Can Faith Make Room for Questions? | Beyond the Sermon

Can Faith Make Room for Questions? | Beyond the Sermon

This week Mat and Magrey talk about what happens when faith and science seem to collide—and why they don't have to. Drawing from Magrey’s own experience of having his fundamentalist understanding of faith challenged by science, they explore the danger of certainty, the value of curiosity, and how both faith and science can invite us into a deeper sense of wonder. They also talk about how social media can reward oversimplified answers, why thoughtful faith takes time and community, and how we can make room for questions without losing our faith.  Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Well Rounded: Part 3 // Pastor Magrey deVega // August 23, 2026

Given that reason is a part of our Wesleyan Quadrilateral, it should be no surprise to hear that Wesley believed that science and faith could be in productive dialogue with each other. He posited numerous ideas about science and was keenly interested in the writings of natural philosophers of his time. For us as United Methodists, we should remember that science is not incompatible with our faith, and we can learn and even embrace science as a valid encounter with truth. Reflection Questions:  1. Where do you encounter God in the wonder of creation? 2. How can your faith shape the way you use science and technology? 3. What is one way you can practice greater stewardship of God’s creation? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Well Rounded: Part 2 // Pastor Justin LaRosa //August 16, 2026

John Wesley wrote a book called Primitive Physick, or an Easy and Natural method of Curing Most Diseases. It included his cures for 40 different ailments. While parts of it are devoid of modern medical wisdom, it does reinforce ideas that we know to be true: the importance of a healthy diet, exercise, and maintenance of good daily rhythms.    Reflection Questions: 1. Paul reframes the question from "How do I feel about my body?" to "How does God see my body?” Where in your life is the old question still running the show, and what would change today if you actually believed the new one? 2. Wesley didn't chase health because he worshiped the body. He chased it because a well-stewarded body freed him to love God and serve his neighbor. What's one way your care of your body is currently shaping your capacity to show up for other people? 3. What scar are you still hiding, and who might God be inviting to speak a truer word over it? Or who might you be called to speak that word to? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Faith in the Body We Have | Beyond the Sermon

This week Mat sits down with Justin LaRosa for a deeply personal conversation about faith, health, and our bodies. Justin had already planned this sermon on caring for the body when he was diagnosed with cancer, giving his words about health and vulnerability a meaning he could never have anticipated. They talk about what it means to care for our bodies, listen to what they’re telling us, and hold both our physical health and our faith with honesty and grace. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What Will Our Kids Believe? | Beyond the Sermon

In week one of Well Rounded, Mat sits down with Sally Campbell-Evans to talk about what it means to keep growing in faith—and what that growth looks like when we're raising the next generation. Drawing from Proverbs and John Wesley’s understanding of discipleship, they explore how following God engages both our heads and our hearts, why we never truly graduate from learning, and how raising faithful kids can become part of our own journey of faith. Because teaching children what we believe also invites us to keep asking questions, growing, and living out that faith ourselves. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps