Hyde Park United Methodist

Journey into the drama of Holy Week through "Sarah's Story," a dramatic re-imagining of the last days of Jesus' life through the eyes of Sarah, a first-century woman who was close to the events of Go…

The cross and resurrection give us victory over sin, evil, and oppression. This includes the suffering associated with addictions and other harmful hangups and behaviors. The Christus Victor atonemen…

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Justin LaRosa and Mat Hotho explore the Christus Victor atonement theory and its powerful message of liberation from sin, systems of evil, and spiritual f…

The ransom atonement theory is built on the notion that we are being held captive by forces that are beyond our control, and in the cross, God has released us from being held hostage. We are therefor…

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho dive into the ransom theory of atonement, a dramatic and often misunderstood view of Jesus’ death. They explore how it takes e…

In this episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho discuss race, identity, and the personal work of anti-racism, exploring how the cross calls us to empathy, curiosity, and humi…

The moral example atonement theory points to the entirety of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as the source of our salvation. In his teachings and example, we receive the model for how to love Go…

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Sermon, Pastor Magrey deVega and Mat Hotho explore the deeply personal nature of faith, race, and reconciliation. Magrey reflects on his recent sermon, one of h…

In Christ, we have been reconciled with God. We are therefore called and equipped to be agents of reconciliation among groups who have been divided by discrimination and prejudice.

Reflection Question…

What if redemption didn’t require sacrifice or violence? Through the cross, the cycle of bloodshed ends, and we are invited into a new way of living—one where peace, not violence, shapes our world. 

R…

How does nonviolence shape our faith? This week on Beyond the Sermon, Mat Hotho and Pastor Sally Campbell-Evans discuss how her experiences—from mission work to peaceful protests—shaped her understan…

When we read the Bible, we’re encountering something ancient—written by people trying to make sense of their world and their experiences with God. So why do we sometimes expect it to be immediately c…

How can reading the Bible transform your life and deepen your relationship with God? Scripture has the power to illuminate our hearts and guide us in loving God and others. But to experience its full…

This week, Mat and Magrey discuss how reading deeply—whether it’s scripture, poetry, music, or film—helps us see the bigger picture of God’s plan in our lives. By engaging with different perspectives…

How can we ensure the Bible is a source of liberation rather than harm? Throughout history, Scripture has been misused to justify misogyny, racism, homophobia, and other systemic sins. In this episod…

What do we do with troubling images of God in the Bible that seem inconsistent with his love and faithfulness? Stories of God’s unpredictable actions can feel more like ancient mythology than the God…

This week, Matt and Magrey discuss the evolving ways God is depicted in the Bible. They reflect on how personal experiences and challenges reshape our faith, inviting us to expand our perspective rat…