Hyde Park United Methodist

Just as last week’s text provided proof of the presence of God the Father, this week’s text shows us evidence of the Holy Spirit. It is through our love of one another and our commitment to Jesus’ commandments that we see the work of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit, who advocates on our behalf, that we are empowered to do what God asks of us. When we fulfill God’s call, we demonstrate the reality of the Holy Spirit, alive and well in the world.  Reflection Questions:1. When have loneliness or fear opened you to deeper trust in God?2. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit comforting or guiding your life?3. What helps you remember that you are never spiritually orphaned or alone?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week Mat Hotho returns to Beyond the Sermon to sit down with Pastor Magrey deVega and unpack the idea of “positive disintegration” — the moments in life that shake us, challenge us, and ultimately shape us. Together, they reflect on childhood fears, experiences of the Holy Spirit, and why spiritual growth often begins with discomfort, uncertainty, and learning to trust that everything will be okay.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Phillip speaks for all of us in wanting to see tangible proof of God’s presence. Clearly, if God were as plainly visible and audible as God appeared to be throughout the Bible, there would be very little cause for atheism and agnosticism today. Nonetheless, Jesus gives Phillip an intriguing response: If you’re looking for evidence of God, look at the life and teachings of Jesus himself. He and the father were one. Likewise, if we are looking for the presence of God today, we can embody that presence through our own faithful living and adherence to God’s commands.   Reflection Questions:1. Where are you longing to see evidence of God in difficult times?2. How might your actions become visible signs of God’s presence to others?3. What need around you is inviting you to do the work of Jesus?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

John Barolo, Discipleship Director, and Pastor Magrey deVega sit down to unpack this week’s sermon on Philip’s question, “Just show us God.” Together, they explore doubt, deconstruction, and what it really looks like to experience God—not in big, dramatic moments, but in the ordinary, everyday rhythms of life.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Michael Dougherty and Pastor Magrey deVega sit down to unpack this week’s sermon, exploring the image of the Good Shepherd, the challenge of silencing competing voices, and what it really means to listen and obey. From sacred music to daily spiritual rhythms, they reflect on how we discern God’s voice in the middle of noise, comparison, and real life.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this iconic passage, Jesus equates himself to the gate through which the sheep will not just find security within the fold; they will hear the shepherd’s voice clearly amid the threats around them. Living on the edge of resurrection means constant attentiveness to the shepherd’s calling, so that when we find ourselves lost and confused, we can follow God’s way home.   Reflection Questions:1. What competing voices in your life make it difficult to hear Jesus?2. How can you create space to listen and respond to God daily?3. Where might God be inviting obedience through a voice you recognize?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The travelers on the road to Emmaus uttered the words that capture the deepest longing in the human heart: “We had hoped.” They had held out hope that the reports of Jesus’ death were not true, and that he was the long-awaited Messiah. Then, because they created space for Jesus to remain with them in their home, he opened their eyes to his presence, and he gave them the hope they were longing for.  Reflection Questions:1. Where in your life do you need to create space for Jesus?2. What practices help you name your disappointments and invite Christ inward?3. How is resurrection unfolding in your life, even if slowly?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Mat Hotho sits down with Pastor Magrey deVega to unpack this week’s message and talk honestly about why change doesn’t always happen overnight. From doubt to daily habits, they explore what it really looks like to grow, stay grounded, and find meaning in the middle of real life. Find out more about us and join a small group at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

One week after Easter, the lilies fade and real life returns—bringing questions, doubts, and uncertainty with it. In this opening message of the On the Edge series, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans explores the story of Thomas and reminds us that doubt is not the opposite of faith, but a vital part of it. Through personal story and the Gospel of John, we are invited to bring our questions into community, to stay present even when faith feels fragile, and to trust that Christ meets us right in the middle of our fear and uncertainty, offering peace, presence, and new life.Reflection Questions:1. Can you identify with Thomas, needing to see and touch something before you can believe or accept it?2. Have you ever had a crisis of faith? If so, who or what helped you get through it?3. How might Jesus be calling you out of your "locked room” right now - to embody peace and to tend wounds?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans shares her personal journey through doubt, calling, and rediscovering faith. Reflecting on her sermon about Doubting Thomas, she opens up about a season in seminary where everything she believed was questioned—and how that struggle ultimately shaped her ministry. This conversation is a reminder that doubt isn’t something to fear, but something that can lead to deeper, more authentic faith—especially when we don’t go through it alone.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The resurrection of Jesus is the pivotal moment in human history, declaring God’s redemptive power and the end of sin and evil as the controlling force over our lives. The practice of visio divina invites us to not just hear the story, but to gaze upon it, just as famous artists have invited us throughout the centuries, to discover how we can experience the power of resurrection in our lives and in the world.   Reflection Questions:1. Where has life shaken you recently, leaving you uncertain or afraid?2. What faithful action can you take before certainty or belief fully arrives?3. How might living as free change your perspective on present struggles?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The stories of Holy Week are conducive to vivid artistic representation. Beginning with the pageantry of Palm Sunday, through the beauty of Maundy Thursday, and into the stirring scenes of the crucifixion, these stories have been the subject of some of the greatest works of art in history. The massive altar piece of the cathedral in Siena, Italy, depicts these scenes with stunning detail, telling the stories of the week that changed the world.  Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In week five of Visio Divina, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans reflects on the story of Jesus calming the storm through Rembrandt’s Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee. The painting pulls us into the boat — into the chaos, fear, and uncertainty the disciples felt. And yet, in the middle of it all, Jesus remains steady, anchored to something deeper than the storm. This story reminds us that faith doesn’t remove the storm, but it roots us in a presence that can withstand it. As we move through Lent, we’re invited to become people of calm, courage, and trust — even when the waves rise.Reflection Questions:1. Can you name a person who impresses you as one who can remain CALM in the midst of chaos?  What qualities do they have?2. How have you found yourself being a calm presence in the midst of your own storms or someone else’s?3. When was the last time you heard Jesus speak “Peace" over your chaotic and anxious thoughts? What was that like?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Like many of the parables of Jesus, the story of the Prodigal Son is a study in contrast, between the waywardness of the younger son and the extravagant love of God. Embodying that contrast is the light and shadow that comes from beautiful stained glass, like the stunning windows of Cathedrale Saint-Etienne in Bourges, France. Its depiction of the parable of the prodigal is not only rich in imagery; it also renders imaginative aspects of the story as a way of inviting the viewer to see themselves in the narrative. For all the soulful repentance that Lent prompts, it is good to remember that ultimately, God is there to welcome us, hold us, and forgive us.   Reflection Questions: 1. What rooms of your past remain closed, waiting for God’s healing light?2. Where are you chasing fulfillment outward instead of returning inward to God?3. How might God expand the living space of your heart today?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In week three of Visio Divina, Pastor Justin LaRosa reflects on the story of Lazarus in John’s Gospel through Caravaggio’s powerful painting The Raising of Lazarus. The scene is full of shadow, grief, and tension, reminding us that resurrection often begins in the middle of pain, not after it disappears. Jesus meets Martha in protest, Mary in tears, and stands before the tomb calling Lazarus by name. This story asks what resurrection looks like in our lives right now. God does the raising, and the community helps unbind us as we step into the light.Reflection Questions:1. Share an experience when you had a Mary/Martha moment.2. What protects you from pain/suffering but also prevents Jesus from entering?3. Where might God be inviting you to help unbind someone else?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This first miracle by Jesus, recorded in John’s gospel, may seem like an odd insertion into the Lenten journey. But it is the moment when Jesus made his public debut as not just a stirring teacher, but as a miraculous healer who was concerned about the wellbeing of others. His response to his mother that his “hour has not yet come” is a foretelling of his crucifixion and resurrection, when he would be poured out as blood and water for the salvation of others. In that way, the turning of water into wine is a kind of foreshadowing of his ultimate miracle. The Renaissance painter Veronese renders this story in vivid detail, both immersing the viewer in the story and expanding the hospitality of God to others.  Reflection Questions:1. When have you been to a family gathering where things didn’t turn out as hoped? 2. How is God calling you to “widen the table” and make room for people to experience God’s love? 3. How are you a character in the story of the wedding at Cana?