Hyde Park United Methodist

Say Less: Part 1 // Gary Mason // January 25, 2026

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 HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Grounded: Part 3 //Pastor Magrey deVega // January 18, 2026

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: 1. To what degree do you exhibit a “Drum Major Instinct?”  2. How can ambition be a healthy thing to have? When does it become unhealthy?  3. How can serving help you see the divine image in others?  Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What MLK Knew About Power | Beyond the Sermon

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 communities grow up and mature. Along the way, they reflect on preaching legacies like J. Wallace Hamilton and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., especially how MLK’s call to humility, justice, and nonviolence still challenges how we lead, speak, and engage the world today. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Grounded: Rooted in Baptism // Pastor Magrey deVega // January 11, 2026

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 you during hard days?  3. How will you “behave until you believe, so that you can behave because you believe”?  Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What Happens When You’re Baptized? | Beyond the Sermon

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. Along the way, they unpack the United Methodist understanding of grace, why God is the primary actor in baptism, and how dying and rising with Christ continues to shape faith across a lifetime. Reach out to Mat with any questions about YOUR baptism journey at MHotho@hydeparkumc.org Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps