Sun Prairie United Methodist Church Podcast

Sermon - Born Again for the Sake of the World

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:59:54 -0500

Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus to explore what it means to be “born again.” Rather than a single dramatic moment, new birth in faith can be a gradual transformation as God’s Spirit reshapes our lives. This new life draws us deeper into loving our neighbors and building real community. Because God loves the whole world, being born again means living that love outwardly for the sake of others.

Being Curious

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Exodus 3:3, where Moses turns aside to see the burning bush and encounters God. In this Lenten season, we are invited to practice holy curiosity—pausing, asking reflective questions, and remaining open to God’s presence in the interruptions and “burning bushes” of our daily lives.

Peace Walk

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on John 14:27, where Jesus offers a peace unlike what the world gives and tells us not to be troubled or afraid. Inspired by monks who walked across the country to embody compassion, we are reminded that peace is not merely an idea but a daily practice—nurtured step by step and shared heart to heart in our communities.

Sermon - Faith That Comes Down The Mountain

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Pastor Jenny reflects on the Transfiguration, where the disciples glimpse Jesus’ glory and hear God’s voice telling them to listen to him. But the point of the mountaintop moment is not to stay there—Jesus leads them back down into ordinary life, where people are hurting and faith must be lived out. True faith is carried into the real world through courage, justice, compassion, and love for neighbor. Encounters with God strengthen us so we can bring hope into a broken and divided world.

Seeds of Hope 2026

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Mark 4:8, where seed falling on good soil produces abundant growth. Even in the cold of winter and at the start of Lent, we are invited to plant and nurture seeds of hope—trusting that when hearts are receptive, God can bring new life and growth in every season.

Sermon - Salt + Light = Hope

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Pastor Jenny explains that when Jesus calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world, he is naming who we already are and how we are meant to live in difficult times. Being salt and light means choosing integrity, compassion, forgiveness, and courage in a divided world. When Christians live this way publicly, they reveal God’s presence and offer an different way of being together. Salt and light working together create hope—a confident trust that God is still at work among us.

Being Seen

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:43:01 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 139:1–4, which proclaims that God searches us, knows us, and understands every word before we speak it. Even when we feel unnoticed or unseen by others, we are reminded that we are always fully seen, known, and loved by God.

Sermon - An Artist's Brush

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Pastor Brad reflects on 1 Peter, reminding us that even in times of adversity, God offers hope and new life through faith. Using the story of artist Renoir, who continued painting despite poverty and severe illness, he shows how perseverance reveals deeper beauty. The sermon teaches that suffering does not cancel purpose. Instead, God can use hardship to shape our faith into something stronger and more meaningful.

Hope of Spring

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ecclesiastes 3:1, reminding us that there is a season for everything under heaven. Using Groundhog Day and the hope of spring as a metaphor, we are invited to trust in God’s timing and hold onto the deeper hope that even in winter seasons of life, renewal and light are quietly on their way.

Sermon - Serving In Unity

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Pastor Jenny reflects on Micah’s call to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God,” showing that true service flows from unity and love. Justice, she reminds us, is “love gone public”—lived out through compassion, humility, and action. Serving joyfully not only blesses others but also transforms and heals us. When we serve together in Christ, we reflect God’s heart to a hurting world.

Best and Worst of Times

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Hebrews 10:23, which urges us to hold fast to our hope without wavering because God is faithful. Drawing on Charles Dickens’ words about “the best of times” and “the worst of times,” we are reminded that even in seasons of contrast, light and darkness, hope and despair, our anchor remains God’s steadfast promise.

Sermon - Called to Reflect

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:51:25 -0500

Pastor Jenny highlights how John the Baptist serves by pointing away from himself and toward Jesus, simply saying, “Look, the Lamb of God.” Jesus then invites his first disciples with the question, “What are you looking for?” followed by the open invitation, “Come and see.” The sermon reminds us that joyful service is about reflecting Christ through how we live, not just what we say. When we love and serve faithfully, others are drawn to notice and encounter Christ for themselves.

