University Presbyterian Church Austin

In the presence of the God who created all things with joy, who moves through all things with grace, who shares in all things with abundance, we don’t really make an offering of our money. We just release it. The Reverend Matt Gaventa continues our sermon series "Rooted in Worship" preaching from 2 Corinthians 9, Sunday, October 13, 2019.

The table is at the center, but we come as guests, as strangers in between the world and the kingdom of God. God puts a meal in our hands, then we get back on the bus. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Ruth 1:1-17, continuing the sermon series "Rooted in Worship." Sunday, October 6, 2019.

When we think we don’t know how to sing, when we can’t find the words, or the tune, or the breath, or the will, Paul’s gospel word is this: the Spirit intercedes. Romans 8:26-27 The Reverend Dr. Paul Hooker and Dean Eric Wall preach on the hymn as prayer, continuing the sermon series "Rooted in Worship" Sunday, September 29, 2019.

There is powerful witness when preachers get stumped. Then, the Spirit conveys to us the unimaginable vastness of God’s power, grace,and love for the the world. The Reverend Matt Gaventa on preaching, from 1 Corinthinans 15, in our sermon series "Rooted in Worship." Sunday, September 22, 2019.

We have been carrying the Bible with us in some form for as long as we have been worshiping this God.We love this book so much that sometimes it gets in the way. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Psalm 119:33-40, Sunday, September 19, 2019. "Rooted in Worship" Sermon Series

Peace can speak to the wind and waves, can silence the noise in our hearts and mind. Once you let go of anxiety, worry, and chaos, peace has got to show up. Guest preacher the Reverend Shanea Leonard continues our "Rooted in Worship" series on Passing the Peace, Sunday, September 8, 2019.

Martha, grieving, acknowledges where where her hope is placed. Recognizing our dependence on God reminds us we are to carry hope into a world bathed in grief. The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches on the Prayer of Confession. Text is John 11:17-27, Sunday, September 1, 2019.

We set aside one day in the week to proclaim this Gospel: that we are not the bricks we make. We are children of God. No matter what. The Reverend Matt Gaventa begins our sermon series "Rooted in Worship" with the Call to Worship. Text is Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Sunday, August 25, 2019.

A great cloud of witnesses reminds us that we too can endure the the extraordinary brokenness of our age. That would be the whole sermon. But then I looked up. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Sunday, August 18, 2019.

They say patience is a virtue. But maybe we all need a little impatience. A little righteous impatience. A little holy impatience. Especially now. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Luke 12:32-40, Sunday, August 11, 2019.

When we learn about God, especially in the person of Jesus Christ, we learn what it means to be fully human. So, we teach the prayer we were taught by our God. The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from Luke 11:1-13, Sunday, July 28, 2019.

At Christ’s feet, we decide we will not join in that tempting competition to own the truth, but will instead strive to follow the One that *is* the Truth. Austin Seminary Intern Jeannie Corbitt preaches from Luke 10:38-42, Sunday, July 21, 2019.

When we gather to worship God, the stakes are unimaginably high, yet we blithely invoke the power and presence of the one who created all things. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Amos 7:7-17, Sunday, July 14, 2019.

It takes someone to open the door in response to the Good News. If hospitality is truly an uncompromising standard, if all are welcome, then we’d better mean it. Pastor Matt Gaventa preaches from Luke 10:1-11, Sunday, July 7, 2019.

When we ordain ministers, elders, and deacons, we don't segregate the hands that bless. We pass the mantle not in the former way, but as a story for all people across all barriers that the world tries to put in God’s path. The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from Kings I and II, Sunday, June 30, 2019.

Divine power is transformative power. Because we were created in the image of God, by the Logos of God, that transformative power also resides within us. Parish Associate Karen Greif preaches from I Kings and Luke, Sunday, June 23, 2019.

At Pentecost, far-flung pilgrims get to be fully themselves, known, recognized, heard, at home, included fully in the wonderful frenetic cacophony of the Spirit. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Acts 2:1-21, Sunday, June 9, 2019.

It doesn't matter if we like the hymns we sing. What matters is what God is doing with our songs. God may very well be shaking the foundations of the earth. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Acts 16:16-34, the 7th Sunday of Easter, June 2, 2019.

We avoid peacemaking, fearing our neighbors and loved ones will disagree. But in shalom—the safety and wholeness of all in body, mind, and estate—God calls us to lean into conflict to reach the goal of peace. Reverend John Leedy preaches from John 14:23-29, Sunday, May 26, 2019.

Stories let us get out of our own way so the Holy Spirit can move through us and the world. It is through story that we know the life and witness of Jesus Christ. Austin Seminary Intern Savannah Demuynck preaches from Acts 11:1-18, Sunday, May 19, 2019.