Let us make humankind in our image,” inviting us to see the mystery of the Trinity—Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer—at work in creation. Through the words and insights of her Confirmation class, Pastor Jenny reminds us that God’s nature is revealed in many ways—as strength, comfort, love, and grace—showing the fullness of the divine relationship that shapes our faith and lives.

Sermon - Steady Hands in a Tired World

Preaching from 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Pastor Jenny addresses a weary community, urging faith that stays active rather than idle. She contrasts idleness with disciplined, hope-filled living, reminding us that Christian faith is not passive waiting but daily participation in God’s ongoing work of compassion and justice. Drawing on stories of perseverance—from a coach’s lesson about “idling in neutral” to modern examples of quiet service—she calls the church to keep “steady hands” that serve with courage and consistency even when the world feels heavy and uncertain.

Reflection question:
Where in your life might God be calling you to move from idleness to action—to keep your hands steady and your faith active in doing what is right?

Getting It Right

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Hebrews 13:1–2, which calls us to continue in mutual love and to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels unaware. Using Halloween as a parable of open-hearted welcome, Pastor Jenny reminds us that when we treat others with kindness, generosity, and joy—without questions or conditions—we mirror the unconditional love of God.

Sermon - The Power of a Changed Heart

Using the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10), Pastor Jenny invites us to consider the difference between curiosity and longing—and how both can draw us closer to Christ. Like Zacchaeus climbing the sycamore tree, we all have moments when we reach upward, longing for a clearer view, to be seen, and to be changed. Jesus’ response to Zacchaeus shows that grace begins not when we find God, but when God finds us. Transformation happens when we welcome Christ into our lives, and a changed heart naturally opens generous hands.

Reflection question:
Where might God be inviting you to “climb higher” for a new perspective—and how could that lead to a changed heart in your daily life?

For the Beauty of the Earth

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on the hymn For the Beauty of the Earth and the vivid transformation of fall as a sign of God’s presence in creation. As the changing leaves remind us of gratitude, hope, and the grace of letting go, we are invited to notice beauty close to home and lift our hearts in thankful praise to God.

Sermon - A Generous Life of Yes

Drawing from Ephesians 1:15–23 and the legacy of 180 years of faithful ministry, Pastor Jenny celebrates the saints—past and present—who lived a “generous life of Yes.” Their faithful responses to God’s call built the church through acts of courage, service, and sacrifice, from early chicken-pie fundraisers to today’s ministries of love and outreach. She reminds us that every “Yes” to God—no matter how small—opens new paths for grace and hope to take root in our lives and community.

Reflection question:
What might your own “Yes” look like in this season of your life, and how could it open a new path for generosity or faithfulness?

For All The Saints

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Hebrews 12:1, which reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who inspire us to run life’s race with perseverance. As All Saints Day approaches, Pastor Jenny lifts up examples like Eleanor Roosevelt—whose courage, principles, and hope continue to encourage us to live faithfully, take brave steps, and trust that we are never alone on the journey.

The Good We Can - Episode 5: "A Light for Our Path"

In this special episode, our confirmation students and their mentors show how the Bible continues to offer a Light for Our Path. This live performance, recorded in our chapel with just one take, was the culminating activity in a lesson on the literary voices within the Bible — narrative, poetry, and prose discourse, and it includes a fun "Stump the Pastor" segment in which the students test Pastor Jenny's knowledge of scripture. 

Sermon - Letting Go

Preaching from Matthew 11:27–30, Pastor Brad Mather connects Jesus’ invitation to find rest with the stewardship of our mental health. He reminds us that while exercise, diet, and relaxation can ease everyday stress, Jesus offers something deeper—an invitation to release our burdens and trust Him with what we cannot control. Through humor, personal stories, and Paul’s shipwreck in Acts, Pastor Brad illustrates that letting go—of daily frustrations or life’s bigger trials—is an act of faith that lightens our load and renews our peace.

Reflection question:
What burden are you carrying today that Jesus may be inviting you to let go of and trust Him with?

Trust

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 121:1–2, which declares that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. In a world filled with uncertainty and misplaced trust, we are reminded to lift our eyes to God each day—placing our confidence not in people or circumstances, but in the steadfast love and care of our Creator.

Sermon - Give Regardless

Preaching from 2 Corinthians 8:1–8, Pastor Jenny highlights the Macedonian churches’ generosity despite their poverty, contrasting it with Corinth’s abundance. Their giving flowed from gratitude and faith, not wealth. True generosity, she reminds us, is measured by the willingness of our hearts and our trust in God’s provision. Everything we have belongs to God, and giving—like John Wesley taught—is a joyful act of faith that frees us from materialism.

Reflection question:
What step of generosity might help you express deeper trust in God’s provision this week?