Sermon Archives
Our sermon archives is a resource for you wherever you are in your faith journey.
How the Good We Do Lives On (November 1, 2026)
For Week Two of So Much Good, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans connects All Saints’ Sunday with the generosity series through a simple but powerful idea: the good we receive from others is meant to keep moving through us. The sermon honors those who have shaped the church through ordinary acts of care, mentorship, service, and generosity, while inviting us to carry that goodness forward.
Reflection Questions:
1. Name someone whose faith and generosity shaped your life? What can you carry forward from their example?
2. Who in your life right now might need the gift of being seen, heard, encouraged?
3. Because we have received so much good, what is one way God might be calling you to share that goodness with others this week?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Well Rounded
You Have More Power Than You Think | Beyond the Sermon
In the final week of Well Rounded, Decker sits down with Pastor Magrey deVega to unpack John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. Their conversation explores how daily practices can become part of who we are, why we have more agency than we sometimes realize, and how small choices can add value to the people and world around us. Along the way, they talk about habits, neuroplasticity, judgment, free will, and what it really means to become the kind of person we want to be.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Simple Way to Follow Jesus (August 30, 2026)
This week, Magrey explores John Wesley’s famous “Three Simple Rules” for following Jesus: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. While these principles may sound simple, living them out takes intention, courage, and daily spiritual practice. Together, we’ll consider the power we have to shape the world around us, the ways we can add value to others, and how staying attentive to God can give us the strength to live faithfully even when life feels overwhelming.
Reflection Questions:
1. Whom might you be called to stop fearing by choosing not to harm?
2. How can you add value and make God’s love real today?
3. What spiritual rhythm helps you stay in love with God?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Can Faith Make Room for Questions? | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat and Magrey talk about what happens when faith and science seem to collide—and why they don't have to. Drawing from Magrey’s own experience of having his fundamentalist understanding of faith challenged by science, they explore the danger of certainty, the value of curiosity, and how both faith and science can invite us into a deeper sense of wonder. They also talk about how social media can reward oversimplified answers, why thoughtful faith takes time and community, and how we can make room for questions without losing our faith.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Where Faith Meets Reason (August 23, 2026)
This week, Magrey explores the relationship between faith and science, challenging the idea that we have to choose between believing in God and being people who think, question, and discover. Through Psalm 19 and John Wesley’s passion for learning, we’ll consider how science can deepen our sense of wonder, how faith can shape the way we use scientific discoveries, and why caring for creation is part of a well-rounded life.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where do you encounter God in the wonder of creation?
2. How can your faith shape the way you use science and technology?
3. What is one way you can practice greater stewardship of God’s creation?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What Your Body Means to God (August 16, 2026)
In week two of Well Rounded, Pastor Justin LaRosa explores how we can understand and care for our bodies through the lens of faith rather than culture, comparison, or shame. Drawing from Paul’s teachings and John Wesley’s approach to health, Justin reminds us that our bodies are gifts to steward, part of the larger Body of Christ, and ultimately destined for resurrection. Through a powerful story about “holy scars,” we’re invited to see our bodies—and the scars they carry—not as sources of shame, but as reminders of perseverance, growth, and God’s faithfulness.
Reflection Questions:
1. Paul reframes the question from "How do I feel about my body?" to "How does God see my body?” Where in your life is the old question still running the show, and what would change today if you actually believed the new one?
2. Wesley didn't chase health because he worshiped the body. He chased it because a well-stewarded body freed him to love God and serve his neighbor. What's one way your care of your body is currently shaping your capacity to show up for other people?
3. What scar are you still hiding, and who might God be inviting to speak a truer word over it? Or who might you be called to speak that word to?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Faith in the Body We Have | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat sits down with Justin LaRosa for a deeply personal conversation about faith, health, and our bodies. Justin had already planned this sermon on caring for the body when he was diagnosed with cancer, giving his words about health and vulnerability a meaning he could never have anticipated. They talk about what it means to care for our bodies, listen to what they’re telling us, and hold both our physical health and our faith with honesty and grace.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What Will Our Kids Believe? | Beyond the Sermon
In week one of Well Rounded, Mat sits down with Sally Campbell-Evans to talk about what it means to keep growing in faith—and what that growth looks like when we're raising the next generation. Drawing from Proverbs and John Wesley’s understanding of discipleship, they explore how following God engages both our heads and our hearts, why we never truly graduate from learning, and how raising faithful kids can become part of our own journey of faith. Because teaching children what we believe also invites us to keep asking questions, growing, and living out that faith ourselves.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
We Never Stop Learning (August 9, 2026)
What does it mean to be a lifelong disciple? In the first week of Well Rounded, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans explores John Wesley’s belief that education and faith belong together, shaping not only what we know but who we become. Through Proverbs 22 and Wesley’s teachings, we’re reminded that none of us ever graduates from discipleship—we remain students of grace, continually learning how to love God, love our neighbors, and grow into the people God calls us to be.
Questions for reflection:
1. Name someone who grafted some important aspects of faith onto your heart.
2. If education is "a lifelong spiritual practice," what is something new you are learning in recent days?
3. How is what you are learning shaping your character?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What Is Your Work Worth? (September 6, 2026)
This week, Magrey brings our Well Rounded series to a close by exploring John Wesley’s approach to work, money, and generosity. Through the Benedictine practice of “ora et labora”—prayer and work—we’re reminded that our everyday work can become an act of worship when it is rooted in gratitude and service. Magrey also explores Wesley’s three simple rules for money: earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.
Reflection Questions:
1. How might your work become an act of prayer?
2. What would it mean to earn and save with generosity in mind?
3. What are you being called to give more freely?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Giving is More Than Money | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat and Magrey wrap up Well Rounded by talking about money, work, rest, and what it really means to give. From John Wesley’s approach to stewardship to Paul’s call to generosity, they explore why giving isn’t about getting something back — it’s about recognizing what we’ve been given and choosing how we use it. Because generosity isn’t just about money. It’s about the way we give our time, our work, our gifts, and ourselves to God and to others.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Holy Struggle
Why Love Is Hard (July 26, 2026)
Jacob's story reminds us that the people we love are never perfect—and neither are we. As the Holy Struggle series continues, Pastor Magrey Devega explores the complicated relationships between Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, showing how God works through broken families, unmet expectations, and imperfect people. Discover how God's grace transforms our relationships and teaches us to love others with humility, compassion, and hope.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where are you being invited to love someone beyond your idealized expectations?
2. What "Leah" within yourself might God be inviting you to accept with grace?
3. How can you praise God, even amid disappointment and fear?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
When Love Meets Reality | Beyond the Sermon
This week Sally Campbell-Evans joins Magrey Devega for a special episode of Beyond the Sermon as they unpack one of the Bible's strangest family stories. Together they explore the surprising lesson hidden within Jacob, Leah, and Rachel—that every person carries both strengths and flaws, and real love learns to embrace both. They also reflect on Leah's unexpected redemption, what it means to find your worth in God rather than others, and why this ancient story still speaks powerfully to our relationships today.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Places Heaven Feels Close | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat sits down with Pastor Bernie Lieving to explore Jacob's famous dream of the ladder to heaven and the powerful reminder that God is always moving toward us. They unpack the idea of "thin places"—moments when God's presence feels especially close—through stories of unexpected encouragement, meaningful relationships, and everyday "God incidences." Together they discuss why silence matters, how God often speaks through ordinary people, and what it looks like to recognize that God may already be closer than we realize.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Finding God in Thin Spaces (July 19, 2026)
This week Pastor Bernie Lieving continues our Holy Struggle series by exploring Jacob's dream at Bethel and the powerful reminder that God meets us even in our wilderness moments. Through the image of Jacob's ladder and the idea of "thin spaces," Bernie reflects on how God's presence breaks into ordinary life with grace, hope, and healing. No matter where you find yourself today, God's promise remains the same: "I am with you always."
Reflection Questions:
1. Can you remember a time or place when you felt especially close to God? What made that experience meaningful?
2. How does Jacob’s story remind you that God’s grace is present even in seasons of fear, failure, or uncertainty?
3. Where might God be inviting you to recognize a “thin space” in your everyday life this week?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Bible Doesn't Hide Our Flaws | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat and Magrey kick off our new series Holy Struggle by exploring one of the Bible's most fascinating—and flawed—characters: Jacob. Together they discuss why Scripture refuses to hide the failures of its heroes, what Jacob and Esau's story teaches us about family conflict, forgiveness, and personal growth, and why the Bible's honesty about human imperfection is one of its greatest strengths. Along the way, they dive into the surprising depth of these ancient stories, the "trickster" theme throughout Genesis, and why we often find ourselves somewhere inside Jacob's story.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Don't Let Go Yet (July 12, 2026)
Pastor Magrey begins our new series, Holy Struggle, by exploring the remarkable and deeply flawed life of Jacob. From the moment he was born, Jacob fought against the odds, reminding us that our circumstances do not have to define our future. At the same time, his story exposes the damage caused by deception, pride, and broken relationships, while pointing us toward the hope of reconciliation and forgiveness. Whether you're facing personal struggles, family conflict, or wondering if God can redeem your past, this message offers hope that God can use both our strengths and our failures to shape us into who we are meant to become.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where is God inviting you to persevere through struggle instead of giving up?
2. What relationship in your life may need a first step toward reconciliation?
3. How can God transform one of your greatest weaknesses into an opportunity for grace?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Your Struggle Has Purpose | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat and Magrey wrap up the Holy Struggle series by exploring Jacob's famous wrestling match and the life-changing name he receives afterward. Together they discuss why struggle is a normal part of faith, how our deepest growth often begins beneath the surface, and what it means to wrestle with questions of identity, purpose, and God. They also reflect on the surprising role of the subconscious, why moments of silence can bring clarity, and how our greatest struggles can become part of the story that shapes who we become.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
When You Wrestle With God (August 2, 2026)
Our greatest spiritual growth often comes through our greatest struggles. In the final week of Holy Struggle, Pastor Magrey Devega explores Jacob's mysterious nighttime wrestling match and how it transformed his identity forever. Discover why seasons of doubt, inner conflict, and wrestling with God aren't signs of failure—they may be the very moments God is shaping you into the person you were created to become.
