Hyde Park United Methodist

In this joyful episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho celebrate Holy Humor Sunday, a tradition rooted in the idea that Easter is God's ultimate "gotcha" moment against evil. They kick off a new series on emotions by diving into joy — and sharing some hilarious faith-based memes along the way. From Spongebob and St. Paul to a Smokey Bear Bible story and a nod to the eternal "Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?" debate, this episode reminds us that laughter belongs in faith, too. Join us as we find the sacred in the silly and embrace joy together.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In the most personal and poignant resurrection encounter in the gospels, Jesus appeared to Mary in the garden and revealed himself once he spoke aloud her name. The work of resurrection in us begins with recognizing our identity in Christ as a child of God, and then seeking to affirm the personhood of others who feel lost in their own grief and despair.  Reflection Questions:1. Why do you think Mary didn’t recognize the resurrected Jesus?  2. In what ways do you live out of your false self?3. How can you allow God to help you rediscover and reveal your true self?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Journey into the drama of Holy Week through "Sarah's Story," a dramatic re-imagining of the last days of Jesus' life through the eyes of Sarah, a first-century woman who was close to the events of Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

The cross and resurrection give us victory over sin, evil, and oppression. This includes the suffering associated with addictions and other harmful hangups and behaviors. The Christus Victor atonement theory can help those on a recovery journey discover new power in Christ to overcome their hardships. Reflection Questions:1. Where do you feel powerless right now?2. Which of the ‘false palms’—things we trust in besides Christ—do you find yourself tempted to wave?3. How has community helped you experience freedom in Christ—or how do you hope it could?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Justin LaRosa and Mat Hotho explore the Christus Victor atonement theory and its powerful message of liberation from sin, systems of evil, and spiritual forces. They discuss how this view of the cross offers a broader understanding of salvation and what it means to live out the hope of resurrection in everyday life. Join us as we unpack this compelling perspective and consider its impact on how we see Jesus' victory today.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The ransom atonement theory is built on the notion that we are being held captive by forces that are beyond our control, and in the cross, God has released us from being held hostage. We are therefore called and empowered to be agents of liberation against the injustices people face in our society and in the world.Reflection Questions:1. In what ways has Jesus set you free from personal sins?2. How does the two-fold understanding of biblical justice change your view of justice?3. How is God calling you to be a part of setting people free from social injustice?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho dive into the ransom theory of atonement, a dramatic and often misunderstood view of Jesus’ death. They explore how it takes evil seriously—both as a cosmic force and a daily reality. The conversation also looks at Jesus’ ministry in Luke 4 and how his message disrupts comfort and expands the circle of inclusion. Join us for a meaningful and eye-opening discussion about justice, grace, and what it really means to follow Jesus.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho discuss race, identity, and the personal work of anti-racism, exploring how the cross calls us to empathy, curiosity, and humility. Magrey shares reflections on his own experiences, the impact of current events, and lessons learned from his daughters. Join the conversation and discover how this journey is both deeply personal and universally important.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The moral example atonement theory points to the entirety of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as the source of our salvation. In his teachings and example, we receive the model for how to love God and each other. We are therefore called and equipped to be agents of love that will overcome hatred and revenge, thereby fully revealing God’s intended image within each of us.  Reflection Questions:1. What difference does it make for you in understanding the cross not just as a way to heaven, but as a way of experiencing eternal life on earth?2. Whom do you have trouble loving?3. How will you take steps this week to love the people who are hard to love?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In Christ, we have been reconciled with God. We are therefore called and equipped to be agents of reconciliation among groups who have been divided by discrimination and prejudice.Reflection Questions:1. When have you experienced significant struggle in matters of your own personhood and identity?2. How have you harbored racism in your own heart?3. How do you intend to be more anti-racist in your life, your relationships, and your actions in the world?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho explore the deeply personal nature of faith, race, and reconciliation. Magrey reflects on his recent sermon, one of his most personal to date, sharing his own experiences with race and identity. They discuss how the cross calls us to both personal and collective transformation and how issues of race and justice are not just intellectual conversations but deeply human experiences.From the significance of imago Dei in diversity, equity, and inclusion to the role of empathy in a divided world, this conversation challenges us to reflect on the racism within our own hearts and take steps toward genuine anti-racism. Magrey also shares how his daughters have reshaped his understanding of identity and inclusion, reminding us that the work of justice is deeply personal, generational, and ongoing.If you’re wondering how to take meaningful action, this episode encourages conversation, personal reflection, and a commitment to learning in co

