Hyde Park United Methodist: Recent Episodes
Hyde Park United Methodist
Sermons and talks from Hyde Park United Methodist. Making God's Love Real. Find out more at hydeparkumc.org
The draw near theme encompasses 1) an affirmation that God has drawn near to us by taking on flesh and experiencing what it is to be human, 2) a plea for God to draw closer to us and to the spaces in the world that are broken, and 3) a charge for us to draw near to God by leaning into wonder, justice, truth, and one another.
Reflection Questions:
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What does it mean for you to call Jesus Lord and King?
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How will you savor each present moment in the coming days?
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How will you prepare yourself spiritually for the coming Advent season?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
As we wrap up Christ the King Sunday—and the Christian year—Magrey and Matt reflect on where we've been, what’s grounding us right now, and where our faith might carry us next. They share a simple three-part gratitude practice perfect for your Thanksgiving table, and explore what it really means to say “Jesus is Lord” in a world shaped by Christian nationalism and diverse faith traditions.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This iconic text from Paul on giving reminds us that our truest and most faithful generosity does not happen through rote obligation, but through a spirit of joy and gratitude.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you been misunderstood, the way the Corinthians misunderstood Paul?
2. How can you shift your thinking to see every person in the church as equally important?
3. How might you see your estimate of giving as planting a seed for impact in 2026 and beyond?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey and Mat dive into Paul’s letters to the Corinthians—letters written to a city full of wealth, ambition, and ego. They unpack how Paul uses the language of farmers to teach a lesson about generosity, faith, and interdependence. Together they explore what it means to plant seeds of faith in a world obsessed with control—and how true growth depends on forces far beyond ourselves.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Our simple acts of generosity are part of a continuum of God’s reciprocal work of grace. God blesses us, then blesses others through us, and then we are blessed in return, which enables us to give thanks to God. It is a true full circle of grace.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho explore the heart behind generosity—what drives us to give, and how to keep it from becoming self-serving. They unpack the danger of “propositional faith,” the belief that generosity guarantees reward, and contrast it with the deeper call to give simply because Jesus did. Along the way, they share stories of teachers, mentors, and church members whose quiet selflessness still ripples outward today.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
On this All Saints Sunday, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans reminds us that saints aren’t stained-glass figures of perfection—they’re ordinary people made radiant by grace. Through stories of faith, compassion, and love that bridge heaven and earth, we’re invited to see ourselves and others as bearers of God’s image. What would change if you truly believed that the divine spark lives in you—and in everyone you meet?
Reflection Questions
1. Do you agree with the definition of a saint… as one who lives NOT with stained-glass perfection, but ordinary lives made radiant by GRACE?
2. Before today’s sermon, what was your concept of a saint?
3. Who are some of the saints that have encouraged you on the journey of faith? Take a moment and thank God for their presence in your life.
4. What is one thing you could do today to encourage the image of God in another person? (in a friend, family member, stranger)
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans joins Mat Hotho for a heartfelt Beyond the Sermon conversation on the meaning of All Saints Sunday—a day to honor those who shaped our faith and reflect on how God’s grace shines through ordinary people. Sally shares the story of her niece’s courage and faith, and how recognizing the image of God in every person can change the way we live, love, and remember.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This Sunday, guest preacher Rev. Dr. Juana Jordan from FAMU Impact Wesley challenges us to “Mind the Gap” — the space between what we believe and how we live it out. From Isaiah’s call to justice, to Boaz’s compassion, to Jesus’ parable of the Sheep and Goats, we’re reminded that real faith doesn’t step over need — it steps into it. Discover how God calls us to stand in the breach, live with margin, and become repairers of the world’s broken places.
Reflection Questions:
- Where in your life or community do you see a “gap” between what you believe and how you behave—and what would it look like to mind that gap?
- What might it mean for you, like Boaz, to turn your margin into ministry? To use your resources or influence to restore someone’s dignity?
- How does your faith express itself in concrete action? Where might you need to move from intention to impact this week?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In the final week of Christ at the Center, Pastor Magrey deVega revisits a wild Sunday when Hyde Park was protested by Westboro Baptist Church—for being “too open-minded.” But instead of responding with hate, the church chose love, gentleness, and respect—the way 1 Peter calls us to. Discover how real faith holds conviction without closing hearts, and how open-mindedness—rooted in Jesus—can become one of the most powerful witnesses we have today.
Reflection Questions:
1. What positions in the Social Principles are instructive and persuasive for you?
2. How will you work toward bridging polarizing differences with others?
3. How will you work toward peace and justice in the world?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if faith and politics can coexist without partisanship? When the Pharisees asked Jesus about religion and empire, He responded, "Render unto Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and to God the things that belong to God." His answer offers key principles on how followers of Jesus can engage in politics while staying true to their faith.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho explore what it means to keep Christ at the center of our political lives. Using Jesus’ famous words—“Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”—they unpack how faith can guide us through today’s culture of division, misinformation, and echo chambers. From the craftiness of the Pharisees to the traps of modern media, they draw a line between ancient wisdom and our digital age, reminding us that discernment, balance, and love remain timeless spiritual practices.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if the balance between extremes leads to growth? The via media, or “way through the center,” is a key part of Wesleyan belief, guiding us to take the best of both extremes and create a dynamic, living center.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways are you concerned about polarization today?
2. What value do you find in the via media, the way of the center?
3. How might you practice listening and empathy with those who disagree with you?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho unpack how faith can guide us through a world of deep division. Drawing from Paul’s words to the Corinthians, they explore what it means to seek unity in a polarized time—not by watering down convictions, but by finding the best in one another’s perspectives. From the Methodist idea of the “via media,” or middle way, to the wisdom of Wesley’s three simple rules, they reflect on how love, empathy, and curiosity can help us stay centered when everything else feels split apart.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Rev. Bernie Leving and Mat Hotho wrap up our series on the church’s vision statement by exploring what it means to live out our God-given gifts. From music and art to cooking, quilting, and even writing notes of encouragement, Bernie shares how ordinary talents become extraordinary when they’re used in service to others. Along the way, he reflects on his own top spiritual gifts—healing, teaching, and faith—and how they’ve shaped his journey from a teenager saying “yes” to God to a lifetime of caring for people. Together, Bernie and Mat consider how we discover our gifts, what holds us back from using them, and the joy that comes when we lean into the unique callings God has placed on each of our lives.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if our gifts are meant to make a difference? Each of us is given a unique set of skills and abilities by God to impact the world around us. Each of us is gifted with a unique set of skills and abilities that God wants us to use to make a difference.
Reflection Questions:
1. What specific God-given skills, abilities, gifts and talents entrusted to you to use in your life?
2. What "what ifs" or fears might be stopping you from stepping into greater faithfulness with your gifts?
3. What action might you take this week to put your "talents" to work for the Lord and His Kingdom?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey and Mat dig into Romans 8 — one of Paul’s most famous and vivid passages. Paul describes creation “groaning like childbirth,” a picture that captures both the pain of the present and the hope of what’s to come. Together, they explore how this chapter acts as a hinge in Romans: shifting from heavy theology to a vision of new life, resilience, and community.
From midwives of hope to modern struggles, they reflect on what it means to live faithfully when the world never seems perfect, and how values like integrity, courage, and humility can ground us no matter the season.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
There is a hidden treasure within each of us, which is the image of God with which we have been created. Our work is to participate in God’s transformation, in which we reveal the fullness of Jesus to others.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways do you experience creation “groaning” right now?
2. How is God transforming you to be more like Jesus? How will you participate in that transformation?
3. How will you maintain courage and strength to keep pushing through the labor pains of the world?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Justin and Savanna talk about what it means to feel lost—and how God’s grace often shows up in those moments through the presence of others. Justin shares stories from the Portico community and from his own life, reminding us that sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer isn’t the “right words” but simply showing up with humility and compassion. Together, they reflect on how presence, accountability, and community help us notice when someone is struggling, and how God can even use our own scars to bring healing to others.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week we welcome Rev. Dr. Mandy McDow, senior pastor of First UMC Los Angeles, for a fresh take on the Sermon on the Mount. Known for her humor, honesty, and fearless preaching, Mandy brings us into Jesus’ challenging words: “Do not worry.”
With stories that will make you laugh and truths that will make you think, she helps us discover how faith and courage can free us from anxiety — and open us to the Kingdom of God here and now.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways are you carrying worry right now?
2. How can your faith in God provide you stability amid your worry?
3. How has this church helped you live your life as God intends?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey welcomes Rev. Dr. Mandy McDow from Los Angeles First UMC. Together they explore Jesus’ words about worry—why it’s such a universal part of being human, how it shows up in our daily lives, and what faith offers us in response. Drawing on Mandy’s unique ministry in downtown LA and her own reflections, they talk about how trust, integrity, and community become anchors when life feels uncertain. With stories that move from family life to church in a parking lot, this conversation reminds us that even in seasons of anxiety, God’s presence is steady and we are never alone.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if creation itself could remind us of God’s presence? In the midst of personal suffering, Job discovered that God’s power and presence are revealed in creation. Even in our own struggles, we can find God in the wonder of the world around us, drawing closer to Him by caring for it.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what way do creation and nature teach you about God?
2. How does creation help you remember that you are not helpless or alone?
3. What steps will you take to care for creation?
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey and Mat reflect on what it really means to care for creation. Starting with Genesis, they unpack how a single word has shaped the way people think about our relationship with the world — sometimes for worse, but also for better when understood through the lens of stewardship and compassion. From vineyards and backyard lawns to hurricanes and baptism, the conversation weaves together metaphors, word studies, and stories that reveal how creation’s beauty points us back to God.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Pastor Magrey deVega continues our Call to Care series with a message on one of the most overlooked forms of care: caring for yourself. Drawing from 3 John, he shows how true self-care is more than self-soothing—it’s building inner resilience by tending to your body, your soul, and your mind. What daily practices help you walk in truth, strengthen your spirit, and live with greater peace? We’d love to hear how you’re practicing self-care—and to walk that journey alongside you.
Reflection Questions:
1. What are your favorite practices for “self-soothing”?
2. What practices help you build up inner resilience in your body, spirit, and mind?
3. What new practice will you develop to care more holistically for yourself?
Find out more and connect with us at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Savanna Beasley dig into what it really means to practice self-care as people of faith. From routines and resilience to releasing control, they share honest reflections on the tug-of-war between structure and surrender.
Together they explore how caring for our bodies, our emotions, and even our 3 a.m. selves can help us grow closer to God. It’s a conversation about choosing rhythms that sustain us, embracing our humanity, and learning to love ourselves the way God already does.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Mat Hotho continue our series The Call to Care, reflecting on what it means to walk with people in every stage of life—especially as we age. With stories of prayer, community, and small acts of kindness, Sally shares how care isn’t just something we do, but a way of life that shapes who we are together.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if caring for the elderly is a mutual gift? Our older community members have wisdom from years of experience, while we can offer them energy, compassion, and companionship in return. Revering and caring for them benefits us all.
Questions for Reflection:
1. The biblical mandate to care for others is very clear. In what ways do you enjoy helping care for others?
2. When caring for others, especially older adults, what kind of support could benefit (or would have benefited) you in that endeavor?
3. How might God be inviting you to support our Older Adult care ministries at church?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, we’re kicking off our new series The Call to Care by talking about what it means to care for children — both the ones in our lives and the “inner child” we all carry. From the evolving roles of parenting to the deep work of understanding ourselves, we explore how the way we care changes as we grow. It’s about more than just raising kids — it’s about becoming the kind of people who can show up with love, wisdom, and compassion, no matter the season of life.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if caring for our children is a responsibility for all of us? As the new school year begins, we’re reminded that it’s not just about teaching our children for their sake, but for the sake of all of us, as a church and society.
Reflection Questions:
1. How will you support and encourage professional educators in our society?
2. In what ways are the parenting metaphors helpful or unhelpful?
3. What work will you do to tend to your inner child?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if we could be instruments of peace? St. Francis’ prayer reminds us that we are not powerless—our actions matter. It calls us to actively seek opportunities to sow peace and harmony in a world filled with discord and suffering.
Questions for reflection:
1. In what ways are you ready to say "yes" to what the Prayer of St. Francis calls you to be and to do?
2. How might you become an "instrument of peace" with those with whom you live, work,and socialize?
3. How might the Prayer of St. Francis lead you to a spiritual awakening?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Decker Tallbacka sits down with Rev. Bernie Leiving to reflect on our “Living Amen” series — and on how prayer evolves over a lifetime.
With over 65 years in ministry, Bernie shares how his understanding of prayer has deepened, from battlefield prayers to everyday gratitude. It’s a conversation about how prayer meets us where we are, changes with us, and reminds us we’re never alone.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho talk about Saint Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer and what it really means to ask God for protection. Instead of treating prayer like a divine forcefield, they explore how it can strengthen us from within to face life’s challenges with courage and faith. From ancient monastic rhythms to personal spiritual tools (bracelets included), this conversation is about finding God’s presence in the practice, not the outcome.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if courage comes from knowing we're never alone? St. Patrick, a key figure in early Celtic Christianity, gave us a prayer that brings comfort and strength to those who feel lost, alone, or afraid.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you prayed that God would protect you? What has been the result?
2. What will you do to participate in God’s protection through integrity and courage?
3. What difference will it make for you to see Christ in everyone you meet?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if uncertainty could still lead us to God? Merton’s prayer is striking in its vulnerability ("I have no idea where I am going"), yet it also affirms that our desire to please God is enough, even in our ignorance.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Did you know much about Thomas Merton before today’s sermon? What surprised you about his life and witness?
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Can you think of a time when you were unsure if you were being faithful or obedient to God, but knew in your heart that you were trying to orient your life to God’s will and God’s ways? What was that like?
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How might God be inviting you to use this prayer (or another one from our series) in your daily faith walk?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Mat Hotho share stories of uncertainty, reflection, and the surprising ways God shows up along the way. Inspired by the prayer of Thomas Merton, they talk about letting go of control and learning to trust—even when we don’t know where the path leads. Whether you’re standing at a crossroads or just looking for space to breathe, this episode invites you to find meaning in the journey, not just the destination.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Justin LaRosa and Mat Hotho reflect on the Serenity Prayer—not as a worn-out phrase, but as a real tool for navigating life’s hardest moments. Through honest conversation and personal stories, they explore what it means to face what we can’t control, take action where we can, and wrestle with the wisdom to know the difference.
Whether you're sitting in grief, stuck in uncertainty, or just feeling the weight of being human, this episode invites you into a deeper trust in a God who’s present—even when answers are hard to come by.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if peace comes from knowing when to act and when to surrender? The Serenity Prayer beautifully balances personal agency, humble surrender, and keen discernment, making it one of the most repeated prayers of our time.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does this tension between planning and trusting Jesus Christ look like in your own life?
2. Share one situation when your plan didn’t seem to line up with God’s. How did you “accept the things you couldn’t change?”
3. Which of the three practices—prayer, scripture, or people—do you feel most drawn to right now, and what’s one small way you could lean into it this week?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho kick off our new series on history’s most powerful prayers by diving into the Wesley Covenant Prayer—a bold act of surrender that still hits hard today. They reflect on how this prayer challenges our culture of self-fulfillment and invites us to offer every part of our lives to God. Join us as we explore what it means to live with purpose, trust, and a heart that says, “Take me.”
https://www.jesuitseastois.org/news-feed/an-expanded-version-of-st-ignatius-loyolas-suscipe-prayer
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if true renewal begins with surrender? John Wesley’s prayer for covenant renewal is a powerful reminder to shift our focus away from ourselves and toward obedience and surrender to God.