Reflection Questions:
1. What inner struggle might God be using to reshape your identity?
2. When have your deepest questions become opportunities for spiritual growth?
3. What false version of yourself is God inviting you to release?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Faith 250
Welcoming the Stranger (June 14, 2026)
This week, Pastor Magrey deVega begins our new series, Faith 250, by exploring Emma Lazarus’ poem The New Colossus and the biblical call to welcome the stranger. Looking at the immigrant stories woven throughout scripture—from Abraham to the Israelites and even Jesus himself—we are reminded that our faith calls us to treat every person with dignity and sacred worth. As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, this message challenges us to consider how following Jesus shapes the way we love our neighbors and care for those seeking hope and refuge.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does your faith shape the way you view immigrants and refugees?
2. What does it mean to treat every person as native-born and beloved?
3. Where is God calling you to practice hospitality, dignity, and welcome?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
When Faith Shapes a Nation | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat and Magrey kick off our new series, Faith250: Our Nation’s Founding Documents, by exploring the relationship between faith, freedom, and the values that shape us as a community. They reflect on what it means to pursue a more perfect union, how our beliefs influence the way we treat one another, and why meaningful conversations across our differences still matter today.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What Equality Really Means (June 21, 2026)
This week Pastor Magrey explores Frederick Douglass’s powerful speech "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" alongside Paul’s declaration that in Christ there is “no longer slave or free.” Through the lens of American history and our Christian faith, we reflect on what it means to honor our differences while affirming our equal worth, confront the injustices of our past and present, and continue the work of becoming more perfect in love and a more perfect union.
Reflection Questions:
1. What “lenses” help you see history, faith, and others more clearly?
2. Where might God be calling you to help build bridges today?
3. How can you grow more perfect in love toward those different from you?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Why the Best Days Aren't Behind Us | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat and Magrey wrestle with some of the hardest questions in our shared story. They talk about Frederick Douglass' challenge to the church, what it means to acknowledge privilege and hear experiences different from our own, and why both faith and our nation are always works in progress. Together they explore a hopeful idea at the heart of the gospel: our calling isn't to go back to some perfect past, but to keep becoming more perfect in love and move toward the future God is inviting us to create.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What Makes America Beautiful? (June 28, 2026)
This iconic song is a hymn of celebration of the beauty and grandeur of our country, and echoes the majesty of the psalmist, who attributes the beauty of nature to the artistry and provision of God. Indeed, the splendor of this country is all around us, and it is not just meant to be savored and enjoyed, but also to be preserved and protected, as stewards of the environment and God’s creation.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you experienced the beauty of creation in a way that made you feel closer to God?
2. What does it mean to be a good steward of the people, places, and resources God has entrusted to us?
3. How can we help make our communities reflect more of the “brotherhood” and common good described in America the Beautiful?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Can A Nation Change? | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat and Magrey discuss why growth often begins in life's most difficult moments. Drawing on themes from America the Beautiful, they explore how faith, conversation, and community can change us over time—and how those same values can help shape the future of our nation as we approach America's 250th anniversary.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What Does Freedom Require? (July 5, 2026)
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” This declaration points to the soul of our country, and each word can be dissected and examined for its inherent value. The truth of our equality is both shared and self-revelatory. Truth is not owned or cornered by any one group of people, and equality is an inherent part of our identity.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where have you mistaken power for the source of lasting security or happiness?
2. How is God calling you to use your influence for others' good?
3. How can you widen your vision to reflect God's boundless kingdom?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
America Is Still Becoming | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat and Magrey wrap up the Faith250 series by exploring the enduring promise of America's founding ideals. They discuss why Magrey changed his sermon at the last minute, how the Beatitudes connect with the pursuit of happiness, and what it means to keep striving toward "a more perfect union." Their conversation reflects on faith, citizenship, inclusion, and the ongoing work of building a nation that lives up to its highest values.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Something Worth Sharing
Bearing Witness Today (May 24, 2026)
In the first week of our new series Something Worth Sharing, Pastor Magrey deVega reflects on Psalm 16, Pentecost, and what it means to “bear witness” in everyday life. Through the stories of David, Peter, and his own spiritual practices, Pastor Magrey explores how faith becomes something naturally shared when we experience God’s presence, resilience, and hope for ourselves. This message is an invitation to discover how ordinary moments, meaningful habits, and honest conversations can become powerful ways of sharing the resurrection with others.
Reflection Questions:
1. What experience of God’s goodness feels most natural for you to share?
2. Which voices or influences are drawing your heart away from God’s peace?
3. How has God guided and sustained you through uncertain or difficult seasons?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
What Witness Really Means | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat Hotho and Pastor Magrey deVega sit down to unpack what it really means to be a “witness” — and why sharing your story doesn’t have to look loud, confrontational, or perfect. From bracelets and spiritual practices to invitation, vulnerability, and finding faith in everyday life, they explore how ordinary moments can become something worth sharing.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Why Faith Evolves | Beyond the Sermon
This week Mat Hotho and Pastor Magrey deVega explore why faith is rarely a straight line. Through stories of rejection, calling, doubt, and personal growth, they discuss how some of life's hardest moments can lead to unexpected transformation. Together they unpack the difference between fear-based faith and faith rooted in love, the role of conversation in spiritual growth, and why questioning what you believe can sometimes deepen faith rather than weaken it.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Faith Grows Through Conversation (May 31, 2026)
This week, Pastor Magrey deVega continues our series Something Worth Sharing by exploring how faith is often transformed through simple conversations and genuine relationships. Looking at Acts 3, where Peter and John meet a man in need at Solomon’s Portico, Magrey reminds us that witnessing isn’t about pressure, arguments, or having all the answers. Instead, it’s about sharing how God is at work in our lives through everyday interactions, acts of compassion, and authentic relationships. Together, we discover how God uses conversations to shape us and invite others into hope, healing, and transformation.
