Hyde Park United Methodist
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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?
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?
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?
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? 3. What are your powerful takeaways from the text?
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 vendors responded? The religious leaders? The disciples? 3. In what ways can you be a part of a faith community at its healthiest and best?
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?
The story of the temptation of Jesus offers us a guide for how to deal with the temptations in our lives, and shift our orientation away from ourselves and toward the benefit of other people. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions 1. What lessons did you learn as a child regarding handling your emotions in a healthy way? 2. What emotions do you most struggle with channeling in a positive way? 3. How will you better integrate the fact that you are fully human, made in the image of God?
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 because you felt the Lords present so closely? 3. What is pulling on your heart (or calling to you), as we begin this season of Lent?
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 when we don’t feel like it. 6.We will be hopeful, not cynical. 7.We will be patient, even when our differences make things difficult. 8.We will never stop praying for each other or for the world. 9.We pledge to be welcoming to strangers, people who are different from us. 10.We will not speak ill of each other; instead, we will speak words of blessing. 11.We will choose harmony with each other over arrogance. 12.We commit to being with those who are less fortunate, less privileged, and less powerful, so that we can learn humility ourselves. 13.We will not respond to evil by doing evil ourselves. We commit to the most noble actions and motivations. 14.We will have hearts of peace for each other, rather than revenge. 15.We will not overcome evil with evil, but by doing good. Mat Hotho mhotho@hydeparkumc.org Reflection Questions: 1. When have you had difficulty relating to a person based on partisan differences? 2. How can Christians be politically engaged, without devolving into polarizing partisanship? 3. What valuable insights have you gained about relationships throughout this worship series?
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?
Even though families are comprised of a variety of types and dynamics, we were all born into one, and we know the kinds of strains, misgivings, and stress that families can bring us. This service will explore biblical insights in strengthening our marriages, our parenting, and our relationships with other family members. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What is the best thing about your family? What is the hardest thing about your family? 2. How will drawing closer to Jesus help each member of your family draw closer to each other? 3. How do you think stronger families can improve your community?
Baptism is the entry rite into Christian community. Our vows remind us that we are called to be part of the church, which Christ has opened to all people. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What is your favorite memory of a baptism? 2. What do you think God is doing in a baptism? 3. What difference does baptism make for you, in how you think, act, and relate to others?
In Genesis, we discover that God’s creation of the first human being was incomplete until the creation of companionship. We are intrinsically wired to be in connection with other people. God said it was not good for us to be alone; in fact, we are not. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. Who is the person (or the people) in your life that make you feel ‘known’? 2. What is one thing you can do to help alleviate another person’s isolation and make them feel that they are ‘of worth’? 3. Name two things you can do to cultivate or nurture your primary relationships this week?
Just as Anna and Simeon received the baby Jesus and gained new hope for the future, we are to take the gift of Christmas and carry it with us all year round. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. How long do you tend to keep your Christmas decorations up in your house? 2. What memories do you have this past Christmas of different generations coming together? 3. How will you be a bridge between generations this upcoming year?
We are all familiar with the Nativity story. We know of Mary and Joseph, of the shepherds and the angels. But what about the setting? The stable and the manager? We take a closer look at the setting of the Christmas story and what implications it has on our lives. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions 1. What are your favorite images and scenes in the Christmas story? 2. How will you make room for Jesus to be born anew into your life? 3. How will you allow Jesus to work through you to impact the lives of others?
Advent is a time of anticipating joy, exemplified in the Magnificat of Mary. Her soul rejoiced at the prospect of the arrival of justice, equality, and liberation for all people. That vision should both encourage us and motivate us to offer joy to others. HydeParkUMC.org/Christmas HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. When has fear ever blocked your sense of joy? 2. When have you experienced the joy of giving yourself in generosity to others? 3. What is God calling you to do, to move you from fear to joy by serving others?
Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus, foretold by John the Baptist, who called us to “make his paths straight.” This can serve as a metaphor for peace-building and peace-making, which is at the heart of our Advent preparations. We should strive to be agents of peace, in our relationships with others. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/Christmas Reflection Questions: 1. What “potholes” exist in your life that need to be filled by God? 2. How will you build bridges this week with people who are in a broken relationship with you? 3. How will you help remove barriers of injustice and inequity that prevent peace in our society?
Advent is a time of watching and waiting in expectation of the inbreaking of God’s power and love to be among us. We should not lose hope, and we should remain attentive and ready to respond. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/Chirstmas Reflection Questions - What are you waiting for, longing for, hoping for – deep in your heart – this Advent? - Where do you see signs of ‘hope’ in the world? And how does that encourage you to share ‘hope’ with others? - What Advent practices do you observe during this season? Or have you observed in the past?
