Hyde Park United Methodist

Jacob fell in love with Rachel, but he was tricked into marrying Leah instead, and he had to work seven more years for Laban before he earned the right to marry Rachel. The context of this story may seem antiquated to our modern sensibilities, but it does convey the need for patience and endurance when what we long for in life seems out of reach. And there is redemption here for Leah as well. Thou...

The vision of a gateway to Heaven at Penuel is an important moment in Jacob’s life, and it invites us to think about the “thin spaces” in our lives where we feel close to God. His statement, “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it,” can also invite us to be attentive to the serendipitous experiences of God that we might miss if we are not open to them.    Reflectio...

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...

“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 h...

The story of Jacob and Esau is a classic tale of sibling rivalry. From the time they were in their womb, they grappled with each other, a foreshadowing of Jacob’s manipulative nature and Esau’s eventually being tricked out of the birthright. It is of some comfort to know that even biblical heroes did not get along with their family members. And just as Esau and Jacob eventually reconciled, so can...

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...

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 wor...

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

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.   ...

This piece by Frederick Douglass, one of the great writers and orators in our history, reminds us that the work of addressing slavery and racism must be a shared and ongoing project. There cannot be a moment when we feel like we have conquered our “original sin,” for as is the case in our Wesleyan understanding of sin, it is an ongoing task, requiring daily commitment. To be a faithful disciple an...

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 bac...

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...

This poem by Emma Lazarus is one of the most important in our history, not only for its appearance on the Statue of Liberty, but also for the value that it conveys in welcoming the immigrant. For as is often said, other than indigenous people in this land, we are all descendants of immigrants, or even immigrants ourselves. That recognition is also a recurring theme throughout the Bible, for the Is...

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&...

This classic passage from Acts depicts the early church acting in outward generosity, to meet the needs of people in their community. This is the church at its healthiest and best, and it is part of our DNA. When we function in this way, not only is our church strong; so is our witness, and so, therefore, is the community that we serve. As Miroslav Wolf surmised in his book Flourishing, even thoug...

Peter’s first sermon on Pentecost Day gets a lot of attention, but we often forget his second sermon, the one recorded in the very next chapter. Peter and John are walking through the portico of the Temple when they encounter a man unable to walk since birth. Their subsequent healing of the man was accompanied by Peter’s sermon, in which, again, he declared himself to be a witness of the resurrect...

Prior to Jesus’ ascension, he told the disciples that they would be his witnesses throughout the ends of the earth. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit descended to empower them – and us – to be just that. In Peter’s stirring sermon, he declared that “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” What would it mean for us to be witnesses of the resurrection for others who are seekin...

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/Next...

In the ascension of Jesus, the disciples went from Jesus being by their side all the time to being on their own. That shift forced them to go from looking up to looking out, from focusing on the presence of Jesus with them to focusing on the work of Jesus all around them. That kind of key life-stage transition is emblematic of life itself. To follow Jesus, we need to look forward, and then we find...

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

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...

Just as last week’s text provided proof of the presence of God the Father, this week’s text shows us evidence of the Holy Spirit. It is through our love of one another and our commitment to Jesus’ commandments that we see the work of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit, who advocates on our behalf, that we are empowered to do what God asks of us. When we f...

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

Phillip speaks for all of us in wanting to see tangible proof of God’s presence. Clearly, if God were as plainly visible and audible as God appeared to be throughout the Bible, there would be very little cause for atheism and agnosticism today. Nonetheless, Jesus gives Phillip an intriguing response: If you’re looking for evidence of God, look at the life and teachings of Jesus himself. He and the...

In this iconic passage, Jesus equates himself to the gate through which the sheep will not just find security within the fold; they will hear the shepherd’s voice clearly amid the threats around them. Living on the edge of resurrection means constant attentiveness to the shepherd’s calling, so that when we find ourselves lost and confused, we can follow God’s way home.    Reflection Questions: 1....