Hyde Park United Methodist

What if our gifts are meant to make a difference? Each of us is given a unique set of skills and abilities by God to impact the world around us. Each of us is gifted with a unique set of skills and abilities that God wants us to use to make a difference.  Reflection Questions: 1. What specific God-given skills, abilities, gifts and talents entrusted to you to use in your life? 2. What "what i...

There is a hidden treasure within each of us, which is the image of God with which we have been created. Our work is to participate in God’s transformation, in which we reveal the fullness of Jesus to others.  Reflection Questions: 1. In what ways do you experience creation “groaning” right now? 2. How is God transforming you to be more like Jesus? How will you participate in that transformation?...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey and Mat dig into Romans 8 — one of Paul’s most famous and vivid passages. Paul describes creation “groaning like childbirth,” a picture that captures both the pain of the present and the hope of what’s to come. Together, they explore how this chapter acts as a hinge in Romans: shifting from heavy theology to a vision of new life, resilience, and commun...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Justin and Savanna talk about what it means to feel lost—and how God’s grace often shows up in those moments through the presence of others. Justin shares stories from the Portico community and from his own life, reminding us that sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer isn’t the “right words” but simply showing up with humility and compassion. Together, they...

This week we welcome Rev. Dr. Mandy McDow, senior pastor of First UMC Los Angeles, for a fresh take on the Sermon on the Mount. Known for her humor, honesty, and fearless preaching, Mandy brings us into Jesus’ challenging words: “Do not worry.” With stories that will make you laugh and truths that will make you think, she helps us discover how faith and courage can free us from anxiety — and open...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey welcomes Rev. Dr. Mandy McDow from Los Angeles First UMC. Together they explore Jesus’ words about worry—why it’s such a universal part of being human, how it shows up in our daily lives, and what faith offers us in response. Drawing on Mandy’s unique ministry in downtown LA and her own reflections, they talk about how trust, integrity, and community b...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey and Mat reflect on what it really means to care for creation. Starting with Genesis, they unpack how a single word has shaped the way people think about our relationship with the world — sometimes for worse, but also for better when understood through the lens of stewardship and compassion. From vineyards and backyard lawns to hurricanes and baptism, t...

What if creation itself could remind us of God’s presence? In the midst of personal suffering, Job discovered that God’s power and presence are revealed in creation. Even in our own struggles, we can find God in the wonder of the world around us, drawing closer to Him by caring for it. Reflection Questions: 1. In what way do creation and nature teach you about God? 2. How does creation help you re...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Savanna Beasley dig into what it really means to practice self-care as people of faith. From routines and resilience to releasing control, they share honest reflections on the tug-of-war between structure and surrender. Together they explore how caring for our bodies, our emotions, and even our 3 a.m. selves can help us grow closer to God. I...

Pastor Magrey deVega continues our Call to Care series with a message on one of the most overlooked forms of care: caring for yourself. Drawing from 3 John, he shows how true self-care is more than self-soothing—it’s building inner resilience by tending to your body, your soul, and your mind. What daily practices help you walk in truth, strengthen your spirit, and live with greater peace? We’d lov...

What if caring for the elderly is a mutual gift? Our older community members have wisdom from years of experience, while we can offer them energy, compassion, and companionship in return. Revering and caring for them benefits us all. Questions for Reflection:    1. The biblical mandate to care for others is very clear. In what ways do you enjoy helping care for others? 2. When caring for others, e...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Mat Hotho continue our series The Call to Care, reflecting on what it means to walk with people in every stage of life—especially as we age. With stories of prayer, community, and small acts of kindness, Sally shares how care isn’t just something we do, but a way of life that shapes who we are together. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.or...

What if caring for our children is a responsibility for all of us? As the new school year begins, we’re reminded that it’s not just about teaching our children for their sake, but for the sake of all of us, as a church and society.  Reflection Questions: 1. How will you support and encourage professional educators in our society? 2. In what ways are the parenting metaphors helpful or unhelpful? 3....

This week on Beyond the Sermon, we’re kicking off our new series The Call to Care by talking about what it means to care for children — both the ones in our lives and the “inner child” we all carry. From the evolving roles of parenting to the deep work of understanding ourselves, we explore how the way we care changes as we grow. It’s about more than just raising kids — it’s about becoming the kin...

What if we could be instruments of peace? St. Francis’ prayer reminds us that we are not powerless—our actions matter. It calls us to actively seek opportunities to sow peace and harmony in a world filled with discord and suffering. Questions for reflection: 1. In what ways are you ready to say "yes" to what the Prayer of St. Francis calls you to be and to do? 2. How might you become an...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Decker Tallbacka sits down with Rev. Bernie Leiving to reflect on our “Living Amen” series — and on how prayer evolves over a lifetime. With over 65 years in ministry, Bernie shares how his understanding of prayer has deepened, from battlefield prayers to everyday gratitude. It’s a conversation about how prayer meets us where we are, changes with us, and reminds us...

What if courage comes from knowing we're never alone? St. Patrick, a key figure in early Celtic Christianity, gave us a prayer that brings comfort and strength to those who feel lost, alone, or afraid. Reflection Questions: 1. When have you prayed that God would protect you? What has been the result? 2. What will you do to participate in God’s protection through integrity and courage? 3. What...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho talk about Saint Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer and what it really means to ask God for protection. Instead of treating prayer like a divine forcefield, they explore how it can strengthen us from within to face life’s challenges with courage and faith. From ancient monastic rhythms to personal spiritual tools (bracelets included), th...

What if uncertainty could still lead us to God? Merton’s prayer is striking in its vulnerability ("I have no idea where I am going"), yet it also affirms that our desire to please God is enough, even in our ignorance. Questions for Reflection:   1. Did you know much about Thomas Merton before today’s sermon? What surprised you about his life and witness? 2. Can you think of a time when y...

 This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Mat Hotho share stories of uncertainty, reflection, and the surprising ways God shows up along the way. Inspired by the prayer of Thomas Merton, they talk about letting go of control and learning to trust—even when we don’t know where the path leads. Whether you’re standing at a crossroads or just looking for space to breathe, this e...

What if peace comes from knowing when to act and when to surrender? The Serenity Prayer beautifully balances personal agency, humble surrender, and keen discernment, making it one of the most repeated prayers of our time.  Reflection Questions: 1. What does this tension between planning and trusting Jesus Christ look like in your own life? 2. Share one situation when your plan didn’t seem to line...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Justin LaRosa and Mat Hotho reflect on the Serenity Prayer—not as a worn-out phrase, but as a real tool for navigating life’s hardest moments. Through honest conversation and personal stories, they explore what it means to face what we can’t control, take action where we can, and wrestle with the wisdom to know the difference. Whether you're sitting in g...

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho kick off our new series on history’s most powerful prayers by diving into the Wesley Covenant Prayer—a bold act of surrender that still hits hard today. They reflect on how this prayer challenges our culture of self-fulfillment and invites us to offer every part of our lives to God. Join us as we explore what it means to live with...

What if true renewal begins with surrender? John Wesley’s prayer for covenant renewal is a powerful reminder to shift our focus away from ourselves and toward obedience and surrender to God.   Reflection Questions: 1. What would praying “Suscipe” to God each day mean for you? 2. What new insights does the Wesley Covenant Prayer give you? 3. How will you apply the Wesley Covenant Prayer to the way...

This week, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho wrap up our series on the Lord’s Prayer by asking a surprising question: why do we say a final line that doesn’t actually appear in scripture? They explore how tradition, worship, and scripture have long been in conversation—shaping how we pray and how we see God. From ancient manuscripts to personal reflections, this episode uncovers the deeper meanin...