Reflection Questions:
1. Who has helped shape your faith through honest and meaningful conversation?
2. How might God be inviting you into deeper relationships with others today?
3. What story of transformation in your life feels ready to be shared?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Church At Its Best | Beyond The Sermon
This week Mat Hotho sits down with Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans to explore the picture of community found in Acts 4. Together, they discuss why people often remember how the church made them feel more than what it said, the challenge of accepting help when we need it, and what it looks like to build authentic relationships in a culture that values independence. They also reflect on why unity doesn't require uniformity, how Christians can disagree with love, and why meaningful connection remains one of the church's greatest gifts.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Spirit Helps Us Be Our Best (June 7, 2026)
This week, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans continues our series Something Worth Sharing by exploring Acts 4 and the vision of the church at its best. The early followers of Jesus created a community where generosity overcame fear, compassion was visible, and no one faced hardship alone. While the church has not always lived up to that calling, Acts reminds us that the Holy Spirit still moves through ordinary people who choose to care for their neighbors and make God’s love real. In a world longing for connection, dignity, and hope, Sally invites us to become the kind of church that helps bring healing to the world.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways do you see the Spirit at work in the world today?
2. Think about a time when you felt like the “church" really showed up for a person (or group of people). How did it make you feel? What was that like?
3. List 3 ways that our church can be more like an Acts 4 church.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
On The Edge
Doubt, Faith, and the Courage of Thomas (April 12, 2026)
One week after Easter, the lilies fade and real life returns—bringing questions, doubts, and uncertainty with it. In this opening message of the On the Edge series, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans explores the story of Thomas and reminds us that doubt is not the opposite of faith, but a vital part of it. Through personal story and the Gospel of John, we are invited to bring our questions into community, to stay present even when faith feels fragile, and to trust that Christ meets us right in the middle of our fear and uncertainty, offering peace, presence, and new life.
Reflection Questions:
1. Can you identify with Thomas, needing to see and touch something before you can believe or accept it?
2. Have you ever had a crisis of faith? If so, who or what helped you get through it?
3. How might Jesus be calling you out of your "locked room” right now - to embody peace and to tend wounds?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
When Faith Falls Apart… What Comes Next? | Beyond the Sermon
In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans shares her personal journey through doubt, calling, and rediscovering faith. Reflecting on her sermon about Doubting Thomas, she opens up about a season in seminary where everything she believed was questioned—and how that struggle ultimately shaped her ministry. This conversation is a reminder that doubt isn’t something to fear, but something that can lead to deeper, more authentic faith—especially when we don’t go through it alone.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Christ Is Risen… Indeed? (April 19, 2026)
What does it really mean to say, “Christ is risen… indeed”? In this message from Luke 24 and the Road to Emmaus, Pastor Magrey deVega explores how resurrection isn’t always instant—it’s a journey. Through honest reflection on doubt, disappointment, and the pace of spiritual growth, we’re reminded that new life takes time and requires intentional space. As the travelers invited Jesus in, we are invited to do the same—creating room in our busy lives for Christ to transform us from the inside out.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where in your life do you need to create space for Jesus?
2. What practices help you name your disappointments and invite Christ inward?
3. How is resurrection unfolding in your life, even if slowly?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Why Change Takes Longer Than You Think | Beyond the Sermon
Mat Hotho sits down with Pastor Magrey deVega to unpack this week’s message and talk honestly about why change doesn’t always happen overnight. From doubt to daily habits, they explore what it really looks like to grow, stay grounded, and find meaning in the middle of real life.
Find out more about us and join a small group at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Hearing God in a Noisy World (April 26, 2026)
Pastor Magrey deVega explores Jesus’ powerful words, “I am the gate,” and what it means to truly listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. In a world filled with noise, distraction, and competing voices, learning to hear—and obey—God’s voice is essential to experiencing resurrection in our daily lives. Through biblical insight, practical wisdom, and spiritual practices, this message invites us to create space, discern God’s guidance, and trust the voice that calls us “Beloved.”
Reflection Questions:
1. What competing voices in your life make it difficult to hear Jesus?
2. How can you create space to listen and respond to God daily?
3. Where might God be inviting obedience through a voice you recognize?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Gap Between Hearing God and Following Him | Beyond the Sermon
Michael Dougherty and Pastor Magrey deVega sit down to unpack this week’s sermon, exploring the image of the Good Shepherd, the challenge of silencing competing voices, and what it really means to listen and obey. From sacred music to daily spiritual rhythms, they reflect on how we discern God’s voice in the middle of noise, comparison, and real life.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Where Is God When Life Gets Hard? (May 3, 2026)
Pastor Magrey deVega explores the story of Philip’s bold request to “see God” and what it reveals about our own desire for certainty in difficult times. Through John’s gospel, we’re reminded that when life feels overwhelming, the evidence of God isn’t something we wait to see—it’s something we’re called to become. As followers of Christ, we are invited to embody hope, serve others, and reflect God’s presence in the world, discovering that faith comes alive not just in what we believe, but in how we live.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where are you longing to see evidence of God in difficult times?
2. How might your actions become visible signs of God’s presence to others?
3. What need around you is inviting you to do the work of Jesus?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Why Faith Feels So Uncertain Sometimes | Beyond The Sermon
John Barolo, Discipleship Director, and Pastor Magrey deVega sit down to unpack this week’s sermon on Philip’s question, “Just show us God.” Together, they explore doubt, deconstruction, and what it really looks like to experience God—not in big, dramatic moments, but in the ordinary, everyday rhythms of life.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Living Like You’re Not Alone (May 10, 2026)
In our fifth week of On the Edge, Pastor Magrey deVega explores Jesus’ promise in John 14: “I will not leave you orphaned.” Reflecting on fear, loneliness, and the uncertainty so many of us carry, this sermon unpacks the role of the Holy Spirit as our Advocate, Comforter, and guide through life’s hardest moments. We are reminded that even in seasons of anxiety, grief, or doubt, we are never abandoned. The resurrected life means learning to trust that God’s Spirit is still with us—strengthening, comforting, and carrying us forward one step at a time.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have loneliness or fear opened you to deeper trust in God?
2. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit comforting or guiding your life?
3. What helps you remember that you are never spiritually orphaned or alone?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Ever Had a Moment You Couldn’t Explain? | Beyond The Sermon
This week Mat Hotho returns to Beyond the Sermon to sit down with Pastor Magrey deVega and unpack the idea of “positive disintegration” — the moments in life that shake us, challenge us, and ultimately shape us. Together, they reflect on childhood fears, experiences of the Holy Spirit, and why spiritual growth often begins with discomfort, uncertainty, and learning to trust that everything will be okay.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Why God’s Grace Doesn’t Feel Fair (May 17, 2026)
Join us for a special Sunday service in our final week of On the Edge. Our youth preacher for this Sunday, Grace Bennett, reflects on the parable of the laborers in the vineyard and what it reveals about God’s grace, mercy, and love. Drawing from her own lifelong journey at Hyde Park, Grace explores why salvation is not something we earn, but a gift freely given to everyone who turns toward Christ—whether they’ve followed God their whole life or are just beginning. Through stories of faith, service, and scripture, this message challenges us to stop comparing journeys, welcome others with compassion, and help make God’s love real for those still finding their way into the vineyard.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever felt “behind” in your faith journey compared to others? How does this parable challenge that way of thinking?
2. Why do you think it can be difficult to accept that God’s grace is freely given rather than earned?
3. What is one practical way you can help someone feel welcomed, supported, or encouraged in their relationship with God?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Everyone Finds Faith Differently | Beyond the Sermon
This week on Beyond the Sermon, Mat Hotho sits down with Youth Sunday preacher Grace Bennett to talk about fairness, faith, and what it’s like seeing Bible stories through fresh eyes. From school pressures and ChatGPT shortcuts to helping friends explore Christianity for the first time, Grace reflects on how faith grows differently for everyone.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Visio Divina
Genesis and Creation (February 22, 2026)
We begin our Lenten series Visio Divina by exploring how sacred art can open our eyes to the beauty of God. Pastor Magrey deVega reflects on Genesis and the wonder of creation, inviting us to see Scripture as living imagery that awakens awe and humility. Joined by Dr. Rose Trentinella of the University of Tampa, we take a closer look at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and Ghiberti’s “Gates of Heaven,” discovering how these masterpieces help us encounter God’s presence in new ways. This season, we slow down, look closely, and learn to see the sacred all around us.
Reflection Questions:
1. How might you begin to read the Bible with multiple physical senses?
2. When has a work of art opened your eyes to wonder?
3. How do these two works of art give you a deeper appreciation for the creation story?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Made for God to See | with Dr. Rose Trentinella
In this full-cut interview from our Visio Divina Lenten series, Magrey deVega sits down with Dr. Rose Trentinella from the University of Tampa to explore two extraordinary works of Renaissance art: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and Ghiberti’s “Gates of Paradise.” From Michelangelo’s reluctant frustration at being forced to paint instead of sculpt, to the astonishing technical precision of fresco on a curved vault seventy feet overhead, this conversation uncovers the human struggle behind legendary genius. Then, turning to Florence’s gilded bronze baptistry doors, they examine the innovation, symbolism, and hidden details—down to tiny lizards no one on the ground would ever see—that reveal the mind of an artist working at the height of his craft. It’s a deeper look at calling, creativity, and the tension between assignment and passion.
Special thanks to Dr. Trentinella, the Ferman family, and the University of Tampa.
Find out more and watch the full sermon at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Wedding at Cana (March 1, 2026)
In week two of Visio Divina, Pastor Magrey deVega reflects on Jesus’ first public miracle at the wedding in Cana, and the surprising detail that it happened “on the third day.” Through Tintoretto’s massive painting The Marriage of Cana, we see how this story isn’t only about water becoming wine, but about God widening the circle of grace. Joined again by Dr. Rose Trentinella from the University of Tampa, we explore how art helps us see what Scripture is showing us: a table growing larger, a room expanding, and an invitation that keeps reaching further. At the communion table, we’re reminded that grace is meant to be received — and then shared.