Reflection Questions:
1. What would praying “Suscipe” to God each day mean for you?
2. What new insights does the Wesley Covenant Prayer give you?
3. How will you apply the Wesley Covenant Prayer to the way you live?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho wrap up our series on the Lord’s Prayer by asking a surprising question: why do we say a final line that doesn’t actually appear in scripture? They explore how tradition, worship, and scripture have long been in conversation—shaping how we pray and how we see God. From ancient manuscripts to personal reflections, this episode uncovers the deeper meaning behind “forever and ever, Amen.” Join us as we reflect on what it means to see our everyday lives through the lens of eternity.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if God’s intent is to deliver us from evil, not use it? The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that God stands against evil, desiring our deliverance. The final line is a benedictory alleluia, declaring that all of who we are belongs to God, for all creation is part of His kingdom.
Reflection Questions:
1. What would it mean to give God all of what you have and do?
2. How can you make your life a living Temple in which God resides?
3. What new insights do you have about the Lord’s Prayer, and what difference will it make?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if everything we need is already provided? God guides us away from anything that hinders our relationship with Him. These words remind us of God’s providence and His call for us to co-create with Him.
Reflection Questions:
1. Which of the four petitions do you resonate with the most right now?
2. What do you think it means to pray, “Lead us not into temptation”?
3. How will reciting the Lord’s Prayer deepen your desire and ability to love God and others?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Mat Hotho and Pastor Magrey deVega reflect on Sunday’s message and get personal about their own prayer lives. What does it look like to pray when you’re not sure what to say — or when you’re not even sure you want to pray? Whether you’re a long-time believer or just exploring faith, this conversation invites you to think differently about what it means to connect with God.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Lord’s Prayer reminds us of this critical but often forgotten truth: It’s not about us. We are not the center of the universe, and all we are and do should be centered in the worship and praise of God.
Reflection Questions:
1. What word or phrase do you find most meaningful from the Lord’s Prayer? Why?
2. What aspects of the Lord’s Prayer prompt questions or curiosity for you? 3. How will the pronouns “Our” and “Your” make a difference in how you live each day?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho kick off a new worship series exploring the Lord’s Prayer—one of the most familiar, yet deeply profound, prayers in scripture. They reflect on how this short prayer invites us to see God more intimately, reorient our perspective, and live with a renewed sense of purpose. From rethinking father language to noticing God in everyday moments, this episode dives into why the Lord’s Prayer still matters. Join us as we uncover the depth and direction it offers for our daily lives.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Mat Hotho reflect on the meaning of Pentecost—a celebration of the Holy Spirit’s power to comfort, challenge, and send us into the world with boldness and love. From vibrant symbols of global unity to a moving poem about radical belonging, this conversation invites us to see Pentecost not just as a moment in history, but as a call to live connected, compassionate lives today. Join us as we explore what it means to be kin to one another and listen together for the language of God.
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Get connected with us and find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if the church is more than a destination? On Pentecost, Peter quoted Joel, saying that young people would see visions and older ones would dream dreams. That dream lives on in us as we carry out God’s mission in a changing world, reminding us that the church is a hub, where people find their purpose and mission to make a difference.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Mat Hotho reflect on the meaning of Pentecost—a celebration of the Holy Spirit’s power to comfort, challenge, and send us into the world with boldness and love. From vibrant symbols of global unity to a moving poem about radical belonging, this conversation invites us to see Pentecost not just as a moment in history, but as a call to live connected, compassionate lives today. Join us as we explore what it means to be kin to one another and listen together for the language of God.
Subscribe to the newsletter through news@wcc-coe.org or at https://www.oikoumene.org/get-involved/subscribe
Get connected with us and find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho kick off our new series Hearts of Fire by exploring how spiritual practices help us stay balanced in seasons of change. From the disciples watching Jesus ascend, to becoming an empty-nester, to parenting in the thick of it—this conversation is all about what keeps us grounded when life feels uncertain. Magrey shares ancient wisdom from Ascension Day and a Pope named Leo, while Mat reflects on building routine and resilience. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice, this episode reminds us that spiritual practices aren’t just a checklist—they’re how we stay in orbit.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if we all embraced the power to be witnesses? On Ascension Sunday, we hear Jesus’ promise to the disciples: they would receive the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses, near and far. This service invites us to reclaim that evangelical spirit, which has been central to the Wesleyan movement from the start.
Reflection Questions:
1. What significant life stage transitions were rewarding? What were challenging?
2. What did you learn about stability and moving forward as you went through those transitions?
3. How will you strengthen both contemplation and action in your spiritual life?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The character Nostalgia does not get much screen time in the film Inside Out 2, but it is a significant and regular aspect of our personality and emotional makeup. The capacity to remember the past with fondness can be a gift. Indeed, the Bible is filled with numerous commands to remember what God has done, and to celebrate the faithfulness of our ancestors. At the same time, like all emotions, nostalgia can also be a detriment, if taken to an extreme. When we fail to live fully into the present or fail to have creative and hopeful imagination about the future, then we are unduly anchored in what was, rather than what can be.
Reflection Questions:
1. What makes you feel nostalgic, and what past moments does it make you remember?
2. How will you learn from both the good and bad memories of your past?
3. What is your inner child telling you? What do you want to tell them?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In this final episode of our series on emotions, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho explore the complex emotion of nostalgia—how it helps us remember, reflect, and grow. They unpack the biblical tension between “remembering” and “listening,” and how both God and humans are called to do both. From seminary basketball games to parenting wisdom passed down unknowingly, this conversation invites us to honor the past without getting stuck in it. Whether you’re someone who misses “the good old days” or someone learning to appreciate how far you’ve come, this episode is a gentle and grounded close to a series about becoming more emotionally whole.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Go behind the scenes of a powerful moment from our recent event with psychologist Dr. Erica Clarke. In her talk "Decoding Your Emotions," she unpacks how understanding our feelings can lead to healthier relationships, stronger self-awareness, and a more grounded life. She reminds us that no emotion is inherently bad — each one has a purpose, and we can learn to bring them into balance instead of letting them take over.
📄 View the full PDF handout from Dr. Clark:
https://hydeparkumc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mhotho_hydeparkumc_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fmhotho%5Fhydeparkumc%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FQuickDisk%2FDecodingYourEmotions%2FDecoding%20Emotions%20Deck%20notes%2Epdf
https://hydeparkumc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mhotho_hydeparkumc_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fmhotho%5Fhydeparkumc%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FQuickDisk%2FDecodingYourEmotions%2FDecoding%20Emotions%20Deck%20notes%2Epdf&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Fmhotho%5Fhydeparkumc%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FQuickDisk%2FDecodingYourEmotions&ct=1747609022613∨=Teams%2DHL&ga=1&LOF=1
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
“Anxiety” is the newest character addition to the Inside Out films and is the one that most resonated with people who viewed it. Throughout the Bible, people exhibited worry, from the Israelites wandering in the wilderness to the disciples who followed Jesus. But even though worry is a natural human emotion, it does not need to define our experience. We can, in the words of Jesus in Matthew, exchange our burdens with that of Jesus, whose yoke is easier.
Reflection Questions:
1. When was the last time you felt anxious but didn’t name it out loud? What changed—or could have changed—if you had?
2. What’s one practice (spiritual or practical) that helps you feel grounded when anxiety hits?
3. Who in your life could use a safe listener right now? And how can you be present for them without trying to fix it?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if anger isn’t the issue, but how we channel it? Anger itself isn’t sinful. The key is being angry at the right things and directing it toward positive action, just as Jesus and the Bible show us.
Reflection Questions:
- When you think about a time you felt deeply angry, what was the source of that anger—was it rooted in love and justice, or ego and fear? How can you tell the difference?
- How has anger shaped—or distorted—your relationships, either through denial, repression, or explosion? What would it look like to let love, rather than anger, have the final word?
- Jesus responded to anger with purposeful, holy action. What might it look like for you to “acknowledge, analyze, invite, and act” in a current or recent situation where you’ve felt anger?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What do you do when something makes you angry—not just annoyed, but deep-in-your-body angry? In this week’s episode, Justin and Mat unpack what it means to recognize and work through our anger without letting it consume us. Mat shares a real-life situation that stirred up frustration, anxiety, and powerlessness, and Justin walks through a spiritual inventory tool that helps name the source of anger, what it’s touching in us, and what role we might unknowingly play in keeping it alive.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho open up about their personal experiences growing up with emotions like fear, sadness, and anxiety. From emotional suppression to learning how to feel and express emotions in a healthy way, this episode dives deep into why our feelings matter — and how they can actually help us connect, grow, and heal. Plus: a powerful story about proud tears on a soccer field, a Ted Lasso moment, and real-life tools for staying grounded when anxiety hits.
FInd out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What if grief is not something to escape but something to navigate? Grief is the shadow side of love—we only grieve what we have loved. Avoiding grief means avoiding attachment, which is not an option in the human experience. The question isn’t how to minimize grief but how to move through it in a healthy way.
Reflection Questions:
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When are you most prone to experiencing sadness? Fear?
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In what ways can sadness and fear be beneficial? Detrimental?
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How will you learn to name sadness and fear, and express them in a healthy way?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In this joyful episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho celebrate Holy Humor Sunday, a tradition rooted in the idea that Easter is God's ultimate "gotcha" moment against evil. They kick off a new series on emotions by diving into joy — and sharing some hilarious faith-based memes along the way. From Spongebob and St. Paul to a Smokey Bear Bible story and a nod to the eternal "Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?" debate, this episode reminds us that laughter belongs in faith, too. Join us as we find the sacred in the silly and embrace joy together.
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What if joy isn’t about circumstances but about strength? True joy is anchored in the unwavering truth that God is our strength, no matter what we face.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does it mean for you to have healthy emotions?
2. How can you experience joy amid hardship?
3. What do you think it means to believe that “the joy of the Lord is your strength”?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In the most personal and poignant resurrection encounter in the gospels, Jesus appeared to Mary in the garden and revealed himself once he spoke aloud her name. The work of resurrection in us begins with recognizing our identity in Christ as a child of God, and then seeking to affirm the personhood of others who feel lost in their own grief and despair.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why do you think Mary didn’t recognize the resurrected Jesus?
2. In what ways do you live out of your false self?
3. How can you allow God to help you rediscover and reveal your true self?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Journey into the drama of Holy Week through "Sarah's Story," a dramatic re-imagining of the last days of Jesus' life through the eyes of Sarah, a first-century woman who was close to the events of Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Justin LaRosa and Mat Hotho explore the Christus Victor atonement theory and its powerful message of liberation from sin, systems of evil, and spiritual forces. They discuss how this view of the cross offers a broader understanding of salvation and what it means to live out the hope of resurrection in everyday life. Join us as we unpack this compelling perspective and consider its impact on how we see Jesus' victory today.
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The cross and resurrection give us victory over sin, evil, and oppression. This includes the suffering associated with addictions and other harmful hangups and behaviors. The Christus Victor atonement theory can help those on a recovery journey discover new power in Christ to overcome their hardships.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where do you feel powerless right now?
2. Which of the ‘false palms’—things we trust in besides Christ—do you find yourself tempted to wave?
3. How has community helped you experience freedom in Christ—or how do you hope it could?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The ransom atonement theory is built on the notion that we are being held captive by forces that are beyond our control, and in the cross, God has released us from being held hostage. We are therefore called and empowered to be agents of liberation against the injustices people face in our society and in the world.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways has Jesus set you free from personal sins?
2. How does the two-fold understanding of biblical justice change your view of justice?
3. How is God calling you to be a part of setting people free from social injustice?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho dive into the ransom theory of atonement, a dramatic and often misunderstood view of Jesus’ death. They explore how it takes evil seriously—both as a cosmic force and a daily reality. The conversation also looks at Jesus’ ministry in Luke 4 and how his message disrupts comfort and expands the circle of inclusion. Join us for a meaningful and eye-opening discussion about justice, grace, and what it really means to follow Jesus.
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The moral example atonement theory points to the entirety of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as the source of our salvation. In his teachings and example, we receive the model for how to love God and each other. We are therefore called and equipped to be agents of love that will overcome hatred and revenge, thereby fully revealing God’s intended image within each of us.
Reflection Questions:
1. What difference does it make for you in understanding the cross not just as a way to heaven, but as a way of experiencing eternal life on earth?
2. Whom do you have trouble loving?
3. How will you take steps this week to love the people who are hard to love?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho discuss race, identity, and the personal work of anti-racism, exploring how the cross calls us to empathy, curiosity, and humility. Magrey shares reflections on his own experiences, the impact of current events, and lessons learned from his daughters. Join the conversation and discover how this journey is both deeply personal and universally important.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In this powerful episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho explore the deeply personal nature of faith, race, and reconciliation. Magrey reflects on his recent sermon, one of his most personal to date, sharing his own experiences with race and identity. They discuss how the cross calls us to both personal and collective transformation and how issues of race and justice are not just intellectual conversations but deeply human experiences.
From the significance of imago Dei in diversity, equity, and inclusion to the role of empathy in a divided world, this conversation challenges us to reflect on the racism within our own hearts and take steps toward genuine anti-racism. Magrey also shares how his daughters have reshaped his understanding of identity and inclusion, reminding us that the work of justice is deeply personal, generational, and ongoing.
If you’re wondering how to take meaningful action, this episode encourages conversation, personal reflection, and a commitment to learning in community. Watch now and join us on this journey of faith, justice, and transformation.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
In Christ, we have been reconciled with God. We are therefore called and equipped to be agents of reconciliation among groups who have been divided by discrimination and prejudice.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you experienced significant struggle in matters of your own personhood and identity?
2. How have you harbored racism in your own heart?
3. How do you intend to be more anti-racist in your life, your relationships, and your actions in the world?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Rev. Bernie Lieving dive into the heart of forgiveness. Whether it's forgiving others, receiving grace, or learning to forgive ourselves, they explore why letting go can be so difficult—and so freeing. Join the conversation as they unpack powerful stories, scripture, and real-life experiences that reveal the transformative power of forgiveness.
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The cleansing (expiation) atonement theory sees sin as a blemish or tarnish that we cannot cleanse on our own. Likewise, the stain of shame and guilt makes it hard for us to offer forgiveness, receive forgiveness from others, and most of all, forgive ourselves.
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What if redemption didn’t require sacrifice or violence? Through the cross, the cycle of bloodshed ends, and we are invited into a new way of living—one where peace, not violence, shapes our world.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you typically respond when you witness violence in your daily life?
2. Thinking of Jesus’ command to love God and love neighbor, what is one non-violent thing you could do today to make this world a little more peaceful?
3. Could you imagine a time when you might be involved in non-violent direct action? What might that look like?
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How does nonviolence shape our faith? This week on Beyond the Sermon, Mat Hotho and Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans discuss how her experiences—from mission work to peaceful protests—shaped her understanding of Jesus and justice, and what it means to live out a nonviolent faith today.
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When we read the Bible, we’re encountering something ancient—written by people trying to make sense of their world and their experiences with God. So why do we sometimes expect it to be immediately clear to us today? This week, Mat and Decker explore how interpreting scripture is more like unpacking a halftime show performance—full of layers, context, and perspectives beyond our own.
Join us as we discuss how history, language, and community shape our understanding of faith, and why wrestling with the text can deepen, rather than weaken, our relationship with God.
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How can reading the Bible transform your life and deepen your relationship with God? Scripture has the power to illuminate our hearts and guide us in loving God and others. But to experience its full impact, we must make it a regular part of our lives—and even better, read it in community. Discover how reading Scripture together can bring its truth to life in profound ways.
