Sermons

Graduation Sunday
Senior Reflections ~ 5.5.24
(Reena Singhal, Sam Marrese-Wheeler, Kevin Lee, Andrea Wegrzynowicz)
Audio Version

Sharing The Good News ~ 4.28.24
Acts 8:26-40 (Laura Hyde)
Audio Version

Volunteer Appreciation Sunday
Co-Laborers in Christ ~ 4.21.24
Romans 16:1-16 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

Creation Care ~ 4.14.24
Genesis 1:26-31 (Emily Johnson)
Audio Version

“Here’s My Heart” ~ 4.7.24
John 21:1-19 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“And I Hope” ~ 3.31.24
Luke 24:1-12 (Will Clancy)
Audio Version

“Teach me” ~ 3.17.24
Matthew 18:15-22 (Kyle Digman)
Audio Version

“I’m fixed upon it” ~ 3.10.24
Matthew 16:21-26 (Reena Singhal)
Audio Version

“Praise the mount” ~ 3.3.24
Matthew 16:13-20 (Kelden Cook)
Audio Version

“Rescue me from danger” ~ 2.25.24
Matthew 14:22-33 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Jesus sought me” ~ 2.18.24
Luke 5:1-11 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

The Mountaintop ~ 2.11.23
Mark 9:2-9 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

Dear Travelers of Faith ~ 2.4.23
Luke 10:38-42 (Kevin Lee)
Audio Version

BWAP Nicaragua Reflections ~ 1.28.24
Rev. Mark Elsdon (0:01)
Jack Wilharm (6:47)
Mei Hippe (11:39)
Nathan Tan (15:58)
Aurora Kuelbs (20:50)
Allyson Mills (24:21)
Audio Version

Jonah ~ 1.21.24
Jonah 3:1-5; 3:10-4:11 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

Uninvited Joy ~ 12.17.23
Luke 1:41-45 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

Peace Amid Chaos ~ 12.10.23
Psalm 85:8, 10-11 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

Waiting Faithfully ~ 12.3.23
Isaiah 40:31-32 (Will Clancy)
Audio Version

Gratitude ~ 11.26.23
Psalm 100 (Rev. Erica Liu)

Family Ties ~ 11.19.23
Mark 6:1-6 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“What happens when our world falls apart? What does it look like to search for God in the gray area of our lives? How do we press onward when our tightly-knit plans unravel into loose threads? Sometimes we need to be unraveled—from shame, fear, patterns, or identities that cause harm. To unravel is to acknowledge and grieve what has fallen apart to allow God’s newness to unfurl.“

— A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

Unraveling Shame ~ 11.12.23
John 4:1-29 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

When Humans Unravel God’s Plans for Justice ~ 11.5.23
Exodus 5:1-2, 7:14-23 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

Unraveling Otherness ~ 10.29.23
Acts 9:1-20 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

An Unseen Unraveling ~ 10.22.23
Luke 19:1-10 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

Unraveled by Uncertainty ~ 10.15.23
Matthew 14:22-33 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Verison

Unraveled by Hope ~ 10.8.23
Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

To Hunger and Thirst for Justice and Righteousness ~ 10.1.23
Amos 5:18-24; Matthew 5:6 (Rev. Dr. William Yoo)
Audio Version

“Some of the best conversations start with good questions—questions we’ve been meaning to ask, questions that keep us curious, and questions that lead us deeper into courage and connection.

May this series help us to behold each other as images of the divine. May it help us strengthen our capacity for empathy and compassion. May it remind us of the power of unassuming questions. May it show us that courage is rooted in the heart. Through vulnerability and authenticity, may our courageous conversations lead us to glimpse hope, joy, and beauty—and to become the community God created us to be.”

— A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

“Is there room for one more?” ~ 9.24.23
Acts 10:1-16 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Where does it hurt?” ~ 9.17.23
Mark 5:24b-34 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“What do you need?” ~ 9.10.23
Job 2:11-13 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Where are you from?” ~ 9.3.23
John 1:35-51 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

Transforming the Body ~ 8.27.23
Romans 12:1-8 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

Olivia Avery

Ben Tan

Elizabeth Tan

Jacob Larget

Evan Digman

Lydia Larsen

Maddy Peppard

Tap In ~ 4.23.23
Romans 6:1-11 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

Wounded Healer ~ 4.16.23
John 20:19-31 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“Like the characters in our Lenten scriptures, we are also seeking many things: clarity, connection, wonder, justice, balance. We are seeking our calling, the sacred, and how to live as a disciple. Throughout this season, we hope you will continually ask yourself: what am I seeking? What is God seeking?