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The most famous fresco in the history of western art is in the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo. It depicts the stirring moment when God created humans, with God and Adam, arms outstretched, making contact. Just as moving is the stunning entryway doors to the Baptistery of St. John in Florence, Italy by Giberti, which depics the story of creation in incredible, gilded detail. The creation story is a fitting starting point in our Lenten journey, reminding us of our inherent nature as made in the image of God, and calling us to return to a full reflection of God’s character, as we reach out and touch the divine.   Reflection Questions:1. How might you begin to read the Bible with multiple physical senses? 2. When has a work of art opened your eyes to wonder? 3. How do these two works of art give you deeper appreciation for the creation story? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this final episode of Beyond the Sermon for the "Say Less" series, Justin LaRosa and Mat Hotho reflect on what it really looks like to listen for God’s will. The conversation explores centering prayer, silence, counseling, spiritual direction, and the courage it takes to say no to good things in order to say yes to what truly aligns with how God has wired you. Along the way, they wrestle with anxiety, alignment, repentance, and the slow work of recognizing God’s voice in the rearview mirror of life.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Revelation may seem like an odd choice to include in a series on listening, but the oracle is founded on a witness from John to Christians who needed to listen better. Beginning with the indictments to the seven churches, the book is filled with words of comfort and courage to people under distress. When we learn to “silence all voices but God’s voice,” (Henri Nouwen) we can learn to hear God’s will for us to move forward with conviction.   Reflection Questions:1. Where in your life right now do you most need discernment — and what makes that situation hard to navigate?2. When you’re making decisions, what practices actually help you listen for God, and what has that looked like in real life?3. Jesus warned about being “lukewarm.” Where do you notice spiritual complacency in yourself or our culture — and what might wholehearted faith (zeal and repentance) look like instead?

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Mat Hotho sits down with Bishop Will Willimon to unpack what it really means to listen to a sermon. Their conversation explores the difference between reading Scripture and preaching it, why sermons are meant to address us personally, and how the preached word moves faith from information to enlistment. Bishop Willimon reflects on decades of preaching, the discomfort and resistance Jesus often provokes, and why following Christ was never meant to be easy, safe, or merely “interesting.” Along the way, they wrestle with discipleship, courage, and what it means to belong to a kingdom larger than any nation or political project.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This Sunday, we are joined by Bishop Will Willimon as he reflects on Jesus’ first sermon in Luke 4 and what happens when God speaks a word we didn’t come to hear. Willimon explores why preaching is so difficult to listen to, not because sermons are long or abstract, but because the true preacher is Christ himself. Drawing on personal stories from the pulpit and moments when sermons provoke discomfort rather than comfort, this message invites us to listen bravely, expecting to encounter the risen Jesus who still speaks truthfully, sometimes painfully, and always out of love.Reflection Questions: 1. In what ways do you listen to sermons seeking comfort, and how open are you to Jesus challenging and changing you, even when it feels uncomfortable?2. Where do you resist the idea that God might be at work among people or places you least expect or prefer?3. When have you realized that Jesus spoke to you through a sermon in a way the preacher never intended? How did it change you?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

n Week 2 of Say Less, Matt Hotho and Pastor Magrey deVega dig deeper into Romans 12 and the tension between what we believe and how we live. Their conversation moves from Paul’s shift from belief to practice into the communal roots of faith, drawing connections to Leviticus, the prophets, and the idea of offering our lives as a “living sacrifice.” Along the way, they wrestle with why empathy has become such a loaded word, how compassion gets politicized, and why practicing empathy doesn’t mean agreement—especially in a polarized world where listening feels harder than ever.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Empathy seems to be a lost art these days. It has even been villainized by certain segments of our political discourse. Empathy is not a weakness; it is a demonstration of strength, of security in oneself, and a reflection of the character of God, who empathized with humanity to such a degree that God became human just like us. It is a central idea in this passage of Paul’s letter to the Romans, and it is central to us as Christians.   Reflection Questions:1. In what ways are you tempted to stop at believing the right things about Jesus rather than doing the hard things he asks of you? 2. What people are you struggling to empathize with? What “single story” might you need to change with deeper listening? 3. How can you practice empathy by honoring another person’s humanity while still maintaining healthy emotional boundaries? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Magrey deVega sits down with guest preacher Gary Mason to continue the conversation on listening in a divided world. Drawing from Gary’s experience in Northern Ireland and his work with Rethinking Conflict, they reflect on how polarization, labeling, and dehumanization take root—and why listening is essential to preserving life and peace. Together, they explore the connection between listening to God and listening to one another, the power of storytelling, and why “engagement is not endorsement” when navigating deep disagreement.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org