Reflection questions:
1. Which parts of the Bible tend to bring you fear or frustration, and how might a sense of curiosity transform your approach to those passages?
2. When you hear the metaphor of the Bible as a ‘gem,’ how does that shift the way you think about Scripture compared to seeing it as something rigid or unchanging?
3. In what ways can you engage Scripture in community—through small groups or study partners—so it might ‘bear and become the Word of God’ for you?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week, Mat and Magrey discuss how reading deeply—whether it’s scripture, poetry, music, or film—helps us see the bigger picture of God’s plan in our lives. By engaging with different perspectives and holding multiple interpretations in tension, we grow in understanding, not just of the Bible, but of the world around us.
Join us as we explore how faith isn’t about rigid answers, but about an ongoing, dynamic conversation that shapes us into more thoughtful, compassionate people.
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How can we ensure the Bible is a source of liberation rather than harm? Throughout history, Scripture has been misused to justify misogyny, racism, homophobia, and other systemic sins. In this episode, we explore how to read the Bible faithfully, uncovering its message of good news and freedom for all.
Reflection Questions:
1. What childhood story has brought you deeper meaning as you have gotten older?
2. What passages in the Bible have been most troublesome for you to interpret?
3. How will you approach the Bible through the lens of love, for God and others?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What do we do with troubling images of God in the Bible that seem inconsistent with his love and faithfulness? Stories of God’s unpredictable actions can feel more like ancient mythology than the God we know. Explore how to read Scripture faithfully, uncovering its timeless truths beyond antiquated imagery.
Reflection Questions
1. What images for God in the Bible are among your favorites? What are most troubling to you?
2. How has your relationship with God changed over time? What role did external circumstances play in those changes?
3. What new way might you explore envisioning and relating to God in your life?
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This week, Matt and Magrey discuss the evolving ways God is depicted in the Bible. They reflect on how personal experiences and challenges reshape our faith, inviting us to expand our perspective rather than leave it behind. Whether through theology, life events, or moments of transformation, growth means embracing new ways of seeing God while holding on to what still resonates.
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How can we reconcile a loving God with the violence depicted in the Bible? Many struggle with this challenge, especially when reading the Old Testament. Join us as we delve into how to navigate scripture faithfully while grappling with the tough questions about God, violence, and our understanding of his character.
Reflection Questions:
1. What biblical passages of violence are most troubling to you?
2. How will you guard against the tendency to see the Old Testament as irrelevant or inferior?
3. How will you live out the call of Jesus to non-violence?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Violence in the Bible is one of the most challenging topics to wrestle with, yet it's a necessary conversation for understanding scripture in context. This week, Mat and Magrey explore the tension between taking violent passages too literally or dismissing them entirely. They discuss how ancient texts reflect the worldview of their time, the dangers of misinterpretation, and the responsibility we have to read scripture through the lens of love and justice. How do we navigate these difficult passages in a way that deepens faith rather than distorts it? Join the discussion.
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This week, Pastor Magrey deVega and Bishop Patrick Streiff explore the power of spiritual practices, from the Moravian texts that shaped John Wesley to the wisdom passed down through centuries of faith. They discuss how scripture, tradition, and relationships shape our journey, just as Jesus walked with His disciples toward transformation. Join the conversation on how faith is lived and shared in community.
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How does the way we interpret the Bible shape our faith? A Wesleyan approach focuses on inspiration rather than rigid concepts of inerrancy or infallibility. This perspective invites us to read Scripture dynamically and contextually, unlocking deeper truth and broader applicability. Join us to explore why this distinction matters so much.
Reflection Questions:
1. How will you see spiritual practices as a way of being, rather than an expectation of doing?
2. What does it mean to you for the Bible to be inspired?
3. How can different perspectives bring you new insights when reading of the Bible?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week Mat and Magrey explore the role of worship in the Psalms, reflecting on how faith and artistry can emerge even in life’s bleakest moments. They discuss Psalm 100, a celebration of joy placed near lament, showing us the power of resilient worship in the face of unresolved struggles.
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What does it mean to give back to God through worship? Worship is our response to God’s incredible gift of grace. Having received the breath of God, we use it to proclaim His power and might. Discover how worship reflects a beautiful cycle of grace and praise.
Reflection Questions:
1. How has Sunday worship prepared you to be worshipful throughout the week?
2. What do you need to do to be more worshipful every day?
3. How will worship enable you to be an inspiration for others?
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This week Mat and Magrey explore how we are called to actively participate in addressing the world’s challenges, rather than passively waiting for God to act. Reflecting on Psalm 37, they discuss how to focus on what we can control, release what we cannot, and find purpose in service. They also dive into the feeling of disenchantment that surrounds us and share insights on how to navigate it with faith and hope.
The King Philosophy:
https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/
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What does it mean to serve with love as your foundation? God has uniquely designed each of us to serve in specific ways for his purpose. Join us as we explore how to embrace your calling and live it out with love at the center.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you experienced disenchantment in your life, or in the world?
2. What Fruit of the Spirit are easiest to demonstrate? What are hardest?
3. What parts of Dr. King’s sermon or Psalm 37 resonate most with you? Why?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week Savanna and Justin tackle the challenges of loving those who are difficult to love, especially when they are the ones causing us pain. They share insights on how to turn toxic experiences into opportunities to show others Christ’s love and explore what it means to reflect grace in the hardest relationships.
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Our capacity to love others comes from God’s lavish love for us and in us. God’s love within us then compels us to love others lavishly and unconditionally. Both components are essential. Remembrance of baptism. Justin preaching, Sally doing reaffirmation liturgy.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do stay near to Jesus Christ? What practices do you regularly engage in? What distances you from God, or currently blocks you from love?
2. Reflect on your primary spiritual gift: How can you use your unique abilities to serve and love others, especially those in broken places, and grow closer to God in the process? (if you don’t know) https://www.adultbiblestudies.com/spiritual-gifts-survey
3. Consider a situation where forgiveness feels difficult or even impossible. What steps can you take to seek God’s strength and grace to forgive, as Corrie Ten Boom did, and experience the transformative power of love?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
This week Mat and Magrey explore how God inspires us daily, even in the midst of life's challenges. Together, they discuss how aligning our lives with Christ’s values opens us to divine inspiration, often found through hardship and conflict. Discover how the lessons we need most can shape us in unexpected ways, and learn to embrace the hard moments that ask, "What can this teach me?"
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There is inspiration every day, with evidence of God’s power and presence, if we will only be open to seeing it.
Reflection Questions:
1. How would you define inspiration, in terms of your own personal experience?
2. When have you felt inspired by something that is not necessarily “religious” in nature?
3. How might conflict and struggle be a source of inspiration for you?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Explore how letters connect us across time, offering encouragement, preserving memories, and deepening faith. Join Pastor Magrey deVega as we discover how the spirit of Christmas letters can inspire us to live with grace, love, and prayer all year long.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the most cherished letter you have ever received?
2. What are your most favorite Christmas letters you’ve received this year?
3. What suggestions from today’s sermon will you apply?
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This week, Mat and Magrey recap The Christmas Letters-- touching on being both loving and truthful, Jesus' divinity, and what it means for our everyday lives.
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In Jesus the full divinity of God “was pleased to dwell.” Therefore, through Christ, we can be at peace with God and we can live in peace with one another.
Reflection Questions:
1, How do you think Jesus experienced full divinity when he was on earth?
2. How does thinking about the life of Jesus draw you closer to God?
3. How will you live out Jesus’ example more fully?
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Join us this week as Mat and Rev. Bernie Lieving explore the difference between fleeting happiness and true, lasting joy. Hear Bernie’s inspiring story of being called to a life of service and how it has transformed his journey.
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Jesus emptied himself of his equality with God to become fully human. In doing so, he shows us a model for empathy, curiosity, and humility, which are keys to living a joyful life in Christ.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you express your appreciation to those who have done or said something that has helped make your joy complete?
2. Is there something you do on a regular basis that gifts joy to another person?
3. What might God be calling you to do in 2025 that will be “living the same mind that was in Christ Jesus?”
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This week, Mat and Magrey dive deeper into the letter of 1 John, exploring how our beliefs are shaped by the trust we place in God's promise of love.
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Jesus is love incarnate, the “word of life” revealed to us as a human of both “water and blood.” He shows us the way of love, which shapes our relationships with God and others.
Reflection Questions:
1. What do you imagine the “magical circle” was like when you were born?
2. When have you most vividly experienced God with your senses?
3. How will you become more aware of God’s love in ordinary moments?
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This week Mat and Magrey dive into the deeper meaning behind Magery's prayer and how we can stay faithful to every moment, even when we're called to something bigger then ourselves.
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The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus brings us good news, offering us the hope of salvation. In Romans, we see God’s great plan to save all people from sin.
Reflection Questions:
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What do you enjoy about receiving Christmas letters this time of year?
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How has God been faithful to you in the past? How is God active in your life now?
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If God were to write a Christmas letter to you now, what would it say?
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This week, Mat and Magrey explore the Christian Liturgical Calendar more deeply, reflecting on what uncertain times mean to them and how they can find comfort in them.
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Challenged to prove ourselves, we find our identity in Christ, our King.
Reflection Questions:
1. What do you think it means to call Jesus king?
2. Do you think empathy is in short supply today? Who models it best for you?
3. How will you emulate Jesus in your everyday life?
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This week, Mat and Magrey reflect on what the crumbling temple might look like in your life, and how to find hope and guidance in those times of uncertainty.
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Christ never promises an easy walk, but one of sacrifice.
Reflection Questions:
1.) When in your life did all you thought was true and reliable seem “thrown down”?
2.) When have you seen evidence of God not giving up during your hard times?
3.) How will you release your energy as an act of defiant hope in the world?
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Join Mat and Justin as they dive deeper into the message of Thessalonians, exploring how to find hope when it feels like the end is near. Justin shares a personal story of facing hopelessness, and together they reflect on what it means to persevere with faith.
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It may feel like the end is near, but we have to keep going.
Reflection Questions:
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How have you attempted to stay grounded in your faith with unsettling news or alarming situation in today’s world?
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How do you think modern-day predictions or claims about end times events impact people’s faith, both positively and negatively?
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How can you stand firm in your faith during difficult times, and how might you offer this to others?
--Find out more at HydeParkUMC/org/NextSteps--
God is at work in the dark places, even when we cannot see it.
Reflection Questions
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When you are struggling who helps you (or what helps you) get back up and try again?
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What is one thing you could do today to encourage someone (a friend, family member, stranger) who is struggling with their faith in God?
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Who are some of the saints that have encouraged you on the journey of faith? How did they encourage you? Take a moment and thank God for their presence in your life.
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The culmination of remembering our membership vows is an act of recommitment, which would include the submission of our estimates of giving cards.
Reflection Questions:
In what way do you experience this congregation as a “household”?
How are you uniquely called and gifted to build up the work of this church?
How will you recommit your efforts of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness?
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The kingdom of God is built one life at a time, one relationship at a time, one moment of personal invitation at a time.
Reflection Questions:
What experience have you had with evangelism that is coercive or argumentative?
What natural ways will you be a witness for Jesus?
Which of the five ways to be a witness come easiest for you? Hardest?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps
What does it mean to serve others? For many of us, growing in our ability to serve means learning how to be uncomfortable in situations that stretch our boundaries. It means learning new names, extending ourselves, and focusing on the needs of others instead of our own.
Learning to serve can be a process. Thankfully we have many examples of processes in our day-to-day lives that can model for us what it means to serve.
Reflection Questions:
- How do you think serving others can lead to deeper relationships or even friendships in your own life?
- How does knowing and taking care of yourself help you serve others better? Have you ever felt too drained to help others?
- Why do you think it can be difficult to accept help from others, and how does this challenge your understanding of mutual service?
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Giving of our time, talent, and treasure is a central aspect of discipleship, and, for some, is the most difficult one to surrender.
Reflection Questions:
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When have you had a good experience baking bread, or enjoying bread someone else made?
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What difference does it make to see yourself as part of the global church of Jesus Christ?
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How will you see your financial generosity as a way of making a living impact for God and others?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps
Since the early church, Christians have been called to gather (ekklesia, which is translated as both “church” and “gathering.”) When we are present to each other, in worship, small groups, and service, we can experience the presence of God in a powerful way, along with the mutual support and accountability that comes with being together.
A natural and important follow-up to our 125th Anniversary Celebration is a season of recommitment to grow deeper as disciples, wider in our reach to others, and united in mission to love God and love all. This five-part series reviews the five-fold membership vow that each member took to become a part of this church. Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian. It connects us to God, raises our attention to the Holy Spirit, and unites us together.
HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps
Reflection Questions:
1. Reflect and describe the first time you remember praying.
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How have you struggled with prayer?
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How does regular prayer practice strengthen your inner being, root you in love, and help you comprehend God’s grace?
Stories from our heritage not only tell us about our past. They remind us of who we are. Such is the story of our church’s beginning, back in 1899, when a small group chose to sing “I Love to Tell the Story” at the site of what would become our church. Their courage and witness, coupled with their choice of song, tells us something about who we are.
HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps
Reflection Questions:
1. How can you re-prioritize your life, to focus less on being remembered, and more on being part of a story bigger than yourself?
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How will you remember the “old, old story” of God’s love in your life?
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How will you live into the story of God’s love through this church?
This week Mat sits down with former senior pastor of Hyde Park, Jim Harnish, with the topic of discovering and recognizing continuing threads of your life in the both spiritual and historical sense.
HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps
The writer of Hebrews scans over the long history of men and women who lived by faith, some of it in gory detail! But then the text looks directly at us to say that God’s story will not be perfect (complete, whole) without us. We have the beautiful stories of how God has been at work through the people of this congregation over the past 125 years, but the story will not be complete until we step into it, i.e. lay aside the things that keep us from moving forward and run the leg of the relay that is before us.
HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps
As Hyde Park begins its celebration of 125 years, Magrey and Mat sit down to discuss what it means to have a spiritual legacy.
HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps
In 1899, a group of 30 people from First Methodist in Tampa crossed the Hillsborough River to begin meeting in a two-room schoolhouse at the corner of Platt and Magnolia. 125 years later, we are living into a legacy that has proclaimed the good news of Jesus and built the kingdom of God for generation. This three-part worship series celebrates the grace of God and the history of our church, and points us toward an exciting future for generations to come.
HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps
Reflection Questions:
What favorite stories do you know about your ancestors?
What does it mean for you to think of yourself as a simultaneous descendant and ancestor?
How will you live faithfully now to leave a living impact for those to follow?
This week Magrey sits down with Gary Mason to talk about the current situation with Israel-Palestine and how to find common ground in the mist of intense disagreement and conflict.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Sharing the gospel with unbelievers is essential. Paul's example in Acts 17 shows how we can bridge the gap by using familiar language and imagery to reveal God's love in Christ.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. How have you struggled with questions of meaning and purpose in your life?
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How do your struggles help you connect with unchurched people with similar experiences?
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How does putting Christ at the center of our lives help with those struggles?
Sally and Mat sit down this week to discuss how inter-faith relationships can work and how to build those bridges.
HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps
One of the most common questions we ask of our faith is, “What is Christianity’s relationship with other religions?” What are we to do with the passage from John 14, in which Jesus declares that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father but through him? In an age of religious pluralism and religious intolerance (even violence), how can we be charitable and loving toward people of different faiths, while still maintaining the core of our Christian convictions?
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Questions for Reflection:
1. What is your experience with people of different faiths?
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In what ways are you using your gifts to cross barriers and build connections/relationships with those whose beliefs are different from yours?
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What is one thing you could do to start a dialog with someone who practices a different faith?
This week, we have started a new sermon series discussing our Christian heritage and how we can relate to people of other faiths. Magrey and Mat sit down to talk about their own personal experiences in exploring and being raised in environments of differing faiths.
HydePaKUMC.org/NextSteps
John Wesley’s famous sermon “Catholic Spirit” provides guidance on how Christians of different perspectives and traditions can find common ground, just as Jehu and Jehonadab joined hands in the passage in 2 Kings. Despite some significant differences among Protestant denominations, we hold much more in common, and we are called to forge a dynamic and united witness to the good news of Jesus Christ in the world.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What is the story of your religious journey? What faith traditions shape who you are?
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What similarities among denominations do you find most meaningful?
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What is best about being United Methodist to you?
This week, Sally and Magrey talk about the impact that was the witness of Mary Bethune in education and how all of us can be inspired from it.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator, philanthropist, and civil rights activist, whose work was deeply rooted in her Christian convictions. Bethune-Cookman University stands as an enduring reminder of her legacy, as this states only United Methodist historically black college. Her famous quote “Without faith, nothing is possible; with faith, nothing is impossible” captures her belief in the power of God to transform hearts and communities for the better.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What Voices of Inspiration in this worship series have been most meaningful to you, and why?
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What insights and inspiration does Mary McLeod Bethune’s story evoke in you?
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How will you become a voice of inspiration to others?
This week, Mat and Sally sit down the discuss the witness of Oscar Romero from El Salvador in the 1970s. And how Sally's own experience in El Salvador influenced her call to ministry.
Archbishop Oscar Romero was a powerful voice for freedom and liberation for the people of El Salvador, and his untimely death by an assassin’s bullet leaves behind a stirring witness to the power of non-violence in addressing systemic inequities and injustice. His work was a living embodiment of the words of Luke 4, in which Jesus spoke of setting the captives free, recovery of sight to the blind, and the proclamation of the Lord’s favor.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:1. Did you know much about Oscar Romero before today’s sermon? What surprised you about his life and witness?
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In what ways are you using your influence to bring Good News to other people?
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How might God be inviting you to change your heart? How are you evolving, changing, growing in your Christian witness?
Mat and Magrey have a discussion about how songs shape us, how they shaped the Bible, and how they continue to bring the biblical text alive today.
Mahalia Jackson was one of the greatest musical artists of her generation, not just for her beautiful music, but also for her inspirational witness. Her most iconic moments were in her singing of “His Eye is On the Sparrow,” based on the teaching of Jesus in Matthew, which inspired comfort and encouragement during the civil rights movement. Her encouragement for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to “tell them about the dream, Martin,” elicited the grand, sweeping conclusion to his famous speech in Washington, D.C.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What do you think makes singing such a powerful form of individual and communal expression?
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What songs have been most inspiring to you throughout your life?
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How familiar are you with the music of Mahalia Jackson? How might you listen to her music over the coming days?
Mat and Justin talk about the legacy of Howard Thurman and how we can direct our beliefs into actions for justice in the community.
Howard Thurman was one of the greatest preachers, writers, and mystics of the 20th century. His book “Jesus and the Disinherited” was a landmark work that invited us to see Jesus on the side of the oppressed, and inspired us to work through non-violent means to bring justice and social change. Every day, Thurman read Psalm 139, as a source of strength and courage, and verses 13-18 capture the intimate relationship he sought to have with God.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What group or person is it most difficult for you? How might you practice seeing the divine in them?
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How have you or will you build a relationship with the disinherited?
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How can you dismantle discrimination? Specifically, what action will you take?
Mat and Magrey dive deeper into Mother Teresa's story, paying particular attention to her own struggles with doubt, faith, and God's perceived absence. We talk about what we can learn from that today and how we can manage our own anxieties and fears.
Resources:
"The Questions Jesus Asked"
Magrey deVega
https://a.co/d/05e3zfA1
"Come Be My Light"
Mother Teresa
https://a.co/d/02AQBil8
Mother Theresa of Calcutta was the greatest charitable force in our lifetimes. She inspired us to give of ourselves humbly and obediently for the sake of the poor and needy, regardless of the cost. Hers was a living embodiment of the psalmist’s words, to “raise the poor out of dust, and the needy out of the ash heap.” Her life and witness is captured in her quote, based on Psalm 113: “Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What is “Your Own Calcutta?” How will you practice and compassion and mercy to others?
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In what ways can you be more persistent in doing the work Jesus calls you to do?
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What lessons can you learn from Mother Teresa in how she named and dealt with doubt?
Mat and Magrey sit down to discuss the impact Dietrich Bonhoeffer had on Magrey's calling to ministry and the conflict between our inner and outer selves.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the most significant martyrs of the 20th century, whose courageous stance against the Hitler and Christian Nationalism continues to inspire us. In his famous book “The Cost of Discipleship,” he calls the church to remember that when God calls people to follow him, he “calls them to come and die.”
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. Who have been the significant “voices of inspiration” in your own spiritual journey?
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What is something new you learned about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer?
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How will you follow Jesus more closely this week?
Prayer is the lifeblood of the disciple of Jesus. In his final days with the disciples, Mark told the disciples in Mark that their faith would allow them to pray with such conviction and confidence that whatever they asked for would be granted to them by God. But that belief carries an important precaution. Prayer is not a cosmic vending machine, that demands God to act on our own terms. Prayer is an act of vulnerability and obedience, in which we declare our dependence on God, and our willingness to decenter our own needs and desires.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the mountain you’d like to move?
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How has the power of prayer changed you? The world?
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Who do you need to forgive?
For many, the existence of suffering and evil in the world is the greatest hurdle to full faith and belief in God. It seems irreconcilable that a God who is all-powerful and all-loving could allow the presence of pain and hardship. It is a dilemma that preacher and biblical scholar Tom Long called “the impossible chess match,” in which there is no clear and clean outcome. But faith allows us to trust where there are no easy answers, and follow God when we ask our hardest questions.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you wrestled with God’s relationship to human suffering?
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What has given you strength during times of hardship? Where do you think God was?
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How have you experienced God transforming your suffering into something positive?
The early church theologian Anselm defined God as “a being than which nothing greater can be conceived.” This central premise led to the classic “omni” qualities of God: Omnipresence (God is everywhere), omnipotence (God is all powerful), and omnipresent (God is all knowing). These qualities have occasionally been problematic for us due to the presence of suffering and evil in the world. By reframing these qualities and incorporating God’s “omnibenevolence” (God’s all-lovingness), we can discover who God is in a deeper, more uplifting way.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. Who are people who have embodied a quality of God for you?
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Which attribute of God do you have the hardest time understanding or accepting?
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When have you experienced the omnibenevolence of God?
The dual nature of Jesus is central to Christian belief. We believe Jesus was 100% human and 100% divine. It is as difficult to understand this concept empirically (1+1=1) as it is to believe in the trinity (1+1+1=1). But claiming the full humanity and divinity of Jesus allows us to have a full relationship with God, who through Christ is both greater than us and is deeply connected to us.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you tend to have a “high” or “low” image of Jesus?
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What significance does the full divinity and humanity of Jesus have for you?
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How will you deepen your love and appreciation for Jesus this week?
The doctrine of the trinity is one of the most essential tenets of the Christian faith. It is also the hardest to explain and understand rationally. By claiming our belief in the triune God, we not only allow for the mystery of God’s nature and activity; we also discover how to fully live a trinitarian life, the way God intends.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps.com
Reflection Questions:
1. What are the hardest questions about the faith that you wrestle with?
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What is your favorite image of the trinity?
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How will you live a trinitarian life this week?
The arrival of the Holy Spirit not only birthed the church. It also inaugurated a new way of experiencing the power and presence of God, which is the very same way we can experience God today: invisible, but active, and very real.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Walking was the most common form of transport in both the Ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman World. Roads were important facets of the landscape; they enhanced travel, promoted safety and commerce, and improved connections between communities. Many biblical references use the image of a road or path as a metaphor for the faithful life. Discipleship is about taking the journey, one step at a time.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What landscape are you currently in?
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What does setting God’s ordinances before you look like in your life?
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How can you choose faithfulness this week?
Rivers and streams in the Bible symbolize places of refreshment and nourishment. Elijah was fed by a brook. Jesus was baptized in the river. The Israelites found hope when God parted the Jordan for them so they could enter the Promised Land. Psalm 1 describes the law of God, which enables a person to be planted like a tree in water. We all need times of encouragement that can come from meeting God at the river.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. Among the 1000s of decisions you make everyday, can you think of a time where you felt really close to God, certain that you were on the right path with God, and felt deeply connected to the Holy. What was that like?
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In what ways are you choosing to delight in the God’s instructions?
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How might God be inviting you to change your thinking, your meditating, and/or the path you’re walking on, so as to bring renewal and refreshment to your life?
The heavens declare the glory of God, says the Psalmist. Often throughout the Bible, the skies symbolized the promise and hope of God. The skies contained a rainbow that signified an end to the flood. The pillar of fire and cloud in the sky led the Israelites through the exodus. And in 1 Kings, Elijah instructed his servant to look into the skies for a sign of the end of the drought. That cloud, the size of a human hand, was enough to remind people that God’s promise and provision were imminent.
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Reflection Questions:
1) Which of the three parts of Psalm 19 do you most resonate with—nature, scripture, or personal reflection?
2) What are ways you have found scripture, particularly the Old Testament, to be life-giving?
3) Where do you need balance in your life today?
The wilderness and desert are two of the most common natural landscapes in the Bible. Psalm 107 captures how the desert can be a place of loneliness, stress, and anxiety, which are common experiences for us today. But just as every biblical figure who entered the wilderness discovered, the desert is also a place to experience God’s presence in a new and profound way.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What are your most vivid memories of being in a desert?
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Which of the four metaphors in Psalm 107 best describes what you are struggling with?
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Do you believe that God loves you? What difference does that make for you?
Just as there are mountaintops in life, so there are valleys. The most famous reference to a valley in the Bible is in Psalm 23, where it depicts the long shadow of grief and loss. This service invites us to name our grief and loss, and points us toward healthy ways to process that grief and find hope.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What valleys are you experiencing right now?
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How will you shift from talking about God to connecting personally with God?
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How will you remember that God is with you?
Psalms 120-134 are often referred to as the “Psalms of Ascent,” which would have been uttered as the Israelites ascended the Temple Mount to experience the presence of God. The Bible is filled with “mountaintop moments,” when people experienced God personally and intimately. This service invites us to ask when we have had such moments in our lives, whether on a literal mountain or not.
HydeParkUMC/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What are your most memorable “mountain top” moments?
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How does an “uphill climb” and a “downhill descent” help you focus on God and slow your pace?
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How will you let God help you keep your highs from getting too high, and your lows from getting too low?
In Mark’s Easter gospel, the power of the resurrection through Christ can redeem the lingering guilt and shame of our yesterdays, the real time struggle and suffering of our present days, and the fear and anxiety of our tomorrows. God’s resurrection power is timeless, resilient, and always with us.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What boulder-type burdens are you carrying today?
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Where have you seen evidence of God’s love at work in your past? In your present?
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In what way will you move forward and claim the new life God is preparing for your future?
The story of Holy Week begins with shouts of Hosanna, but by week’s end, those shouts become cries to murder Jesus. Holy Week is an invitation for us to locate ourselves in the story, and ask, as the old hymn says, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”
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HydeParkUMC.org/Easter
Reflection Questions:
1. For what reasons are you praying “Hosanna” today?
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How might your daily prayer time include both verse 24 and 25 of Psalm 118?
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How will you participate in the services and observances of Holy Week this week?
Jesus compared his imminent death on the cross to the burial of a seed, which is necessary in order for it to spring to new life. Likewise, once we are willing to have Jesus put to death the sin in our lives, we can be raised to new life in Christ.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the most challenging aspect of these words of Jesus for you personally?
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Who has modeled for you servanthood and self-sacrifice?
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What are the “little deaths” that you are experiencing right now? How might they be the gateway to new life?
This all-too-familiar story from John 3 captures the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night. It is in the midst of their conversation about being born again that Jesus says the iconic words of John 3:16. Just as Nicodemus came to Jesus in the dark, out of fear of his reputation and a sense of self-preservation, Jesus comes to meet us and shine the light of love and forgiveness.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/Easter
Reflection Questions:
1. What does being born from above or born again mean to you?
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In what ways do you recognize your need before God?
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What are your powerful takeaways from the text?
The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) all place the turning of the tables in the Temple in the middle of Holy Week, after the triumphal entry in Jerusalem. John places the story much, much earlier, right at the outset of the ministry of Jesus. By doing this, John makes the overturning of the tables a preamble to all of Jesus’ miracles and teachings, as if to suggest that overturning our lives is an initial step toward discipleship.
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Reflection Questions:
1. For what reasons do you think Jesus would overturn tables today?
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How do you think the vendors responded? The religious leaders? The disciples?
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In what ways can you be a part of a faith community at its healthiest and best?
The ministry of Jesus was full of reversals. Rather than feed our ego-driven, self-centered tendencies to focus on our own needs, he called us to lose ourselves, serve others, and give our lives for others. These reversals invert contemporary wisdom and right-size our lives for God.
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Reflection Questions
1. How are you alike and unlike the life of Peter in the gospels?
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In what ways does Jesus’ phrase “Take up your cross” make you feel unsettled, even challenged?
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How will you be more intentional and diligent in your practical commitments to Jesus?
The story of the temptation of Jesus offers us a guide for how to deal with the temptations in our lives, and shift our orientation away from ourselves and toward the benefit of other people.
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Reflection Questions
1. What lessons did you learn as a child regarding handling your emotions in a healthy way?
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What emotions do you most struggle with channeling in a positive way?
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How will you better integrate the fact that you are fully human, made in the image of God?
In Mark’s gospel, the Transfiguration serves as the halfway point in the story of Jesus. It is a marked shift away from the miracles and teachings of Jesus to the journey of Jesus to the cross. Likewise, we need to make a similar shift in our discipleship, away from merely benefiting from Jesus and toward surrender to Jesus and the cross.
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Reflection Questions:
1. Can you remember a time when you were so overcome with beauty or joy that you were rendered speechless? What was that like?
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When was the last time you were “lost in wonder, love, and praise” of God because you felt the Lord's present so closely?
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What is pulling on your heart (or calling to you), as we begin this season of Lent?
Perhaps the greatest cause of our loneliness and disconnectedness is the tense political and social climate. What if there was a way to bridge differences and have civil conversations about tough issues? What would that look like and could we model that new way of being?
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15 Practical Guidelines from Romans 12:9–21
1.Our love for each other will be genuine.
2.We will hate what is evil.
3.We will make goodness our bond.
4.The only competition between us will be to see who can show the other greater honor.
5.Together, we will put God first, even when we don’t feel like it.
6.We will be hopeful, not cynical.
7.We will be patient, even when our differences make things difficult.
8.We will never stop praying for each other or for the world.
9.We pledge to be welcoming to strangers, people who are different from us.
10.We will not speak ill of each other; instead, we will speak words of blessing.
11.We will choose harmony with each other over arrogance.
12.We commit to being with those who are less fortunate, less privileged, and less powerful, so that we can learn humility ourselves.
13.We will not respond to evil by doing evil ourselves. We commit to the most noble actions and motivations.
14.We will have hearts of peace for each other, rather than revenge.
15.We will not overcome evil with evil, but by doing good.
Mat Hotho
mhotho@hydeparkumc.org
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you had difficulty relating to a person based on partisan differences?
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How can Christians be politically engaged, without devolving into polarizing partisanship?
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What valuable insights have you gained about relationships throughout this worship series?
Being in a lasting, caring friendship is a true gift. Healthy friendships encourage us when we are down, tell us hard truths when we are reluctant to hear it, and help us be our best selves.
HydeparkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways has your number of friends or closeness of friendships changed over the last several years?
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Who are your close friends? How can you be a better friend to them?
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How will you practice constancy, carefulness, candor, and counsel in your friendships?
Even though families are comprised of a variety of types and dynamics, we were all born into one, and we know the kinds of strains, misgivings, and stress that families can bring us. This service will explore biblical insights in strengthening our marriages, our parenting, and our relationships with other family members.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the best thing about your family? What is the hardest thing about your family?
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How will drawing closer to Jesus help each member of your family draw closer to each other?
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How do you think stronger families can improve your community?
Baptism is the entry rite into Christian community. Our vows remind us that we are called to be part of the church, which Christ has opened to all people.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What is your favorite memory of a baptism?
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What do you think God is doing in a baptism?
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What difference does baptism make for you, in how you think, act, and relate to others?
In Genesis, we discover that God’s creation of the first human being was incomplete until the creation of companionship. We are intrinsically wired to be in connection with other people. God said it was not good for us to be alone; in fact, we are not.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. Who is the person (or the people) in your life that make you feel ‘known’?
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What is one thing you can do to help alleviate another person’s isolation and make them feel that they are ‘of worth’?
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Name two things you can do to cultivate or nurture your primary relationships this week?
Just as Anna and Simeon received the baby Jesus and gained new hope for the future, we are to take the gift of Christmas and carry it with us all year round.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. How long do you tend to keep your Christmas decorations up in your house?
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What memories do you have this past Christmas of different generations coming together?
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How will you be a bridge between generations this upcoming year?
We are all familiar with the Nativity story. We know of Mary and Joseph, of the shepherds and the angels. But what about the setting? The stable and the manager? We take a closer look at the setting of the Christmas story and what implications it has on our lives.
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Reflection Questions
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What are your favorite images and scenes in the Christmas story?
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How will you make room for Jesus to be born anew into your life?
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How will you allow Jesus to work through you to impact the lives of others?
Advent is a time of anticipating joy, exemplified in the Magnificat of Mary. Her soul rejoiced at the prospect of the arrival of justice, equality, and liberation for all people. That vision should both encourage us and motivate us to offer joy to others.
HydeParkUMC.org/Christmas
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
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When has fear ever blocked your sense of joy?
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When have you experienced the joy of giving yourself in generosity to others?
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What is God calling you to do, to move you from fear to joy by serving others?
Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus, foretold by John the Baptist, who called us to “make his paths straight.” This can serve as a metaphor for peace-building and peace-making, which is at the heart of our Advent preparations. We should strive to be agents of peace, in our relationships with others.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/Christmas
Reflection Questions:
1. What “potholes” exist in your life that need to be filled by God?
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How will you build bridges this week with people who are in a broken relationship with you?
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How will you help remove barriers of injustice and inequity that prevent peace in our society?
Advent is a time of watching and waiting in expectation of the inbreaking of God’s power and love to be among us. We should not lose hope, and we should remain attentive and ready to respond.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/Chirstmas
Reflection Questions
- What are you waiting for, longing for, hoping for – deep in your heart – this Advent?
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Where do you see signs of ‘hope’ in the world? And how does that encourage you to share ‘hope’ with others?
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What Advent practices do you observe during this season? Or have you observed in the past?
Calling Jesus Lord is not just a statement we make; it is a life we choose to live. He is the pre-eminent expression of God’s full character and behavior. In him, we discover our truest purpose and meaning in life, and to him, we are called to be obedient and faithful.
The parable of the mustard seed is one of Jesus’ most famous and familiar parables. It reminds us that small acts of generosity, no matter how insignificant it seems, can be used by God to multiply into wider impact for a wide host of people.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/LoveForAll
HydeParkUMC.org/EOG
Reflection Questions:
What new insights have you learned from the parable of the mustard seed?
What does the garden in the parable symbolize for you?
How have you experienced God’s love through the ministries of the church?
Our faithful generosity is a response to the generosity of God, who calls us to be responsible caretakers of all our resources. By saving, spending, and giving faithfully, we can create a storehouse of treasure that will be a solid foundation for the future of God’s kingdom, and help us “take hold of that which is truly life.”
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/LoveForAll
Reflection Questions:
- What are your earliest memories related to money?
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When in your life have you felt truly and fully content?
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How will you be more generous in your time, your spirit, and your financial giving to the church?
We have been given an inheritance by God, which is the richness of grace and salvation, passed down through the generations. On this day when we celebrate the saints who have gone before us, we give thanks for their enduring example of faithfulness and generosity, and pledge to live out their legacy in our faithful giving.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/LoveForAll
Our generosity begins with the generosity of God, who calls us to be in a special relationship together, for the benefit of the world. This is the basis of the important biblical concept of covenant, seen most vividly in the call of Abraham. And just as Abraham gave a tenth of his belongings as a response to God’s covenant, we are called to be generous as a response to God’s goodness.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydePartkUMC.org/LoveForAll
Reflection Questions:
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How have you experienced God’s unconditional love for you? In what ways do you struggle with believing that?
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How have you seen God loving all people through this church?
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How will you respond with gratitude and generosity to God’s love in your life?
As we recognize and celebrate of missions partners this week, we are reminded of the Great Commission. As followers of Jesus, we are charged with bringing the scriptural truth to all the world.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What comes to mind when you think of the word ‘missions’?
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In what way is God calling you to be a light that shines for others?
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What missions partnerships in our church will you learn more about and get involved in?
Jesus calls us to forgive, no questions asked, or excuses accepted. It is a requirement of all those who would choose to call themselves Christian.
HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reflection Questions:
1. What do you think is the relationship between 1) God’s forgiveness of us, and 2) our forgiveness of others?
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What for you is the most difficult aspect of forgiveness?
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What steps will you take to move toward forgiveness between you and someone else?
Love is the chief distinguishing feature of a follower of Jesus. It is one whom, in Wesley’s words, the “love of God has been shed abroad in their hearts.” The Great Commandment (attested in each of the synoptic gospels) is a vivid expression of this call to love.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful
Reflection Questions:
1. How does the way you love a person change as your relationship changes over time?
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In what way is time more a “pressure” than a “privilege” to you these days?
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How will you spend more time sharing it in love for God and others?
God calls us to seek the way of justice, which is a central norm of the Hebrew scriptures and an integral part of Jesus’ vision for the kingdom.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful
Reflection Questions:
1. What is your understanding of justice? What new things did you discover about justice that are helpful?
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How will you live a just life, in the way God intends you to live?
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How will you help create a just community, helping others to be a full and equal part of it?
We are called by God to contribute to the flourishing of all human beings, because every person is of sacred worth.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you understand the sacredness of life to be an essential part of Christian character and ethics?
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When have you ever felt “out of tune” with God’s image in you? When have you felt “in tune”?
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How will you contribute to the flourishing of those around you?
We live in a world where adherence to agreed notions of truth is elusive. We are more prone to seeing deceit, delusion, and distraction rather than truth. Good and faithful Christians claim the truth of God, even if it is uncomfortable and inconvenient.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways do you see a need for more truthfulness in our world today?
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How do you think truthfulness and trustworthiness are related?
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What will you do to be a more truthful person?
God has made us to be a spectacle “theatron” of the world, so we should model the kind of holy life to which we have been called.
HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful
Reflection Questions:
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What do you think constitutes good character?
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Which of the five qualities do you emulate best, and which do you have to work on?
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What would it mean for you to be a “light of the world” this week?
Jesus calls us to love our enemies, those who are hardest to love, despite what they might have done to us.
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Reflection Questions:
1. Who are the enemies in your life?
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What does Jesus mean when he says, “pray for those who persecute you”?
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How can you pray for your enemies this week?
Jesus calls us to a selfless love, which regards the dignity and worth of others, regardless of our differences.
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Reflection Questions:
- Which character(s) in the Good Samaritan story do you most identify with?
2. When have you been helped by a person who is different from you in some way?
3. What next step will you take to love others across our differences?
Jesus calls us to love God with the entirety of our lives: heart, soul, mind, and strength.
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Reflection Questions:
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What is your experience each day in trying to figure out what to wear?
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Who in the church has been a spiritual influence in your life?
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How will you be more actively engaged in worship?
There may be many causes of fear in our lives, but in many cases, the greatest and most reliable antidote is the love of God, for “perfect love casts out fear.”
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Reflection Questions:
1. What would your life look like if you more fully abided in God’s love? How would your family, community, co-workers, church, people in the community know?
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Where do you have fear? How can love enter into it?
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How might you live love without fear this week?
God loved us so much that God gave us Jesus (John 3:16). We are called to love one another, as an expression of the love of God (1 John 3:16)
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Reflection Questions:
1. What does it mean to ‘lay down’ one’s life for a friend? Can you give an example of that?
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What are some ways you see our church loving ‘in deed and truth?’
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Where is Jesus standing in front of you, inviting you to boldly show love to a neighbor?
The light of God’s love convicts us of our sins, especially in the ways that we mistreat each other and cause harm.
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https://www.barna.com/research/christians-more-like-jesus-or-pharisees/
Reflection Questions:
- What do you think it means to be a follower of Jesus?
2. How do your answers to the Barna survey make you more like Jesus? More like the Pharisees?
3. What changes will you make in your life to follow Jesus better?
Just as the sun is the source of life and energy for all creation, so is Jesus the source of love and goodness for all humanity.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What animal terrifies you?
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What in your life needs the Light? How are you blocking the Light?
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How do you confess and when was the last time?
4. In what ways will you walk in the Light this week?
In Christ we are never alone. We are connected to God, to each other, and in ministry to the world.
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Reflection Questions:
1. To stay connected to Jesus who is the vine, what spiritual practices do you observe?
2. In your life, what might the ‘keeper of the vineyard’ need to prune?
3. What does it mean to ‘bear fruit’ in your life?
The way of Jesus gives us the clearest, most direct path toward living life as God intends.
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Reflection Questions:
1. Would it make a difference in your life if you heard Jesus’ “Follow Me” as a command rather than an invitation?
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What trouble is in your heart that you need God to help you deal with?
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What are you doing to care for creation to honor Jesus as the Co-Creator?
In Christ, death is never the last word, just as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What does it mean to follow Jesus, the one who invites us into the fullness of life and death?
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What tomb are you being invited to exit? To come out of?
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Where do you see new life in your midst?
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Imagine Jesus in front of you, asking, ‘do you believe this?’ How would you respond?
Jesus cares for us, preserving and protecting us from the power of sin. We must learn to listen for Jesus’ voice, and follow where he leads us.
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Reflection Questions:
1. In what way are you in need of a “Good Shepherd” today?
2. How do you best hear the voice of Jesus in your life?
3. How will you be less like a cow that needs to be pushed, and more like a sheep that is willing to follow?
Jesus is the means through which we can experience the fullness of God’s presence and enjoy a full relationship with God.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What would you say are the “thieves” in your life?
2. What noises in your life compete with your ability to hear Jesus?
3. How will you learn to better listen to the voice of Jesus?
Jesus meets us in our blindness and gives us the ability to see God’s grace and love, just as he cured the blind man.
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Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways are you like the Pharisees in these stories? How do you need the light of Jesus?
2. How are you like the woman and the man in both stories? How do you need the light of Jesus?
3. How will you shine the light of Jesus to others this week?
Jesus satisfies our deepest hungers, just as he fed the multitudes.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What favorite memory do you have of communion?
2. What difference do anamnesis and prolepsis make in your appreciation of communion?
3. How will you be the body of Christ for people this week?
The arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost enables the church to be a community of love that embraces diversity and inclusion.
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Reflection Questions
1. When have you experienced the presence and power of the Holy Spirit with others?
2. How is God calling you to do the work of Tikkun Olam, “repairing the world”?
3. What excites you about being a part of the future of this church?
Faithful love chooses to see reality through the “long view,” and never loses hope, regardless of how bad things might look now.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What is a part of your childhood that you miss?
2. Who are those who loved you into being?
3. What do you think it means for love to be the greatest thing, greater than faith and hope?
A love that forgives actively repairs broken relationships by “turning down the temperature” of heated conflict, and seeking to move forward, rather than live in the past.
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Reflection Questions:
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Is it more difficult to forgive others or yourself?
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Why do you think Jesus commands forgiveness?
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How might you love others this week?
A love that is gentle discovers alternatives to unhealthy anger, and seeks common understanding and dialogue.
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Reflection Questions:
1. When do you think it is okay to be angry?
2. What do you think is the difference between unhealthy and healthy anger?
3. What will you do to be less provoked by angry experiences and people?
A love that is humble recognizes the decency and worth of others, and embraces differences as opportunities for learning.
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Reflection Questions:
- Who has exemplified humility in your life? What have you learned from them?
- In what ways is it hard for you to be humble?
- How will you practice a healthy sense of humility each day?
A love that is kind reaches across barriers to bring people into the fold. God's nature in the Hebrew Bible is often described with the word "HESED" which roughly translates to "loving-kindness." We know love when someone wants the best for us and invites us into a life of goodness.
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Reflection Questions
1. Love is many things…. But it is especially KIND. Describe how you feel when someone does something kind for you?
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If love is an action, what is one active way you can share some kindness today?
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Princess Diana reached across the chasms of uncomfortableness to bring healing through a simple gesture of kindness. Can you think of other examples like that?
Paul’s classic passage in 1 Corinthians 13 is a well-known, often quoted exploration of love. The love he describes is not merely sentimental or romantic, despite this passage’s frequent use in wedding ceremonies. The love described in 1 Corinthians 13 is rigorous, strong, and forged in the hardships of life. In other words, this is a love that overcomes and conquers. It endures, it bears, it does not bend to sinful tendencies, and it never ends. This series will explore these fierce and relentless qualities of God’s love, as an encouragement to us as we seek to live the resurrected life.
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Resurrection is possible in the most unlikely moments, in the most unsuspecting of ways. We can open our eyes to see the presence of Jesus in our midst.
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Reflection Questions:
1. Which of these three prayers have you prayed, or are even praying now?
2. When has it been true that God has been active in your life, without your realizing it?
3. How do you hope to encounter God’s resurrection in your life?
Jesus invites us into an experience of his life, death, and resurrection, and calls us to remembrance through the bread and the cup.
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Reflection Questions:
1. How do you identify with Judas in this story? How about with Mary?
2. How will you spend your time spiritually preparing for Easter this week?
- What stories at the table have you found most meaningful this Lenten series?
We are prone to making too many excuses for not making or following through on our commitment to Jesus. God calls us to give our all, and our very best.
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https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pasco/community-shows-up-for-3-year-olds-birthday-party-when-no-one-else-did
Reflection Questions:
- Have you ever hosted an event where fewer people showed up than you hoped? How did that make you feel?
2. Which of the characters in the parable do you most identify with?
- Who is someone you know that you can encourage this week? What will you do to encourage them?
The table of God is expansive and inclusive, and we are called to invite all people to experience God’s grace and love.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What manners did you learn as a child at the dinner table? How do those lessons apply to relating to people today?
