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Magnify the Lord
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 21, 2025
Choices are like a magnifying glass - we magnify the thoughts and feelings that capture our attention at any given point in time which means we can “magnify” negative thoughts and feelings just as easily as positive ones. But something miraculous happens when we, like Mary, in the face of our worries and concerns, consciously and deliberately magnify the Lord. We start to see and feel things we never saw or felt before. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (17m 06s)
Magnify the Lord
Worship Service: Sermon only - December 21, 2025
Choices are like a magnifying glass - we magnify the thoughts and feelings that capture our attention at any given point in time which means we can “magnify” negative thoughts and feelings just as easily as positive ones. But something miraculous happens when we, like Mary, in the face of our worries and concerns, consciously and deliberately magnify the Lord. We start to see and feel things we never saw or felt before. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (27m 03s)
The Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day, To Keep It Holy
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 09, 2025
(Exodus 20:8) The Hebrew word for “Sabbath” means rest. Physical and mental “rest” is relatively easy to obtain but a holy day of rest requires a different mindset and a different skill set. This commandment draws our attention to the fact that the quality of our Sabbath Day is directly proportional to how things go during the "six days of labor" leading up to it, and how we view the challenges and difficulties of our work week. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (14m 40s)
The Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day, To Keep It Holy
Worship Service: Sermon only - November 09, 2025
(Exodus 20:8) The Hebrew word for “Sabbath” means rest. Physical and mental “rest” is relatively easy to obtain but a holy day of rest requires a different mindset and a different skill set. This commandment draws our attention to the fact that the quality of our Sabbath Day is directly proportional to how things go during the "six days of labor" leading up to it, and how we view the challenges and difficulties of our work week. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (22m 15s)
In Search of Sacred Ground
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 19, 2025
For all the technological, material advances we’ve made as a society in the last 20 years or so, people report feeling lonelier and unhappier than ever before. The ground has shifted so much, people don’t know what’s real (sacred) anymore. The two great liberators of Israel, Moses and Joshua, couldn’t hear (or understand) the Lord’s message to them until it was pointed out that they were standing on sacred ground and that they needed to first remove their shoes. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (15m 20s)
In Search of Sacred Ground
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 19, 2025
For all the technological, material advances we’ve made as a society in the last 20 years or so, people report feeling lonelier and unhappier than ever before. The ground has shifted so much, people don’t know what’s real (sacred) anymore. The two great liberators of Israel, Moses and Joshua, couldn’t hear (or understand) the Lord’s message to them until it was pointed out that they were standing on sacred ground and that they needed to first remove their shoes. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (24m 12s)
“The Very Hairs of Your Head Are Numbered...”
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 28, 2025
The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves. As He sat at the table with the twelve disciples at the Last Supper, we can picture the Lord looking each disciple in the eye, one by one, helping them see things they couldn’t have seen on their own. What did He see? How does it help us knowing that the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (10m 56s)
“The Very Hairs of Your Head Are Numbered...”
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 28, 2025
The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves. As He sat at the table with the twelve disciples at the Last Supper, we can picture the Lord looking each disciple in the eye, one by one, helping them see things they couldn’t have seen on their own. What did He see? How does it help us knowing that the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (13m 58s)
Covenant Renewal
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 14, 2025
The purpose of this service will be to explore ways in which we can re-dedicate ourselves as individuals and as a congregation to the covenantal relationships we’ve formed with each other and with the Lord. We’re taught that “covenants are made for the sake of love, friendship, and companionship, and therefore for the sake of union” (Life 60), but they can’t work unless we give our consent (AC 8778). The need for periodic covenant renewals is a strong and consistent theme in the Scriptures, and so we will be considering Joshua’s farewell speech (Joshua 24) as a template for how we can strengthen our loyalty and commitment to the Lord and each other. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (29m 02s)
Perfectionism
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 17, 2025
Life would have little meaning or purpose if we didn’t set goals for ourselves and if we didn’t push ourselves to put in our best effort. But striving to be perfect is very different from being perfect. We often confuse the two. The first is part of the Lord’s plan, the second is a lie perpetuated by the hells which causes tremendous damage because we end up demanding perfection of ourselves and others. In the story of the Rich Young Ruler, the Lord addresses the question of perfectionism and provides an answer that is truly freeing (Matthew 19:16-22). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (15m 12s)
Perfectionism
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 17, 2025
Life would have little meaning or purpose if we didn’t set goals for ourselves and if we didn’t push ourselves to put in our best effort. But striving to be perfect is very different from being perfect. We often confuse the two. The first is part of the Lord’s plan, the second is a lie perpetuated by the hells which causes tremendous damage because we end up demanding perfection of ourselves and others. In the story of the Rich Young Ruler, the Lord addresses the question of perfectionism and provides an answer that is truly freeing (Matthew 19:16-22). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (22m 56s)
Free to Do What?
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - July 20, 2025
We’re taught that “all freedom is a matter of love…” (DP 73), and yet not all “freedoms” are equal. Eating a bowl of ice cream might seem like heaven on earth but it doesn’t carry the same kind of weight or significance as choosing to help a friend in need, or choosing to invent or create something that benefits society. The type of freedom which the Lord wants us to experience is not something we are born with. It doesn’t just fall in our lap. The truth will indeed “set us free” – it’s just a matter of asking ourselves how hard are we willing to fight for it. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (16m 52s)
Free to Do What?
Worship Service: Sermon only - July 20, 2025
We’re taught that “all freedom is a matter of love…” (DP 73), and yet not all “freedoms” are equal. Eating a bowl of ice cream might seem like heaven on earth but it doesn’t carry the same kind of weight or significance as choosing to help a friend in need or choosing to invent or create something that benefits society. The type of freedom which the Lord wants us to experience is not something we are born with. It doesn’t just fall in our lap. The truth will indeed “set us free” – it’s just a matter of asking ourselves how hard are we willing to fight for it. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (25m 31s)
"God has made me laugh…" (Genesis 21:6)
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - June 08, 2025
The Lord doesn’t just want to cheer us up – He wants our hearts and minds to be filled with joy and laughter. Our grumpy, skeptical side tends to have a hard time believing this is possible. What’s there to laugh about – life is full of serious business; bills to pay, pressures at work, health issues, relationship stresses, etc.? Turns out, we have a lot of reasons to laugh if we’re to take our cue from the angels in heaven for “everything they see seems to laugh and play and come alive” (HH 489). What are they seeing that we aren’t seeing? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (17m 22s)
"God has made me laugh…" (Genesis 21:6)
Worship Service: Sermon only - June 08, 2025
The Lord doesn’t just want to cheer us up – He wants our hearts and minds to be filled with joy and laughter. Our grumpy, skeptical side tends to have a hard time believing this is possible. What’s there to laugh about – life is full of serious business; bills to pay, pressures at work, health issues, relationship stresses, etc.? Turns out, we have a lot of reasons to laugh if we’re to take our cue from the angels in heaven for “everything they see seems to laugh and play and come alive” (HH 489). What are they seeing that we aren’t seeing? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (27m 24s)
“I Will Remember…” Psalm 77:11
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - May 18, 2025
The Scriptures urge us to remember – the Sabbath, the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, many important things. And yet we forget, not in the sense that these truths are lost or wiped from our memory but in the sense that their value can be forgotten. Thankfully, “remembering” is an act of mercy, done by the Lord alone. Let’s talk on Sunday about how the Lord helps us remember and then consider what new, spiritual practices we might want to incorporate into our lives to safeguard against our own forgetfulness. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (33m 03s)
Easter Family Festival “Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead?”
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - April 20, 2025
The 9:30 and 11:00 am services will be identical family services, both in the nave. There is no Informal Family or Young Children's Service on Easter. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (21m 49s)
Come and See
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - January 26, 2025
We’re not very good predictors of the future and yet this doesn’t stop us from trying. Our predictions about the future tend to limit God’s capabilities which means we tend to anticipate “sameness” in our relationships and work, and in our sense of purpose and direction. We see this mindset in the brand-new disciple, Nathaniel, who, being invited by fellow disciple Philip to come see Jesus of Nazareth says, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” to which Philip replies, “Come and see” (John 1:46). Nathaniel did “come and see” and his life unfolded in a way he could never have predicted. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (31m 34s)
Abram and Melchizadek
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - January 12, 2025
Abram’s daring rescue of his nephew, Lot (who had been taken captive by the kings of the north), is followed immediately by Melchizedek, priest and king of Salem, bringing out “bread and wine”" to the weary victors (v. 18). This pre-cursor to the Holy Supper pictures the peace that comes after conflict, and how the Lord “refreshes us” (AC 1726). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (10m 39s)
Abram and Mechizadek
Worship Service: Sermon only - January 12, 2025
Abram’s daring rescue of his nephew, Lot (who had been taken captive by the kings of the north), is followed immediately by Melchizedek, priest and king of Salem, bringing out “bread and wine”" to the weary victors (v. 18). This pre-cursor to the Holy Supper pictures the peace that comes after conflict, and how the Lord “refreshes us” (AC 1726). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (17m 07s)
In the Company of Angels
Worship Service: Children & Adult - December 24, 2024
The Christmas story is woven together by the glad tidings of angels. The angels didn’t simply announce the birth of Christ; they gave specific directions, counsel and support to the participants of this holy event. This Christmas Eve service will be a wonderful reminder that we live in the company of angels and that we have the opportunity to let their glad tidings reign in us in new and different ways. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (12m 22s)
Open Your Treasure
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 22, 2024
The Lord encourages us to lay up treasures in heaven (Mt. 6:20) but it’s also a good practice to “open” our treasures so that they can be seen and shared with others. The wise men did this when presenting their gifts to the young Child. It says, “and when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him…” (Mt. 2:10). Why didn’t the wise men let Jesus’ parents open the gifts? Why did they open them first? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (17m 46s)
Open Your Treasure
Worship Service: Sermon only - December 22, 2024
The Lord encourages us to lay up treasures in heaven (Mt. 6:20) but it’s also a good practice to “open” our treasures so that they can be seen and shared with others. The wise men did this when presenting their gifts to the young Child. It says, “and when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him…” (Mt. 2:10). Why didn’t the wise men let Jesus’ parents open the gifts? Why did they open them first? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (21m 40s)
Love 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 Cathedral
See Event (15m 00s)
Love 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 Cathedral
See Event (28m 55s)