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Am I Enough
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - October 01, 2023
We are bombarded with messages that we need to do more, give more, be more. Whether these messages are overt and intended or subtle and implied, they push us to ask ourselves, “am I enough?” Am I enough for my children? Am I enough for my spouse? Am I enough for my work? Am I enough for my society? And above all, am I enough for the Lord? The bad news is that we are all lacking; the good news is even in our lack we are enough in the Lord’s eyes. | By Rev. Joel C Glenn | Westville, RSAStability and Change
Worship Service: Informal Family - October 01, 2023
Elijah experienced a violent windstorm, an earthquake, and a raging fire, and then heard the Lord in a still, small, voice. (1 Kings 19) The Lord gives us stability during times of change, but is also the one who makes all things new. | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallMemorial 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 CathedralBuilding Community
Worship Service: Informal Family - September 24, 2023
The story of building the tabernacle (Exodus 35:20-29) tells us about Building Community. The church community is built entirely by the Lord, but always with the appearance that we build it through our own efforts and gifts. We will celebrate the Lord’s presence in our community with Holy Supper. | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallUnified in the Lord
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 24, 2023
What makes someone your neighbour? In a literal sense it refers to people who live close by. But when the Lord said to “love your neighbour as yourself” He was most certainly not saying to love people next door. Spiritually speaking our neighbours are the ones who are close to us spiritually; and regardless of our individual backgrounds and cultures, all of us are brought together into this spiritual closeness when we look to the Lord. | By Rev. Joel C Glenn | Westville, RSAThe Cleansing of Naaman
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 24, 2023
1st Lesson: II Kings 5 (portions) 2nd Lesson: Apocalypse explained 475.18 Talk: “The Cleansing of Naaman” | By Rev. Brett D. Buick | Kempton, PAThe 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 CathedralTemptations
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 17, 2023
All temptation is an attack against the love present in a person, the degree of temptation depending on the degree of that love. If love is not attacked there is no temptation. (Secrets of Heaven 1690:3) | By Rev. J. Bheki Dube | Westville, RSASwearing, Cursing and Blasphemy
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 17, 2023
1st Lesson: Matthew 5:33-37 2nd Lesson: Spiritual Experiences 2206 Sermon: “Swearing: A Deplorable Habit” | By Rev. Calvin Heinrichs | Kempton, PAJesus' 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 CathedralThe Story of the Word
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 10, 2023
The Word is, at heart, a story. It’s true that at times the nature of the story is opaque, but the central message is straightforward: God created people in order to love; when they turned away, and nearly destroyed themselves, He continued to love them; and in time, come down as Jesus Christ to save us; and this work of saving us carries on even today. This Sunday we will explore how the story that the Word tells can be life-changing. | By Rev. Joel C Glenn | Westville, RSAWater to Wine
Worship Service: Informal Family - September 10, 2023
One of the first miracles that Jesus did was turning water to wine at a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11). What can this miracle teach us about spiritual transformations in our own lives? The piano interlude is included with permission of author Solomon Keal. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallTell 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 CathedralFeed What Grows
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 03, 2023
We often prioritize things that aren't working. Sometimes this is a good thing: after all, if it isn't working it needs to be fixed. But often we also pour energy into areas that are not bearing fruit. The Lord invites us to put aside the things that aren't working, and instead focus on the things that will bear fruit: things like love to the Lord, charity to the neighbour, and the joy of service. | By Rev. Joel C Glenn | Westville, RSAWhat Life After Death Can Teach Us About Life Right Now
Worship Service: Informal Family - September 03, 2023
There are a lot of things to think about, care about, and stress about in this world. When someone dies it reminds us of how short life in this world can be and it can shift our perspective on what matters. We are blessed with many teachings about what life after death will be like; what can we learn from those teachings about what matters in our lives right now? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallBeware of the Leaven of the Pharisees
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 03, 2023
1st Lesson: Luke 12: 1-5 Talk: “Beware the Leaven of the Pharisees” 2nd Lesson: Arcana Coelestia 7906 3rd Lesson: Arcana Coelestia 9999.2 Sermon: “Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees” | By Rev. Brett D. Buick | Kempton, PA"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 CathedralLeaving the Past Behind
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - August 27, 2023
We sometimes think that to leave our mistakes behind we can just forget about them; but we also know that really doesn’t work. The alternative seems to be to somehow make up for them, and there is truth in this. But what does it take to make up for a mistake? Especially a mistake that rises to the level of being evil? It can feel like we have to undo our mistake, and yet there is no way to change the past. The reality is that repentance (the Lord’s way of making up for mistakes) is not so much about the past, but the present: repentance does not undo the things we have done; instead it allows us to become a different person in the present moment. It’s all about who we are, not who we used to be. | By Rev. Joel C Glenn | Westville, RSALord, Teach Us to Pray
Worship Service: Informal Family - August 27, 2023
The Lord’s disciples asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The response is the Lord’s Prayer, which teaches us not only words we can say, but how to have a loving relationship with the God of the Universe, and how to receive His love for all people. | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall