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Rest For Your Souls
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 15, 2023
“Rest for Your Souls” (Matthew 11:29) Every one of us, deep down, wants peace and contentment, lives of meaning and purpose, and the stream of providence guiding us to all that is good. This Sunday we will look at a core way to receive all these things, to find “rest for our souls” by means of a life connected to the Lord. | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Jr. | Bryn Athyn CathedralMemorial Service for Paul J. Simonetti
Memorial Service - October 15, 2023
| By Rev. Dr Raymond J. Silverman | Bryn Athyn CathedralCharter Day service
Charter Day Service - October 13, 2023
| By Rev. Christopher A Barber | Bryn Athyn CathedralSpiritual Paralysis
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 08, 2023
"Arise, Take Up Your Bed, and Walk" (Mark 2). The connection between paralysis and forgiveness is unmistakable in this healing miracle. Only after receiving the Lord’s forgiveness was the man released from his paralysis and yet the full healing couldn’t take effect until the man played his part by getting up and walking. We can experience a similar kind of “paralysis” - unable to make a decision, unable to “move on,” and it is at times like these that the Lord helps us get unstuck. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralSpiritual Paralysis
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 08, 2023
The Lord is constantly forgiving us any time we stray in mind or deed from His path, and yet we cannot be truly healed of our paralysis until we symbolically “get up” and “walk.” We will be considering the many things that “paralyze” us - old wounds, a critical judgmental spirit, impatient and angry thoughts, justifications, perfectionism - the list goes on. This healing miracle shows us a path forward, a way to get unstuck. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralBe Pushy?
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 01, 2023
"Give Me Also Pools of Water" (Judges 1:15) We often think of being “pushy” as a bad thing, but what if the Lord wants us to be pushy? While rudeness and aggression aren't good ways to love the neighbor, our relationship to the Lord includes a lot of seeking and asking, and this might feel pushy. The story of Achsah, Caleb, and Othniel in Judges shows us that when it comes to asking the Lord, He wants us to keep asking. | By Rev. Scott I. Frazier | Bryn Athyn CathedralGive Me Also Pools of Water
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 01, 2023
(Judges 1:15) This story shows us how to reclaim our lost faith and bring new meaning to our lives. We can often feel burnt out and empty, but by marshalling the resources we do have, the Lord can bring joy and life to us: first to our ideas, then to our behavior, and finally to how we cooperate with the Lord. Achsah, as an active and “pushy” woman, shows how this process should occur with us and the role we play in making it happen. | By Rev. Scott I. Frazier | Bryn Athyn CathedralMemorial Service for Philip S.G. Smith
Memorial Service - September 30, 2023
| By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons | Bryn Athyn CathedralTruth for the Sake of Truth and Good for the Sake of Good
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 24, 2023
This Sunday we will be offering Holy Supper (with alternatives) during the Family Service. Read the full description of how the service will go at brynathynchurch.org/holy-supper. The readings and short talk will be about a phrase that comes up repeatedly in the teachings of the New Church: loving truth for the sake of truth and good for the sake of good. As we think about taking the bread and wine from the Lord, we will try to be ready to gratefully receive what the Lord has to offer. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralTruth for the Sake of Truth and Good for the Sake of Good
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 24, 2023
This Sunday we will be offering Holy Supper (with alternatives) during the Adult Service. The readings and short sermon will be about a phrase that comes up repeatedly in the teachings of the New Church: loving truth for the sake of truth and good for the sake of good. As we think about taking the bread and wine from the Lord, we will try to be ready to gratefully receive what the Lord has to offer. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Face of God
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 17, 2023
Community service (a monthly gathering of the congregation) | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralJesus' Secret Visit to Jerusalem
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 10, 2023
Although the Lord preached and performed miracles openly in Jerusalem, on one occasion He went there secretly, and no one knew He was there. Why did He do this? | By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Lord's Secret Presence
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 10, 2023
Divine Providence 211 makes the surprising statement that if we were to know what the Lord was doing in our lives, we would see Him as our enemy. How is this possible since He is continually protecting us and leading us towards eternal happiness? | By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons | Bryn Athyn CathedralTell Your Story
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 03, 2023
The Scriptures use “witnessing” to remind people of their history, their roots. Moses and Joshua did it with the Israelites, reminding them how they had won their freedom, and how it couldn’t have happened without the Lord. Telling our story (lessons learned) to children, friends, and loved ones is a powerful way of bearing witness to the Lord, His Word, faith, charity. In this service we will be exploring examples from the Scriptures and the Writings that speak to the use and value of personal testimonies. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralTell Your Story
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 03, 2023
The Scriptures use “witnessing” to remind people of their history, their roots. Moses and Joshua did it with the Israelites, reminding them how they had won their freedom, and how it couldn’t have happened without the Lord. Telling our story (lessons learned) to children, friends, and loved ones is a powerful way of bearing witness to the Lord, His Word, faith, charity. In this service we will be exploring examples from the Scriptures and the Writings that speak to the use and value of personal testimonies. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralMemorial Service for Rachel Ebert
Memorial Service - September 03, 2023
| By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons | Bryn Athyn Cathedral"The Devil's Pillow"
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 27, 2023
We are saying goodbye to the lazy days of summer and fun vacations, and we are about to begin the busy months of the school year. It is a great time to think about being useful and getting back to work. However, it is also a good time to reflect on the value of the rest and relaxation we just experienced, and contrast that with what the Heavenly Doctrine teaches us about idleness. Idleness is referred to there as “the Devil’s Pillow!” | By Rt. Rev. Bradley D. Heinrichs | Bryn Athyn Cathedral"The Devil's Pillow"
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 27, 2023
We are saying goodbye to the lazy days of summer and fun vacations, and we are about to begin the busy months of the school year. As adults, it is a great time to think about being useful and getting back to our jobs. However, it is also a good time to reflect on the value of the rest and relaxation we just experienced, and contrast that with what the Heavenly Doctrine teaches us about idleness. Idleness is referred to there as “the Devil’s Pillow!” We will take a look at why and how usefulness provides a valuable protection from the hells and can keep the devil at bay. | By Rt. Rev. Bradley D. Heinrichs | Bryn Athyn CathedralWe Are Never Lost When the Lord Leads Us
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 20, 2023
The Israelites were lost in the wilderness for 40 years. Have you ever been lost? Even if there are other people lost with you, it can be scary. You don't know which way to go, you don't how long you will be lost. But, fortunately, in the Word, the story has a happy ending, for the Lord led them out of the wilderness. How can we get the Lord's help like that when we feel lost? | By Rev. Stephen D. Cole | Bryn Athyn CathedralWandering in the Wilderness
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 20, 2023
"They went astray in the wilderness" (Mark 9:24) Psalm 107:4 says of the Israelites: "They went astray in the wilderness." Their wandering in the wilderness is one of the major stories in the Old Testament and speaks to the way that many of us may feel, at least in certain times in life. When we feel lost or directionless, it is hard to know what to do. The wilderness is said to represent a state of temptation. But perhaps this prompts a question in the minds of some: If the Israelites were being tempted, what were they being tempted to do, or not to do? | By Rev. Stephen D. Cole | Bryn Athyn Cathedral"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief"
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 13, 2023
(Mark 9:24) The human mind has a tendency to draw lines in the sand: here’s what I believe and don’t believe, end of story. It’s a fixed mindset, one that rushes to judgment, a final conclusion. In reality, our journey of faith needs a lifetime to grow and mature. It needs time to flex, to doubt, to question, to wait. In this service, we will consider how it’s okay to have doubts about the Lord, His providence, the Bible - lots of things, and that the Lord doesn’t think less of us when this happens. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief"
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 13, 2023
(Mark 9:24) The human mind has a tendency to draw lines in the sand: here’s what I believe and don’t believe, end of story. It’s a fixed mindset, one that rushes to judgment, a final conclusion. In reality, our journey of faith needs a lifetime to grow and mature. It needs time to flex, to doubt, to question, to wait. In this service, we will consider how it’s okay to have doubts about the Lord, His providence, the Bible - lots of things, and that the Lord doesn’t think less of us when this happens. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn CathedralKnow Your Spiritual Enemies: The Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 06, 2023
A number of the enemies that the children of Israel encountered on their way to the promised land were their cousins, other descendants from the same family tree. And so, the children of Israel were forbidden to destroy these enemies or to take their land. And yet they were also forbidden to intermarry with them. This Sunday, as we learn more about the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, we will be trying to learn how to have the right kind of boundaries and relationships in our lives. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralKnow Your Spiritual Enemies: The Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 06, 2023
A number of the enemies that the children of Israel encountered on their way to the promised land were their cousins, other descendants from the same family tree. And so, the children of Israel were forbidden to destroy these enemies or to take their land. And yet they were also forbidden to intermarry with them. This Sunday, as we learn more about the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, we will be trying to learn how to have the right kind of boundaries and relationships in our lives. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralCalming the Winds of Life
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - July 30, 2023
The Lord calmed the waters on Galilee when the disciples were afraid. How can the Lord calm our fears? What can we do when we are uncertain or afraid? See how this story can bring us calm and peace. | By Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith | Bryn Athyn Cathedral