This week, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Rev. Bernie Lieving dive into the heart of forgiveness. Whether it's forgiving others, receiving grace, or learning to forgive ourselves, they explore why letting go can be so difficult—and so freeing. Join the conversation as they unpack powerful stories, scripture, and real-life experiences that reveal the transformative power of forgiveness.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The cleansing (expiation) atonement theory sees sin as a blemish or tarnish that we cannot cleanse on our own. Likewise, the stain of shame and guilt makes it hard for us to offer forgiveness, receive forgiveness from others, and most of all, forgive ourselves. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What if redemption didn’t require sacrifice or violence? Through the cross, the cycle of bloodshed ends, and we are invited into a new way of living—one where peace, not violence, shapes our world. Reflection Questions:1. How do you typically respond when you witness violence in your daily life?2. Thinking of Jesus’ command to love God and love neighbor, what is one non-violent thing you could do today to make this world a little more peaceful? 3. Could you imagine a time when you might be involved in non-violent direct action? What might that look like?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

How does nonviolence shape our faith? This week on Beyond the Sermon, Mat Hotho and Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans discuss how her experiences—from mission work to peaceful protests—shaped her understanding of Jesus and justice, and what it means to live out a nonviolent faith today.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

How can reading the Bible transform your life and deepen your relationship with God? Scripture has the power to illuminate our hearts and guide us in loving God and others. But to experience its full impact, we must make it a regular part of our lives—and even better, read it in community. Discover how reading Scripture together can bring its truth to life in profound ways. Reflection questions:1. Which parts of the Bible tend to bring you fear or frustration, and how might a sense of curiosity transform your approach to those passages?2. When you hear the metaphor of the Bible as a ‘gem,’ how does that shift the way you think about Scripture compared to seeing it as something rigid or unchanging?3. In what ways can you engage Scripture in community—through small groups or study partners—so it might ‘bear and become the Word of God’ for you?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

When we read the Bible, we’re encountering something ancient—written by people trying to make sense of their world and their experiences with God. So why do we sometimes expect it to be immediately clear to us today? This week, Mat and Decker explore how interpreting scripture is more like unpacking a halftime show performance—full of layers, context, and perspectives beyond our own.Join us as we discuss how history, language, and community shape our understanding of faith, and why wrestling with the text can deepen, rather than weaken, our relationship with God.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week, Mat and Magrey discuss how reading deeply—whether it’s scripture, poetry, music, or film—helps us see the bigger picture of God’s plan in our lives. By engaging with different perspectives and holding multiple interpretations in tension, we grow in understanding, not just of the Bible, but of the world around us.Join us as we explore how faith isn’t about rigid answers, but about an ongoing, dynamic conversation that shapes us into more thoughtful, compassionate people.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

How can we ensure the Bible is a source of liberation rather than harm? Throughout history, Scripture has been misused to justify misogyny, racism, homophobia, and other systemic sins. In this episode, we explore how to read the Bible faithfully, uncovering its message of good news and freedom for all. Reflection Questions:1. What childhood story has brought you deeper meaning as you have gotten older?2. What passages in the Bible have been most troublesome for you to interpret?3. How will you approach the Bible through the lens of love, for God and others?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What do we do with troubling images of God in the Bible that seem inconsistent with his love and faithfulness? Stories of God’s unpredictable actions can feel more like ancient mythology than the God we know. Explore how to read Scripture faithfully, uncovering its timeless truths beyond antiquated imagery. Reflection Questions1. What images for God in the Bible are among your favorites? What are most troubling to you?2. How has your relationship with God changed over time? What role did external circumstances play in those changes?3. What new way might you explore envisioning and relating to God in your life?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps