Hyde Park United Methodist

Go behind the scenes of a powerful moment from our recent event with psychologist Dr. Erica Clarke. In her talk "Decoding Your Emotions," she unpacks how understanding our feelings can lead to healthier relationships, stronger self-awareness, and a more grounded life. She reminds us that no emotion is inherently bad — each one has a purpose, and we can learn to bring them into balance instead of letting them take over.

“Anxiety” is the newest character addition to the Inside Out films and is the one that most resonated with people who viewed it. Throughout the Bible, people exhibited worry, from the Israelites wandering in the wilderness to the disciples who followed Jesus. But even though worry is a natural human emotion, it does not need to define our experience. We can, in the words of Jesus in Matthew, exchange our burdens with that of Jesus, whose yoke is easier.Reflection Questions:1. When was the last time you felt anxious but didn’t name it out loud? What changed—or could have changed—if you had?2. What’s one practice (spiritual or practical) that helps you feel grounded when anxiety hits?3. Who in your life could use a safe listener right now? And how can you be present for them without trying to fix it?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What if anger isn’t the issue, but how we channel it? Anger itself isn’t sinful. The key is being angry at the right things and directing it toward positive action, just as Jesus and the Bible show us. Reflection Questions:When you think about a time you felt deeply angry, what was the source of that anger—was it rooted in love and justice, or ego and fear? How can you tell the difference?How has anger shaped—or distorted—your relationships, either through denial, repression, or explosion? What would it look like to let love, rather than anger, have the final word?Jesus responded to anger with purposeful, holy action. What might it look like for you to “acknowledge, analyze, invite, and act” in a current or recent situation where you’ve felt anger?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What do you do when something makes you angry—not just annoyed, but deep-in-your-body angry? In this week’s episode, Justin and Mat unpack what it means to recognize and work through our anger without letting it consume us. Mat shares a real-life situation that stirred up frustration, anxiety, and powerlessness, and Justin walks through a spiritual inventory tool that helps name the source of anger, what it’s touching in us, and what role we might unknowingly play in keeping it alive.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho open up about their personal experiences growing up with emotions like fear, sadness, and anxiety. From emotional suppression to learning how to feel and express emotions in a healthy way, this episode dives deep into why our feelings matter — and how they can actually help us connect, grow, and heal. Plus: a powerful story about proud tears on a soccer field, a Ted Lasso moment, and real-life tools for staying grounded when anxiety hits.FInd out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What if grief is not something to escape but something to navigate? Grief is the shadow side of love—we only grieve what we have loved. Avoiding grief means avoiding attachment, which is not an option in the human experience. The question isn’t how to minimize grief but how to move through it in a healthy way.Reflection Questions:1. When are you most prone to experiencing sadness? Fear?2. In what ways can sadness and fear be beneficial? Detrimental?3. How will you learn to name sadness and fear, and express them in a healthy way?  Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What if joy isn’t about circumstances but about strength? True joy is anchored in the unwavering truth that God is our strength, no matter what we face. Reflection Questions:1. What does it mean for you to have healthy emotions?  2. How can you experience joy amid hardship?3. What do you think it means to believe that “the joy of the Lord is your strength”?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

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