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Peace
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 Cathedral
See Event (15m 31s)
Peace
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 Cathedral
See Event (26m 03s)
Prepared
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 Cathedral
See Event (20m 27s)
Music
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 Cathedral
See Event (10m 11s)
Music
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 Cathedral
See Event (17m 15s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (10m 50s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (16m 33s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (18m 48s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (28m 07s)
What 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 Cathedral
See Event (13m 39s)
What 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 Cathedral
See Event (00m 00s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (12m 18s)
A 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 Cathedral
See Event (27m 53s)
Holy 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 Cathedral
See Event (12m 47s)
Holy 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 Cathedral
See Event (19m 36s)
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)