Hyde Park United Methodist

Significant portions of Paul’s letters to the churches dealt with the raising of money for disadvantaged communities. In a way, his systematized approach to stewardship was an extension of the church at its infancy in Acts, in which believers sold their possessions and gave the proceeds to those in need. We remember that each of us has a role to play in sharing the goodness that God has given to us; we are not meant to hoard our resources, but to give them freely, for the benefit of others. T...

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Mat Hotho and Pastor Magrey deVega explore what it means to live generously, even when giving feels difficult. They discuss how generosity connects us to people beyond our own communities, the impact of giving through the United Methodist connection, and why the good we share can reach far beyond the dollar amount itself. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This Missions Sunday, Rev. Pena from our sister congregation in Cuba will be our guest preacher. He will kick off our Generosity Campaign “So Much Good” sharing stories from God’s work among the Cuban people, as evidence of the good that comes from following Jesus, and its impact on others. Reflection questions: 1. Before your parents ever thought of you, God already had. Where do you find it hardest to believe you were made on purpose? What would change if you saw yourself the way G...

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Clarke Campbell-Evans sits down with guest preacher Rev. Rodolfo Peña, a pastor and district superintendent of our sister churches in Cuba. Through stories of his own calling and the life of his congregation, Rodolfo shares how faith brings hope amid hardship and how two church communities can learn from one another through prayer, love, and support. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

This week on Beyond the Sermon, Michael Dougherty sits down with Sally Campbell-Evans to explore the book of Ecclesiastes and the surprising truth that joy and suffering can coexist. They discuss finding God in the middle of life’s hardest moments, why “everything happens for a reason” doesn’t always help, and how simple practices like prayer, gratitude, and sharing life with others can help us notice the joy that’s still there. Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps