Hyde Park United Methodist

 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

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

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 MHotho@hydeparkumc.orgFind 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, 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 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

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

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

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

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

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