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Laying Down Your Soul For Your Friends
Worship Service: Sermon only - May 28, 2017
"Greater love has no one than this, than one lay down his soul for his friends." (John 15:13) In this sermon I focus on two words that help us gain a new appreciation for this familiar adage: "soul" and "friends." What would you be willing to lay down your soul for? | By Rev. Matthew L. Genzlinger | West Concord, MA
See Event (15m 59s)
Rest in the Lord
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - May 07, 2017
| By Rev. Michael D. Gladish | Mitchellville, MD
See Event (33m 23s)
The Hazards and Blessings of Comparing our Spiritual Lives with Others
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - April 23, 2017
One of the ways we evaluate how we are doing spiritually is by comparing ourselves to how other people seem to be doing. This can be a positive thing: being in community with other people who are striving to uphold the same values as us can inspire and encourage us to do better. And it can be a negative thing: comparing ourselves with other people can lead us to be envious or judgmental or it can even lead us to the absurd situation of trying to prove that we're more spiritual than other people. Let's talk about how the Lord can help us to deal with these challenging dynamics. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (24m 52s)
Learning to See the Lord
Worship Service: Informal Family - March 26, 2017
The Lord healed a man who had been blind from birth by putting clay on his eyes and sending him to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man did as the Lord told him, even though he didn't know who the Lord was, and was able to see. How can we learn from this blind man's example and learn to see clearly? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (24m 58s)
Becoming Whole and Clean
Worship Service: Sermon only - March 19, 2017
The Lord washed His disciples' feet as a symbolic way of showing us that we need to focus on avoiding any areas of filth in the way we live our conscious lives. In other words, we need to work on being an outwardly cleaner person so that the Lord can subsequently cleanse us on the level of our spirit. | By Rev. Garry B. Walsh | Phoenix, AZ
See Event (21m 12s)
Abram & Lot (Part 2) -Lot is Separated
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - March 19, 2017
Today is part two of a two part series on Abram and Lot. In Genesis chapter twelve, Jehovah tells Abram to get out of his country and to leave his father's house. As Abram begins his journey to a new land Lot (his nephew) comes with him. Last week we learned that Lot represents the more sensual/external part of us - The part of us that learns various facts and experiences various affections based on the input we receive through our physical senses. Lot lived with Abram and began this journey with him, showing us that this sensual/external part of us is useful and important! The Lord wants us to use our physical senses to gather in much information and good experiences. These external ideas and affections we receive early in life act as vessels for the more spiritual truths and affections the Lord is leading us towards. In today's story both Abram and Lot have enlarged their possessions. The land can no longer support them both, and strife is arising between their herdsmen. Abram asks Lot to separate from him. This separation between Abram and Lot wonderfully represents a time in our own regeneration when we must separate ourselves from two kinds of external things: 1. Empty memory knowledges we learned in childhood. 2. Pleasures from the selfish and worldly loves we favor. While it is important to separate ourselves form certain unhelpful things in our sensual/external self, we will also see that our sensual/external self (Lot) can grow into something beautiful! This happens only if we allow our sensual/external self to serve and come into harmony with our more spiritual/internal self; ridding ourselves of this things that prevent this from happening. This week reflect on things in your more external self that the Lord may be asking you to separate from. Separating from Lot can be difficult, but it allows us to experience the true blessings the Lord created us for! | By Rev. Matthew L. Genzlinger | West Concord, MA
See Event (37m 18s)
Being Born Again - Spiritual Pregnancy and Birth
Worship Service: Informal Family - March 19, 2017
Becoming a better person - and eventually an angel - is a process called “regeneration,” meaning: “re-birth.” In John chapter 3, Nicodemus was surprised and incredulous when Jesus told him this. Sometimes we can be surprised and incredulous about this process too. What do pregnancy, morning sickness, braxton hicks, transition, labor pains, contractions, and birth have to do with our spiritual growth? What does it mean to take our first spiritual breath as a spiritual newborn? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (40m 00s)
Becoming More Christ-Like
Worship Service: Sermon only - March 12, 2017
Christianity, at the organizational or individual level, suffers when there is no genuine charity. Therefore, to be more Christian, or to be more Christ-like, requires a transformation that sees a growing focus on loving the Lord and loving others. When true charity is combined with a true understanding of the Lord's message, the church and the individual, rather than facing destruction, grows into what the Lord and other people need the church and the individual to be. | By Rev. Garry B. Walsh | Phoenix, AZ
See Event (23m 35s)
Carried Away, Rescued, and Blessed
Worship Service: Informal Family - March 12, 2017
In Genesis chapter 14, in a battle of 5 kings against 4 kings, Lot gets captured and carried away by Chedorlaomer, and Abram comes to his rescue. When they return, Melchizedek offers bread and wine and blessings. This confusing chapter describes the confusing nature of our spiritual struggles, and the blessings that the Lord brings on the other side of struggle. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (36m 52s)
Salvation by Means of a New Heart and a New Mind
Worship Service: Sermon only - March 12, 2017
"Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. Therefore she said to Abraham, 'Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac'" (Genesis 21:9-10) | By Rev. Eric H. Carswell | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (30m 00s)
3 Tips for Fighting Against The Influences of Hell
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - March 05, 2017