Reflection Questions:
1. When have you been to a family gathering where things didn’t turn out as hoped?
2. How is God calling you to “widen the table” and make room for people to experience God’s love?
3. How are you a character in the story of the wedding at Cana?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Finding Yourself at the Table | with Dr. Rose Trentinella
In this full-cut Visio Divina conversation, Magrey deVega and Dr. Rose Trentinella explore Tintoretto’s depiction of the Wedding at Cana. Originally created for a monastery dining hall, the artwork was meant to surround viewers as they shared their own meals. Even more compelling, art historians believe Tintoretto may have painted himself into the scene—not looking out at us, but participating in the feast. What does it mean for an artist to place himself inside the miracle? And what might it mean for us, as we practice a slower, more attentive way of seeing? This conversation invites us to consider what we notice and where we find ourselves within the story.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Raising of Lazarus (March 8, 2026)
In week three of Visio Divina, Pastor Justin LaRosa reflects on the story of Lazarus in John’s Gospel through Caravaggio’s powerful painting The Raising of Lazarus. The scene is full of shadow, grief, and tension, reminding us that resurrection often begins in the middle of pain, not after it disappears. Jesus meets Martha in protest, Mary in tears, and stands before the tomb calling Lazarus by name. This story asks what resurrection looks like in our lives right now. God does the raising, and the community helps unbind us as we step into the light.
Reflection Questions:
1. Share an experience when you had a Mary/Martha moment.
2. What protects you from pain/suffering but also prevents Jesus from entering?
3. Where might God be inviting you to help unbind someone else?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Raising of Lazarus | with Dr. Trentinella
In this Visio Divina conversation, Magrey deVega and Dr. Rose Trentinella explore the life and work of the provocative painter Caravaggio through his dramatic masterpiece The Raising of Lazarus. Known for breaking artistic conventions, Caravaggio developed a bold style of intense light and shadow—called Tenebrism—that made biblical scenes feel immediate and deeply human. Rather than painting idealized figures, he used real people as models, capturing their imperfections and bringing a striking realism to stories like the miracle of Lazarus of Bethany in the Gospel of John. His dramatic composition draws viewers into the moment, inviting us to look closely and discover the story unfolding within the shadows.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Prodigal Son (March 15, 2026)
In week four of Visio Divina, Pastor Magrey deVega reflects on the parable of the Prodigal Son through the imagery of a medieval stained-glass window from Sainte-Étienne Cathedral in Bourges, France. The story invites us to imagine our inner lives like a house — sometimes dark, confined, and filled with rooms we’ve closed off because of pain, regret, or failure. The younger son believed a bigger life was somewhere “out there,” but real transformation began when he returned home. God’s grace doesn’t just forgive us; it restores the parts of our story we’ve sealed away. As those spaces are redeemed, the room of the soul grows brighter, wider, and more alive than before.
Reflection Questions:
1. What rooms of your past remain closed, waiting for God’s healing light?
2. Where are you chasing fulfillment outward instead of returning inward to God?
3. How might God expand the living space of your heart today?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Bible in Glass | with Dr. Rose Trentinella
In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Dr. Rose Trentinella introduces the storytelling power of medieval stained glass through a remarkable window depicting the Parable of the Prodigal Son. She explains how innovations in Gothic architecture transformed churches—replacing thick Romanesque walls with soaring structures filled with light and glass. Inspired by the vision of figures like Abbot Suger at the Basilica of Saint-Denis, cathedrals began using stained glass to illuminate biblical stories for largely non-literate audiences.
Find out more and see the artwork up close at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Stilling of the Storm (March 22, 2026)
In week five of Visio Divina, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans reflects on the story of Jesus calming the storm through Rembrandt’s Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee. The painting pulls us into the boat — into the chaos, fear, and uncertainty the disciples felt. And yet, in the middle of it all, Jesus remains steady, anchored to something deeper than the storm. This story reminds us that faith doesn’t remove the storm, but it roots us in a presence that can withstand it. As we move through Lent, we’re invited to become people of calm, courage, and trust — even when the waves rise.
Reflection Questions:
1. Can you name a person who impresses you as one who can remain CALM in the midst of chaos? What qualities do they have?
2. How have you found yourself being a calm presence in the midst of your own storms or someone else’s?
3. When was the last time you heard Jesus speak “Peace" over your chaotic and anxious thoughts? What was that like?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Christ in the Storm | with Dr. Rose Trentinella
Entry Into Jerusalem (March 29, 2026)
In the final week of Visio Divina, Pastor Magrey deVega reflects on humility and obedience through a stunning altarpiece by Duccio in Siena, Italy. The artwork uniquely holds both the story of Mary saying “yes” at the Annunciation and the events of Holy Week—revealing a shared thread between mother and son. Mary’s quiet obedience shaped the life of Jesus, who would carry that same surrender all the way to the cross. In a world driven by self-advancement, this story calls us back to a different way—one marked by humility, trust, and faithfulness. As we enter Holy Week, we’re invited to walk that same path, one humble step at a time.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where is God inviting you to practice humble obedience this week?
