Hyde Park United Methodist
662 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsSermons and talks from Hyde Park United Methodist. Making God's Love Real. Find out more at hydeparkumc.org
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Episodes
Life's Highs & Lows, Part 3 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // April 21, 2024
April 22, 2024 11:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBThe 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? 2. Which of the ...
Life's Highs & Lows, Part 2 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // April 14, 2024
April 15, 2024 11:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBJust 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? 2. How will you shift from talking about God to connecting personally with God? 3. How wil...
Life's Highs & Lows, Part 1 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // April 7, 2024
April 08, 2024 11:00 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MBPsalms 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? 2. ...
Easter Sunday Message // The Rev. Magrey deVega // March 31, 2024
April 01, 2024 11:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBIn 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? 2. Where have you seen evidence of God’s love at work in your past? In your present? 3. I...
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 6 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // March 24, 2024
March 25, 2024 11:00 - 17 minutes - 11.7 MBThe 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?” HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/Easter Reflection Questions: 1. For what reasons are you praying “Hosanna” today? 2. How might your daily prayer time include both verse 24 and 25 of Psalm 118? 3. How will you participa...
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 5 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // March 17, 2024
March 18, 2024 11:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBJesus 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? 2. Who has modeled for you servanthood and self-sacrifice? 3. What are the “little deaths” that you are expe...
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 4 // The Rev. Justin LaRosa // March 10, 2024
March 11, 2024 11:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBThis 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...
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 3 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // March 3, 2024
March 04, 2024 12:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MBThe 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. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1...
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 2 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // February 25, 2024
February 26, 2024 12:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBThe 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. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions 1. How are you alike and unlike the life of Peter in the gospels? 2. In what ways does Jesus’ phrase “Take up your cross” make you feel unsettled, even challenge...
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 1 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // February 18, 2024
February 19, 2024 12:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBThe 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. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions 1. What lessons did you learn as a child regarding handling your emotions in a healthy way? 2. What emotions do you most struggle with channeling in a positive way? 3. How will you better integrate the fact that you are fully human, made in the image of...
Transfiguration Sunday // The Rev. Sally Campbell Evans // February 11, 2024
February 12, 2024 12:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBIn 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. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. Can you remember a time when you were so overcome with beauty or joy that you were rendered speechless...
You Are Not Alone, Part 5 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // February 4, 2024
February 05, 2024 12:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBPerhaps 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? HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 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 t...
You Are Not Alone, Part 4 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // January 28, 2024
January 29, 2024 12:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBBeing 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? 2. Who are your close friends? How can you be a better friend to them? 3. How will you practice constancy, carefulness, candor, and counsel i...
You Are Not Alone, Part 3 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // January 21, 2024
January 22, 2024 12:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBEven 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? 2. How will drawing closer to J...
You Are Not Alone, Part 2 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // January 14, 2024
January 15, 2024 12:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBBaptism 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? 2. What do you think God is doing in a baptism? 3. What difference does baptism make for you, in how you think, act, and relate to others?
You Are Not Alone, Part 1 // The Rev. Sally Campbell-Evans // January 7, 2024
January 08, 2024 12:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBIn 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’? 2. What is one thing you can do to help alleviate another person’s isolation and make them feel that they are ‘o...
What God Gave You on Christmas is Jesus // The Rev. Magrey deVega // December 31, 2023
January 01, 2024 12:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBJust 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? 2. What memories do you have this past Christmas of different generations coming together? 3. How will you be a bridge between generations this upcoming year?
What God Wants for Christmas, Part 4 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // December 24, 2023
December 25, 2023 12:00 - 11 minutes - 8.1 MBWe 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. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions 1. What are your favorite images and scenes in the Christmas story? 2. How will you make room for Jesus to be born anew into your life? 3. How will you allow Jesus to work t...
What God Wants for Christmas, Part 3 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // December 17, 2023
December 18, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBAdvent 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: 1. When has fear ever blocked your sense of joy? 2. When have you experienced the joy of giving yourself in generosity to others? 3. What is God calling yo...
What God Wants For Christmas, Part 2 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // December 10, 2023
December 11, 2023 12:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBAdvent 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? 2. How will you build bridg...
What God Wants for Christmas, Part 1 // The Rev. Sally Campbell-Evans // December 3, 2023
December 04, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBAdvent 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? - Where do you see signs of ‘hope’ in the world? And how does that encourage you to share ‘hope’ with others? - What Advent practices do y...
Christ the King Sunday // The Rev. Justin LaRosa // November 26, 2023
November 23, 2023 18:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MBCalling 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.
Love For All, Part 4 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // November 19, 2023
November 20, 2023 12:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBThe 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 ...
Love For All, Part 3 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // November 12, 2023
November 13, 2023 12:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBOur 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? - When in your life have you felt t...
Love For All, Part 2 // The Rev. Sally Campbell-Evans // November 5, 2023
November 06, 2023 12:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBWe 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
Love For All, Part 1 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // October 29, 2023
October 30, 2023 11:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBOur 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: 1. How have you experienced ...
Missions Celebration Sunday // The Rev. Paul Chilcote // Ocotober 22, 2023
October 23, 2023 11:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MBAs 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’? 2. In what way is God calling you to be a light that shines for others? 3. What missions partnerships in our church will you learn more about and get involved in?
Good & Faithful, Part 6 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // October 15, 2023
October 16, 2023 11:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBJesus 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? 2. What for you is the most difficult aspect of forgiveness? 3. What steps will you take to move toward forgiveness between you and someone else?
Good & Faithful, Part 5 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // October 8, 2023
October 09, 2023 11:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBLove 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? 2. In what way is time more a “pressure” than a “privilege” to...
Good & Faithful, Part 4 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // October 1, 2023
October 02, 2023 11:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBGod 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? 2. How will you live a just life, in the way God intends you to live? 3. How will you help create a just community, helping others to be a full and equal part o...
Good & Faithful, Part 3 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // September 24, 2023
September 25, 2023 11:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBWe 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? 2. When have you ever felt “out of tune” with God’s image in you? When have you felt “in tune”? 3. How will you contribute to the flourishing of those around you?
Good and Faithful, Part 2 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // September 17, 2023
September 18, 2023 11:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBWe 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? 2. How do you think truthfulness and trustworthiness are related? 3. What will y...
Good and Faithful, Part 1 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // September 10, 2023
September 11, 2023 11:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBGod 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: 1. What do you think constitutes good character? 2. Which of the five qualities do you emulate best, and which do you have to work on? 3. What would it mean for you to be a “light of the world” this week?
The Jesus Challenge, Part 3 //The Rev. Dr. Gary Mason // August 27, 2023
September 04, 2023 11:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBJesus calls us to love our enemies, those who are hardest to love, despite what they might have done to us. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. Who are the enemies in your life? 2. What does Jesus mean when he says, “pray for those who persecute you”? 3. How can you pray for your enemies this week?
The Jesus Challenge, Part 2 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // August 27, 2023
August 28, 2023 11:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBJesus calls us to a selfless love, which regards the dignity and worth of others, regardless of our differences. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. 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?
The Jesus Challenge, Part 1 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // August 20, 2023
August 21, 2023 11:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MBJesus calls us to love God with the entirety of our lives: heart, soul, mind, and strength. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What is your experience each day in trying to figure out what to wear? 2. Who in the church has been a spiritual influence in your life? 3. How will you be more actively engaged in worship?
Truth & Love, Part 4 // The Rev. Justin LaRosa // August 13, 2023
August 14, 2023 11:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBThere 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.” HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 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? 2. Where do you have fear? How can love enter into it? 3. How might you live love without fear this week?
Truth & Love, Part 3 // The Rev. Sally Campbell-Evans // August 6, 2023
August 07, 2023 11:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBGod 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) HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What does it mean to ‘lay down’ one’s life for a friend? Can you give an example of that? 2. What are some ways you see our church loving ‘in deed and truth?’ 3. Where is Jesus standing in front of you, inviting you to boldly show love to a neighbor?
Truth & Love, Part 2 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // July 30, 2023
July 31, 2023 11:00 - 14 minutes - 9.96 MBThe light of God’s love convicts us of our sins, especially in the ways that we mistreat each other and cause harm. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps https://www.barna.com/research/christians-more-like-jesus-or-pharisees/ Reflection Questions: 1. 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?
Truth & Love, Part 1 // The Rev. Justin LaRosa // July 23, 2023
July 24, 2023 11:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBJust 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. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What animal terrifies you? 2. What in your life needs the Light? How are you blocking the Light? 3. How do you confess and when was the last time? 4. In what ways will you walk in the Light this week?
Jesus Revealed, Part 7 // The Rev. Sally Campbell-Evans // July 16, 2023
July 17, 2023 11:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBIn Christ we are never alone. We are connected to God, to each other, and in ministry to the world. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 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?
Jesus Revealed, Part 6 // The Rev. Bernie Lieving // July 9, 2023
July 10, 2023 11:00 - 13 minutes - 9.31 MBThe way of Jesus gives us the clearest, most direct path toward living life as God intends. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. Would it make a difference in your life if you heard Jesus’ “Follow Me” as a command rather than an invitation? 2. What trouble is in your heart that you need God to help you deal with? 3. What are you doing to care for creation to honor Jesus as the Co-Creator?
Jesus Revealed, Part 5 // The Rev. Sally Campbell-Evans // July 2, 2023
July 03, 2023 11:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBIn Christ, death is never the last word, just as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What does it mean to follow Jesus, the one who invites us into the fullness of life and death? 2. What tomb are you being invited to exit? To come out of? 3. Where do you see new life in your midst? 4. Imagine Jesus in front of you, asking, ‘do you believe this?’ How would you respond?
Jesus Revealed, Part 4 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // June 25, 2023
June 26, 2023 11:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBJesus 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. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 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 Revealed, Part 3 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // June 18, 2023
June 19, 2023 11:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBJesus is the means through which we can experience the fullness of God’s presence and enjoy a full relationship with God. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 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 Revealed, Part 2 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // June 11, 2023
June 12, 2023 11:00 - 14 minutes - 10.4 MBJesus meets us in our blindness and gives us the ability to see God’s grace and love, just as he cured the blind man. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 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 Revealed, Part 1 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // June 4, 2023
June 05, 2023 11:00 - 13 minutes - 9.06 MBJesus satisfies our deepest hungers, just as he fed the multitudes. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 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?
Pentecost Sunday // The Rev. Magrey deVega // May 28, 2023
May 29, 2023 11:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBThe arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost enables the church to be a community of love that embraces diversity and inclusion. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 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?
Love Conquers All, Part 6 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // May 21, 2023
May 22, 2023 11:00 - 13 minutes - 9.69 MBFaithful love chooses to see reality through the “long view,” and never loses hope, regardless of how bad things might look now. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 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?
Love Conquers All, Part 5 // The Rev. Justin LaRosa // May 14, 2023
May 15, 2023 11:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBA 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. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. Is it more difficult to forgive others or yourself? 2. Why do you think Jesus commands forgiveness? 3. How might you love others this week?