Remembering

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Amos 5:24, calling us to let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. As we remember the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are invited to carry forward his vision of justice, hope, and love—believing that through faithful service and courage, God’s dream for the world is still possible.

Sermon - Baptismal Water

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Pastor Brad reflects on Jesus’ baptism as the moment that fulfills God’s plan, identifies Jesus fully with humanity, and begins his public ministry. He connects this directly to our own baptisms, reminding us that baptism is not just a past event but a lifelong calling. Every Christian—regardless of role or stage of life—is called into ministry through baptism, living out faith through daily actions, relationships, and service.

More Than Water

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Romans 12:2, calling us to be transformed rather than conformed to the world. Remembering Jesus’ baptism and our own baptismal vows, we are reminded that baptism is more than water—it is a lifelong commitment to resist injustice, live Christlike love, and embody God’s peace in the world.

Sermon - Led by the Light to Serve

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

On Epiphany, Pastor Jenny reflects on the Magi’s journey in Matthew 2, where they follow Christ’s light with joy while Herod responds in fear. Epiphany reminds us that God’s light breaks into dark places, guiding us not toward power, but toward humble, compassionate service. Through the tradition of Epiphany star words, we are invited to let Christ’s light lead our lives in the coming year—shaping how we serve, where we give ourselves, and how we live out joyful service as an act of worship.

Covenant Renewal

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Hebrews 8:6, which proclaims Christ as the mediator of a new and better covenant founded on God’s promises. As the new year begins, we are invited through Wesley’s Covenant Prayer to renew our commitment to God—offering our lives in trust and faithfulness as we follow Christ into an uncertain future.

Sermon - What to Wear

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Preaching from Colossians 3:12–17 during the Christmas season, Pastor Jenny reminds us that Christmas is not over on December 25—it unfolds across the twelve days leading to Epiphany. Using the familiar imagery of clothing received as Christmas gifts, she reflects on Paul’s invitation to “put on” compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love. These are gifts from Christ that we may need to grow into, much like clothes that don’t quite fit at first. Unlike material gifts, these virtues are never returned—they shape how we live and how Christ is revealed through us. Pastor Jenny connects this to Jesus’ own life of humility and love, noting that faith cannot stop at the manger but must move into daily, embodied practice. Through a story of a compassionate train conductor, she illustrates how small, faithful actions can become moments of grace. The call is clear: as Christmas continues and a new year begins, we are invited to clothe ourselves in Christ’s love and offer these gifts freely to others.

Reflection question:
Which “gift” named in Colossians—compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, or love—might God be inviting you to intentionally “put on” and practice more fully in the days ahead?

The Mood of Christmas

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Luke 2:10–11, where the angels proclaim good news of great joy in the birth of Christ for all people. Drawing on Howard Thurman’s The Mood of Christmas, we are reminded that the true work of Christmas begins after the celebration—living out Christ’s joy through healing, justice, peace, and love in the world.

Sermon - All You Need Is Love

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:15:37 -0500

Preaching from Luke 6:27–36, Pastor Brad reflects on Jesus’ radical call to love—not just friends or those who love us in return, but enemies as well. He opens with the Beatles’ famous song All You Need Is Love, noting how the phrase can sound like a cliché, yet is profoundly biblical. Drawing on another preacher’s “ABCs of love,” he contrasts self-interested love (A and B) with the deeper, sacrificial love (C) that expects nothing in return, and finally with the most challenging form—enemy love (D): loving even those who hurt or betray us. Jesus’ teaching reveals that God’s love is compassionate, selfless, and extended even to the ungrateful and wicked. Pastor Brad reminds us that this kind of love doesn’t come naturally to us—and that’s precisely why God sent Christ: to show us what love truly looks like and to teach us how to live it. The message is clear and countercultural: real Christian love is radical, revolutionary, and rooted in God’s own compassion.

Reflection question:
Which “level” of love—self-interest, mutual exchange, selfless giving, or loving an enemy—feels most challenging for you right now, and what might Jesus be inviting you to practice this week?

