Just as there are mountaintops in life, so there are valleys. The most famous reference to a valley in the Bible is in Psalm 23, where it depicts the long shadow of grief and loss. This service invites us to name our grief and loss, and points us toward healthy ways to process that grief and find hope. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What valleys are you experiencing right now?   2. How will you shift from talking about God to connecting personally with God?   3. How will you remember that God is with you ..read more

In Mark’s Easter gospel, the power of the resurrection through Christ can redeem the lingering guilt and shame of our yesterdays, the real time struggle and suffering of our present days, and the fear and anxiety of our tomorrows. God’s resurrection power is timeless, resilient, and always with us. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What boulder-type burdens are you carrying today?   2. Where have you seen evidence of God’s love at work in your past? In your present?   3. In what way will you move forward and claim the new life God is preparing for your future? &nbs ..read more

 The story of Holy Week begins with shouts of Hosanna, but by week’s end, those shouts become cries to murder Jesus. Holy Week is an invitation for us to locate ourselves in the story, and ask, as the old hymn says, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/Easter Reflection Questions: 1. For what reasons are you praying “Hosanna” today?   2. How might your daily prayer time include both verse 24 and 25 of Psalm 118?   3. How will you participate in the services and observances of Holy Week this week ..read more

Jesus compared his imminent death on the cross to the burial of a seed, which is necessary in order for it to spring to new life. Likewise, once we are willing to have Jesus put to death the sin in our lives, we can be raised to new life in Christ. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What is the most challenging aspect of these  words of Jesus  for you personally?   2. Who has modeled for you servanthood and self-sacrifice?   3. What are the “little deaths” that you are experiencing right now? How might they be the gateway to new life ..read more

This all-too-familiar story from John 3 captures the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night. It is in the midst of their conversation about being born again that Jesus says the iconic words of John 3:16. Just as Nicodemus came to Jesus in the dark, out of fear of his reputation and a sense of self-preservation, Jesus comes to meet us and shine the light of love and forgiveness. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/Easter Reflection Questions: 1. What does being born from above or born again mean to you? 2. In what ways do you recognize your need before God ..read more

The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) all place the turning of the tables in the Temple in the middle of Holy Week, after the triumphal entry in Jerusalem. John places the story much, much earlier, right at the outset of the ministry of Jesus. By doing this, John makes the overturning of the tables a preamble to all of Jesus’ miracles and teachings, as if to suggest that overturning our lives is an initial step toward discipleship. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. For what reasons do you think Jesus would overturn tables today?   2. How do you think the vendor ..read more

The ministry of Jesus was full of reversals. Rather than feed our ego-driven, self-centered tendencies to focus on our own needs, he called us to lose ourselves, serve others, and give our lives for others. These reversals invert contemporary wisdom and right-size our lives for God. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions 1. How are you alike and unlike the life of Peter in the gospels?  2. In what ways does Jesus’ phrase “Take up your cross” make you feel unsettled, even challenged?  3. How will you be more intentional and diligent in your practical commitments to Jesus? &nb ..read more

In Mark’s gospel, the Transfiguration serves as the halfway point in the story of Jesus. It is a marked shift away from the miracles and teachings of Jesus to the journey of Jesus to the cross. Likewise, we need to make a similar shift in our discipleship, away from merely benefiting from Jesus and toward surrender to Jesus and the cross. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. Can you remember a time when you were so overcome with beauty or joy that you were rendered speechless? What was that like? 2. When was the last time you were “lost in wonder, love, and praise” of God beca ..read more

Perhaps the greatest cause of our loneliness and disconnectedness is the tense political and social climate. What if there was a way to bridge differences and have civil conversations about tough issues? What would that look like and could we model that new way of being? HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps 15 Practical Guidelines from Romans 12:9–21 1.Our love for each other will be genuine.  2.We will hate what is evil.  3.We will make goodness our bond.  4.The only competition between us will be to see who can show the other greater honor.  5.Together, we will put God first, even ..read more

Being in a lasting, caring friendship is a true gift. Healthy friendships encourage us when we are down, tell us hard truths when we are reluctant to hear it, and help us be our best selves. HydeparkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. In what ways has your number of friends or closeness of friendships changed over the last several years?   2. Who are your close friends? How can you be a better friend to them?     3. How will you practice constancy, carefulness, candor, and counsel in your friendships?   ..read more