One of the hardest times to practice good listening is with people who have opposing viewpoints. Indeed, the polarization in our society seems to be getting worse, not better, over time. Yet Paul is clear with the Christians in Ephesus: Unwholesome speech, bitterness, and anger have no place in civil conversation. Instead, we need a mutual willingness to listen to each other.   Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this Beyond the Sermon conversation, Magrey deVega and Matt Hoto dig into the ideas behind the “drum major instinct” and why the pull toward attention, affirmation, and influence shows up so naturally in our lives. They walk through how Jesus reframes greatness in the Gospels, why the same story appears differently in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and how context and perspective shape the way faith communities grow up and mature. Along the way, they reflect on preaching legacies like J. Wallace Hamilton and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., especially how MLK’s call to humility, justice, and nonviolence still challenges how we lead, speak, and engage the world today.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

 The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously diagnosed the problem with pride as having a “drum major instinct,” adapting a phrase from the Methodist preacher J. Wallace Hamilton. Indeed, much of the hostility and tension in the world can be addressed if we dig our societal roots deeper into service and humility, just as Jesus taught his disciples in this text from Matthew. Reflection Questions:1. To what degree do you exhibit a “Drum Major Instinct?” 2. How can ambition be a healthy thing to have? When does it become unhealthy? 3. How can serving help you see the divine image in others? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Matt and Magrey reflect on Baptism of the Lord Sunday by sharing personal baptism stories and exploring why baptism is more than a single moment in time. They talk about baptism as an intergenerational promise, the role of community and instruction in the Christian tradition, and how remembering our baptism invites imagination, play, and renewal—not just formality. Along the way, they unpack the United Methodist understanding of grace, why God is the primary actor in baptism, and how dying and rising with Christ continues to shape faith across a lifetime.Reach out to Mat with any questions about YOUR baptism journey at [email protected] out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Baptism reminds us of who we are in Christ, and the calling Christ gives us to live a holy life. It is a notion underscored by 1 Peter, which tells us that the waters of baptism do not as much cleanse us physically, but spiritually, empowering us to live with a good conscience.   Reflection Questions: 1. What is your favorite memory of a baptism? 2. How will remembering your baptism strengthen you during hard days? 3. How will you “behave until you believe, so that you can behave because you believe”? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this Week One Grounded conversation, Magrey and Matt reflect on what it really means to begin a new year with intention. From an unexpected video game metaphor to Wesleyan roots, they explore how personal spiritual rhythms, shared faith practices, and a commitment to social holiness shape a grounded life. Along the way, they touch on why Methodist distinctives still matter, how faith moves beyond the self, and what it looks like to step into the year ahead with clarity, purpose, and depth.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Just as a tree digs its roots deeper to find water and nourishment during times of drought, times of unsettledness are an invitation for us to hone our commitment to Jesus. The year kicks off with a time of obedience to the will and way of Christ, in alignment with the year-long “Wesleyan Rooted” emphasis by the Annual Conference. This three-part series encompasses the two sacraments, communion and baptism, and the way we live our lives sacramentally for others, through service.   Reflection Questions: 1. What would it mean for you to make “Deeper” a goal for your spiritual journey this year? 2. How will you grow deeper in your service to others?3. How will you grow deeper in your relationships with others? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The incarnation is the ultimate act of drawing near, as God bridged the gulf between God and humanity by becoming like us. We celebrate the birth of Christ by making room for him in our hearts, as we share the message and love of Christ with a world in need.  Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho reflect on Mary’s role in the Christmas story by placing it within the much longer arc of Israel’s history—from tabernacle and temple to incarnation and church. They explore how Luke connects past, present, and future to show a God who is both mobile and faithful, present in the wilderness and rooted in real history. As Christmas Eve approaches, the conversation invites us to notice where God is already near, and how we might carry that presence into the lives of others.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Mary and Elizabeth were the original collaborators, co-laboring to provide the world with the hope and promise that it needed. In drawing near to each other, they discovered mutual support and joy, and the strength to encourage each other throughout their journeys. In a season where our relationships with those closest to us might be most tested and strained, we are called to practice vulnerability, mutuality, and shared love.  Reflection Questions:1. What would it mean for you to be a “Tabernacle” for God? 2. What would it mean for you to be a “Doula” for God?3. How will you prepare for the fresh arrival of Jesus in and through your life?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The first-century Roman Empire faced the same kinds of injustices that we face today: growing inequality between the rich and the poor, abusive oppression by those in power, and a disregard for decency and civility. John the Baptist’s message is not just spiritual in nature; it has real-life, real-world implications for today.   Questions:1. What jumped out at you from the text?2. John says to bear fruit worthy of repentance. How do you understand repentance?3. What obstacles do you see in your life? Community’s and world’s? Name some ways you have repented in your life that have resulted in fruit.4. How does John’s understanding of repentance draw you and our church near to justice?Find out more and connect with us at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Justin LaRosa and Mat Hotho revisit John the Baptist’s call to repentance as a turning toward something better, exploring it as a shared, lived practice that reaches beyond individual behavior and into the systems, relationships, and habits that shape our common life. Their conversation reflects on how repentance takes form through generosity, integrity, and respect for all people, and how proximity, presence, and community can change both us and the world around us. Drawing from the work of The Portico and the witness of the wider church, this episode considers what it looks like to prepare the way for God’s kingdom in real, tangible ways.Find out more and connect with us at HydeParkUMC.org/NextStepsDiscover how The Portico is building community and how you can be part of it at ThePortico.org

No journey to Christmas would be complete without John the Baptist, the iconic figurehead of Advent preparation. His message is one that people then and now are reluctant to hear: Repent, seek justice, and live righteously. His is a timeless truth that is as relevant as ever.  Reflection Questions:1. How often do you watch the sunrise? What feelings does it elicit for you? 2. What are you most longing for right now? 3. What difference does it make to see time less linearly, and more cyclically?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Mat and Magrey dive into Luke 1 with a surprisingly “Wicked” twist (some of us just can’t help ourselves). What starts as a chat about Zechariah’s song turns into a reflection on stability, spiritual practice, and why Luke’s Gospel sometimes feels like a Broadway musical. Along the way they explore Benedictine rhythms, the gift of repetition, and how ancient songs still shape our hope today.The Canticle of the Turning: https://youtu.be/F9QeTmRCpW4?si=mHFOinxdFICTDvriFind out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The first Sunday of Advent often catches us by surprise, still plumped from Thanksgiving leftovers and not yet fully in the swing of Christmas preparations. But Luke’s gospel greets us with a jarring reminder that something bold and wondrous is on the horizon. It is the inbreaking of God’s presence and love, revealed in Jesus. All we have to do is open our eyes to the wonder of God in our midst.  Reflection Questions:1. When you get overwhelmed by the world’s problems, what helps you notice signs of new life in front of you?2. What signs of wonder are you seeing in the world today?3. Moments of wonder are often interpreted as "God is with me" moments, revealing a sense of divine presence in everyday life.  When was the last time you had one of those moments? What was it like?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Sally Campbell-Evans and Matt Hotho open Advent with an unexpected text—Jesus’ apocalyptic warnings in Luke 21. Instead of forecasting the end of the world, they explore how these passages uncover God’s presence right in the middle of fear, uncertainty, and ordinary life. Together they reflect on why Advent begins with a jolt, how to notice the quiet signs of hope already growing around us, and what it means to “draw near” to God and one another when everything feels unsteady.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The draw near theme encompasses 1) an affirmation that God has drawn near to us by taking on flesh and experiencing what it is to be human, 2) a plea for God to draw closer to us and to the spaces in the world that are broken, and 3) a charge for us to draw near to God by leaning into wonder, justice, truth, and one another. Reflection Questions:1. What does it mean for you to call Jesus Lord and King?2. How will you savor each present moment in the coming days? 3. How will you prepare yourself spiritually for the coming Advent season? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

As we wrap up Christ the King Sunday—and the Christian year—Magrey and Matt reflect on where we've been, what’s grounding us right now, and where our faith might carry us next. They share a simple three-part gratitude practice perfect for your Thanksgiving table, and explore what it really means to say “Jesus is Lord” in a world shaped by Christian nationalism and diverse faith traditions.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This iconic text from Paul on giving reminds us that our truest and most faithful generosity does not happen through rote obligation, but through a spirit of joy and gratitude.Reflection Questions:1. When have you been misunderstood, the way the Corinthians misunderstood Paul? 2. How can you shift your thinking to see every person in the church as equally important? 3. How might you see your estimate of giving as planting a seed for impact in 2026 and beyond? Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey and Mat dive into Paul’s letters to the Corinthians—letters written to a city full of wealth, ambition, and ego. They unpack how Paul uses the language of farmers to teach a lesson about generosity, faith, and interdependence. Together they explore what it means to plant seeds of faith in a world obsessed with control—and how true growth depends on forces far beyond ourselves.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho explore the heart behind generosity—what drives us to give, and how to keep it from becoming self-serving. They unpack the danger of “propositional faith,” the belief that generosity guarantees reward, and contrast it with the deeper call to give simply because Jesus did. Along the way, they share stories of teachers, mentors, and church members whose quiet selflessness still ripples outward today.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Our simple acts of generosity are part of a continuum of God’s reciprocal work of grace. God blesses us, then blesses others through us, and then we are blessed in return, which enables us to give thanks to God. It is a true full circle of grace.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans joins Mat Hotho for a heartfelt Beyond the Sermon conversation on the meaning of All Saints Sunday—a day to honor those who shaped our faith and reflect on how God’s grace shines through ordinary people. Sally shares the story of her niece’s courage and faith, and how recognizing the image of God in every person can change the way we live, love, and remember.Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

On this All Saints Sunday, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans reminds us that saints aren’t stained-glass figures of perfection—they’re ordinary people made radiant by grace. Through stories of faith, compassion, and love that bridge heaven and earth, we’re invited to see ourselves and others as bearers of God’s image. What would change if you truly believed that the divine spark lives in you—and in everyone you meet?Reflection Questions 1. Do you agree with the definition of a saint… as one who lives NOT with stained-glass perfection, but ordinary lives made radiant by GRACE?2. Before today’s sermon, what was your concept of a saint?3. Who are some of the saints that have encouraged you on the journey of faith? Take a moment and thank God for their presence in your life.4. What is one thing you could do today to encourage the image of God in another person? (in a friend, family member, stranger) Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This Sunday, guest preacher Rev. Dr. Juana Jordan from FAMU Impact Wesley challenges us to “Mind the Gap” — the space between what we believe and how we live it out. From Isaiah’s call to justice, to Boaz’s compassion, to Jesus’ parable of the Sheep and Goats, we’re reminded that real faith doesn’t step over need — it steps into it. Discover how God calls us to stand in the breach, live with margin, and become repairers of the world’s broken places.Reflection Questions:1. Where in your life or community do you see a “gap” between what you believe and how you behave—and what would it look like to mind that gap? 2. What might it mean for you, like Boaz, to turn your margin into ministry? To use your resources or influence to restore someone’s dignity? 3. How does your faith express itself in concrete action? Where might you need to move from intention to impact this week?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In the final week of Christ at the Center, Pastor Magrey deVega revisits a wild Sunday when Hyde Park was protested by Westboro Baptist Church—for being “too open-minded.” But instead of responding with hate, the church chose love, gentleness, and respect—the way 1 Peter calls us to. Discover how real faith holds conviction without closing hearts, and how open-mindedness—rooted in Jesus—can become one of the most powerful witnesses we have today.Reflection Questions:1. What positions in the Social Principles are instructive and persuasive for you?2. How will you work toward bridging polarizing differences with others?3. How will you work toward peace and justice in the world?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps