As we begin our new sermon series, A Faithful History, A Hopeful Future, we are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:15–23. In this passage, Paul expresses deep gratitude for the faith and love of the believers. His words echo what many of us feel as we reflect on the life and ministry of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. Like Paul, we give thanks for the faith that has shaped this congregation and the love that continues to guide our ministry.
This weekend’s sermon, Our “What”… Grounded in Gratitude invites us to pause and recognize the many ways God has provided for us. Gratitude reminds us where we have come from and helps us see the opportunities before us. It calls us to honor our past while faithfully stepping into the future God is preparing for us.
That future includes our capital campaign, A Faithful History, A Hopeful Future. This effort centers on four priorities: Preservation, Mission, Energy Efficiency, and Accessibility. Across fourteen projects on both our Hyde Park campus and our Over-the-Rhine Grace on Race Street campus, these priorities guide our work. From caring for our historic spaces, to expanding mission opportunities to improving energy stewardship to ensuring that all who enter our buildings can fully participate in the life of the church, each project reflects our commitment to serving God and our community.
At its heart, this campaign is not simply about buildings. The true raw materials for ministry are people—laity and clergy, staff, members, and neighbors in our community. Our facilities support this ministry, helping create spaces where worship can inspire, service can flourish, and relationships can grow. Through these projects, we hope to strengthen our worship, expand our outreach, and deepen companionship across generations. While we can imagine many of the benefits now, we also trust that God will lead us to new opportunities we cannot yet see. This work aligns with our broader vision as a church: to embody the hope and love of Jesus for all through worship, service, and companionship. We know worship can inspire and reflect Christ’s love.
This Sunday, when you enter for worship, you will receive a flower on which you are invited to write a word or phrase expressing what you are grateful for at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. At the end of the service, these flowers will be collected and displayed throughout the capital campaign as a visible reminder of our shared gratitude. Those worshiping online will also be able to participate through a simple form where you can submit your word or phrase to be added to our growing “garden of gratitude.”
As we begin this journey together, may we pause to give thanks—for all that we have received, all that we share, and all that God is calling us to become. With faith and hope, we move forward together, trusting that our work today will bless our community and our church family for generations to come.
Pastor Todd