Hyde Park United Methodist

A love that is kind reaches across barriers to bring people into the fold. God's nature in the Hebrew Bible is often described with the word "HESED" which roughly translates to "loving-kindness." We know love when someone wants the best for us and invites us into a life of goodness.HydeParkUMC.org/NextStepsReflection Questions1. Love is many things…. But it is especially KIND.  Describe how you feel when someone does something kind for you? 2. If love is an action, what is one active way you can share some kindness today?3. Princess Diana reached across the chasms of uncomfortableness to bring healing through a simple gesture of kindness. Can you think of other examples like that?

Paul’s classic passage in 1 Corinthians 13 is a well-known, often quoted exploration of love. The love he describes is not merely sentimental or romantic, despite this passage’s frequent use in wedding ceremonies. The love described in 1 Corinthians 13 is rigorous, strong, and forged in the hardships of life. In other words, this is a love that overcomes and conquers. It endures, it bears, it does not bend to sinful tendencies, and it never ends. This series will explore these fierce and relentless qualities of God’s love, as an encouragement to us as we seek to live the resurrected life. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Resurrection is possible in the most unlikely moments, in the most unsuspecting of ways. We can open our eyes to see the presence of Jesus in our midst. https://hydeparkumc.org/nextsteps/Reflection Questions:1. Which of these three prayers have you prayed, or are even praying now? 2. When has it been true that God has been active in your life, without your realizing it? 3. How do you hope to encounter God’s resurrection in your life?

Jesus invites us into an experience of his life, death, and resurrection, and calls us to remembrance through the bread and the cup.HydeParkUMC.org/NextStepsReflection Questions:1. How do you identify with Judas in this story? How about with Mary? 2. How will you spend your time spiritually preparing for Easter this week?3. What stories at the table have you found most meaningful this Lenten series?

We are prone to making too many excuses for not making or following through on our commitment to Jesus. God calls us to give our all, and our very best.HydeParkUMC.org/NextStepshttps://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pasco/community-shows-up-for-3-year-olds-birthday-party-when-no-one-else-didReflection Questions:1. Have you ever hosted an event where fewer people showed up than you hoped? How did that make you feel? 2. Which of the characters in the parable do you most identify with? 3. Who is someone you know that you can encourage this week? What will you do to encourage them?

The table of God is expansive and inclusive, and we are called to invite all people to experience God’s grace and love.HydeParkUMC.org/NextStepsReflection Questions: 1. What manners did you learn as a child at the dinner table? How do those lessons apply to relating to people today? 2. What do you think is the fine line between hostility and hospitality? When is the line blurry between the two? 3. How will you work to extend the hospitality of God’s love to people who feel excluded?

We are called to offer our fullest commitment to Jesus, regardless of the cultural pressures that would beckon otherwise.HydeParkUMC.org/NextStepsReflection Questions:1. How do you normally greet someone whom you have invited to your home for dinner?2. In what ways is your spiritual life “perfunctory”? 3. How will you make repentance and confession a more regular part of your spiritual practices?

Jesus calls us to love the ones whom society has deemed unredeemable and unworthy.HydeParkUMC.org/NextStepsReflection Questions:1. When did you attend a dinner party and encounter interesting people you weren’t expecting to meet? 2. How is a dinner table a good metaphor for God’s love and generosity? 3. What will you do to help welcome new people and make room for their place at God’s table?

The grace of Jesus Christ is enough to satisfy our deepest hunger, even as we are called to meet the needs of physically hungry people in the world.Reflection Questions:1. What are your favorite memories involving meal or a table? 2. When have you had an experience of physical, emotional, or spiritual scarcity? 3. How will you participate in a miracle of abundance for the sake of someone else? What do you need to turn over to Jesus?

Despite the original goodness of God’s creation, human sin has corrupted the world. Our mortality is a reminder of our utter dependence on God.

God models for us the principle of rest and renewal. Creation is incomplete if it does not allow for rebirth and rejuvenation. We should pattern our lives in the same way.Reflection Questions:1. What is your preferred way to enjoy Sabbath rest?2. What makes it hard to carve out time for practicing Sabbath in your life?3. What would help you be more faithful in your Sabbath practices?

We are made in God’s image, which means we are meant to be in connection and relationship with God and one another. We are therefore called to acts of reconciliation and love.Reflection Questions:1. How do you witness human beings’ capacity for goodness? For evil?2. Where do you need to experience the grace of God in your life?3. To whom or where can you extend grace this week?

One of the first commands that God gave to humans was to take dominion of the animals. But what does that mean exactly? St. Francis of Assisi modeled for us a care and concern for all life, especially animals. We should live at peace with all creatures.REFLECTION QUESTIONS:1. What are your favorite memories involving a pet or other animals?2. What do you think it means for humans to have “dominion” over animals?3. How will you work to help animals fulfill their potential to add more richness and beauty to the world?

Looking into the vastness of the universe both humbles us and fills us with awe and reverence for God. The rev. Magrey deVega describes how infinite, intimate, and incarnate space can be when showing us how God is working in both the universe and our lives. Reflection Questions1. What is a vivid memory you have involving space? 2. How does thinking about the universe give you a sense of awe and wonder about God? 3. When you remember that everything is created out of the same material, by the same God, how does that change your relationship with creation and other people?

There is a plethora of discourse about how to take care of the Earth these days. The Bible is clear in that we are called to appreciate and preserve the planet, restoring it to the goodness of God’s original intention.Reflection Questions: 1.  Can you remember when you first noticed and were overcome by the beauty of the earth? What was that like?2.  What are you most concerned about with regards to Climate Change?3.  What is one thing you could start doing to help better care for the creation?  When will you start?

 The Bible tells us that the sky declares the glory of God; their voice ringing out throughout all of the Earth. If you are feeling lost or lonely, look up. Sense God’s presence in the vastness of the sky.Reflection Questions:1. What song connects you to the sky?2. How do you answer Einstein’s question?3. In what ways will you look for God’s work this week? How will you look for Jesus?

The creation story is an iconic part of the Bible, yet it is often misunderstood and underappreciated. We don’t have to ascribe to a literal understanding of creation (i.e., a literal seven days of creation) in order to marvel at its living truth. For the ancient Israelites, the creation story was less about explaining how the universe came into being, and more about who did the creating, and how we are to relate to the Creator and all creation.Reflection Questions: 1. How do you think God is still creating and bringing order out of chaos? 2. What is your favorite or most vivid memory of a baptism? 3. How would you like God to open your eyes and strengthen your faith?

We all know that nothing spectacular happens when the clock strikes midnight, ushering in the new year. I'm sure many of us would like for that to happen, though. The thing is, God is the only one that can see your life in the broadest sense there is. He has his timing and plans for you already laid out. While we may not see, or even see it coming, God wants us to be faithful to him as he is faithful to us. This new year, God wants to write a new covenant with you on your heart. Reflection Questions:1. What is your favorite New Year’s memory? 2. How have you seen God’s transformation and provision in your life, but only in retrospect? 3. How will you recommit your life to Jesus over the coming year?HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

It has been noted that you life changes significantly about every 5 years. Some of us read that and think that that is a long amount of time for change to occur. It's the same way when we expect something from God. While His plan can change everything rapidly, almost like flipping on a light switch, many of those other times it takes a while. But like how the sun rises gradually each morning, so too will the Light of Christ penetrate the darkness from the world and banish it from out lives. Reflection Questions:1. In what areas of your life do you need the light of Jesus today? 2. When have you seen God’s power in your life, but only in retrospect? 3. How will you live out the hope and joy of Christmas moving forward?

On this Christmas Eve, we are reminded about how grandiose and extravagant the season wants to be. Especially when it comes to presents. However, Rev. Magrey would like to remind us about the smaller, more impactful moments this holiday. Remember to slow down and don't miss how God can work in your life, even in the small things. Reflection Questions:1. What is your favorite Christmas memory? What is your most difficult Christmas memory? 2. How will you look more diligently for the blessings of God in your life? 3. How will you look to be a blessing for others in the coming days and weeks?