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Mindful Communication Challenge - 1 - Am I Listening?
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - February 27, 2017
This Sunday we have the first topic of the Mindful Communication Challenge program: listening. As the person talking, really feeling heard by someone can mean a lot to us. As the listener, there are a lot of things that can get in the way of our being able to listen fully. Let's learn from the Lord about how to get better at listening to Him and to other people. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (31m 57s)
Watching our Words
Worship Service: Informal Family - February 19, 2017
This Sunday we are celebrating the founding of Kainon School and so will have the whole primary school community joining us for worship. The topic of the service is the school theme for the year: "Watching Our Words." On Sunday we're going to be exploring what needs to be in place for us to be able to watch or pay attention to anything. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (15m 50s)
How Well Do We Know the Lord
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - February 12, 2017
A number of people in Scripture had the opportunity to see God. Moses saw Him. So did some of the prophets. And of course the Lord's own disciples saw Him when He walked on earth. This is what the Word of God is for: it is the way we come to see and know our God. How is this working out for us? Do we see and know our God from His Word? Is it making a difference in our lives? Let's look at some of the ways the Lord is revealing Himself to us. | By Rev. Louis D. Synnestvedt | Westville, RSA
See Event (24m 42s)
The Great Parable of Genesis
Worship Service: Sermon only - February 05, 2017
The Story of Joseph is the revealing of life's purpose. This Sunday we take another look at the story which may appropriately be called the Great Parable of Genesis. It starts with Joseph, a youth, who receives a very personal and Godly message in the form of dreams which forever shape his life and the life of those around him. When we read about this young person and his extraordinary experiences, bad and good, the Lord is doing amazing things: He shapes our inner thoughts and reveals our heart's desires. | By Rev. Louis D. Synnestvedt | Westville, RSA
See Event (00m 00s)
Dining with Joseph
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - January 29, 2017
Joseph, the son of Jacob, had amazing dreams in his youth, like the one where the sun, the moon and the eleven stars would bow down to him. Clearly his dreams were signs of a future greatness. But the envy of his brothers led to Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt. In time, a great famine covered the earth. Joseph, recognised for his wisdom, rose to power. In a curious turn of events, the brothers of Joseph, who simply traveled to Egypt to buy grain, found themselves guests at the royal palace. They dine - unbeknownst to them - with Joseph! Yes, if you think about it, this relates to how, in Providence, we come to dine with the Lord, who is the Heavenly Joseph. | By Rev. Louis D. Synnestvedt | Westville, RSA
See Event (33m 36s)
God is Love
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - January 22, 2017
Love is a word that means so many things. It can refer to something that causes the most mundane pleasure or to something of the most profound motivation for goodness. We say God is love. Let's take some time together to explore what this common expression can mean for our relationship to the Lord. | By Rev. Louis D. Synnestvedt | Westville, RSA
See Event (28m 08s)
Let the Lord Decide What Burden You Bear
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - January 15, 2017
What are you carrying? Did you put down some stuff at the end of last year that you're now picking up again, along with some new things? What about things from the past-are you carrying guilt about things you did or didn't do in addition to guilt about things you are or aren't doing now? The Lord says, "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest ..... For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Let's talk about what burden the Lord wants us to carry and how to let go of the rest. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (24m 55s)
Unless the Lord Builds the House
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - January 08, 2017
A Bryn Athyn College Talk by the Rev Thane Glenn (originally preached 3 Feb 2016) adapted slightly into a sermon by the Rev Malcolm G. Smith. A sermon on how we can get stuck on the idea that if we just work hard enough we can control the outcome of things. What if we can trust we don't need to prove ourselves? The Lord is always working towards our highest good. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (19m 34s)
Where Are You Coming From and Where Are You Going?
Worship Service: Informal Family - January 01, 2017
As we start a new year come and listen to the story of Hagar and the questions the Lord asks us. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (20m 43s)
God is Love
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - December 25, 2016
Love is a word that means so many things. It can refer to something that causes the most mundane pleasure or to something of the most profound motivation for goodness. We say God is love. Let's take some time together to explore what this common expression can mean for our relationship to the Lord. | By Rev. Louis D. Synnestvedt | Westville, RSA
See Event (00m 00s)
The Spiritual Connections in Music and the Lord's Word
Worship Service: Informal Family - December 04, 2016
This Sunday before the Carol Sing there will be a brief worship service for the whole family in the church. The theme of the talk will be trying to understand the spiritual reasons why music can have such a powerful effect on us. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (15m 35s)
The Promise of John the Baptist
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 27, 2016
The Lord was born on earth to bring hope to the hopeless, to those who think that they will never change, the promise is John the Baptist was a miracle, that represents the beginning of this change, a new life coming into our hearts, which inspires us to make true changes. | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Sr. | Westville, RSA
See Event (28m 05s)
Marriage in the Resurrection
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 20, 2016
A consideration of the Lord's teaching in the Gospels about marriage in the resurrection. On the face of it, it appears to contradict many other teachings about marriage and the life of heaven. But with the help of the Doctrines for the New Church it can be seen to be both consistent with the other teachings, and have an uplifting and encouraging message. | By Rev. James P. Cooper | Westville, RSA
See Event (32m 10s)
Remembrance Day
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 13, 2016
An opportunity to remember those who have served their homeland with honour, and to reflect on the spiritual causes and meaning of war itself. | By Rev. James P. Cooper | Westville, RSA
See Event (32m 10s)
The Purpose of a Church
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 06, 2016
What does our Heavenly Father want from us His children? Perhaps more importantly, what does our Heavenly Father want to do FOR us? According to what He said in the Word, He wants to show us the way to get ourselves ready for heaven. Like a good Father He wants us to try things out and learn for ourselves, but He also knows when to step in and help us when we run into an obstacle that we can't overcome by ourselves. | By Rev. James P. Cooper | Westville, RSA
See Event (37m 00s)
Sins of Omission
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - October 23, 2016
This Sunday the Executive Bishop of our church, Brian Keith, will be preaching. His topic is sins of omission. Are we responsible for things that we have not done? Come and find out. | By Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith | Westville, RSA
See Event (24m 04s)
I Never Deserted You
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - October 16, 2016
Why can't we just choose to love what's good and attain it without having to battle for it? The internal sense of the story of the older son in the Prodigal Son story gives the answer, and gives us serious encouragement. | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Sr. | Westville, RSA
See Event (23m 35s)
The Covenant Restored
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - October 09, 2016
When we break trust, with the Lord or with others, how can it be restored? When someone breaks trust with us, how can we work with him or her to rebuild it? | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Sr. | Westville, RSA
See Event (27m 21s)
Part 2 - What's the point of me?
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - October 02, 2016
Last Sunday we talked about the purpose of life in this world and got into ideas about heaven and working to bring heaven to earth. This week it gets more personal - and potentially more difficult. Yes, we're supposed to be useful and bringing heaven to earth but what does that mean about what a person does on a Monday morning? What if a person hates their job or is just entirely uninspired about doing their job? Should they quit or stick it out? What if a person knows what they want to do but can't due to bad health, injury, old age, or any number of other factors? How can the Lord help each of us to answer the question, "What's the point of me?" | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (34m 41s)
Part 1 - What's the Point of Life in This World
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 25, 2016
Sometimes, in the midst of all the busyness, bizarreness, and belly-punches that life in this world can involve, we need to take a step back and ask what’s the point? Why are we here? What are we spending all this time and energy for? The Lord can help us with this—if we’re willing to take the time to listen. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (22m 16s)
Why We Have Sacraments 1- Baptism
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 18, 2016
This Sunday we have the privilege of witnessing an infant baptism. And so, in the sermon, we’re going to be talking about baptism and Holy Supper. Here’s a passage to get you thinking about the topic. Have you ever had thoughts along these lines? If the spiritual meaning of the Word had not been disclosed,… [people] might mutter and say to themselves, “What is baptism but pouring water on a baby’s head? What does that do for the baby’s salvation? What is the Holy Supper but taking bread and wine? What does that do for our salvation? For that matter, what is holy about these rituals, other than the fact that the ecclesiastical hierarchy has traditionally accepted them as sacred and divine and has commanded us to observe them? Although the churches claim that when the Word of God is brought near the elements they become sacred, these rituals are essentially just ceremonial.” … Yet from the point of view of their spiritual meaning, these two sacraments are the holiest acts of worship. (True Christianity §667) When we understand the significance of baptism and Holy Supper they can become a very meaningful part of our spiritual lives, rather than just arbitrary seeming rituals. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (28m 48s)
Best Friends
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 04, 2016
Try to explain why you love someone. You can’t. Love is a gift from God. Try to explain why you are friends with someone. That’s easy. We will explore how the Lord says that friendship allows Him to grant us true love. | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Sr. | Westville, RSA
See Event (28m 31s)
The Permission of Evil
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - August 28, 2016
When sadness or tragedy strikes we can’t help asking, “Why did this happen?” We will explore why the Lord needs to allow unhappiness, and what He does afterwards to help us and restore us. | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Sr. | Westville, RSA
See Event (31m 25s)
If I Make My Bed in Hell...
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - August 21, 2016
In what way is the Lord with us if we choose evil? Sometimes it seems to us that we can't change, what does He do about that? | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Sr. | Westville, RSA
See Event (28m 08s)
Am I Good Enough?
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - August 14, 2016
Sometimes it can feel like it's pretty easy to be a good person and at other times it can feel impossible. What's reality? How worried should we be? What is the Lord really asking of us? | By Rev. Erik J. Buss | Westville, RSA
See Event (29m 53s)