2. What fears or hesitations make it difficult for you to say yes to God?
3. How can your humility influence others toward compassion, justice, and love?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Entry into Jerusalem | with Dr. Rose Trentinella
As we reach Palm Sunday, our Visio Divina journey ends with Duccio’s Entry into Jerusalem—a moment of movement, celebration, and invitation. Created for the cathedral in Siena, this massive altarpiece wasn’t just art—it was something the entire city celebrated together. The road curves inward, the crowd comes alive, and suddenly, you’re not just watching—you’re part of the procession. As Holy Week begins, where might you find yourself in the story?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Say Less
Making Space for Peace (January 25, 2026)
In our new sermon series, Say Less, guest preacher Gary Mason draws from his experience growing up during the Northern Ireland conflict and working behind the scenes of the peace process. He reflects on how deep, patient listening helped move communities away from violence and toward reconciliation. Connecting those lessons to the life of Jesus, Mason invites us to rediscover listening as a spiritual discipline shaped by silence, Scripture, and attention to others. In a noisy, polarized world, this sermon challenges us to listen not in order to win or fix, but to humanize, understand, and make space for transformation.
Reflection Questions:
1. What gets in the way of truly listening—both to God and to others—in your daily life?
2. Who is someone you find difficult to listen to with openness and moral respect, and why?
3. How might practicing deeper listening change the way you engage in disagreement, conflict, or difference?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Cost of Not Listening | Beyond the Sermon
In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Magrey deVega sits down with guest preacher Gary Mason to continue the conversation on listening in a divided world. Drawing from Gary’s experience in Northern Ireland and his work with Rethinking Conflict, they reflect on how polarization, labeling, and dehumanization take root—and why listening is essential to preserving life and peace. Together, they explore the connection between listening to God and listening to one another, the power of storytelling, and why “engagement is not endorsement” when navigating deep disagreement.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org
Faith That Listens (February 1, 2026)
In this message, Pastor Magrey deVega explores what it means to listen with empathy, drawing from Romans 12 and Paul’s call to move faith from belief into action. Through stories from Scripture, literature, and modern culture, this sermon challenges us to resist the pull of division and practice the hard work of rejoicing with others, weeping with others, and honoring the humanity of those who see the world differently. Empathy, Magrey reminds us, is not agreement or surrender, but a Christ-shaped way of living that bridges the gap between understanding Jesus and actually living like him.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways are you tempted to stop at believing the right things about Jesus rather than doing the hard things he asks of you?
2. What people are you struggling to empathize with? What “single story” might you need to change with deeper listening?
3. How can you practice empathy by honoring another person’s humanity while still maintaining healthy emotional boundaries?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Why Empathy Is (Suddenly) Controversial | Beyond the Sermon
In Week 2 of Say Less, Matt Hotho and Pastor Magrey deVega dig deeper into Romans 12 and the tension between what we believe and how we live. Their conversation moves from Paul’s shift from belief to practice into the communal roots of faith, drawing connections to Leviticus, the prophets, and the idea of offering our lives as a “living sacrifice.” Along the way, they wrestle with why empathy has become such a loaded word, how compassion gets politicized, and why practicing empathy doesn’t mean agreement—especially in a polarized world where listening feels harder than ever.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
When Jesus Is the Preacher (February 8, 2026)
This Sunday, we are joined by Bishop Will Willimon as he reflects on Jesus’ first sermon in Luke 4 and what happens when God speaks a word we didn’t come to hear. Willimon explores why preaching is so difficult to listen to, not because sermons are long or abstract, but because the true preacher is Christ himself. Drawing on personal stories from the pulpit and moments when sermons provoke discomfort rather than comfort, this message invites us to listen bravely, expecting to encounter the risen Jesus who still speaks truthfully, sometimes painfully, and always out of love.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways do you listen to sermons seeking comfort, and how open are you to Jesus challenging and changing you, even when it feels uncomfortable?
2. Where do you resist the idea that God might be at work among people or places you least expect or prefer?
3. When have you realized that Jesus spoke to you through a sermon in a way the preacher never intended? How did it change you?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Listening That Changes Your Life | Beyond the Sermon
In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Mat Hotho sits down with Bishop Will Willimon to unpack what it really means to listen to a sermon. Their conversation explores the difference between reading Scripture and preaching it, why sermons are meant to address us personally, and how the preached word moves faith from information to involvement. Bishop Willimon reflects on decades of preaching, the discomfort and resistance Jesus often provokes, and why following Christ was never meant to be easy, safe, or merely “interesting.” Along the way, they wrestle with discipleship, courage, and what it means to belong to a kingdom larger than any nation or political project.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
When Faith Turns Lukewarm (February 15, 2026)
What does it mean to be spiritually lukewarm? In Revelation 3, Jesus gives a strong but loving warning to a comfortable church that didn’t realize how far it had drifted. Lukewarm faith often grows quietly through distraction, self-reliance, and forgetfulness of who God is. When Jesus confronts us, He’s drawing us back into a real relationship. This message challenges us to listen closely and take one intentional step toward a faith that’s fully alive.
Reflection Questions:
1. Name a place in your life where you need discernment.
2. How do you hear God? How do you include God in your life decisions?
3. What blocks you from hearing God? From acting on God’s will?
4. Where are you lukewarm?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Why Can’t I Hear God? | Beyond the Sermon
In this final episode of Beyond the Sermon for the "Say Less" series, Justin LaRosa and Mat Hotho reflect on what it really looks like to listen for God’s will. The conversation explores centering prayer, silence, counseling, spiritual direction, and the courage it takes to say no to good things in order to say yes to what truly aligns with how God has wired you. Along the way, they wrestle with anxiety, alignment, repentance, and the slow work of recognizing God’s voice in the rearview mirror of life.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
The Good, The Bad, The Healthy
Choosing Joy (April 27, 2025)
Joy is more than a feeling—it's a choice rooted in God’s love. Join Pastor Magrey deVega as we explore how true joy strengthens us, even in life's hardest moments. Whether you're navigating struggles or just searching for deeper meaning, this message offers hope, honesty, and encouragement for everyone.