Still Waiting

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 06:01:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on John 1:5, proclaiming that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. As Advent draws to a close, we are invited to keep waiting with hope—trusting that even in real darkness, God’s light in Christ is present, persistent, and victorious.

TGWC - Addiction and Recovery

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:00:00 -0500

Addiction and recovery affect nearly every family and community—but stigma and silence often keep people from seeking help. In this episode, Heather Young talks with Michelle Jaskulski, who shares her family’s journey into opioid addiction, the shock and isolation that followed, and what she learned about recovery over time.

Grounded in the Revised Social Principles of the United Methodist Church (2024), this conversation frames addiction not as a moral failure, but as a complex reality that calls for compassion, evidence-based care, and human dignity.

Michelle discusses:

The emotional toll on parents, siblings, and marriages
Shame, stigma, and why families often “go quiet,” even at church
Addiction as a brain disease—and why recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all
The role of trauma, mental health, and spiritual care
How churches can move beyond judgment into real support and connection

Sermon - Mary's Song, Our Joy

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Pastor Jenny frames the third Sunday of Advent (Joy) around Mary’s “song” in Luke 1:46–55 (the Magnificat). Mary’s joy isn’t shallow happiness or dependent on perfect circumstances; it’s a deep, Spirit-born joy rooted in trust that God is with her and will set the world right. Mary praises God for seeing the lowly and for God’s “great reversal”—lifting up the humbled, feeding the hungry, and challenging the proud and powerful. Jenny compares this to the eager “search” of kids finding the elf on the shelf: joy grows as we look for God’s presence with expectation and wonder. She also notes that sometimes we can’t hold joy on our own—community can “hold joy” for us, like a toddler comforting an exhausted parent. The invitation is to let Mary’s song become our song: choose joy, seek signs of grace, trust God’s justice, and rest in God’s promises as we await Christ’s coming.

The Speed of Joy

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on John 15:11, where Jesus promises a joy that is complete and rooted in abiding relationship with him. In this Advent season of joy, we are invited to “go at the speed of joy”—slowing down, choosing presence and prayer, and making space for Christ’s joy to shape the rhythm of our lives.

Sermon - Preparing the Way for Peace

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Preaching on Matthew 3:1–12, Pastor Jenny describes John the Baptist as the uncomfortable but necessary Advent guest—the wild prophet who shows up before the angels, shepherds, and baby Jesus. John’s message, “Change your hearts and lives,” cuts through religious entitlement and superficial readiness, calling us to integrity: that what we say we believe is actually visible in how we live. She contrasts this with a humorous but convicting Costco pumpkin pie story, where she realizes she missed a small opportunity to extend grace and make a pathway for peace. Advent peace, she reminds us, isn’t just the absence of conflict but the presence of shalom—wholeness, justice, healing, and right relationship—so preparing for Christ’s coming means examining our lives, choices, and daily interactions to clear space for that peace to enter our homes, communities, and world.

Reflection question:
Where is one small, very ordinary place in your week where you could “prepare the way for peace” by choosing integrity, grace, or kindness instead of frustration or entitlement?

Everyday Gifts

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 68:19, which proclaims, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Using the simple blessing of cold weather providing “garage refrigeration” for Thanksgiving leftovers, Pastor Jenny reminds us that God’s care often appears in small, everyday provisions—and noticing these quiet gifts invites gratitude and compassion toward those in need.

Sermon - Hope in an Unlikely Place

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 21:22:00 -0500

Preaching on the Annunciation in Luke 1:26–38, Pastor Jenny invites us into Advent as a season of waiting—waiting for God to heal, renew, and break in with hope. Through Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel, she shows how God’s love often arrives in the most unlikely places, through the most unlikely people, and at the most unlikely times. Mary’s honest questions remind us that faith doesn’t require certainty; it requires the courage to say yes even while afraid or unsure. Pastor Jenny connects Mary’s story to our own seasons of uncertainty, including the pandemic years, reminding us that hope often emerges in quiet, unexpected ways when we stay open to God’s presence. Ultimately, Mary’s prayer—“Let it be with me just as you have said”—becomes our Advent prayer of trust, courage, and readiness to receive the God who still comes to us as Emmanuel, bringing hope that changes everything.

Reflection question:
Where might God be inviting you to say a courageous yes this Advent—trusting that hope can be born in an unexpected place in your own life?

Holding Hope

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

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

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:48:59 -0500

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

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

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

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

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

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

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

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

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

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

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

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

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

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

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

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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"

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 06:55:21 -0400

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

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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?

Inspiration

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Isaiah 40:31, which promises that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength and rise up with wings like eagles. Drawing from a box of old inspirational quotes, Pastor Jenny reminds us that God’s promises work like those simple words of encouragement—lifting us when we are weary and giving us strength just when we need it most.

Sermon - A World to Love, Regardless

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:36:46 -0400

Drawing on Romans 5:1–5, Pastor Jenny proclaims that God’s grace has been “poured into our hearts” by the Holy Spirit, giving us peace and a resilient hope that grows through endurance and character—even amid suffering. On World Communion Sunday she calls us to love the world regardless—across divisions and boundaries—by practicing generous, reconciling community that feeds us at Christ’s table and then sends us out to become hope in action.

Reflection question:
Where is God inviting you to love “regardless” this week—and what specific, generous step will you take to embody that love?

Confused

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Isaiah 41:13, where God says, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Just as confused birds hesitate to migrate when the seasons seem uncertain, we too face moments of confusion—but God’s steady love and guiding presence remain constant, offering calm and direction amid life’s shifting circumstances.

Sermon - Light Bearers, Hope Builders

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:46:00 -0400

Pastor Jenny urges the church—“children of light”—to push back against a culture of negativity by practicing encouragement, which literally “gives courage,” and by wearing the armor of faith, love, and hope (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11). Drawing on a Kindness 101 story of mutual encouragement, she calls us to be light-bearers and hope-builders through intentional words and small, consistent acts that lift others up every day.

Reflection question:
Who needs a specific word of encouragement from you this week, and what concrete, hope-filled sentence could you offer them today?

The UFO Effect

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on James 1:18, which reminds us that God has given us new birth through the word of truth. In a world filled with “UFOs”—untruths, false narratives, and overreactions—we are called to stay grounded in God’s word, discerning what is real, and responding with wisdom, faith, and clarity.

Sermon - He Could Be Anyone

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:04:40 -0400

Pastor Brad revisits Jesus’ well-known parable by looking closely at each character—the thieves, the priest, the Levite, the Samaritan, the innkeeper, and the victim—to show how compassion and kindness cut across boundaries of status, enmity, or identity. He reminds us that every person carries within them a God-given “core of goodness,” and that we are called to live it out by being neighbors in action, even when it stretches us beyond comfort.

Reflection question:
Who in your life might be “across the road” from you right now—and what would it mean to cross over with compassion, as the Samaritan did?

Moment of Kindness

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Galatians 6:9, which encourages us not to grow weary in doing what is right, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. Just as pilots must fully commit at “V1 speed” during takeoff, we too are called to act decisively with kindness and love—trusting that God will carry us through the moment and beyond.

Sermon - Relentless Pursuit: The God Who Won't Give Up

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Summary:
Through the parable of the lost sheep, Pastor Jenny reminds us that God’s very nature is to seek, find, and rejoice over each one of us—even when we’ve “nibbled our way” into lostness. God’s relentless pursuit is marked by compassion, empathy, and joy, calling us to reflect that same love toward those who are forgotten, hurting, or cast aside.

Reflection question:
Who in your life right now might feel “lost” or unseen—and how could you, with empathy and kindness, embody God’s relentless pursuit for them?

Imagine

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ephesians 3:20, which proclaims that God’s power at work within us can accomplish far more than we can ask or imagine. Like watching clouds transform into shapes before our eyes, we are invited to embrace the gift of imagination as a way God inspires us toward faith, creativity, and hope-filled living.

The Good We Can - Episode 4: "You Do Belong"

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Episode 4: You Do Belong - Naming and Healing Ethnic Loneliness

In this episode of The Good We Can, hosts Bill Anciaux and Heather Young sit down with Prasanta Verma—author, poet, and public health professional—to explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of ethnic loneliness. Drawing on themes from her new book Beyond Ethnic Loneliness, Prasanta shares powerful stories, personal reflections, and practical wisdom on how identity, silence, and community intersect.

Together, we reflect on:

What it means to truly listen and be listened to
How internalized messages and social norms shape our sense of belonging
Why faith communities have a unique role in cultivating hospitality and healing
How storytelling can break cycles of disconnection
Why Prasanta chose to end each chapter of her book with the same poem—and how it affirms dignity

Prasanta also gives us a preview of her upcoming visit to Sun Prairie United Methodist Church for a free community event on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 2:00–4:30 PM, co-sponsored by the Sun Prairie Wellness Coalition.

🆓 The event is free, but please register in advance:
Go to sunprairieumc.org, click the About menu, then Upcoming Events.

☎️ Or register by phone: 608-837-5554
(Ask for Chris at the church office.)

🖥️ To learn more about Prasanta’s work and writing, visit prasantaverma.com
Follow her on Instagram: @prasantaverma
Subscribe to her Substack: Belonging and the Human Experience

Sermon - Partners in the Gospel

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:55:23 -0400

Summary:
In this message, Pastor Jenny introduces the Kindness 101 series by connecting a story of teamwork on the football field with Paul’s letter to Philemon, where he calls the church to welcome Onesimus not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. She reminds us that partnership in the gospel is about practicing grace together—extending welcome, hospitality, and forgiveness so that God’s love can be made visible in the world.

Reflection question:
Where in your life—school, church, family, or friendships—could you practice gospel partnership by showing grace and helping someone feel truly welcomed as part of the “team”?

Distraction

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Philippians 4:8, which encourages us to focus our thoughts on what is true, honorable, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise. Even small distractions—like a jiggling figurine—can become invitations to pause, pray, and shift our perspective, reminding us that God can use interruptions to guide us in new and meaningful directions.

Sermon - A Seat at the Table

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:36:21 -0400

Summary: In this sermon, Pastor Jenny reflects on Jesus’ parable about choosing the low seat at a banquet and inviting the poor, crippled, lame, and blind to the table. She reminds us that the kingdom of God is marked not by status or self-importance, but by humility, generosity, and a radical welcome that extends beyond our comfort zones.

Reflection question: Who might be left out of your table—at school, church, or in daily life—and how could you extend Jesus’ kind of welcome to them?

Working Connection

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:05:32 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on 1 Corinthians 12:4–6, reminding us that while there are many kinds of gifts, services, and activities, it is the same God who works through them all. On Labor Day, we are invited to give thanks both for the work that sustains our own lives and for the countless labors of others whose efforts make daily life possible.

The Center

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Mark 4:39, where Jesus calms the storm with the words, “Peace! Be still!” Just as the eye of a hurricane is calm despite chaos all around, God offers us a steady center of peace and refuge in the storms of life when we allow Him to take His rightful place at the center of our hearts.

Sermon - A Measure of Strength

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Reflecting on Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, Pastor Brad Mather reminds us that temptations aren’t just about weakness—they test our strength and reveal where we place our trust. In a world full of loud and misleading voices, we are called to find the true voice of God through Scripture, tradition, experience, and reason, and to draw on God’s strength to resist what would lead us astray.

Reflection question:
When you face pressure to follow the wrong voices, what practices or reminders help you find the strength to stay true to God’s way?

To Know the Love of God

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Ephesians 3:18–19, which prays that we may grasp the immeasurable breadth, length, height, and depth of God’s love. Though beyond our full understanding, this love roots and grounds us, filling us with God’s fullness and inviting us to live renewed in gratitude, strength, and community.

