Hyde Park United Methodist

This week, Mat and Magrey dive deeper into the letter of 1 John, exploring how our beliefs are shaped by the trust we place in God's promise of love.-- Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps --

Jesus is love incarnate, the “word of life” revealed to us as a human of both “water and blood.” He shows us the way of love, which shapes our relationships with God and others.Reflection Questions:1. What do you imagine the “magical circle” was like when you were born?2. When have you most vividly experienced God with your senses?3. How will you become more aware of God’s love in ordinary moments?-- Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps --

This week Mat and Magrey dive into the deeper meaning behind Magery's prayer and how we can stay faithful to every moment, even when we're called to something bigger then ourselves. -- Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps -- 

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus brings us good news, offering us the hope of salvation. In Romans, we see God’s great plan to save all people from sin.Reflection Questions:1. What do you enjoy about receiving Christmas letters this time of year?2. How has God been faithful to you in the past? How is God active in your life now?3. If God were to write a Christmas letter to you now, what would it say?-- Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps --

This week, Mat and Magrey explore the Christian Liturgical Calendar more deeply, reflecting on what uncertain times mean to them and how they can find comfort in them.-- Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps --

Challenged to prove ourselves, we find our identity in Christ, our King.Reflection Questions:1. What do you think it means to call Jesus king?2. Do you think empathy is in short supply today? Who models it best for you?3. How will you emulate Jesus in your everyday life?-- Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps --

This week, Mat and Magrey reflect on what the crumbling temple might look like in your life, and how to find hope and guidance in those times of uncertainty. -- Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps --

Christ never promises an easy walk, but one of sacrifice.Reflection Questions:1.) When in your life did all you thought was true and reliable seem “thrown down”?2.) When have you seen evidence of God not giving up during your hard times?3.) How will you release your energy as an act of defiant hope in the world?-- Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps --

Join Mat and Justin as they dive deeper into the message of Thessalonians, exploring how to find hope when it feels like the end is near. Justin shares a personal story of facing hopelessness, and together they reflect on what it means to persevere with faith.-- Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps --

It may feel like the end is near, but we have to keep going.Reflection Questions:1. How have you attempted to stay grounded in your faith with unsettling news or alarming situation in today’s world? 2. How do you think modern-day predictions or claims about end times events impact people’s faith, both positively and negatively?3. How can you stand firm in your faith during difficult times, and how might you offer this to others?--Find out more at HydeParkUMC/org/NextSteps--

God is at work in the dark places, even when we cannot see it.Reflection Questions 1. When you are struggling who helps you (or what helps you) get back up and try again?2. What is one thing you could do today to encourage someone (a friend, family member, stranger) who is struggling with their faith in God? 3. Who are some of the saints that have encouraged you on the journey of faith? How did they encourage you? Take a moment and thank God for their presence in your life.--Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps--

The culmination of remembering our membership vows is an act of recommitment, which would include the submission of our estimates of giving cards. Reflection Questions:In what way do you experience this congregation as a “household”? How are you uniquely called and gifted to build up the work of this church? How will you recommit your efforts of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness?--Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps--

The kingdom of God is built one life at a time, one relationship at a time, one moment of personal invitation at a time. Reflection Questions:What experience have you had with evangelism that is coercive or argumentative? What natural ways will you be a witness for Jesus? Which of the five ways to be a witness come easiest for you? Hardest?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps

What does it mean to serve others? For many of us, growing in our ability to serve means learning how to be uncomfortable in situations that stretch our boundaries. It means learning new names, extending ourselves, and focusing on the needs of others instead of our own.Learning to serve can be a process. Thankfully we have many examples of processes in our day-to-day lives that can model for us what it means to serve.Reflection Questions:How do you think serving others can lead to deeper relationships or even friendships in your own life?How does knowing and taking care of yourself help you serve others better? Have you ever felt too drained to help others?Why do you think it can be difficult to accept help from others, and how does this challenge your understanding of mutual service?HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Giving of our time, talent, and treasure is a central aspect of discipleship, and, for some, is the most difficult one to surrender.Reflection Questions:1. When have you had a good experience baking bread, or enjoying bread someone else made?2. What difference does it make to see yourself as part of the global church of Jesus Christ? 3. How will you see your financial generosity as a way of making a living impact for God and others?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps

Since the early church, Christians have been called to gather (ekklesia, which is translated as both “church” and “gathering.”) When we are present to each other, in worship, small groups, and service, we can experience the presence of God in a powerful way, along with the mutual support and accountability that comes with being together.

A natural and important follow-up to our 125th Anniversary Celebration is a season of recommitment to grow deeper as disciples, wider in our reach to others, and united in mission to love God and love all. This five-part series reviews the five-fold membership vow that each member took to become a part of this church. Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian. It connects us to God, raises our attention to the Holy Spirit, and unites us together.HydeParkUMC.org/nextstepsReflection Questions:1. Reflect and describe the first time you remember praying.   2. How have you struggled with prayer?3. How does regular prayer practice strengthen your inner being, root you in love, and help you comprehend God’s grace?

Stories from our heritage not only tell us about our past. They remind us of who we are. Such is the story of our church’s beginning, back in 1899, when a small group chose to sing “I Love to Tell the Story” at the site of what would become our church. Their courage and witness, coupled with their choice of song, tells us something about who we are.  HydeParkUMC.org/nextstepsReflection Questions:1. How can you re-prioritize your life, to focus less on being remembered, and more on being part of a story bigger than yourself? 2. How will you remember the “old, old story” of God’s love in your life? 3. How will you live into the story of God’s love through this church?

This week Mat sits down with former senior pastor of Hyde Park, Jim Harnish, with the topic of discovering and recognizing continuing threads of your life in the both spiritual and historical sense. HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps

The writer of Hebrews scans over the long history of men and women who lived by faith, some of it in gory detail! But then the text looks directly at us to say that God’s story will not be perfect (complete, whole) without us.  We have the beautiful stories of how God has been at work through the people of this congregation over the past 125 years, but the story will not be complete until we step into it, i.e. lay aside the things that keep us from moving forward and run the leg of the relay that is before us. HydeParkUMC.org/nextsteps