Words that endure
Sermons and radio messages from Padre’s ministry, preserved for a new generation of listeners.
Browse the sermon archive →The Padded Pew Ministries
A living legacy.
A welcoming pew.
Christian teaching, stories, and a little good humor—continuing the ministry of Rev. Harold G. “Padre” Woodworth.
Explore a lifetime of sermons and service, and meet George and Mendy, familiar friends for the everyday journey of faith.
Rooted in faith. Shared with warmth. Carried forward with love.
Find your place
Faith for everyday life.
Discover the voices, books, and memories that keep this ministry’s story alive.
Room to reflect
Explore Christian books, religious humor, and resources for reflection and group study.
Explore the books →George & Mendy
A familiar seat in the pew, a gentle smile, and the very human side of life in a community of faith.
Meet our friends →
Rev. Harold G. Woodworth, D.Min. · 1933–2021
A lifetime of service.
A ministry that continues.
From congregational life in the Deep South during the 1960s to Army chaplaincy in Vietnam, Padre’s calling brought him into communities facing profound change.
The Padded Pew preserves his sermons, writings, and memories—and carries forward the warmth of a pastor who created George of the Padded Pew as a familiar face in his sermon illustrations.
Read Padre’s story →The sermon archive
Take a moment. Listen.
Selected sermons and radio messages from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Advent: Do You Know Him?
John 1:6–8, 19–28 · Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Advent & Christmas
Three messages from Advent and Christmas Day, 1986
Epiphany: The opening weeks
The first two weeks of Epiphany, 1986
Epiphany: The closing weeks
The final two weeks of Epiphany, 1986
Ash Wednesday & Lent
Ash Wednesday and the first week of Lent, 1986
The Lenten journey
The second through fourth weeks of Lent, 1986
Toward Holy Week
The fifth and sixth weeks of Lent, and Palm Sunday
After Easter
The first three post-Easter sermons, 1986
Padre Podcast 9
From the Padre Podcast sermon collection
Padre Podcast 10
From the Padre Podcast sermon collection
Padre Podcast 11
From the Padre Podcast sermon collection
Padre Podcast 12
From the Padre Podcast sermon collection
Padre Podcast 13
From the Padre Podcast sermon collection
Padre Podcast 14
From the Padre Podcast sermon collection
About these recordings: The sermons were transcribed from archived texts. The narration uses an AI recreation of Pastor Woodworth’s voice, created with ElevenLabs from digitized VHS church-service recordings. Choose Download MP3 to open the recording in Proton Drive, then select Download.
Remembering the journey
Stories worth preserving.
Explore Padre’s service with the 27th Engineer Battalion in Vietnam, including photographs, a slide show, and Stand in the Door!
Visit the Vietnam collection