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
Beyond the Sermon: Choosing Joy
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.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
When Jesus Wept (May 4, 2025)
We all feel it — sadness that pulls us into the past, fear about what might happen in the future. But what if these emotions weren’t signs of weakness, but invitations to grow, connect, and heal? In this message, Pastor Magrey deVega explores one of the most moving moments in scripture — Jesus weeping over the death of his friend Lazarus — and how naming our emotions can help us reclaim peace in the present. Whether you're grieving, anxious, or simply trying to stay grounded, this is a message for you.
Reflection Questions:
1. When are you most prone to experiencing sadness? Fear?
2. In what ways can sadness and fear be beneficial? Detrimental?
3. How will you learn to name sadness and fear, and express them in a healthy way?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Beyond the Sermon: When Jesus Wept
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
Owning Your Anger (May 11, 2025)
What if anger wasn't necessarily bad or good, but a signal—pointing us toward something deeper? This week, Pastor Justin LaRosa talks about how anger, when understood and channeled well, can actually lead to healing, courage, and positive change. Drawing from personal stories and scripture, we explore how Jesus got angry—and what we can learn from that today.
Reflection Questions:
1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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
Beyond the Sermon: Owning Your Anger
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
Naming Our Anxiety (May 18, 2025)
Stress and anxiety are everywhere — but they don’t have to define your life. In this honest and hope-filled message, our Youth Director Chris Temple shares personal reflections and practical steps for navigating anxiety, with powerful insights from our youth group students. Whether you're a teen, parent, or just feeling overwhelmed, this message is for you. You’re not alone — and you don’t have to carry it alone.
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
Beyond the Sermon: Decoding Your Emotions with Dr. Erica Clarke
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&or=Teams%2DHL&ga=1&LOF=1
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Reframing Our Nostalgia (May 25, 2025)
Nostalgia isn’t just a longing for the past — it’s a doorway to healing. In the final week of our “The Good, The Bad, and The Healthy” series, Pastor Magrey deVega invites us to remember and listen — not just to our memories, but to the voice of God speaking through them. Because healing doesn’t mean forgetting — it means remembering with honesty, and moving forward with grace.
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
Beyond the Sermon: Reframing Our Nostalgia
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
The Good Book
The Only Things We Can Control (February 2, 2025)
In uncertain times, we can only control our character, our actions, and how we treat others. This Sunday we explore how spiritual practices—prayer, worship, study, and service—help us stay grounded in the way of Jesus, not as tasks to complete but as a way of being in the world.
We are honored to welcome Bishop Patrick Streiff, who served as bishop across twelve countries in Central and Southern Europe for nearly two decades. In this special conversation, he shares his wisdom on spiritual resilience, biblical inspiration, and how United Methodists around the world live out their faith amid challenge and change.
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
Beyond the Sermon: The Only Things We Can Control
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.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Breaking the Cycle of Violence (February 9, 2025)
This Sunday, Pastor Magrey deVega tackles one of the toughest questions of faith—what do we do with the violence in the Bible? From ancient wars to modern conflicts, scripture has been misused to justify bloodshed. But Jesus offers a different way. The cross breaks the cycle, calling us to obedience through love, not violence. Will we choose to follow it?
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
Beyond the Sermon: Breaking the Cycle of Violence
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.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Rethinking How We See God (February 16, 2025)
This Sunday, Pastor Magrey deVega explores the unsettling depictions of God in scripture—stories of wrath, destruction, and even change of mind. Do they reveal contradictions, or do they reflect humanity’s evolving understanding of the divine? Like any lifelong relationship, our perception of God shifts over time. What if faith isn't about having all the answers, but expanding our understanding?
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?
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Beyond the Sermon: Rethinking How We See God
This week, Mat 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.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Understanding Difficult Passages of Scripture (February 23, 2025)
The Bible has been used throughout history to justify harm, oppression, and inequality—but is that what God intended? This Sunday, we explore how to approach difficult and misinterpreted scriptures with a fresh perspective, recognizing the Bible as a dynamic record of human growth and understanding. How do we read scripture in a way that honors tradition but is not trapped by it? How do we ensure our interpretations align with love and justice? Join our Pastor Magrey deVega as we unpack these questions and seek a deeper, more life-giving understanding of God's word.
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
Beyond the Sermon: Understanding Difficult Passages of Scripture
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.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
How We Use the Bible (March 2, 2025)
The Bible can often feel overwhelming, ancient, or even contradictory—but what if we approached it with curiosity instead of fear? Join us this week as our Director of Production and Online Engagement, Mat Hotho, shares a fresh perspective on how engaging with Scripture can shape our daily lives. Through practical insights, he challenges us to move beyond just reading the Bible to actively applying the written word in ways that bring clarity and purpose.
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
Beyond the Sermon: How We Use the Bible
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.
Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps
Audio Sermons