Calling Jesus Lord is not just a statement we make; it is a life we choose to live. He is the pre-eminent expression of God’s full character and behavior. In him, we discover our truest purpose and meaning in life, and to him, we are called to be obedient and faithful.
The parable of the mustard seed is one of Jesus’ most famous and familiar parables. It reminds us that small acts of generosity, no matter how insignificant it seems, can be used by God to multiply into wider impact for a wide host of people. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/LoveForAll HydeParkUMC.org/EOG Reflection Questions: What new insights have you learned from the parable of the mustard seed? What does the garden in the parable symbolize for you? How have you experienced God’s love through the ministries of the church?
Our faithful generosity is a response to the generosity of God, who calls us to be responsible caretakers of all our resources. By saving, spending, and giving faithfully, we can create a storehouse of treasure that will be a solid foundation for the future of God’s kingdom, and help us “take hold of that which is truly life.” HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/LoveForAll Reflection Questions: - What are your earliest memories related to money? - When in your life have you felt truly and fully content? - How will you be more generous in your time, your spirit, and your financial giving to the church?
We have been given an inheritance by God, which is the richness of grace and salvation, passed down through the generations. On this day when we celebrate the saints who have gone before us, we give thanks for their enduring example of faithfulness and generosity, and pledge to live out their legacy in our faithful giving. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/LoveForAll
Our generosity begins with the generosity of God, who calls us to be in a special relationship together, for the benefit of the world. This is the basis of the important biblical concept of covenant, seen most vividly in the call of Abraham. And just as Abraham gave a tenth of his belongings as a response to God’s covenant, we are called to be generous as a response to God’s goodness. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydePartkUMC.org/LoveForAll Reflection Questions: 1. How have you experienced God’s unconditional love for you? In what ways do you struggle with believing that? 2. How have you seen God loving all people through this church? 3. How will you respond with gratitude and generosity to God’s love in your life?
As we recognize and celebrate of missions partners this week, we are reminded of the Great Commission. As followers of Jesus, we are charged with bringing the scriptural truth to all the world. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What comes to mind when you think of the word ‘missions’? 2. In what way is God calling you to be a light that shines for others? 3. What missions partnerships in our church will you learn more about and get involved in?
Jesus calls us to forgive, no questions asked, or excuses accepted. It is a requirement of all those who would choose to call themselves Christian. HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps Reflection Questions: 1. What do you think is the relationship between 1) God’s forgiveness of us, and 2) our forgiveness of others? 2. What for you is the most difficult aspect of forgiveness? 3. What steps will you take to move toward forgiveness between you and someone else?
Love is the chief distinguishing feature of a follower of Jesus. It is one whom, in Wesley’s words, the “love of God has been shed abroad in their hearts.” The Great Commandment (attested in each of the synoptic gospels) is a vivid expression of this call to love. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful Reflection Questions: 1. How does the way you love a person change as your relationship changes over time? 2. In what way is time more a “pressure” than a “privilege” to you these days? 3. How will you spend more time sharing it in love for God and others?
God calls us to seek the way of justice, which is a central norm of the Hebrew scriptures and an integral part of Jesus’ vision for the kingdom. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful Reflection Questions: 1. What is your understanding of justice? What new things did you discover about justice that are helpful? 2. How will you live a just life, in the way God intends you to live? 3. How will you help create a just community, helping others to be a full and equal part of it?
We are called by God to contribute to the flourishing of all human beings, because every person is of sacred worth. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful Reflection Questions: 1. How do you understand the sacredness of life to be an essential part of Christian character and ethics? 2. When have you ever felt “out of tune” with God’s image in you? When have you felt “in tune”? 3. How will you contribute to the flourishing of those around you?
We live in a world where adherence to agreed notions of truth is elusive. We are more prone to seeing deceit, delusion, and distraction rather than truth. Good and faithful Christians claim the truth of God, even if it is uncomfortable and inconvenient. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful Reflection Questions: 1. In what ways do you see a need for more truthfulness in our world today? 2. How do you think truthfulness and trustworthiness are related? 3. What will you do to be a more truthful person?
God has made us to be a spectacle “theatron” of the world, so we should model the kind of holy life to which we have been called. HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps HydeParkUMC.org/GoodandFaithful Reflection Questions: 1. What do you think constitutes good character? 2. Which of the five qualities do you emulate best, and which do you have to work on? 3. What would it mean for you to be a “light of the world” this week?