This Lent, we invite you to engage in the spiritual practice of seeking. We encourage you to stay curious, open, and nimble. We hope you will soften your assumptions and expand your perspectives. We pray that these questions will create a safe space to explore—to be drawn more deeply into the fullness of life, into the heart of God.”

— A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

EASTER
“Who are you looking for?” ~ 4.9.23
John 20:1-18 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“What do you see?” ~ 4.2.23
Matthew 21:1-11 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Can these bones live?” ~ 3.26.23
Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“Who sinned?” ~ 3.19.23
John 9:1-41 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“Will you give me a drink?” ~ 3.12.23
Genesis 17:1-7; John 4:5-42 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“How do we begin again?” ~ 3.5.23
John 3:1-17 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Who will you listen to?” ~ 2.26.23
Matthew 4:1-11 (Rev. Manato Jansen)

Spiritual growth rarely happens by accident. Instead, it takes dedication, focus, and repetition; or, what some might call discipline. Historically, Christians have spoken of various spiritual “disciplines” which help us grow in our faith. The beginning of a new semester — when you are establishing a new schedule and set of rhythms — can be a great time to engage (or re-engage) with these disciplines. In this series, we talk about four disciplines that are particularly significant for college students.

“Story” ~ 2.19.23
Hebrews 11:32-38 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Simplicity” ~ 2.12.23
Luke 12:13-34 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Prayer” ~ 2.5.23
Matthew 6:5-15 (Andrea Killian Wegrzynowicz)
Audio Version

“Solitude” ~ 1.22.23
Matthew 4:1-11 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“Lessons & Carols” ~ 12.18.22

“With Us” ~ 12.11.22
Isaiah 35:1-10 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“Faith > Knowledge” ~ 12.4.22
Luke 1:26-38 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Plowshare Prayer” ~ 11.27.22
Isaiah 2:1-5 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“Help students develop a deeper and more mature faith.” It’s our first impact objective at Pres House, and it’s one we take seriously. So we want to make sure it’s clear what we mean when we say it! We can’t cover everything, but in this series, we’ll talk about a few things we believe can help you develop a deeper and more mature faith.  

“Queer Love, pt. 2” ~ 11.20.22
John 13:1-9, 12-17 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Queer Love” ~ 11.13.22 (due to technical difficulties, there is no video for this sermon)
Matthew 16:24-26; 11:28-30 (Manato Jansen)
Audio Version

“Go Away” ~ 11.6.22
Luke 18:18-30 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“The Playground Principle: Learning to Read Scripture Well” ~ 10.30.22
Psalm 19:7-11 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Doubt and Uncertainty” ~ 10.23.22
Mark 9:14-29 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

Paul says in Galatians 3 that we are all one in Christ. But that doesn’t mean we are all the same. There are real differences that divide us; differences like race, gender, class, sexuality, ability, and more. So how do we build a thriving community where everyone is truly free to bring ALL of who they are?

“We Are Not the Same … But We Want to Be” ~ 10.16.22
Genesis 11:1-9 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“We Are Not the Same … So What Do We Do?” ~ 10.9.22
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“We Are Not the Same … But We Are One” ~ 10.2.22
1 Corinthians 11:17-26 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

Everyone in college is looking for a place to call home. But how do you find home when you’re in a new place? In “Building a Home,” we offer four ideas about what it takes to build a home: strangers becoming family, eating together, finding rest, and new traditions.

“New Traditions” ~ 9.25.22
Acts 2:37-47 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Finding Rest” ~ 9.18.22
Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“Eating Together” ~ 9.11.22
Luke 5:27-32 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Where Strangers Become Family” ~ 9.4.22
Mark 3:20-35 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Just Go Wash” ~ 8.28.22
2 Kings 5:1-15 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Lessons From the Journey”
Audio Version
Shaniya Auxier

“Letting Go, Finding Freedom”
Audio Version
Matthew 6:25-34 (M. C.)

“Atomic Grace” ~ 5.1.22
Audio Verison
John 21:1-19 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Resurrection Imagination” ~ 4.24.22
Audio Version
Revelation 6:12-17 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

Each Sunday during Lent, we reflect on a verse from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, a passage of Scripture that reminds us of this important truth: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

“A Season of Hope” ~ 4.17.22
Audio Version
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Mark 16:1-8 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“To Speak or Not to Speak” ~ 4.10.22
Audio Version
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Spiritual Housekeeping” ~ 4.3.22
Audio Version
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Throwing and Gathering” ~ 3.27.22
Audio Version
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Weeping and Dancing” ~ 3.20.22
Audio Version
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Breaking and Building” ~ 3.13.22
Audio Version
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Life and Death” ~ 3.6.22
Audio Version
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Rev. Erica Liu)

College is a time for asking big questions, and one of the biggest is also one of the hardest to answer: How do we know what God wants for our lives?
“Hearing God’s Call” is a four-week series about … well, hearing God’s call. We talk about what calling is, why it matters, and how we can become better at hearing and responding to God.

“What Are You Looking For?” ~ 2.27.22
Audio Version
John 1:35-43 (Rev. Mark Elsdon)

“Reversals” ~ 2.20.22
Audio Version
Acts 9:1-19 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Take the Next Step” ~ 2.13.22
Audio Version
Acts 8:26-40 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“The Call Is Coming From Inside Your Life” ~ 2.6.22
Audio Version
Exodus 3:1-12 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

Click on individual links for written reflections
Watch | Listen

Nii Addo Abrahams ~ Afghanistan to Ft. McCoy
Emma Elsdon ~ The Setting
Olivia Avery ~ The Mess
Andrea Wegrzynowicz ~ Come, Lord Jesus (Scriptural Collage)
Lauren Pettis ~ Presence
Madelyn Peppard ~ Untitled Poem
Evan Digman ~ Moments of Grace
Erica Liu ~ Communion: Hope at the Table

Jewish Social Services is a resettlement agency located in Madison. With the support of volunteers through Open Doors For Refugees, they are resettling families and individuals in and around Madison. Visit opendoorsforrefugees.org to learn how you and/or your congregation can volunteer.

“We Are All Saints” ~ 1.23.22
Audio Version
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (Rev. Mark Elsdon)

During Advent, we make our way toward Bethlehem through the stories of four characters: Joseph, Elizabeth, the wise men, and the shepherds.

“An Announcement to Remember” ~ 12.19.21
Audio Version
Luke 2:1-20 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Signs of Christmas” ~ 12.12.21
Audio Version
Matthew 2:1-23 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Blessed” ~ 12.5.21
Audio Version
Luke 1:39-45 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Messy Family Trees” ~ 11.28.21
Audio Version
Matthew 1:1-25 (Rev. Erica Liu)

What does a flourishing Christian community look like? We turn to Paul’s letters as conversation partners for three weeks of discernment about our life together.

“Can We All Be One?” ~ 11.21.21
Audio Version
Galatians 3:23-29 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Ecosystem of God’s Kingdom” ~ 11.14.21
Audio Version
1 Corinthians 12:12-21, 27-31 (Andrea Killian Wegrzynowicz)

“Life Together” ~ 11.7.21
Audio Version
Philippians 2:1-11 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

Christians are known for a lot of things. Not all of them are good. So what *should* we be known for? In this series, we explore some of the marks of the Christian life.

“Our Hope” ~ 10.31.21
Audio Version
Romans 8:22-27, 38-39 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Our Testimony” ~ 10.24.21
Audio Version
John 8:12-14, 17-18 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Our Wine and Cheese (Or, Our Love for Our Enemies)” ~ 10.17.21
Audio Version
Matthew 5:38-48 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Our Rest” ~ 10.10.21
Audio Version
Exodus 20:8-11; Luke 13:10-17 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Our Community” ~ 10.3.21
Audio Version
Acts 10:9-24, 34-36, 44-48 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it?”
In “Riddles from Jesus,” we dive into some of Jesus’ most well-known and enigmatic parables, searching for wisdom and leaving space for uncertainty and questions.

“There Is No Secret” ~ 9.26.21
Audio Version
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard ~ Matthew 20:1-16 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Unexpected Seeds” ~ 9.19.21
Audio Version
The Parable of the Mustard Seed ~ Matthew 13:31-32 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Who Is My Neighbor?” ~ 9.12.21
Audio Version
The Parable of the Good Samaritan ~ Luke 10:25-37 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Reckless Farming” ~ 9.5.21
Audio Version
The Parable of the Sower ~ Luke 8:4-15 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Choose Life” ~ 8.29.21
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 & Matthew 5:21-37 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Loving Creation, Finding Community”
Audio Version
Spencer Johnson

“A Season for Everything”
Audio Version
Emily Johnson

“Learning Who I Want to Be”
Audio Version
Silas Setterstrom

“Faith in the Face of Death” ~ 4.25.21
John 11:1-44 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

“Wholly, Holy Presence” ~ 4.18.21
Luke 24:13-48 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version

“Remember Hagar” ~ 4.11.21
Genesis 16:1-16 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version

Christianity is more than just a tool of white supremacy. In this series, we explore what it means to decolonize our faith and encounter Jesus in a new, liberating way. Each sermon will also come with a recommendation for deeper learning.

“Saved” ~ 4.4.21
Matthew 28:1-10 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version
Book Recommendation ~ Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence by Diana Butler Bass

“Whitewashing Jesus” ~ 3.28.21
Matthew 21:1-11 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version
Reading Recommendations ~ “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr.; The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

“What About Buddha, Gandhi, and that Wiccan Priest?” ~ 3.21.21
Luke 10:25-37 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version
Book Recommendation ~ Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor

“I’d Be a Christian … If It Weren’t For the Christians” ~ 3.14.21
Mark 10:17-27 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version
Book Recommendation ~ Healing Spiritual Wounds: Reconnecting with a Loving God After Experiencing a Hurtful Church by Carol Howard Merritt

“Damn Me to Hell” ~ 3.7.21
John 7:53 – 8:11 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version
Podcast Recommendation ~ The Confessional Podcast with Nadia Bolz-Weber
* “Did Gandhi Go to Hell?” (Landfill Harmonic video) ~ Fall 2019

“The ‘Infallible’ Word of God” ~ 2.28.21
John 1:1, 14 (Nii Addo Abrahams)
Audio Version
Book Recommendation ~ The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It by Pete Enns

“Decolonizing Christianity, Encountering Jesus” ~ 2.21.21
Luke 4:16-21 (Rev. Erica Liu)
Audio Version
Book Recommendation ~ Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God by Kaitlin Curtice

This four-week series in Acts is focused on different characters from the early church. These reflections are an invitation to consider the roles we might play today in building God’s kingdom. 

“Priscilla & Aquila: Guides” ~ 2.14.21
Audio Version
Acts 18:24-28 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Lydia: Experimenter & Caregiver” ~ 2.7.21
Audio Version
Acts 16:11-15, 40 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Stephen: Disruptor & Storyteller” ~ 1.31.21
Audio Version
Acts 6:8-7:2a, 7:51-60 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Called to Build” ~ 1.24.21
Audio Version
Acts 1:1-11 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“If We Are the Body” ~ 1.17.21
Audio Version
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Repentance and Lavish Love” ~ 1.10.21 (Baptism of the Lord)
Audio Version
Mark 1:4-11 (Rev. Erica Liu)
A response to the Capitol riot

Advent is about waiting, and 2020 has certainly been a year about waiting (and not waiting). In this series, we explore some of the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus and how those times of waiting might shed light on our own.

“The Wait is Over” ~ 12.20.20
Audio Version
John 1:1-14 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Joy in the Waiting” ~ 12.13.20
Audio Version
Luke 2:22-40 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Mary: Waiting in Tension” ~ 12.6.20
Audio Version
Luke 1:39-56 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Zechariah: Tired of Waiting” ~ 11.29.20
Audio Version
Luke 1:5-25, 57-66 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Get Up and Eat” ~ 11.22.20
Audio Version
1 Kings 19:1-9 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Holy Friction” ~ 11.15.20
Audio Version
Ephesians 2:11-22 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Genuine Love” ~ 11.8.20
Audio Version
Romans 12:9-21 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Blessed Are You” ~ All Saints’ Day (11.1.20)
Audio Version
Matthew 5:1-12 (Rev. Erica Liu)

In this series, we explore stories from the book of Exodus to better understand how to navigate our current “wilderness.“

“Law and Story” ~ 10.25.20
Audio Version
Exodus 23:1-9 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Together in the Wild” ~ 10.18.20
Audio Version
Exodus 18:13-27 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Resisting With Persistence” ~ 10.11.20
Audio Version
Exodus 14:21-31 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“Send Someone Else” ~ 10.4.20
Audio Version
Exodus 4:10-17 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“The Moment” ~ 9.27.20
Audio Version
Exodus 2:23-25 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

In this series, we reflect upon prayers from the Bible to help us in these times.

“When There Are No Words” ~ 9.20.20
Audio version
Romans 8:26-27, 38-39 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Rooted and Grounded in Love” ~ 9.13.20
Audio version
Ephesians 3:14-21 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“The Lord’s Prayer: Five Movements” ~ 9.6.20
Audio version
Matthew 6:7-15 (Rev. Erica Liu)

“Praying in Green Pastures & Dark Valleys” ~ 8.30.20
Audio version
Psalm 23 (Nii Addo Abrahams)

“I believe, help my unbelief!” ~ 8.23.20
Audio version
Mark 9:14-29 (Rev. Erica Liu)