2. What do you think is the fine line between hostility and hospitality? When is the line blurry between the two?
3. How will you work to extend the hospitality of God’s love to people who feel excluded?
We are called to offer our fullest commitment to Jesus, regardless of the cultural pressures that would beckon otherwise.
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Reflection Questions:
1. How do you normally greet someone whom you have invited to your home for dinner?
- In what ways is your spiritual life “perfunctory”?
- How will you make repentance and confession a more regular part of your spiritual practices?
Jesus calls us to love the ones whom society has deemed unredeemable and unworthy.
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Reflection Questions:
1. When did you attend a dinner party and encounter interesting people you weren’t expecting to meet?
2. How is a dinner table a good metaphor for God’s love and generosity?
3. What will you do to help welcome new people and make room for their place at God’s table?
The grace of Jesus Christ is enough to satisfy our deepest hunger, even as we are called to meet the needs of physically hungry people in the world.
Reflection Questions:
1. What are your favorite memories involving meal or a table?
2. When have you had an experience of physical, emotional, or spiritual scarcity?
3. How will you participate in a miracle of abundance for the sake of someone else? What do you need to turn over to Jesus?
Despite the original goodness of God’s creation, human sin has corrupted the world. Our mortality is a reminder of our utter dependence on God.
God models for us the principle of rest and renewal. Creation is incomplete if it does not allow for rebirth and rejuvenation. We should pattern our lives in the same way.
Reflection Questions:
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What is your preferred way to enjoy Sabbath rest?
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What makes it hard to carve out time for practicing Sabbath in your life?
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What would help you be more faithful in your Sabbath practices?
We are made in God’s image, which means we are meant to be in connection and relationship with God and one another. We are therefore called to acts of reconciliation and love.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you witness human beings’ capacity for goodness? For evil?
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Where do you need to experience the grace of God in your life?
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To whom or where can you extend grace this week?
One of the first commands that God gave to humans was to take dominion of the animals. But what does that mean exactly? St. Francis of Assisi modeled for us a care and concern for all life, especially animals. We should live at peace with all creatures.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. What are your favorite memories involving a pet or other animals?
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What do you think it means for humans to have “dominion” over animals?
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How will you work to help animals fulfill their potential to add more richness and beauty to the world?
Looking into the vastness of the universe both humbles us and fills us with awe and reverence for God. The rev. Magrey deVega describes how infinite, intimate, and incarnate space can be when showing us how God is working in both the universe and our lives.
Reflection Questions
- What is a vivid memory you have involving space?
2. How does thinking about the universe give you a sense of awe and wonder about God?
3. When you remember that everything is created out of the same material, by the same God, how does that change your relationship with creation and other people?
There is a plethora of discourse about how to take care of the Earth these days. The Bible is clear in that we are called to appreciate and preserve the planet, restoring it to the goodness of God’s original intention.
Reflection Questions:
1. Can you remember when you first noticed and were overcome by the beauty of the earth?What was that like?
2. What are you most concerned about with regards to Climate Change?
3. What is one thing you could start doing to help better care for the creation? When will you start?
The Bible tells us that the sky declares the glory of God; their voice ringing out throughout all of the Earth. If you are feeling lost or lonely, look up. Sense God’s presence in the vastness of the sky.
Reflection Questions:
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What song connects you to the sky?
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How do you answer Einstein’s question?
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In what ways will you look for God’s work this week? How will you look for Jesus?
The creation story is an iconic part of the Bible, yet it is often misunderstood and underappreciated. We don’t have to ascribe to a literal understanding of creation (i.e., a literal seven days of creation) in order to marvel at its living truth. For the ancient Israelites, the creation story was less about explaining how the universe came into being, and more about who did the creating, and how we are to relate to the Creator and all creation.Reflection Questions:
1. How do you think God is still creating and bringing order out of chaos?
2. What is your favorite or most vivid memory of a baptism?
3. How would you like God to open your eyes and strengthen your faith?
We all know that nothing spectacular happens when the clock strikes midnight, ushering in the new year. I'm sure many of us would like for that to happen, though. The thing is, God is the only one that can see your life in the broadest sense there is. He has his timing and plans for you already laid out. While we may not see, or even see it coming, God wants us to be faithful to him as he is faithful to us. This new year, God wants to write a new covenant with you on your heart.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is your favorite New Year’s memory?
2. How have you seen God’s transformation and provision in your life, but only in retrospect?
3. How will you recommit your life to Jesus over the coming year?
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It has been noted that you life changes significantly about every 5 years. Some of us read that and think that that is a long amount of time for change to occur. It's the same way when we expect something from God. While His plan can change everything rapidly, almost like flipping on a light switch, many of those other times it takes a while. But like how the sun rises gradually each morning, so too will the Light of Christ penetrate the darkness from the world and banish it from out lives.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what areas of your life do you need the light of Jesus today?
2. When have you seen God’s power in your life, but only in retrospect?
3. How will you live out the hope and joy of Christmas moving forward?
On this Christmas Eve, we are reminded about how grandiose and extravagant the season wants to be. Especially when it comes to presents. However, Rev. Magrey would like to remind us about the smaller, more impactful moments this holiday. Remember to slow down and don't miss how God can work in your life, even in the small things.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is your favorite Christmas memory? What is your most difficult Christmas memory?
2. How will you look more diligently for the blessings of God in your life?
3. How will you look to be a blessing for others in the coming days and weeks?
In the final week of Advent, we explore the unexpected way God came to us as a king. Most stories depict the scene of a returning king with violence and a triumphant, exuberant return to the throne. However, that is not how Jesus came to us. He took the idea of a conquering, warrior-king and flipped it upside down. He did not come to be served, but rather to serve others and to show the world what true love is through justice and self-sacrifice.
In our 3rd week of Advent, we discover something a bit...odd. This weeks' song, along with our scripture reading, have a common theme. God is relaying instructions for how to conduct a celebration for an event that hasn't even happened yet. As with the first set of instructions given to the Israelites for Passover, Advent is a time of preparing and focusing on something that is yet to come: The coming of Jesus into our lives.
“But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact pleases You.”- Thomas Merton
In the 2nd week of our advent series, we discuss the song "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light." How does one exactly become a Child of the Light and what does that mean for us and how we effect those around us? The world we live in is filled with suffering, despair, and darkness. But just as Jesus came to Earth to be a light to the world, so to can we who the love of God to others.
During Advent we are so fixated on the Christmas Carols and texts that we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about Advent Carols and how powerful their meanings can be. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is such a remarkable and classic hymn that dates back over 1000 years. But what you may not know is the hidden meaning placed cleverly amongst the words. This hidden meaning is a wonderful reminder of what the real reason for the season is.
Gratitude on a communal level means joining our resources to meet the greatest needs of our community and world. Diana Butler Bass describes this fourth quadrant in this way: “If you emphasize we and ethics, you might define gratitude as social responsibility that demands action through public commitments to charity, stewardship, volunteerism, and social institutions. You believe that gratitude is an essential foundation of civic life, taking pride in doing good."
Living with Gratitude means orienting our individual actions toward the benefit of others, including the surrender of our personal finances to God. Gratitude is not just an emotional attenuation of the heart. It has an impact on our actions and ethical choices. Diana Butler Bass called this third quadrant the “Personal/Ethical, and described it in this way: “If you emphasize me and ethics, you might experience gratitude as a moral or ritual response to a favor extended to you. Returning dinner invitations, writing thank-you notes, and repaying personal obligations come naturally. You think of gratitude in terms of individual responsibility and reciprocity.”
On this Sunday we join with Christians around the world in a public act of corporate, emotional gratitude, as we honor the saints who have gone before us. By honoring them, we see our own place in the grand march of history and the ongoing work of God. That recognition is a humbling motivation for us to turn in our estimates of giving and contribute to the unfolding story of God’s love.
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Living with Gratitude means opening our heart to wonder, awe, and an awareness of God’s blessings in our lives, both great and small. Diana Butler Bass describes this first quadrant of gratitude as Personal/Emotional: “If you emphasize me and emotions, you are probably attuned to the inner dimensions of awe, surprise, and appreciation and have strong feelings when someone helps you, serves you, or gives you a gift. You define gratitude in terms of delight, joy, or surprise.”
Matthew 28 contains the words of the Great Commission, the iconic final command of Jesus to the disciples. His charge to “go into all the world” to make disciples makes it a fitting text for our annual Missions Celebration Sunday. As we celebrate our partnerships with missions agencies locally around the world, this text begs the question: is there more to engaging in missions than simply supporting efforts from a distance? Was Jesus also calling us to make missions a way of being, a way of life? Those are the compelling questions that our guest preacher Rev. Dr. Martyn Atkins will explore with us. He has 40 years of experience in British Methodism and is a leader in the Fresh Expressions movement and the World Methodist Council. He is currently serving Lighthouse UMC in Boca Grande, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Ian. We welcome him this Sunday and are honored by his insights and wisdom.
Neurologically speaking, our brains do not shut down when we go to sleep, and our subconscious kicks into gear with processing the flurry of information that we wrestle with during our waking hours. Is it possible that God speaks to us through our subconscious? On this Sunday, we’ll look at various scientific and psychological studies about dreaming, and learn how to put our dreams into context. Yes, it is possible that God speaks to us through our dreams, but interpreting them requires intentionality and care, just like everything else related to listening for God’s voice.
We can all admit that we don’t like to wait. Time moves sometimes like an Arctic glacier. The second hand on the clock seems to tick every five minutes. It’s like someone pressed the giant pause button in the sky. Or even in reverse. We are the cyber-speed, hyper-drive generation. We like our internet connectivity to be fiber optic, our exercise regimen to be done in minutes rather than months, our meals to be ready at a moment’s notice, and our online orders to be delivered when the website promises. We don’t like to wait. For the doctor, for the traffic, for our dinner, for the mail carrier … or for God.
But as part of this series on the art of hearing God’s voice, we should acknowledge and affirm that waiting - as hard as it may be - is an essential part of trusting in and following Jesus. But with that challenge comes good news. The prophet Isaiah promises that waiting on the Lord renews our strength, enabling us to fly like an eagle, and run and walk the journey of life for the long haul.
One of the hardest parts about hearing God’s voice is when we have to confront so much hurt and brokenness in the world. We wonder what God is doing and saying in the face of such suffering around us. The scripture reading for this Sunday is more commonly heard on Ascension Sunday, but its principles apply all year long. God is calling us to be the very hands, feet, and voice of Jesus in a world that is longing to see, hear, and experience God’s presence, activity, and voice. Jesus promised his disciples, and promises us, that the Holy Spirit is with us, empowering us to the task. On this World Communion Sunday, and in the weeks leading up to Missions Celebration Sunday on October 23, we affirm and acknowledge the part we play in making God’s love real around the world. We also remember that the communion liturgy asks God to “make [the elements] the body and blood of Christ, that we might be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.”
The author of Proverbs describes the life of faith as acknowledging God, so that God can direct our path (steps). That means trusting that God will reveal the journey ahead of us, one step at a time, so that our main job is to take a step of faith when God is calling us to do so. This does not mean, however, that we simply sit back and let God do the revealing. We have to be intentional about listening, surrendering, and watching for the Spirit, so we can “sing when the Spirit says sing,” in the words of the old spiritual. That is what Proverbs describes as “leaning not unto our own understanding.”
It goes without saying, but the first step in hearing God’s voice is having the desire to hear God’s voice. That should go without saying, but there is good news in that reminder. Just like Thomas Merton’s classic prayer says, the desire to please God does itself please God, even amid times of bewilderment. Hearing God’s voice is rooted in prayer, balanced among three dimensions, which can be remembered through the acronym S.O.S.
We are hungry for a sense of purpose, direction, and calling in our lives. That’s as basic an ingredient to the human experience as they come. We want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We want to participate in something that has eternal merit and lasting impact. We do not want to live a shallow, hollow existence. We yearn for deeper meaning, for deeper purpose within our lives. We want to be more than we are.
We conclude our worship series “The Meaning of Methodist” this Sunday with one of the chief hallmarks of Methodism. John Wesley observed the concept of the “via media” in developing his practical theology. He would often take the best of two ideological opposites to form a “way in the middle,” a vital third way that enabled people to hold the center together. We’ll explore why that is such a timely and necessary position today and discover how to apply that in our lives.
Rev. Dr. Gary Mason of Rethinking Conflict in Belfast, Northern Ireland will be our guest preacher for the day. He can speak to the global nature of the church and the impact that the United Methodist can make in the work of peace with justice and the alleviation of suffering. Together, we live out the vision of John Wesley to make a difference in the physical, social, and systemic brokenness of the world. For in his words, “There is no holiness apart from social holiness.”
In the Exodus reading, Moses discovered that the task of leading the people and advancing the mission of God among the Israelites was too great for one person to handle. That’s why he created a connectional system of governance, administration, and support. Likewise, the idea of connectionalism is at the heart of being United Methodist. Each congregation is part of an interconnected whole of people and congregations around the world, joined by districts, conferences, jurisdictions, and central/regional conferences. We are ultimately connected by a General Conference. Likewise, no one person in the local church has all the power. We have staff and lay people serving on various committees that each share a vital part of leading the whole of the church. We all play a part in making ministry happen and advancing the mission of God.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed that works of devotion, service, and love are necessary. Not to earn our salvation, but to mature our salvation. And just like a tree that does not bear fruit, or a bird that has no song, or a star that produces no light, salvation without works is pointless. Even though we don’t earn our salvation by our works, we can’t use our salvation without works. The phrase that Wesley coined here is that we must “work out our salvation.” We need to prove it, express it, and exercise it with our deeds. And this lies at the heart of what it means to be called “Methodist.”
One of the hallmarks of United Methodism is the nuanced way that John Wesley both embraced human free will and God's grace. Both God's power and human will are necessary for salvation. Yes, we get to choose. But only because God's power makes our choice possible. Before we even knew there was a choice to make, eve as soon as we were born, God was hard at work drawing, luring us, convincing us to choose faith in Jesus.
In Top Gun: Maverick, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell confronts his regrets about his past and the consequences of his action and inaction. It's not unlike the disciple Peter confronting his denial and betrayal of Jesus.
In Paul’s classic metaphor of the church as the body of Christ, he reminds believers that each of them are responsible to one another for building each other up. When one suffers, all suffer with them. When one rejoices, all rejoice with them. Often, our society encourages us to think of ourselves individually, with our own uniqueness and special qualities that distinguish us from one another. But even in Paul’s description of spiritual gifts, he reminds us that those gifts are useful only in the context of community, when each person does their part. Encanto is a film about a family who, on the surface, seems remarkable because of the enchanting qualities of each of its members. But deep down, we discover that they are as dysfunctional as the rest of our families are, with their own secrets and skeletons. In the end, they discover that mutual love for each other, not outwardly remarkable abilities, is what makes them special.
The book of Ephesians is Paul’s clearest and greatest appeal to unity in Christ, despite all the forces that would otherwise tear us apart. Ever since the Tower of Babel, human beings have been proliferating in their diversity, and gathering in camps and tribes that often become at odds with each other. The Christians of Ephesus were tempted to allow their differences with one another compromise their unity and their common witness to the world. The prevalent use of the word “one” in this scripture passage underscores Paul’s call for Christians to be one together.
The classic comic book character Batman embodies the spirit of vengeance and retribution. He is deemed a vigilante by the general public, and during the most recent film “The Batman,” declares, “I am vengeance.” In many ways, Batman represents our base instincts to seek revenge on others, which must be tempered by a commitment to love, and to a justice that is forged by peace and forgiveness.
The early church gained in notoriety and vitality by becoming a community with hospitality and generosity. They welcomed new persons into the fellowship and ultimately, in Acts 15, extended the reach of God’s love to people who would otherwise be excluded. This spirit of expansive welcome is rendered beautifully in the production Come From Away, based on the true story of a small town of Gander, Newfoundland, who welcomed frightened, weary travelers in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.
The film "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" demonstrates the healing power of love and forgiveness. The acclaimed Fred Rogers serves as the conduit of that grace, as he interacts with Lloyd Vogel, a reporter who has been struggling with how to forgive his father and be reconciled with his family. Through the course of the film, and because of the kind, thoughtful, enduring wisdom of Mr. Rogers, Lloyd discovers how to experience a new kind of love, and a fuller relationship with others.
Our Disctrict Superintendent, the Rev. Emily Hotho joins us with a message about Jesus' parable of the sower. What might Jesus' lesson about seeds and good soils have to teach us about our faith and our perspective on the world?
The early church was not defined by the forms and structures that mark today’s modern church. It was marked by mission and purpose: to come together to worship, to sing and pray, to fellowship, and to serve and give to those in need. Each church ought to aspire to live up to, and into, a balance of those four purposes.
Pentecost (Greek for 50th) is the holy day celebrated 50 days after Easter. It is the moment that the Holy Spirit descended on the early disciples and sent them out into the world. It's a message of expansion and inclusion. And it calls us to widen our reach—to be carriers—of love and inclusion to all.
The 12 Steps have helped people overcome hurts, habits, and hang-ups. These steps help us do the work of self-examination that leads to a deeper relationship with God and with others. In many ways it is a form of discipleship where we grow and are changed through practices.
This week we conclude our series with Steps 10, 11, and 12. How can we abide in Christ by practicing perseverance, integrity, and service?
The 12 Steps have helped people overcome hurts, habits, and hang-ups. These steps help us do the work of self-examination that leads to a deeper relationship with God and with others. In many ways it is a form of discipleship where we grow and are changed through practices.
This week we explore Steps 8 and 9. How can integrity and restitution lead us toward identifying and forgiving those we've harmed?
The 12 Steps have helped people overcome hurts, habits, and hang-ups. These steps help us do the work of self-examination that leads to a deeper relationship with God and with others. In many ways it is a form of discipleship where we grow and are changed through practices.
This week we explore Steps 6 and 7. How can willingness and humility help us begin breaking old patterns?
The 12 Steps have helped people overcome hurts, habits, and hang-ups. These steps help us do the work of self-examination that leads to a deeper relationship with God and with others. In many ways it is a form of discipleship where we grow and are changed through practices.
This week we explore Steps 4 and 5. How can honesty and courage combat our resentments?
The 12 Steps have helped people overcome hurts, habits, and hang-ups. These steps help us do the work of self-examination that leads to a deeper relationship with God and with others. In many ways it is a form of discipleship where we grow and are changed through practices.
This week we explore Steps 2 and 3. Together with Step 1, we get the movement of faith—I can't; God can; I think I'll let him.
The 12 Steps have helped people overcome hurts, habits, and hang-ups. These steps help us do the work of self-examination that leads to a deeper relationship with God and with others. In many ways it is a form of discipleship where we grow and are changed through practices.
Discover how the first step—admitting you are powerless—resonates with the story of God and Jesus found in the Bible and in the life of an early Christ follower named Paul.
According to Luke, Peter was "amazed" at what had happened at the empty tomb on Easter morning. What can we learn from Peter's amazement? Where in our lives do we need to see God at work and lean in closer? And how did Peter's experience transform him?
God is brazen in turning tears into joy. Not so long after their brother, Lazarus, dies and is raised from the dead, Mary and Martha joyfully welcome Jesus into their home. Mary pours out the fragrant perfume (perhaps originally intended to anoint her brother’s body after death) and it fills the whole room. This is a brazen act of beauty. Beauty is resistance to death; beauty is an act of love. Her anointing of Jesus’ feet is also a public act of worship. Her faith does not hide; it is not frugal. It is embodied, broken open, and poured out. This isn’t a frugal faith—it is an abundant, extravagant faith. Mary’s act is also risky—she puts her full body into it, sort of like a protest. She exhibits a shameless and brazen faith.
As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the multitude of disciples begins to joyfully shout with praise. The Pharisees try to silence them, but Jesus responds: “I tell you, even if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” All of creation cries out with praise—that message rises above the noise, even if the oppressive powers want to silence it. As we begin our walk through Holy Week, let us ask: What can’t be silenced? What must be said? What things can we not stay quiet about? What is bubbling up that we need to give voice to—faith questions, apologies, issues of justice, truth-telling? As we go deeper into the story, the truth will soon be set free.
The word “prodigal” is commonly used to describe the son who squanders his inheritance. Yet, this parable invites us to consider how God’s grace is also prodigal—extravagant, lavish, illogical. This parable disrupts and expands our definitions of grace. Once again, grace is not earned. After wasting his resources, the younger son becomes destitute and returns home to his father, saying, “I am no longer worthy.” His father, instead, greets him with a celebration and the fatted calf. The older son, in contrast, has done everything “right”—he’s tried to perform, work hard, check all the boxes—but he forgets how to celebrate. How might you receive and extend prodigal grace?
Like the fig tree, you are worthy. You’re not a lost cause. You’re not a waste of resources. You deserve to be nurtured. Your fruit will come. Like the gardener, you are invited to see others with audacious hope and budding potential. The lesson of the fig tree invites us to unpack the source of our worth in a system and society that often measures worthiness by commerce, production, output, success, status, achievement, ethnicity, and/or gender identity. We might ask, “Can the fig tree have worth even if it never produces any figs?” What does that mean for us if the answer is “yes”?
God is our refuge. There is nothing that can separate you from God, or could keep God from gathering you in, protecting you fiercely. Jesus’ lament for Jerusalem is surprising given how he is treated by Jerusalem. And yet, no matter how much we try to separate ourselves from God, God will run to protect us. God’s love for us is fuller than we can imagine.
Even in the desert, Jesus expands our definitions of a full life. It’s not the life the Tempter presents: a life defined by excess power, control, or reign. Excess is not abundance, but there is more. There is a fuller life we are called to live. Even in the midst of struggle, oppressive forces, hardship, and grief—God’s promises spill over, like the bounty of the first fruits from the ground. Even in the desert, you are called to the riverside to be washed by grace.
As we bring our series on Nehemiah to a close, we are honored to have award-winning author and expert in religious studies, Diana Butler Bass join us. Diana reflects on resiliency through the lens of gratitude—her latest book is “Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks”—and how gratitude can flow out of a resilient life.
In the pivotal eighth chapter of Nehemiah, we come to realize that the rebuilding of the bricks and mortar of the wall was not the only renovation project God intended for the people. In fact, it was not the most important one. God was more interested in a rebuilding of the hearts of the people, and a renewed commitment to faithfulness and integrity. The reformer Ezra stood at the WaterGate and began to read to the people the law of Moses, the sacred scripture of their ancestors, and called them to repentance.
We cannot have a resilient faith without a diligent and daily reading of the scriptures. Nor is it good enough to just read the scriptures for our own comfort. We also need to open ourselves up to the potential of the scriptures to convict us, to correct us, and to reorient us toward God’s purposes.
The third chapter of Nehemiah is tempting to gloss over and read quickly. On the surface, it reads like a trivial listing of random names who contributed various parts to rebuilding the wall. But the list also underscores a crucial principle in developing and maintaining resilience: none of us can do it alone. We need the companionship and partnership of others in the journey. In modern terms of spiritual practices, we need to be part of a supportive, faithful small group of Christians with whom we can learn, pray, study, and do life together. And when each of us do our part and remain committed in small groups, the body of Christ can accomplish far more than we can as individuals.
Few characters in the Bible fit the role of antagonist quite like Sanballat and Tobiah. Shortly after Nehemiah and the people began construction on the wall, these two showed up to mock, criticize, and undermine their work. They ramped up their criticism in chapter 4, leading Nehemiah to double-down on his determination to inspire the people and get the job done. He offered this prayer to God in 4:4-5: “Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.”
When we are committed to doing what is right and living lives of integrity, opposition is bound to rise up. But God can help that criticism become fuel for us to remain steadfast and even more determined to stay true to God.
Much of Nehemiah’s prayer constitutes much of what one would expect: petition, confession, praise. But then there is this. At the end of the prayer, something happens to Nehemiah. God does something within his heart and his spirit to give him the courage to do something about the situation. The result of the prayer is that Nehemiah heard this message from God: “You, Nehemiah, are the answer to your own prayer.” God will give you the opportunity and the courage, and even the words to do something about your prayer concern.
Prayer can not only give us comfort and help us stand firm amid crisis. God can also use our prayers to prepare us to be part of the solution, and make a difference for others.
Perhaps the most famous verse in Philippians is from 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” The broader context is important to remember. Paul is not talking about doing something superhuman or in the realm of comic book superheroes. He is talking about living a faithful life despite the pressures and adversity of life. It begins with contentment, an acknowledgement that God has already and will always supply him with everything he needs. And just like God has demonstrated numerous times in the Bible, God gives us just enough to take one more step and go one more day, even when we feel like we can’t. No adversity is greater than God’s ability to provide for us.
Paul’s most vivid and encouraging word in Philippians is in verses 13 and 14: “Brothers and sisters, I myself don’t think I’ve reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me. The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.” The Bible sometimes uses the metaphor of a race to depict the spiritual life (Hebrews 12), but none is more vibrant than this one. We can imagine the spiritual life as a marathon, replete with hills and potholes and inclement conditions. But Paul calls us to “press on” and not give up. The source of that endurance comes from an “upward call,” which is to say that we should keep our head up and our eyes fixed on Jesus, who enables us to move on, one step at a time.
In this famous Christ hymn of the early church, Paul encourages us to have the mind of Jesus Christ. It is in the kenosis (self-emptying) of Jesus that he shows us that the way to true life is not through selfish ambition and rising to greatness, but through service, humility, and obedience. That can be a gateway to joy, as we are liberated from the needs of self and freed to love God and others. (thus fulfilling the great commandment). The central part of this text is verses 3 and 4. They are both necessary. It begins with the mindset of being selfless; it is expressed by assuming the best in others.
Paul begins with this encouragement in verse 6: “the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.” For Paul, joy comes from the acknowledgment that since the beginning, God has been working in our lives, and will be relentless and reliable in working in us through every challenge of life. God is not only with us along the way, but is ahead of us at the finish line to see us through to the end.
Jeff Morton (Seminary Student and Chaplain at Tampa General Hospital) considers what our lives would look like if we re-gifted more often in our lives—specifically regifting forgiveness, encouragement, kindness, and presence.
Everything has a beginning. And returning to explore those beginnings can help us understand what we are meant to be doing in the present. Tonight, we return to the beginning of the Christian story—the birth of Jesus—and discovered what it means to be full of grace and truth.
In one wonderful, glory-filled instant, the shepherds went from lowly, overlooked citizens to ambassadors of good news and great joy. The Christmas story from Luke 2 reminds us that God sees more in us than we might see in ourselves, and empowers us to make a big difference for the kingdom. How might we as a church communicate the good news of Jesus? How might we reach out in invitation and love to those we know, to experience the love of God born at Christmas?
Step into Mary's story through this dramatic reflection on the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. From the appearance of the angel Gabriel to sitting alone after Jesus' death and resurrection, reflect with us on the meaning of Jesus' life through the eyes of his mother's love.
The story of Zechariah—and his song in Luke 1:67-80—pray for a coming time of peace, when God will send a savior to the Israelites. This Christmas season it can be hard to feel at peace with all the to-dos and the busyness that comes with the season. Find out ways to discover peace this season.
John the Baptist arrives in the Christmas story as one of the most unexpected guests. He's a nomad—a wandering prophet—telling people to repent and to straighten out their paths. It's bizarre! But what might this have to teach us about how to structure our preparation for the birth of Jesus this Advent? What can we learn from John about confession and about repentance? And how can that make Christmas more meaningful?
The opening of Paul’s letter to the church in Collossae offers a grand, sweeping vision of the majesty and supremacy of Jesus Christ. It is a comprehensive view of Christ’s lordship, encompassing not just the personal, but the communal and cosmic as well. On this Christ the King Sunday, we acknowledge that Jesus seeks to be lord of more than just our individual lives, but also seeks to right the systemic injustices of our community, heal the broken divisions within the body of Christ, and offer salvation and grace to the whole world. The title of the sermon “Christ at the Center” echoes the first and foremost core value of our church, and reminds us that if Christ is not at the center of our lives, then nothing else matters.
We know these are tough times for a lot of people. Many families are living with economic uncertainty. Affordable housing is hard to come by, and the “poor we have always among us,” as Jesus said. But such times are not new to the people of God, who throughout history have been called to focus less on their own needs and more on making an impact through their generosity and love.
This Sunday is Commitment Sunday, in which we give in gratitude for God’s goodness and in celebration of the impact of this church. But most importantly, it is a commitment to living beyond focusing on our own needs, so that we can be the hope that God is calling us to give to the world.
This is All Saints’ Sunday, traditionally the first Sunday of November, in which we join with Christians around the world in remembering the life, legacy, and impact of the saints who have gone before us. This text from Ephesians comes from the lectionary, and Paul reminds us of the blessed privilege it is to be a follower of Jesus. In Christ, we have been given a glorious inheritance of God’s love and grace, which has been handed down to us from our spiritual ancestors. It is now our turn to exhibit that same faithfulness, so that we can both experience and share the hope of God with the world.
In this moving passage from 1 Chronicles, David leads the Israelites through the power of his own generous example. God called the people to gather together the materials necessary for the building of the grand Temple, which David’s son Solomon would be entrusted to construct. The lavish, ornate materials necessary to build the Temple would come from the Israelites themselves. In other words, the Israelites already had all that was necessary to build the Temple; they just needed to surrender it over to God in an act of generosity.
God is calling our church to do amazing and mighty things in the future. What is amazing is that God has already given this church the means to accomplish our calling. It is simply in the wallets and hands of our people, awaiting an obedient and generous offering of our resources over to God. We have everything we need. We just need to give it to God.
Paul’s letter to the Galatians offered practical guidance on how to live in peace and harmony despite the cultural forces that would pull the apart. The instructions build to the fifth and final chapter, in which Paul boldly and plainly asserts that each Christian can play a role in building the kingdom simply by watching their own behavior: avoid the desires of the flesh, and live out the fruit of the spirit.
We remember that whenever the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the New Testament, it is never solely for the benefit of an individual; it is always for the benefit of the community. The fruit of the spirit – and specifically, generosity – is always for the purpose of building each other up and extending the reach of God’s love to more people.
The work of missions is tiring, difficult work at times. You may feel exhausted and worn out, in need of encouragement. Or maybe you are wondering what God has called you to do in the world. Derrick Scott from Campus City to Wesley in Jacksonville, FL encourages us to embody the Holy Spirit, practice repentance, and live into our ordination as people called to serve God.
This is simultaneously the easiest and hardest of the Great Commandment. It is one thing to love God, which we can render easier in our minds as simpler to do. But to love someone we can see, with consequences that we can more readily experience, that can be harder. Especially if that person is, in our minds, harder to love. But there is a reason that this is the ultimate conclusion of the Great Commandment. Loving others as ourselves is not only easier, but possible, when we love God with our whole being. It is the fruit that we can bear when our heart, soul, mind, and strength are right with God.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians tells us that whatever we do, we should do it for the glory of God. Every action, every moment of rest, every initiative we take, ought to be done through the filter of loving God and others. To do otherwise is to miss the mark, and it might even mean sin. The beauty of the Great Commandment is that it understands that none of these four aspects of our being (heart, soul, mind, and strength) can be offered to God in isolation. To give God our whole activity, it requires a matter of the will (mind) and purpose (soul) and passion (heart). God really requires (and deserves) everything we’ve got.
