University Presbyterian Church Austin

For many of us, work is where we’re supposed to figure out who we are. But the good news for the over-worked, over-stressed, under-slept world is that God loves us, no matter what. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Acts 9:36-43, Sunday, May 12, 2019.

Not every sheep is here. Some are lost on the mountainside, terrified, alone. Some are in the valley of the shadow of death. And we go find them and speak words of truth and hope, so they see us as a place where resurrection can happen. The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from John 21:1-19 Sunday, May 5, 2019.

Compared to the crucifixion, Easter morning is surprisingly quiet. The Easter Gospel is that in the midst of quiet, ordinary everyday things, God brings resurrection. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Luke 24:1-1 April 21, 2019, Easter Sunday.

On Palm Sunday, the world breathes death, and instead we choose Hosannas. Don’t we know better? Like the crowd of disciples on the Jerusalem road, we do. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Luke 19:28-40 on Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019.

Despite his skepticism and profound disaffection, Nineveh turns in part because Jonah puts one foot in front of the other and steps out anyway. And you don’t do that without some kernel of hope. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Jonah Chapter 3, the fourth Sunday in Lent, March 31, 2019.

Are we being commanded to turn around? We might want to take a break from running, sit with Elijah in the cave and refine our listening skills, so we can hear God speaking in the silence, and in whispers. The Reverend Dr. Cynthia Rigby preaches from 1 Kings 19, Sunday, March 24, 2019.

Ten short commandments, cut into the rock, chiseled against the stone, over and over. You can memorize them in about 20 minutes. But maybe it takes 40 days to carve them deep enough to last. The Reverend Matt Gaventa urges us to learn as he preaches from Exodus 24 Sunday, March 17, 2019.

The story of Noah is about trusting God, and the instructions God gives us. It’s about going on a journey we can’t control, trusting the equipment God provides. The Reverend Matt Gaventa begins our Lenten journey with Noah, the flood and the ark Sunday, March 10, 2019.

Why did God show us such power on the mountaintop? Maybe the transfiguration, the revelation that brought us into community, was not for us, but to build up others. Maybe rather than building dwelling places, it was an occasion for burning down the house. Guest preacher the Reverend Brian Ellison delivers a word of challenge Transfiguration Sunday, March 3, 2019.

The faces of our enemies are already with us. We are called to love them, do good for them, bless them, pray for them in creative ways. This is our work of the people. To love and pray and do good and bless. The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from Luke 6:27-38, Sunday, February 24, 2019

The Gospel of the Sermon on the Plain is that the stuff we thought was a blessing has trapped us, blinded us. Woe is us. Jesus wants us to see with new eyes. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preached from Luke 6:17-26, Sunday, February 17, 2019.

Jesus says, "Put out into deep water. I know it’s scary, trust me. Go all in, be who I made you to be. You are my chosen and beloved. From now on, you will catch people. I want you in this with me." Pastor John Leedy preaches from Luke 5:1-11, Sunday, February 10, 2019

Nobody gets to have church entirely on their own generational terms. Except for the Holy Spirit, who seems convinced that every generation has to be here for church to work. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Luke 2:22-40, Sunday, February 3, 2019.

Paul is not about to let a good crisis go to waste. Not when it gives him the chance to proclaim the Gospel. So what is our response to the crises of today? The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Sunday, January 27, 2019.

The USA Network used to have this slogan, “Characters Welcome.” But John’s Gospel tells us that, it’s not just characters welcome; it’s “Characters Necessary.” The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches on the wedding at Cana, Sunday, Janaury 20, 2019.

At your baptism, before a breath was taken, before the water was even poured, before your name was spoken, we all held our collective breath, because we were surrounded by thousands of saints, but we still felt at home. The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Baptism of the Lord Sunday, January 13, 2019

Prophetic voices guide us home to God, and Mary, a prophet who is the Godbearer, is the perfect candidate to remind us of the Good News. Light is coming into the world. How will we respond? The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from Luke 1:39-55, the fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23, 2018.

There is one Biblical figure who interprets Jesus coming into the world as a justification for the giving and receiving of gifts: John the Baptist. Jesus is coming. Time to exchange presents. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Luke 3:1-18, Advent II, December 9, 2018.

God's unfolding kingdom needs you, not just today but tomorrow and the day after that, which means: be on guard that your hearts are not weighed down. Jesus loves you dearly and needs you to stick around. So for God’s sake, don’t let the breaking news break you. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from the Gospel of Luke on the first Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018.

Revelation speaks of God who is not yet done. Jesus Christ *is* coming to make all things new. Be thankful to God for the unfolding of things that have not yet come to pass. You can be thankful and restless at the same time. The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Revelation 1:4b-8 on Reign of Christ Sunday, November 25, 2018.