Hyde Park United Methodist Hyde Park United Methodist
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- Religion & Spirituality
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Sermons and talks from Hyde Park United Methodist. Making God's Love Real. Find out more at hydeparkumc.org
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In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 6 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // March 24, 2024
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?”
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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? -
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 5 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // March 17, 2024
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.
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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? -
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 4 // The Rev. Justin LaRosa // March 10, 2024
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.
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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? -
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 3 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // March 3, 2024
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.
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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? -
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 2 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // February 25, 2024
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.
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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? -
In the Shadow of the Cross, Part 1 // The Rev. Magrey deVega // February 18, 2024
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.
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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?
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