Hyde Park United Methodist

The Rhythm Beneath Our Hope | Beyond the Sermon

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 still shape our hope today. The Canticle of the Turning:  https://youtu.be/F9QeTmRCpW4?si=mHFOinxdFICTDvri Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Draw Near: Part 2, To Truth // Pastor Magrey deVega // December 7, 2025

No journey to Christmas would be complete without John the Baptist, the iconic figurehead of Advent preparation. His message is one that people then and now are reluctant to hear: Repent, seek justice, and live righteously. His is a timeless truth that is as relevant as ever.   Reflection Questions: 1. How often do you watch the sunrise? What feelings does it elicit for you?  2. What are you most longing for right now?  3. What difference does it make to see time less linearly, and more cyclically? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Draw Near: Part 1, To Wonder // Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans // November 30, 2025

The first Sunday of Advent often catches us by surprise, still plumped from Thanksgiving leftovers and not yet fully in the swing of Christmas preparations. But Luke’s gospel greets us with a jarring reminder that something bold and wondrous is on the horizon. It is the inbreaking of God’s presence and love, revealed in Jesus. All we have to do is open our eyes to the wonder of God in our midst.   Reflection Questions: 1. When you get overwhelmed by the world’s problems, what helps you notice signs of new life in front of you? 2. What signs of wonder are you seeing in the world today? 3. Moments of wonder are often interpreted as "God is with me" moments, revealing a sense of divine presence in everyday life.  When was the last time you had one of those moments? What was it like? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Where We Find Hope Now | Beyond the Sermon

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Sally Campbell-Evans and Matt Hotho open Advent with an unexpected text—Jesus’ apocalyptic warnings in Luke 21. Instead of forecasting the end of the world, they explore how these passages uncover God’s presence right in the middle of fear, uncertainty, and ordinary life. Together they reflect on why Advent begins with a jolt, how to notice the quiet signs of hope already growing around us, and what it means to “draw near” to God and one another when everything feels unsteady. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Where Our Faith Goes Next | Beyond the Sermon

As we wrap up Christ the King Sunday—and the Christian year—Magrey and Matt reflect on where we've been, what’s grounding us right now, and where our faith might carry us next. They share a simple three-part gratitude practice perfect for your Thanksgiving table, and explore what it really means to say “Jesus is Lord” in a world shaped by Christian nationalism and diverse faith traditions. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps