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Isaiah's Prophecy of Salvation
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 08, 2024
"Isaiah's prophecy of Salvation" (Isaiah 61:1-3) What is salvation, and what does it mean that the Lord is our Savior? As we prepare for Christmas, let's think about what the Lord came into the world to do, and how we can benefit from that today. | By Rev. Michael D. Gladish | Bryn Athyn CathedralIsaiah's Prophecy of Salvation
Worship Service: Sermon only - December 08, 2024
"Isaiah's Prophecy of Salvation" When the Lord stood up in the temple and read from Isaiah 61, He said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:21). In this sermon we will explore five specific things the Lord did to provide for our salvation. | By Rev. Michael D. Gladish | Bryn Athyn CathedralRecognizing the Lord
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 01, 2024
“Recognizing the Lord” The people surrounding the Lord at His birth recognized Him as more than an ordinary Child. The wise men in particular had knowledge and understanding of who He is. For us, recognizing people we love can cause a spontaneous and warm response. What would it take for us to react the same way to the Lord? | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Jr. | Bryn Athyn CathedralRecognizing the Lord
Worship Service: Sermon only - December 01, 2024
“Recognition” It is common for us to rejoice when we see someone we love after a long absence. We know their face, we have history with them, and we look to continue the relationship by building new memories. The Lord invites us to that same relationship with Him, inspiring us to recognize Him, welcome Him, and build a life together with Him that consists of blessings and preparation for heaven. | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Jr. | Bryn Athyn CathedralAre You the One?
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 24, 2024
“Are You the One?” John the Baptist tells us that regardless of our efforts we will always have times of doubt, and wonder why things didn’t go our way. The beautiful thing is, when we follow the Lord, things do go His way! (John 1:6-8, 19-36; Matthew 11:1-10; True Christianity 510:2). | By Rev. Grant R. Schnarr | Bryn Athyn CathedralAre You the One?
Worship Service: Sermon only - November 24, 2024
“Are You the One?” John the Baptist tells us that regardless of our efforts we will always have times of doubt, and wonder why things didn’t go our way. The beautiful thing is, when we follow the Lord, things do go His way! (John 1:6-8, 19-36; Matthew 11:1-10; True Christianity 510:2, 688). | By Rev. Grant R. Schnarr | Bryn Athyn CathedralLove and Logic – The Request of a King.
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 17, 2024
King Solomon asked for an “understanding heart” so that he might judge his people wisely. The parallel of this story is that we too must pray for a heart that understands because our heart (love), which is the driving force in everything we do, is often at odds with our understanding (logic) and the two can end up living separate lives. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralLove and Logic – The Request of a King
Worship Service: Sermon only - November 17, 2024
King Solomon asked for an “understanding heart” so that he might judge his people wisely. The parallel of this story is that we too must pray for a heart that understands because our heart (love), which is the driving force in everything we do, is often at odds with our understanding (logic) and the two can end up living separate lives. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralPeace
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 10, 2024
“Peace” The story of Gideon’s Fleece (Judges 6:35-40) tells us that the Lord prepares us for our spiritual trials by instilling a sense of peace and brings us through those trials by keeping us inwardly in peace (Secrets of Heaven 8455, 3696). | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn CathedralPeace
Worship Service: Sermon only - November 10, 2024
“Peace” The story of Gideon’s Fleece (Judges 6:35-40) tells us that the Lord prepares us for our spiritual trials by instilling a sense of peace and brings us through those trials by keeping us inwardly in peace (Secrets of Heaven 8455, 3696). | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn CathedralPrepared
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 03, 2024
Have you ever felt well-prepared for something? It feels good to feel like we have the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual resources to handle a particular situation. Something comes up and we have what we need to respond appropriately. Great! Are you feeling prepared for the election next week and whatever happens after it? As we gather as a community to worship the Lord together (even as we will not all be voting for the same candidates), what would it look like for each of us to be better prepared by our Heavenly Father? The Lord can make a difference in our individual lives and in our community by preparing our hearts for these times of contention, stress, and fear for the future. Let’s talk about how. Choose a question or two to reflect on or discuss: 1. Describe a time when, because of the Lord and His teachings, you felt better prepared to respond to a difficult situation. 2. What would it look like for you to have more confidence in the Lord at this current time in the world? 3. What is an area where you feel least prepared? What might it look like to invite the Lord into that part of your life? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralMusic
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 27, 2024
"Music" Music is fun, but it is so much more. It affects us deeply, lifting us up and warming our hearts. Come and learn how music can move us, how even the Lord sang hymns, and how you can be a better person by learning how to sing in a choir or church. | By Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith | Bryn Athyn CathedralMusic
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 27, 2024
"Music" Music has been with us probably from the beginning of the human race, and in each of our lives from our mothers cooing or singing to us. It has the power to affect us, like when David played for Saul. It can take us out of ourselves and connect us with the angels. And as we sing to the Lord, He can bring us closer together in charity and mutual love. | By Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe First of Charity
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 20, 2024
"The First of Charity" When we think about love, often the first things we think of are actions that we DO in order to show someone that we care—hugs, listening, helping, etc. But how often do we think of all the things we don’t or shouldn’t do in order to love our neighbor? | By Rev. Jeffrey Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe First of Charity
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 20, 2024
"The First of Charity" When we think about love, often the first things we think of are actions that we DO in order to show someone that we care—hugs, listening, helping, etc. But how often do we think of all the things we don’t or shouldn’t do in order to love our neighbor? | By Rev. Jeffrey Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Minority Report
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 13, 2024
“The Minority Report” Of the twelve men sent to spy the land of Canaan to determine the strength of its people, fortifications and resources, only two, Caleb and Joshua, came back with the news that they could conquer the land if they trusted the Lord. Caleb and Joshua’s report contained the truth, the blueprint for a happy life, and yet the people sided with the majority, the ten, who gave a “bad report” (Numbers 13:32) by invoking fear instead of trust. How do we learn to trust the “minority report” and why do we need to listen to the “Calebs” and “Joshuas” of the world? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Minority Report
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 13, 2024
“The Minority Report” The hells want us to think we’re in the minority, that we’re alone in doing the right thing. It can certainly feel that way at times. Think of Caleb and Joshua, two of the twelve spies, who found themselves in the minority when they gave their report that the children of Israel could conquer the land of Canaan if they trusted the Lord and didn’t let fear consume them (Numbers 13-14). But we don’t see as the Lord sees. We’re not alone. All great things start with a few, with a minority. This Charter Day weekend marks the celebration of the Academy Charter. All it took was a few brave souls to cast a vision. What can we do to be like “Caleb” and “Joshua” and further the cause of the New Church? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralWhat Should We Do While We're Waiting?
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 06, 2024
“What Should We Do While We’re Waiting?” We can spend a lot of our time waiting for things — small things like waiting for dinner or waiting for the weekend and big things like waiting to be an adult or waiting to find someone to marry. What should we do while we’re waiting? What does the Lord say? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralWhat Should We Do While We’re Waiting?
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 06, 2024
“What Should We Do While We’re Waiting?” We can spend a lot of our time waiting for things — small things like waiting for dinner or waiting for the weekend and big things like waiting to find someone to marry or waiting to see our loved one who has died. What should we do while we’re waiting? What does the Lord say? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Narrow Way
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 29, 2024
“The Narrow Way” Does the Lord’s parable in Matthew 7:13 mean that only a few people go to heaven? | By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons | Bryn Athyn CathedralA Blessing and a Curse
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 29, 2024
“A Blessing and a Curse” We look for unity, not polarization, from our leaders. Yet the Word is full of stories about division as well as unity, and both play an important role in our regeneration. | By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons | Bryn Athyn CathedralHoly Supper and Redemption
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 22, 2024
We read that “the whole of the Lord’s redemption is present in the Holy Supper” (True Christian Religion 717). Let’s talk about what this means, especially in the context of our normal lives. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralHoly Supper and Redemption
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 22, 2024
“Holy Supper and Redemption” We read that “the whole of the Lord’s redemption is present in the Holy Supper” (True Christian Religion 717). Let’s talk about what this means, especially in the context of our normal lives. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralBless this Community
Worship Service: Children & Adult - September 15, 2024
It’s been a humbling and gratifying experience for myself and the staff to brainstorm, plan and launch these Community Worship Services in the months we don’t have a festival service. However, in planning the topics for each service, I realized I’ve never spoken directly about the “community” part of these services. We are, of course, taught that heaven is made up of countless communities. Why is that? What is the purpose of these communities in heaven? Is Bryn Athyn built on this model? We’ll be looking at the story of Balaam being ordered by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites who instead blesses them. Do we ever “curse” that which “God has not cursed?” or denounce that which “the Lord has not denounced?” (Numbers 23:8). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Parable of the Two Brothers
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 08, 2024
The Lord told a parable about two brothers (Matthew 21:28-32). The first brother said he would not do as his father asked, but later he regretted it and did the work. The second agreed to work but didn’t actually do it. If we have said “no” to the Lord, we still have a chance to change our mind; and if we have said “yes,” we still have to follow through on our promises. | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn | Bryn Athyn Cathedral