God
In, above, and beyond the reality each of us knows is the reality of God and the love that exists between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The love between the Three in One prompted the creation of all that is — the heavens, the earth, and everything under the earth.
Through this love, God created people, crowned us with glory, and called us to live showing love to one another by doing justice, showing mercy, and walking humbly with God.
But the world enticed us, our desires entrapped us, and we were unable to live into our calling as the people created a little lower than God. Even when the heart was willing, the body was weak.
Repeatedly, God sent holy men and women to remind us of our calling and teach us about holy living. Repeatedly, we turned aside and went our own way.
Jesus
In spite of our response to God, God continued to love us and to desire the very best for us. In the fullness of time, God sent the beloved Son, Jesus the Christ, both to teach us about holy love and to show us how to live.
Jesus loved and cared for all people, especially those standing at the edges of society, those scorned by the religious leaders, the politically powerful, and the socially correct.
Because Jesus championed God’s love above all else, he was considered to be a threat to the status quo, which prompted the powerful of his world to join forces to kill him.
Jesus could have saved himself by denying God’s purpose for life and recanting his teachings. Refusing to do either, Jesus was faithful to the end: faithful to God and faithful to the ones who believed in him.
For love’s sake, Jesus died an ignominious and painful death on the cross. While his enemies rejoiced and the crowd mocked and scorned him, Jesus quietly but powerfully defeated the forces of evil once and for all.
On the third day, God rolled the stone away from the tomb where Jesus’ body lay and called Jesus to come forth. It was a declaration that love never dies, hope never ends, and God’s possibility is ever before us.
You and Me
What was the tree of death for Jesus has become the tree of life for each of us. Jesus died that we might know the depth of his love and God’s love for us. He died that we might have life in all its abundance. The abundant life is available to each of us. All we have to do to have it is to believe in and follow him. He promises that if we do, he will send his Holy Spirit to come live within us and wean us from the world’s way.
The Spirit transforms and renews us and enables us to live as Jesus’ disciples, doing justice, showing mercy, and walking humbly with God. This transformation does not usually take place overnight but is rather a lifelong process engendered by participation in a community of faith. In community, we are welcomed at the font, taught the stories of faith, and strengthened at the table to go into the world to witness to what we believe. In community we grow into Christ who is the head of the church.
We invite you to come live in community with us.
About Us
Hyde Park Presbyterian Church is located in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood and like the community that surrounds it, has a rich history and tradition. HPPC celebrated its 100th birthday in December 2010 and continues to worship in its original sanctuary, which was built by Hyde Park Baptist Church and purchased from them even before they completed building their new sanctuary. From its chartering until the middle of the twentieth century, services at HPPC were conducted by seminary students from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In the 1950′s the church called its first pastor. Through the years, HPPC has continued its relationship with Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and its students.
On Sunday morning, the people of HPPC gather to worship and give thanks to God and be strengthened to live as Christ’s followers in the world. One of the things that visitors notice immediately is the friendliness of the people. This is especially apparent during the passing of the peace where each and every person is greeted as a brother or sister in Christ. Music is an important and integral part of the service. The church recently purchased a baby grand piano, and our very talented pianist April Kwon makes it sing. HPPC cares deeply about the needs of God’s people beyond its own front door. The church contributes almost 8% of its annual budget to mission and also supplies a direct outreach to the needy in the community through the HPPC Food Pantry.
Every person at HPPC has an impact and their efforts are needed and appreciated. We are a small member church seeking to live into our baptism and striving to grow in spirit, ministry, and size to bless the world in Jesus’ name. Please come join us. You will make a difference.
Grace and peace,
Linda
Church School
Spiritual growth gained by living in community with fellow believers is an important aspect of the life and ministry of Hyde Park Presbyterian Church. This growth is always in service to God and God’s activity in the world. One way in which the people seek and experience spiritual growth at HPPC is through the Church School classes. The adult class begins gathering at 9:15 a.m. in Wooten Hall with the class starting at 9:30. Topics from one of four areas — scripture, ethics, spirituality, polity — are explored amid lively discussions and joyful sharing. Children’s Church is offered the second and fourth Sundays immediately after Children’s Time in worship. Beginning in September 2011, Children’s Church will be offered each Sunday. Please join us as we seek to grow into Christ and live showing his love.
Ministries
Meet the people who are a part of making the ministry of HPPC run. Each you will find both excited and passionate about their calling to support the vision of the church, as well as uniquely gifted for the ministry they steward. Our ministry team delights in the work of the Lord and gives of their time and talents freely. We invite you to inquire about how you might connect with HPPC through one of our ministries.
Rev. Linda Bourianoff – Pastor
April Kwon – Chair of Stewardship and Pianist
Karen Laffere – Clerk of Session, Chair of Property, Wedding Contact and Building Use Coordinator
Esther Rosales – Chair of Member Care and Christian Education/Adult
Jennifer Bourianoff – Chair of Fellowship
Candice Prose – Chair of Worship
Monique Paisley – Chair of Evangelism
Florence McElroy – Church Mouse Editor