Faith and reason are not contradictory. Religion and science, long considered opposites, are actually complementary. As Christians in the Wesleyan tradition, we believe that “reason” is one of three primary ways we interact with and understand the authority of scripture. Loving God with our minds also means allowing room for doubt and questions. Our minds, after all, have a finite capacity in terms of understanding an infinite God. So embracing mystery can be a worshipful acknowledgement of the grandeur and majesty of God.
We often think about soul as something separate from our bodies, but what if is more than that? Explore how to fully reflect the breath of God in the way we live, finding alignment with the way and will of God.
When the Bible refers to a person’s heart, it is not just talking about the muscular organ in our bodies that pumps blood. Kardia is the Greek word for heart and refers to a person’s whole being. In a biblical sense, giving God our heart means allowing God to work in the most private and protected areas of our lives. It also means surrendering to God our honest and raw emotions, both the positive and negative feelings, but also the deeper ones like passion and longing. Ultimately, to trust God with our innermost emotions is to give God the whole of our being.
We conclude our series “Questions Jesus Asked” with the very first question Jesus asked in the gospel of John. In this passage, some followers of John the Baptist expressed an interest in learning more about Jesus, whose ministry John had been preparing the world to receive. The disciples of John approached Jesus with curiosity, humility, and openness, and discovered that Jesus was ready to meet them right where they were.
Likewise, God is honored by our earnest seeking, and we can approach the faith wherever we are, without having to have it all figured out. We can have our questions, doubts, and hurts from past faith experiences healed and transformed by the grace of God.
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you… are you kidding me, Jesus? But the truth, Jesus is not kidding. Indeed, he is prescribing an ethic of generosity for Christians living in a hostile world. Hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we ponder the question: Who will you love?
This was one of Jesus’ most famous and most important questions: What does it profit a person to gain the whole world but lose their soul? The answer, of course, is that nothing is worth compromising one’s faith, integrity, or conviction. God desires nothing less of us than the full and complete surrender to God’s will. Anything we hold onto for ourselves will not last. But everything we yield over to God will make an eternal impact in the countless lives who come after us. And who doesn’t want to touch eternity in this way?
In Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount, he offers the same teaching as that in Matthew: Do not worry. God’s got this. If God is able to care for the flowers and the birds, who do not worry one day to the next about their provision and security, “how much more” does God care about us? It is the promise within that famous equivocation that we often take for granted. Flowers and birds might not worry because they are not conscious of the choice they have to make not to worry. We, however, have a choice. And rather than choose to worry, we can surrender ourselves to God and know that God is always by our side, providing for our every need.
This passage is Matthew’s version of Jesus calming the storm. As the disciples were cowering in fear over the wind and the waves, Jesus seemingly rebukes them for their lack of faith. If we are honest, we would have very much the same reaction that the disciples did. We evaluate with our senses the conditions of the world, and come to a reasonable conclusion about the threats that are present around us. But Jesus calls us to extend our faith past our senses, and take heart in the presence of God. Trusting in God’s presence and power enables us to overcome our fears and alleviate our anxieties.
The Transfiguration of Jesus serves as the hinge or pivot point in Mark’s gospel. There are the teachings and miracles of Jesus that take place before then, followed by the predictions of Jesus’ death and promise of resurrection that take place after. Directly preceding the Transfiguration is an important conversation between Jesus and the disciples, whom Jesus asks about public opinion. Only Peter appears to answer the question correctly: “You are the Messiah.” That response is the key in Mark to understanding fully what Jesus came to earth to do, and is the gateway to eternal life. It is also the most important question we have to answer in our own lives.
David is nearing the end of his life, and he recognizes that because of his warlike nature, God has forbidden him from building the Temple. His final words therefore not only seal his achievements and summarize his life, they also serve as a transition to Solomon and his reign. More significantly, in the next chapter, David decides to build an altar of praise and confession to God, praying for an end to the plague. That act of contrition cements that location as the very place where the plague would stop and where the Temple would eventually be built. This story reminds us that God always has the bigger picture in mind. Where we see defeat and despair, God sees resurrection. Where we see an end, God sees a transition into a bright future. Where we see only the limits of our existence, God sees the enduring legacy that we can leave behind.
The very first thing we learn about David is that he is a worshiper. From his days out in the field to his final years on the throne, he worshiped God. Worship should be a whole-life expression for us, too. Many of the Psalms are attributed to him, and in them we see the intersection between human pathos (the breadth of the human experience) and divine pathos (the purpose and will of God). In 2 Samuel 6, we see David’s actions in relation to the entrance of the ark of the covenant. He exhibited a free-spirited, wholehearted praise of God, caring little of what people thought of him. His primary focus was on pleasing and thanking God. That can be a model for how we come to worship and express our praise to God.
David’s hubris and his inability to practice self-control led to his greatest downfall. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. But his downfall began even before these events occurred. It began with his arrogance, his delusional belief that he was the source of his accomplishments and could therefore acquire and achieve anything he desired. He was so blinded by his delusion that Nathan’s indictment of him caught him completely off guard. Sin is like that. It convinces us that we are better than we are, and lures us away from vigilance and trust in God.
Every quintessential hero story has a “rite of passage” moment, in which the hero explodes onto the scene with a captivating, high-profile achievement. This is what the story of David and Goliath is. It is a story of good vs. evil, underdog vs. oppressor, hope vs. despair. David was able to conquer Goliath because of God’s presence and power. But even before that, he exhibited bravery based on his remembrance of what God had done for and through him in the past. We can learn how to conquer all that threatens us, by trusting in the same God who saw us through in the past.
Peter is one of the more notable figures in the New Testament, in part because he represents us so well. Like him, we are impatient, ambitious, and think more highly of ourselves than we ought. It often got him into trouble. John’s gospel ends with a powerful, private conversation between Jesus and Peter, in which Peter gets a second chance. As a result, he preached the sermon of his life and became a pivotal figure in the birth and development of the church.
No person had it worse in the Bible than Job. His story does not fit cleanly into the chronology of the Bible. He is a kind of helpless pawn between God and the forces of evil, maybe in a way that we sometimes feel so helpless. But even though Job’s world fell apart, God’s presence and power became more real to him in the middle of his suffering. Job teaches us how to trust in God.
Since birth, Moses was fighting against the odds. He narrowly escaped murder by Pharaoh because of the sacrifice of his family. He lived a life of privilege but had to suppress his ethnic heritage. After committing murder, he was a lost soul on the run. But God found him, called him, and believed in him. The story of Moses is a reminder that each of us are part of God’s grand design. All we have to do is trust that God will help us do our part.
Few people had it worse in the Bible than Joseph. He was despised by his brothers because of his father’s favoritism. He was cast from the family into slavery, framed by a high official’s wife, cast into prison, and long forgotten by his family. But Joseph not only persevered; he maintained his faith and integrity. He is a model to us of how to keep going, no matter what hardship we are facing.
The Sunday after Pentecost is traditionally known as Trinity Sunday, the only holy day of the year named after a doctrine of the church, rather than a biblical event. The Holy Spirit which touched the earth on Pentecost is still active in our lives and throughout the world today. But for many, the Holy Spirit is the most mysterious member of the Trinity, one we often overlook when it comes to thinking about God. We will discover together new understandings and appreciation of the Holy Spirit based on John 16, in which Jesus describes how the Spirit “guides us into truth” and prompts us to “glorify Jesus Christ."
When the Holy Spirit touched down 2,000 years ago, it sparked a brush fire of energy and excitement that continues to draw people to follow Jesus from all over the world. The new creation that God is doing is nothing less than the entire redemption of this whole creation back to its originally intended order. And when we live into the vision of Hyde Park United Methodist, we participate in the work that God is doing all around the world.
Because we are connected to God, we can be connected to each other. In a time when we feel pulled apart from each other due to divisions and disagreements, we are called to lean into our connection. Together, we can be an interdependent, interconnected community of people, strengthening and encouraging each other.
John says that belief in Jesus brings us everlasting life. It is a kind of life that isn’t relegated to the time after we die. It is something we can begin living here and now. We can live out the abundant, everlasting life now, because of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. How might we be open to God’s grace, which fashions us to be more like Jesus every day.
We do not face life alone. No matter what we go through, we are connected to God just as a branch is connected to the vine. We only have to be open to the work of God in our lives, and participate in the disciplines that strengthen and nourish our relationship with God. Doing so enables us to bear the fruit of goodness and beauty that the world needs.
Despite all that grips us with fear and grief, we can take solace in Jesus, who serves as our “Good Shepherd.” Together, we’ll learn how to hear his voice and lean into his comfort and protection to face all that threatens us.
The epistle of 1 John emphasizes right behavior, which complements the gospel of John’s emphasis on belief. Together, we get a well-rounded view of the kind of life that God wants us to live. Today, we will be looking at 1 John 3, in which we hear the importance of love as the center of our being. And we’ll discover the significance of what it means to be a child of God.
After the miracle of Easter, there were still some of the disciples who did not believe that Jesus was really resurrected. They needed more proof.
Maybe you do too.
After six weeks of cultivating Christian character qualities and letting go of obstacles to faith, we join this Sunday in the celebration of the resurrection. Easter reminds us that in Christ, sin and death are not the last word, as God has conquered the grave and raised Jesus from the dead. Join us in remembering the Easter story, to make it a living reality in our lives today.
At the Last Supper, in the Upper Room, Jesus modeled servanthood for his disciples. Discover how cultivating servanthood and letting go of ourselves can bring us joy.
Mary’s act of was one of such complete self-abandonment that it would mark her in the community for the rest of her life. They would never mention her name again without a reference—by story, by gesture, or by innuendo—to this day. Mary’s gift of perfume was large, but not to be compared with the gift of herself.
The reality is that both brothers live inside of us, the responsible one and the prodigal one. It is an uneasy coexistence made worse by the reality that neither is perfect, and that both make real mistakes. The good news is that we also get to hear the truth: God is waiting to come running down the road and welcome us back. Dutiful son, prodigal son, or a little bit of both … God knows us already, and God can’t wait for us to come home.
We think we have all the answers. But what do we do when unexplained suffering becomes part of our story. How do we respond and how do we let go of the uncertainty suffering brings?
The antidote to fear is hope. Discover how Jesus teaches us to be hope-filled people of faith.
The Scripture for this Sunday contains the story of Jesus’ temptation by the devil. Jesus essentially endures a season of Lent in his 40 days in the wilderness. How does this time prepare him for his ministry? How might we, too, be shaped and emboldened in this Lenten season?
Jesus gives us the keys to living the wise life, rather than the foolish one. It begins with being non-judgmental, and concludes with building our lives on Jesus.
We are consumed with worry about things that, in light of eternity, really do not matter. Once we release our priorities to God, we are more easily able to release our worries to God. Therein likes the power of something like the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, which puts into proper perspective who we are, to whom we belong, and all that we have.
The Lord’s Prayer as we know it today is drawn from a few different gospels, and has variations among different faith traditions. Praying the Lord’s Prayer draws us together in communion with God and community with each other. It properly sets the framework of prayer as being first an act of praise to God before it is an act of petition. It acknowledges our faults and confesses our sins, and notes the impact that our behavior has on others. And it ends with a claim on hope, and the certainty of God’s abiding presence with us. The Lord’s Prayer gives us guidance on how to make balanced, holistic prayer a way of life, not just a thing to recite.
Jesus calls out those who flaunt their charity and their piety in front of others. They need to be governed by an inner motivation that is right with God, a “hidden holiness” that is sourced from a pure heart. Our external behavior needs to be consistent with our inner motivation.
These verses contain some of the most unsettling and radical ideas in the entire Sermon on the Mount. Jesus takes Old Testament commandments about murder, adultery, divorce, oath-keeping, and revenge and takes them one step further. It is not enough, according to Jesus, to simply keep the letter of the law. That is just the starting point. To truly fulfill the law, we need to pay attention to what is in our hearts, our motivations, and be governed by a spirit of love.
Few passages in the gospels are as iconic as the Beatitudes, the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount. The key, repeating word is “Blessed.”. These are also radical inversions of contemporary wisdom, in which we are unsettled (and even disturbed) by what Jesus is calling us to. This Sunday, we will go through each of the beatitudes, and discover their power in and through us.
As we celebrate the new year, help us grieve all we have lost and left behind in 2020, anticipate the year ahead, and guide us in recommitting our hearts to God.
As we draw the year to a close, we also conclude our amazing, year-long journey through the Bible. The book of Revelation reminds us that by looking back and looking forward, we can gain the hope, courage, and resilience to live fully in the present.
Christmas is the incarnation of a paradox—Jesus—fully human and fully divine. Two seemingly incompatible ideas held together in one person. Jesus models a way of being that embraces the tensions and messiness of our lives.
Living with Love means sharing the gift of God’s love, through faith in Jesus Christ. We love God and others because of the truth of God’s love revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Failure to believe in Jesus will lead to a lesser expression of love, even hatred and division. And loving God means taking the truth of our faith and making it impactful on the lives of others.
Join us from 6p - 8p on Friday, Dec 18 and Saturday, Dec. 19 at our Hyde Park campus (500 W Platt Street, Tampa, FL 33606) for a drive-thru nativity featuring our youth and children's ministries.
Be sure to pause and play the narration as you drive through each scene.
Living with joy means seeing suffering and tribulation as opportunities, not simply as challenges. Hardship happens to all of us. What should distinguish us as followers of Jesus is our response to that suffering, and James offers some surprising advice: consider suffering as an opportunity for joy. How? Because hardship can make us stronger.
Living with peace does not mean avoiding conflict, but holding one’s truth lovingly. The two key points in this passage are to pray for everyone and live in God’s truth. Paul was writing to Timothy in a time when there were many false teachers, and such heresy, blasphemy, and idolatry were a significant threat to new Christians and leaders in the church.
The practical message here comes from verses 16-19: “Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t suppress the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians is one of the earliest epistles from Paul, and therefore one of the first New Testament books written. It emerged relatively soon after the birth of the church, when the first Christians were living in hope and expectation of the imminent return of Jesus.
In his letter, Paul reminds members of the church in Ephesus to be characterized by unity, because there is unity in the Godhead. It also reminds us that even today, we can be part of the great unfolding story of God’s love. On this Commitment Sunday, we will be sharing our Estimate of Giving Cards as a tangible and practical way for us to “each do our part.” Regardless of the size of our estimate, know that together, in unity, God can use us to make a profound impact on the world.
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians addressed the significant issues of conflict that plagued that early congregation. It was part of a wider, cosmopolitan community marked by a melting pot of ideologies and perspectives. In his letter, Paul continually returned to the quality of love, which to him was central to the character of the Christian. We remember that because of God’s love, we can respond in generosity and self-sacrifice for the world. And one of the ways that we can grow deeper in our commitment to God is by giving our money to God out of a sense of love and gratitude.
This Sunday, we will remember those in our congregation who passed away in the past year. This year, we remember them in the scriptural context of Acts 15. The new church had reached a crossroads of identity, in which it had to decide whether to adhere strictly to Jewish custom and practice, or make allowance for Gentiles to follow Jesus without becoming cultural Jews. As we remember the saints of the church, we see in them reminders of how they modeled such love and grace, and remind us that we can be the same.
The Rev. Magrey deVega and special guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. James Harnish (Matthew 4:18-22)