Hyde Park United Methodist

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Mat Hotho and Pastor Magrey deVega reflect on Sunday’s message and get personal about their own prayer lives. What does it look like to pray when you’re not sure what to say — or when you’re not even sure you want to pray? Whether you’re a long-time believer or just exploring faith, this conversation invites you to think differently about what it means to connect with God.

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What if everything we need is already provided? God guides us away from anything that hinders our relationship with Him. These words remind us of God’s providence and His call for us to co-create with Him.

Reflection Questions:
1. Which of the four petitions do you resonate with the most right now?
2. What do you think it means to pray, “Lead us not into temptation”?
3. How will reciting the Lord’s Prayer deepen your desire and ability to love God and others?

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho kick off a new worship series exploring the Lord’s Prayer—one of the most familiar, yet deeply profound, prayers in scripture. They reflect on how this short prayer invites us to see God more intimately, reorient our perspective, and live with a renewed sense of purpose. From rethinking father language to noticing God in everyday moments, this episode dives into why the Lord’s Prayer still matters. Join us as we uncover the depth and direction it offers for our daily lives.

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

The Lord’s Prayer reminds us of this critical but often forgotten truth: It’s not about us. We are not the center of the universe, and all we are and do should be centered in the worship and praise of God. 

Reflection Questions:
1. What word or phrase do you find most meaningful from the Lord’s Prayer? Why?
2. What aspects of the Lord’s Prayer prompt questions or curiosity for you?  3. How will the pronouns “Our” and “Your” make a difference in how you live each day?  

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What if the church is more than a destination? On Pentecost, Peter quoted Joel, saying that young people would see visions and older ones would dream dreams. That dream lives on in us as we carry out God’s mission in a changing world, reminding us that the church is a hub, where people find their purpose and mission to make a difference. 

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Mat Hotho reflect on the meaning of Pentecost—a celebration of the Holy Spirit’s power to comfort, challenge, and send us into the world with boldness and love. From vibrant symbols of global unity to a moving poem about radical belonging, this conversation invites us to see Pentecost not just as a moment in history, but as a call to live connected, compassionate lives today. Join us as we explore what it means to be kin to one another and listen together for the language of God.



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Get connected with us and find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week, Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans and Mat Hotho reflect on the meaning of Pentecost—a celebration of the Holy Spirit’s power to comfort, challenge, and send us into the world with boldness and love. From vibrant symbols of global unity to a moving poem about radical belonging, this conversation invites us to see Pentecost not just as a moment in history, but as a call to live connected, compassionate lives today. Join us as we explore what it means to be kin to one another and listen together for the language of God.

Subscribe to the newsletter through [email protected] or at https://www.oikoumene.org/get-involved/subscribe

Get connected with us and find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho kick off our new series Hearts of Fire by exploring how spiritual practices help us stay balanced in seasons of change. From the disciples watching Jesus ascend, to becoming an empty-nester, to parenting in the thick of it—this conversation is all about what keeps us grounded when life feels uncertain. Magrey shares ancient wisdom from Ascension Day and a Pope named Leo, while Mat reflects on building routine and resilience. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice, this episode reminds us that spiritual practices aren’t just a checklist—they’re how we stay in orbit.

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

What if we all embraced the power to be witnesses? On Ascension Sunday, we hear Jesus’ promise to the disciples: they would receive the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses, near and far. This service invites us to reclaim that evangelical spirit, which has been central to the Wesleyan movement from the start. 

Reflection Questions:
1. What significant life stage transitions were rewarding? What were challenging?
2. What did you learn about stability and moving forward as you went through those transitions?
3. How will you strengthen both contemplation and action in your spiritual life?

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

In this final episode of our series on emotions, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho explore the complex emotion of nostalgia—how it helps us remember, reflect, and grow. They unpack the biblical tension between “remembering” and “listening,” and how both God and humans are called to do both. From seminary basketball games to parenting wisdom passed down unknowingly, this conversation invites us to honor the past without getting stuck in it. Whether you’re someone who misses “the good old days” or someone learning to appreciate how far you’ve come, this episode is a gentle and grounded close to a series about becoming more emotionally whole.

Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps