University Presbyterian Church Austin

You cannot rely on the empire to tell you how to live. You have to decide on your own values. When put to the fire, the steel is forged. When put under pressure, the diamond emerges. And when surrounded by your closest friends and in the presence of God, under pressure and in the fire, your identity is solidified. The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from Daniel 3, Sunday, August 5, 2018

The community of Israel had given up hope of ever again being a chosen nation of God and heard only empty promises based on false possibilities. Perhaps the Lord is asking us today the same question: “Mortals, can bones of apathy find renewed energy?” Guest Fred Morgan continues the series "God's Promises Unfolding: Easter Vigil Texts, preaching on Ezekiel 37:1-14, Sunday, July 29, 2018.

The whale swallowing Jonah was an act of God caring about Jonah enough to not let him drown, forcing him into a moment where he had to ponder what he was doing with his life. He took time to reflect, and he also took time to pray. The Reverend Krystal Leedy continues our series "God's Promises Unfolding" with a sermon on the call of Jonah. Sunday, July 22, 2018

Woman Wisdom represents the persistence and insistence of God’s order, coming into a deeply disordered world. Her message is about truth, and the hope we have in God who will yet insist upon the order at the heart of creation. The Reverend Matt Gaventa continues our series "God's Promises Unfolding:Sermons from the Easter Vigil Texts." Text is Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21, 9:4b-6. Sunday, July 15, 2018

Before the Israelites reached the Red Sea, Moses practiced with his staff. He knows he can raise it up and God knows what will happen. Now, with water on one side and death on the other, God says one last time, “Raise up your staff.” The Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Exodus, continuing our summer sermon series "God's Promises Unfolding." Sunday, July 8, 2018

The story of Abraham and Isaac is the very bedrock of our ethical imagination, the worst story we can imagine. The very least we can do is not offer up our children as sacrifice. Yet, we live in a world where children are sacrificed all the time. The Reverend Matt Gaventa continues our summer sermon series, "God's Promises Unfolding: Sermons on the Easter Vigil Texts." Scripture: Genesis 22:1-8 Sunday, July 1, 2018.

We must get into the boat with all of creation, and see the Creator within them. The rains are going to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous, and people of God, we have shelter. We have a sanctuary from the storms of life. The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 9:8-13 in our summer sermon series "God's Promises Unfolding". Sunday, June 24, 2018

Creation is a story about love. It’s a story about the delight God takes in a creation God calls good. It’s a story about God loving us so much that God made everything. Matt Gaventa begins our summer series "God's Promises Unfolding" preaching from Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Sunday, June 17, 2018.

We fear our demons not because they are beyond our understanding, but because they control us. But the Good News is that, as strong as these demons are, Jesus is stronger still. Reverend Matt Gaventa preaches from Mark 3:20-35, Sunday, June 10, 2018.

God promises that the words of Samuel, who barely knows how to speak, will be God's truth no matter how poorly expressed. And that promise, as we work to speak the truth and do God's work together, is ours to claim as well. Pastor Matt Gaventa preaches from 1 Samuel 3:1-20, Sunday, June 3, 2018, at the ordination of UPC deacons and ruling elders.

The Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from Isaiah 6:1-8 on Trinity Sunday. What is the prophetic nature of the Trinity calling us to do?

The Gospel is, everybody matters here in God’s house. And for all of you who raise your hands to help the house, we see you. We thank you. You are in the book. Pastor Matt preaches from the first chapter of Acts, Sunday, May 13, 2018.

We are Christ’s friends. He died for his friends, not because of who we are, but because of who God is. The Church says if you are Christ’s friend, then you are also mine. May 6, 2019 the Reverend Krystal Leedy preaches from John on Graduate Recognition Sunday.

Peter thought, “I’ve got a better plan than Jesus. I'll get out of the boat.” What did Jesus do? Put him back in. Trust Jesus to get you through the storms. The Reverend Dr. Alan Krummenacher preaches from Matthew 14 Sunday, April 22, 2018.

Our righteous anger is especially tenacious. Which is why I need Opening Day. It holds anger and hope in tension. And I believe maybe this time will be different. Pastor Matt Gaventa preaches from Acts 3:12-19 Sunday, April 15, 2018

Jesus, himself scarred, meets people who need healing, and believes them when they say they are in pain. He asks us, just as he asks Thomas, to believe as well. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Intern Caroline Barnett preaches from John 20:19-31, Sunday, April 8, 2018.

Easter declares all the life that should be. The whole world is God’s garden; God sees life even in dead places, and holds us all to a resurrection standard. Matt Gaventa preaches from the Gospel of John Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018.

The moment right before the tables turn, before Jesus tells us to love one another, before we hang him on the cross to die, is, in every way, the easy part. Pastor Matt preaches from Mark 11:1-11, Palm Sunday, March 25, 2018.

“When I am lifted up,” Jesus says. “I will draw all people to myself.” Being welcoming, means opening yourself to change. And that’s never easy. Pastor Matt Gaventa preaches from John 12:20:33, Sunday, March 18, 2018, the fifth Sunday in Lent.

The church is supposed to be life giving. And then we break it. People come to church looking for Jesus; they find us wielding the cross against the powerless. Matt Gaventa preaches from John 3:14-21 Sunday, March 11, 2018.