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Bless 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 Cathedral
See Event (29m 36s)
The 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
See Event (10m 12s)
Good Intentions
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 08, 2024
The road to hell is paved with good intentions… or so the saying goes. The Heavenly Doctrines say good intentions can take a person to heaven. But what does it mean to really intend something? To want to do it? To do it whenever the opportunity arises? We’ll explore the question through the lens of the Lord’s parable of two brothers whose deeds do not match their words (Matthew 21:28-32). | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (20m 49s)
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 Cathedral
See Event (15m 23s)
6-1 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 Cathedral
See Event (26m 03s)
Know 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 Cathedral
See Event (18m 51s)
Know 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 Cathedral
See Event (24m 12s)
Don'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 Cathedral
See Event (14m 57s)
Don'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 Cathedral
See Event (25m 51s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (12m 52s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (23m 25s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (13m 21s)
Why 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 Cathedral
See Event (27m 42s)
A 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 Cathedral
See Event (16m 32s)
Shem’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 Cathedral
See Event (28m 11s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (17m 45s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (18m 57s)
Memorial for Peggy Bailey Pitcairn
Memorial Service - July 20, 2024
| By Rev. Robin W. Childs | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (34m 33s)
Jacob 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 Cathedral
See Event (13m 26s)
I 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 Cathedral
See Event (18m 59s)
Memorial Service for Gayle Fors
Memorial Service - July 14, 2024
| By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (23m 24s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (26m 54s)
Natural 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 Cathedral
See Event (26m 47s)
As 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
See Event (27m 45s)
“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 Cathedral
See Event (12m 06s)