Hyde Park United Methodist

The stories of Holy Week are conducive to vivid artistic representation. Beginning with the pageantry of Palm Sunday, through the beauty of Maundy Thursday, and into the stirring scenes of the crucifixion, these stories have been the subject of some of the greatest works of art in history. The massive altar piece of the cathedral in Siena, Italy, depicts these scenes with stunning detail, telling...

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...

Like many of the parables of Jesus, the story of the Prodigal Son is a study in contrast, between the waywardness of the younger son and the extravagant love of God. Embodying that contrast is the light and shadow that comes from beautiful stained glass, like the stunning windows of Cathedrale Saint-Etienne in Bourges, France. Its depiction of the parable of the prodigal is not only rich in imager...

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 na...

This first miracle by Jesus, recorded in John’s gospel, may seem like an odd insertion into the Lenten journey. But it is the moment when Jesus made his public debut as not just a stirring teacher, but as a miraculous healer who was concerned about the wellbeing of others. His response to his mother that his “hour has not yet come” is a foretelling of his crucifixion and resurrection, when he woul...

The most famous fresco in the history of western art is in the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo. It depicts the stirring moment when God created humans, with God and Adam, arms outstretched, making contact. Just as moving is the stunning entryway doors to the Baptistery of St. John in Florence, Italy by Giberti, which depics the story of creation in incredible, gilded detail. The creation s...

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 wres...

Revelation may seem like an odd choice to include in a series on listening, but the oracle is founded on a witness from John to Christians who needed to listen better. Beginning with the indictments to the seven churches, the book is filled with words of comfort and courage to people under distress. When we learn to “silence all voices but God’s voice,” (Henri Nouwen) we can learn to hear God’s wi...

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 discomf...

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 enlistment. Bishop Willimon reflects on decades of preaching, the dis...

n 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 b...

Empathy seems to be a lost art these days. It has even been villainized by certain segments of our political discourse. Empathy is not a weakness; it is a demonstration of strength, of security in oneself, and a reflection of the character of God, who empathized with humanity to such a degree that God became human just like us. It is a central idea in this passage of Paul’s letter to the Romans, a...

One of the hardest times to practice good listening is with people who have opposing viewpoints. Indeed, the polarization in our society seems to be getting worse, not better, over time. Yet Paul is clear with the Christians in Ephesus: Unwholesome speech, bitterness, and anger have no place in civil conversation. Instead, we need a mutual willingness to listen to each other.    Find out more at H...

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 explor...

 The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously diagnosed the problem with pride as having a “drum major instinct,” adapting a phrase from the Methodist preacher J. Wallace Hamilton. Indeed, much of the hostility and tension in the world can be addressed if we dig our societal roots deeper into service and humility, just as Jesus taught his disciples in this text from Matthew.  Reflection Questions...

In this Beyond the Sermon conversation, Magrey deVega and Matt Hoto dig into the ideas behind the “drum major instinct” and why the pull toward attention, affirmation, and influence shows up so naturally in our lives. They walk through how Jesus reframes greatness in the Gospels, why the same story appears differently in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and how context and perspective shape the way faith...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Matt and Magrey reflect on Baptism of the Lord Sunday by sharing personal baptism stories and exploring why baptism is more than a single moment in time. They talk about baptism as an intergenerational promise, the role of community and instruction in the Christian tradition, and how remembering our baptism invites imagination, play, and renewal—not just formality....

Baptism reminds us of who we are in Christ, and the calling Christ gives us to live a holy life. It is a notion underscored by 1 Peter, which tells us that the waters of baptism do not as much cleanse us physically, but spiritually, empowering us to live with a good conscience.    Reflection Questions:  1. What is your favorite memory of a baptism?  2. How will remembering your baptism strengthen...

In this Week One Grounded conversation, Magrey and Matt reflect on what it really means to begin a new year with intention. From an unexpected video game metaphor to Wesleyan roots, they explore how personal spiritual rhythms, shared faith practices, and a commitment to social holiness shape a grounded life. Along the way, they touch on why Methodist distinctives still matter, how faith moves beyo...

Just as a tree digs its roots deeper to find water and nourishment during times of drought, times of unsettledness are an invitation for us to hone our commitment to Jesus. The year kicks off with a time of obedience to the will and way of Christ, in alignment with the year-long “Wesleyan Rooted” emphasis by the Annual Conference. This three-part series encompasses the two sacraments, communion an...

The incarnation is the ultimate act of drawing near, as God bridged the gulf between God and humanity by becoming like us. We celebrate the birth of Christ by making room for him in our hearts, as we share the message and love of Christ with a world in need.   Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Mary and Elizabeth were the original collaborators, co-laboring to provide the world with the hope and promise that it needed. In drawing near to each other, they discovered mutual support and joy, and the strength to encourage each other throughout their journeys. In a season where our relationships with those closest to us might be most tested and strained, we are called to practice vulnerabilit...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho reflect on Mary’s role in the Christmas story by placing it within the much longer arc of Israel’s history—from tabernacle and temple to incarnation and church. They explore how Luke connects past, present, and future to show a God who is both mobile and faithful, present in the wilderness and rooted in real history. As Christmas Eve appr...

The first-century Roman Empire faced the same kinds of injustices that we face today: growing inequality between the rich and the poor, abusive oppression by those in power, and a disregard for decency and civility. John the Baptist’s message is not just spiritual in nature; it has real-life, real-world implications for today.    Questions: 1. What jumped out at you from the text? 2. John says to...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Mat and Magrey dive into Luke 1 with a surprisingly “Wicked” twist (some of us just can’t help ourselves). What starts as a chat about Zechariah’s song turns into a reflection on stability, spiritual practice, and why Luke’s Gospel sometimes feels like a Broadway musical. Along the way they explore Benedictine rhythms, the gift of repetition, and how ancient songs s...