Sermon - When Jesus Shows Up In Summer

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Reflecting on Jesus’ parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value, Pastor Jenny reminds us that God’s kingdom is worth giving our all to discover and embrace. Like the seekers in the stories, we’re invited to recognize the surpassing value of God’s love and let it shape our priorities, choices, and way of living.

Reflection: What is one thing in your life right now that you treat as most valuable—and how might your priorities change if you saw God’s kingdom as the greatest treasure?

Resurrection Reminder

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on 2 Corinthians 5:17, which proclaims that in Christ we are a new creation and the old has passed away. Like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, we are transformed by the power of Christ’s resurrection into lives of freedom, purpose, and light.

Sermon - What Are You Growing This Summer?

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 16:16:36 -0400

Drawing on Jesus’ parable of the wheat and weeds, Pastor Jenny reflects on how good and evil often grow side by side in our world—and even within ourselves—making judgment complex and calling for patience, discernment, and grace. Rather than rushing to uproot what seems wrong, we’re invited to focus on planting and nurturing good fruit through lives rooted in prayer, compassion, and hope.

Reflection question:
What kind of “fruit” are you growing in your life right now—and how might you stay rooted in what is good even when you feel discouraged by the “weeds” in the world around you?

Perfectly Imperfect Word of the Week

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:47:00 -0400

In this Word of the Week, Pastor Jenny reflects on what it means to be perfect in Christ and how we grow in our faith through our imperfections.

Sermon - A Summer Prayer Guide with Jesus

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this sermon, Pastor Jenny invites us to explore the Lord’s Prayer not just as memorized words, but as a daily spiritual guide shaped by reverence, persistence, and trust in God’s generous love. Through prayer that is both simple and sacred, we’re encouraged to connect with God in all seasons—especially when our own words run dry—and to let this deep practice shape how we live and love in the world.

East to West

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 103:11–12, which proclaims that God’s steadfast love is vast and God's forgiveness removes our sins as far as the east is from the west. Just as east and west have no turning point, God's love and grace are limitless, inviting us to live free from shame and anchored in the promise of complete forgiveness.

The Good We Can - Episode 3: "Hope and Voice"

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

🎧 Episode 3: Hope and Voice – Meeting People Where They Are

In this episode, Bill and Sarah sit down with Heather Young, a member of Sun Prairie United Methodist Church who brings over a decade of experience in jail and prison ministry. Heather shares powerful stories from her weekly Bible studies and tutoring sessions inside both Racine and Dane County Jails—stories of deep listening, human connection, and the quiet unfolding of healing and hope in hard places.

Heather reflects on the difference between punitive justice and restorative justice, and how presence, empathy, and Scripture can become tools of transformation. Whether she’s singing through a cell door slot or helping someone rediscover a forgotten dream, Heather’s ministry reminds us what it means to show up with compassion where dignity is often denied.

🌐 Resources & Contact Info
Learn more about the Madison Area Jail Ministry: madisonjailministry.org

📧 Contact Heather Young
Phone: 414-350-9485
Email: heatherusty@myfamily.org

💬 Reflection Question:
Where are you being called to show up—with love, humility, and presence?

🎙️ Subscribe and listen to more episodes at sunprairieumc.org → under Worship Together.

Sermon - A Summer Check-In With Jesus

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:44:59 -0400

In this message inspired by the story of Mary and Martha, Pastor Jenny encourages us to pause amid summer’s busy rhythms and distractions to choose “the better part”—gracious attention to Jesus’ presence. Through intentional moments of quiet, reflection, and prayer, we’re invited to reset our hearts and listen for God’s voice in the everyday moments of our lives.

Hopeful Persistence

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Romans 15:13, reminding us that God fills us with joy, peace, and hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Using her decades-long journey to solve a Rubik’s Cube as a metaphor, Pastor Jenny encourages us to persist in life and faith with trust—believing that even in seasons of confusion, God is patiently aligning the pieces.

Sermon - Love That Crosses the Street

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this message centered on the parable of the Good Samaritan, Pastor Jenny reminds us that loving our neighbor means taking action—crossing boundaries of fear, difference, or comfort to offer mercy and compassion without judgment. As we spend this summer with Jesus, we’re invited to live a faith that doesn’t just stay in our heads or hearts, but moves through our hands and feet into a hurting world.

Backstage Grace

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 06:57:29 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Galatians 6:2, which calls us to bear one another’s burdens as a way of fulfilling the law of Christ. Just as actors need a backstage to rest and be real, we too need safe spaces and relationships where we can be vulnerable—and offer that same grace to others.

Sermon - Catch a Wave

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Summary:

In this sermon, Pastor Brad compares Peter stepping out of the boat to catch a wave of faith with the daring and fear that come when we face life’s storms. Just like Peter, we’re called to let go of fear, trust Jesus in the chaos, and step boldly toward the One who meets us not in safety—but in the waves.

Reflection Question:
When in your life have fear and faith collided—and what would it look like to step out of the boat and trust Jesus in that moment?

Meantime

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:37:00 -0400

In this Word of the Week devotional Pastor Jenny takes a look at scripture from Matthew 9:36-38. We ponder together what it feels like to be in between things and who God calls us to be in the "mean time".

No So Easy- Word of the Week

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 06:36:00 -0400

As we celebrate John Wesley's birthday, Pastor Jenny takes a moment to reflect on his three simple rules and how they are not so easy to follow all the time.

Sermon - A Summer of Healing and Hope

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this sermon, Pastor Jenny reflects on three intertwined stories from Matthew 9 where Jesus calls the outcast Matthew, heals a bleeding woman, and raises a young girl—each moment revealing Christ’s power to bring healing and hope through simple presence and compassionate attention. As we enter summer, we’re invited not just to rest and play, but to walk closely with Jesus—looking for him in the overlooked places of our lives, receiving his grace, and sharing his hope with others.

G.P.A.

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:52:19 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on 1 Corinthians 3:9, reminding us that we are coworkers in God’s service—God’s field, God’s building. As graduation season celebrates individual GPAs, we’re invited to redefine GPA as God plus People equals Accomplishment, recognizing that true impact comes through partnership with God and one another.

Sermon - Everywhere You Go, Jesus Goes Too

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

On Trinity Sunday, Pastor Jenny invites us to see the Great Commission not as a burden, but as a grace-filled invitation to share God's love in small, daily steps—trusting that Christ walks with us even when we doubt. Rooted in the image of God (Imago Dei), we are called to reflect divine diversity, equity, and inclusion as we love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in our world.

Recess

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Psalm 46, reminding us that God is our refuge and strength, present even in times of chaos and uncertainty. In the spirit of summer and sacred rest, we’re invited to rediscover “recess” as a holy practice—stepping away to play, breathe, and renew in God’s presence.

Sermon - The Journey With Jesus

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this Pentecost message, Pastor Brad tells the story of Jesus calling the first disciples and reflects on why they left everything to follow him—not for comfort, but for meaning. Like the disciples and like Thomas Merton, we’re invited into a deeper journey with Jesus, one that may not be easy but offers peace, purpose, and a life led by the Holy Spirit.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Acts 2:1–2, describing how the Holy Spirit came suddenly and powerfully on Pentecost, like a rushing wind and wildfire. We’re invited to pray “Come, Holy Spirit, come” with openness and attentiveness, trusting that the Spirit still moves among us—often in unexpected, everyday moments.

Sermon - Empowered for the Journey

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

As Jesus ascended, he left his disciples not with final farewells but with a blessing and a promise: the power of the Holy Spirit to go out as witnesses of God’s love. Pastor Jenny encourages us to carry that same blessing into our summer journeys—not as a break from faith, but as an invitation to see and share Christ’s presence in the everyday moments of life.

Proceed As The Way Opens

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Proverbs 3:5–6, reminding us to trust in the Lord rather than our own understanding, and God will guide our paths. The phrase “proceed as the way opens” invites us to move forward with prayerful attentiveness and patience, trusting that even small steps can reveal God’s direction.

Sermon - The Price of Peace

Wed, 28 May 2025 09:06:13 -0400

Reflecting on Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, Pastor Brad Mather reminds us that true peace doesn’t come cheaply—it requires deep forgiveness, self-reflection, and a willingness to break cycles of retaliation. Through stories ranging from global conflict to personal reconciliation, he invites us to embody the costly, courageous kind of peace Jesus calls us to pursue.

The Good We Can - Episode 2

Wed, 21 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Love Requires Engagement: Faith in the Political Community

Description:
In this episode, we sit down with Paul Esser, former mayor of Sun Prairie and longtime member of Sun Prairie United Methodist Church, to explore how faith and public service can work hand in hand. Paul reflects on his years in office, how his moral convictions shaped his leadership, and why vision, compassion, and humility matter in civic life. With honesty and hope, he shares how communities can be both welcoming and forward-looking, and why loving your neighbor often means showing up and staying in the room—especially when it’s hard.

Topics include:

Carrying Christian values into political leadership
Navigating disagreement with dignity and focus
The demographic future of Sun Prairie and why it matters
Church-community partnerships that meet real needs
Practical ways everyday people can get involved in public life

Referenced Social Principles 2024 themes:

Political engagement as neighbor-love
Justice for marginalized voices
Community schools and proactive outreach
Embracing demographic change with hope
Supporting public servants with grace and accountability

Reflection question:
What’s one small step you can take this week to engage your community with humility, courage, and care?

Sermon - We've Got One Job

Tue, 20 May 2025 07:52:33 -0400

In this message, Pastor Jenny reminds us that Jesus gave his disciples—and us—one clear command: to love one another as he has loved us. This kind of love is not just a feeling, but a way of living that becomes our most powerful witness to the world of who we are and whose we are.

Faithfulness

Mon, 19 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Lamentations 3:21–23, which reminds us that God's steadfast love and mercies are new every morning. Inspired by a robin’s faithful return to her nest each spring, we are invited to notice how God's quiet, constant faithfulness shows up in our lives—and to reflect that same faithfulness in our relationships and ministry.

Sermon - Sharing God's Light

Tue, 13 May 2025 13:10:40 -0400

In this message celebrating the commissioning of new Stephen Ministers, Pastor Jenny reminds us that while we don’t generate the light of Christ ourselves, we are called to reflect it—offering care, compassion, and steady presence to those walking through life’s hardest moments. Like appliances connected to their power source, we too are empowered by God’s strength to be who we were created to be: bearers of hope and love in a hurting world.

New Eyes

Mon, 12 May 2025 07:17:24 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Isaiah 43:19, where God declares, “I am about to do a new thing… do you not perceive it?” As Easter people, we are invited to develop new eyes of faith—eyes that notice God’s presence and possibilities springing forth all around us.

Sermon - Breakfast on the Shore

Tue, 06 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this tender post-resurrection story, Jesus meets his weary disciples with a simple breakfast on the shore, offering nourishment, forgiveness, and renewed purpose—especially to Peter, whose threefold denial is gently undone by love. Pastor Jenny reminds us that even when we retreat to what’s familiar, Christ meets us there with grace, asking only, “Do you love me?” and calling us to care for others without condition.

Easter Living

Mon, 05 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This Word-of-the-Week Devotion from Pastor Jenny Arneson reflects on Matthew 18:20, reminding us that when two or three are gathered in Christ’s name, God is present among us. Through the shared effort, generosity, and community spirit of the church’s annual garage sale, we witness what Easter living looks like—bringing new life, purpose, and hope into the world around us.

Sermon: The Last Laugh

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 11:46:40 -0400

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.

Rise Up!

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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.

Sermon: Paradise Restored

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:11:07 -0400

“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.

Easter Monday

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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.

Sermon - Garden Stones

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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.

Holy Week Hope

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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 01

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:40:03 -0400

🎧 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
❤️ Follow, review, and share to keep the good going!

Garden of Gethsemane

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:37:31 -0400

🎧 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?

Garden Promises

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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.

Sermon - The Garden of the Promised Land

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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.

Seeds of Hope

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

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.