Throughout the year we offer services of worship that are designed to give people the opportunity to engage more fully with the week's message. People can ask questions, hear other people's thoughts and share their own ideas. These worship services are called Seekers Sundays. The format is as follows: 1. We start as we always do with a song, the opening of the Word and talk for the children. 2. Next the children go downstairs for Sunday School and the adults enjoy a set of readings and brief introduction to the week's lesson/topic. 3. Following this the formal service of worship is brought to a close. People are invited to gather downstairs to continue with a conversation: What questions do you have? What are you insights? How does this apply to our own lives in more practical ways? 3 Tips For Fighting Against The Influences of Hell The hells are always working to destroy us spiritually. They attack us in many subtle and conniving ways. This morning we will discuss three keys to successfully fighting against their influences. 1. Be aware of their existence and tricks. 2. Acknowledge your need for the Lord's help. 3. Fight with the truth from the Lord's Word. | By Rev. Matthew L. Genzlinger | West Concord, MA
See Event (18m 26s)
Created in the Image and Likeness of God
Worship Service: Sermon only - February 26, 2017
The Creation story in Genesis speaks about how human beings have been created in the Lord's image and likeness. This message explores what this means for each of us. | By Rev. Garry B. Walsh | Phoenix, AZ
See Event (25m 29s)
Giving the Dove a Place to Rest Her Foot
Worship Service: Sermon only - February 19, 2017
In the story of Noah and the Flood, Noah send out a dove that is said at first to have found no place to rest her foot. In a spiritual sense this means that there was too much falsity in someone's mind at that time to let the Lord's truth find a home. This message reflects on the need to disperse those floodwaters of falsity. | By Rev. Garry B. Walsh | Phoenix, AZ
See Event (22m 41s)
Resistance
Worship Service: Informal Family - February 12, 2017
Why is it that when we start to choose something good in our life, we often end up facing resistance, discouragement, or conflict? Sometimes it might even feel like we’re being punished for doing something good. Right after the Lord was baptized by John, He faced temptation in the wilderness with the devil (see Matt 3:16-17, 4:1-11). This is our story as well. Why is this normal and to be expected? How can we maintain hope and positivity through all this? How does the Lord use these times to make us stronger? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (43m 47s)
Betrothal And Regeneration
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - February 05, 2017
Sunday School Service - Children's Talk Title - Betrothal: Pray To The LORD to Guide Us 1st Lesson: Genesis 24: 12-21, 50, 57-58 2nd Lesson: Hosea 2: 2-8, 14-23 3rd Lesson: Arcana Coelestia 9182: 1-4 (parts) | By Rev. Lawson M. Smith | Kempton, PA
See Event (29m 29s)
Absolutely Everything is the Lord's
Worship Service: Sermon only - January 29, 2017
'Secrets of Heaven' 123 states that "Absolutely everything is the Lord's." This message explores the life-changing reality of truly believing this. | By Rev. Garry B. Walsh | Phoenix, AZ
See Event (22m 10s)
Hearing The Lord Speak Through His Word
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - January 29, 2017
| By Rev. Matthew L. Genzlinger | West Concord, MA
See Event (20m 15s)
Beginning
Worship Service: Informal Family - January 29, 2017
We are all created in the image of the Creator, and so we are all creators in our own ways. Our topic on that theme is “Beginning.” “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Beginning anything - natural or spiritual - can sometimes feel like the hardest part. What can we learn this week about beginning something new? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (42m 51s)
Inviting Peace and Order into Our Lives
Worship Service: Sermon only - January 22, 2017
This message reflects on how the Lord is life itself and therefore order itself. We are in peace when our lives are aligned with His order. We feel anxiety and similar challenges when we are not aligned with Him. | By Rev. Garry B. Walsh | Phoenix, AZ
See Event (20m 14s)
Three Blessings of Baptism
Worship Service: Baptism - January 22, 2017
Family Service - Adult Baptism - George and Jan Cauffman 1st Lesson: Psalm 119: 9-16 2nd Lesson: John 3: 1-8 3rd Lesson: New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine 207-208; True Christian Religion 677, 680e, 681, 684, 721 | By Rev. Lawson M. Smith | Kempton, PA
See Event (16m 02s)
Becoming a Child of Light
Worship Service: Sermon only - January 15, 2017
The basis of this message is the parable of the Unjust Steward. The Lord explains how humanity often lives in self-imposed darkness because of a preference for false thinking over what is true. And so the Lord encourages us to open our eyes to the light so that as we live useful lives based on earthly knowledge, we can do so from a higher light and higher motivations. | By Rev. Garry B. Walsh | Phoenix, AZ
See Event (19m 57s)
Let the Lord Decide What Burden You Bear
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - January 15, 2017
What are you carrying? Did you put down some stuff at the end of last year that you're now picking up again, along with some new things? What about things from the past-are you carrying guilt about things you did or didn't do in addition to guilt about things you are or aren't doing now? The Lord says, "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest ..... For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Let's talk about what burden the Lord wants us to carry and how to let go of the rest. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Westville, RSA
See Event (24m 55s)
Innocence - "Behold I make all things new"
Worship Service: Informal Family - January 01, 2017
All genuine newness is from the Lord, not measured by time, but by innocence. Innocence is what makes anything new. (John 3) | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (35m 53s)
New Wine in New Wineskins
Worship Service: Sermon only - January 01, 2017
"A person from birth loves only himself and the world, for nothing else appears before his eyes, and therefore he considers nothing else in his heart; and this love is carnally natural, and can be called materialistic." (Divine Love and Wisdom 419) | By Rev. Erik J. Buss | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (23m 52s)
The Purpose of a Church
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 06, 2016
What does our Heavenly Father want from us His children? Perhaps more importantly, what does our Heavenly Father want to do FOR us? According to what He said in the Word, He wants to show us the way to get ourselves ready for heaven. Like a good Father He wants us to try things out and learn for ourselves, but He also knows when to step in and help us when we run into an obstacle that we can't overcome by ourselves. | By Rev. James P. Cooper | Westville, RSA
See Event (37m 00s)