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6-1 Ratio
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 01, 2024
The third commandment in the Decalogue encourages us to remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy, and, in preparation for that day of rest, to labor six days. But why not labor for five days and rest for two or, even better, labor for three days and rest for four? Isn’t this 6-1 ratio of work to rest a little over the top? People sometimes think of heaven (that is, happiness) as being “rest” or “leisure,” a reward, a free pass, from ever having to “work” again, but would this make us happy? Would this be heaven? It turns out the Lord knows what He’s talking about – His prescribed ratio of 6-1 is perfect. Come find out why those in heaven “are caught up in a love of their work” (HH 393) and why “a life with no activity has no happiness” (HH 403). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral6-1 Ratio
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 01, 2024
The third commandment in the Decalogue encourages us to remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy, and, in preparation for that day of rest, to labor six days. But why not labor for five days and rest for two or, even better, labor for three days and rest for four? Isn’t this 6-1 ratio of work to rest a little over the top? People sometimes think of heaven (that is, happiness) as being “rest” or “leisure,” a reward, a free pass, from ever having to “work” again, but would this make us happy? Would this be heaven? It turns out the Lord knows what He’s talking about – His prescribed ratio of 6-1 is perfect. Come find out why those in heaven “are caught up in a love of their work” (HH 393) and why “a life with no activity has no happiness” (HH 403). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralKnow Your Spiritual Enemies: The Babylonians
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 25, 2024
This Sunday we will be talking about the last of our spiritual enemies, the Babylonians. This is the enemy that took Judah into captivity towards the end of the Old Testament story; this is one of the final enemies that had to be overthrown before the Holy City New Jerusalem could descend towards the end of the New Testament. What do the Babylonians represent in our lives and what do we need to do so that the Lord can save us from them? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralKnow Your Spiritual Enemies: The Babylonians”
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 25, 2024
This Sunday we will be talking about the last of our spiritual enemies, the Babylonians. This is the enemy that took Judah into captivity towards the end of the Old Testament story; this is one of the final enemies that had to be overthrown before the Holy City New Jerusalem could descend towards the end of the New Testament. What do the Babylonians represent in our lives and what do we need to do so that the Lord can save us from them? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralDon't Look Back
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 18, 2024
A number of stories in the Word warn us not to “look back” or “turn back” once we’ve made the decision to go forward. This speaks to the fact that there are certain times in our lives when we need to “move on” and put “hand to plough” (Luke 9:62). But what about those times in our lives when we “look back” with nostalgia, with fondness, on what has come before? Is this not appropriate? What’s the difference between these two kinds of “looking back,” and how do they help us move forward? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralDon't Look Back
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 18, 2024
A number of stories in the Word warn us not to “look back” or “turn back” once we’ve made the decision to go forward. This speaks to the fact that there are certain times in our lives when we need to “move on” and put “hand to plough” (Luke 9:62). But what about those times in our lives when we “look back” with nostalgia, with fondness, on what has come before? Is this not appropriate? What’s the difference between these two kinds of “looking back,” and how do they help us move forward? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Lord’s Power to Create
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 11, 2024
The beginning of the Gospel of John (1:3) describes the Lord creating everything. Not only did He create everything, but He is constantly creating everything – every moment of every day, to eternity. We are invited to use that power of His creation to guide our lives. | By Rt. Rev. David H. Lindrooth | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Power of the Lord’s Providence Drawing Us to Heaven
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 11, 2024
Ezekiel describes a great and mighty river with a strong current representing the Lord drawing us toward the healing of Heaven (Ezekiel 47). Where will it take us? How do we wade in? | By Rt. Rev. David H. Lindrooth | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Broken Set of the Ten Commandments
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 04, 2024
Many of the stories in the Old Testament describe an unhappy relationship between the Lord and the Children of Israel. The Children of Israel are disobeying the Lord’s commandments, sometimes in terrible ways. What can we learn from these stories that helps all of us better understand the Lord? | By Rev. Eric H. Carswell | Bryn Athyn CathedralWhy Does the Lord Sometimes Seem Angry?
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 04, 2024
A person who reads a few chapters each day from the Old and New Testaments can read all of the stories that contain a continuous internal sense in one year. Reading through the Old Testament there are many stories that don’t seem to portray a loving God. Sometimes God seems to command genocide. Often, He expresses condemnation and severe consequences. How does the Heavenly Doctrine help us to see something very different within these stories? | By Rev. Eric H. Carswell | Bryn Athyn CathedralA Garment of Praise
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - July 28, 2024
The Lord promises “A Garment of Praise” (Isaiah 61:3) for those who have a spirit of heaviness. One of the Lord’s purposes in coming into the world is to comfort and console those who mourn. How can we find and give that kind of comfort? | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn CathedralShem’s Garment
Worship Service: Sermon only - July 28, 2024
“Shem’s Garment” (Genesis 9:18-27, Secrets of Heaven 1079) will explore how we can help people when we see that they have fallen into “errors and perversions.” A key is to focus on comfort rather than criticism. | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Prodigal Son's Brother
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - July 21, 2024
Why was the brother so upset at the return and celebration of his prodigal brother? What is it that makes us resentful and envious of other people’s happiness? And how can we do better? | By Rev. Jeffrey Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Prodigal Son's Brother
Worship Service: Sermon only - July 21, 2024
The Lord’s parable of the prodigal son included a brother who did not approve of his father’s celebration. Self-righteous thinking can get in the way of appreciating and loving the good that can be found in others. How can we overcome that selfish thinking and join the celebration? | By Rev. Jeffrey Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralMemorial for Peggy Bailey Pitcairn
Memorial Service - July 20, 2024
| By Rev. Robin W. Childs | Bryn Athyn CathedralJacob Loved Rachel
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - July 14, 2024
“Jacob Loved Rachel” (Genesis 29:18) Jacob and Rachel’s love story is among the most passionate in the Word. And yet the one recorded conversation between them is a bitter argument. What can we learn from their argument about both the challenges and solutions involved in trying to get along with others when we have disagreements? | By Rev. Dr Thane P. Glenn | Bryn Athyn CathedralI Can’t Complain… Can I?
Worship Service: Sermon only - July 14, 2024
Most of us spend more time complaining than perhaps we should, especially when hardships start to stack up. Should we complain less? Should we feel bad about complaining? Does complaining have any role in our spiritual lives? What might the stories in Genesis of Jacob’s and Joseph’s trials teach us? | By Rev. Dr Thane P. Glenn | Bryn Athyn CathedralMemorial Service for Gayle Fors
Memorial Service - July 14, 2024
| By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Gift of Freedom and Peace
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - July 07, 2024
“The Gift of Freedom and Peace” The Lord is the source of all that is good, and our civil liberties certainly feel good. As we reflect on Independence Day, and the gratitude we may have for our freedoms and the peace in our country, we can consider the kind of freedom and peace the Lord wants to offer us. As He told His disciples "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) | By Rev. Pearse M. Frazier | Bryn Athyn CathedralNatural and Spiritual Freedom
Worship Service: Sermon only - July 07, 2024
As we reflect on Independence Day, we can be grateful for our natural freedom. But natural freedom is not exactly the same as spiritual freedom, which is one of the most precious gifts the Lord offers. From Divine Providence 73 we read "Freedom is wholly a matter of love, so that love and freedom are united... In general, there are three kinds of freedom: natural, rational, and spiritual freedom." How can civil liberties be used to support spiritual freedom? | By Rev. Pearse M. Frazier | Bryn Athyn CathedralAs It Is in Heaven
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - June 30, 2024
This Community Worship service is the culminating event for the 2024 General Church Assembly. We will be focusing on the phrase in the Lord’s prayer: “… as in heaven, so upon the earth…” and what this sacred promise means to us as a worldwide church organization as we say our goodbyes and go back out into the world. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral“High Walls, Open Gates"
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - June 23, 2024
(Rev. 21:9-25) The New Jerusalem has high walls to proclaim the truth of the Word and open gates welcoming everyone into the city. Why have high walls when the gates never close? The Lord wants us to understand how both are important if we are going to be the church. | By Rev. Scott I. Frazier | Bryn Athyn CathedralBeasts of the Land and Sea
Worship Service: Sermon only - June 23, 2024
"Beast of the Sea, Beast of the Land" These two beasts are negative images of laity and clergy. By understanding the warnings involved, both groups can cooperate with the Lord to be His church on earth. We can also reject these beasts in our own lives to join Him in His heavenly kingdom. | By Rev. Scott I. Frazier | Bryn Athyn Cathedral“I Saw Heaven Opened...”
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - June 16, 2024
“I Saw Heaven Opened...” (Rev. 19:11). The strange and mysterious symbols in the book of Revelation depict the birth, struggle and growth of the New Church on earth. The joyful refrain, “I saw heaven opened,” ushers in the wonderful news that the Word, the Sacred Scriptures, can now be seen in heaven’s light in a way like never before. This is cause for celebration. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Power of Symbols
Worship Service: Sermon only - June 16, 2024
Symbols, like pictures, speak a thousand words. This is especially true for symbols in the Word – they hold great power and personal significance to us because they embody spiritual values and attitudes we wish to adopt and emulate. The symbols of the Word, especially in the book of Revelation, remind us of what’s truly important in life which is why we rejoice at the refrain, “I saw heaven opened…” (Revelation 9:11). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral