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The Great Commission
Worship Service: Informal Family - April 28, 2024
We will be exploring the Great Commission with an interactive discussion on all the ways we “make disciples” in the world today. This service will also include commissioning eight newly trained Stephen Ministers into this important lay use. You are all warmly invited to witness this special event. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral Undercroft
See Event (33m 43s)
"Build houses, plant gardens..."
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - April 14, 2024
(Jeremiah 29:3) Gardens feature prominently in the Scriptures, beginning with the Garden of Eden in Genesis and ending in Revelation with the garden appearing again, this time in the midst of the Holy City New Jerusalem. It’s significant too that the Lord chose to rise from the tomb in the midst of a garden. All of the physical delights of a garden - the sights, sounds, textures, smells, tastes – represent what happens when we invite the order and symmetry of the truths of the Lord’s Word into our lives. In this service we will explore the profound spiritual principle that our choices determine our spiritual environment. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (12m 51s)
"The Word is like a garden"
Worship Service: Sermon only - April 14, 2024
“The Word is like a garden…” (TC 259). “Build houses, plant gardens.” (Jeremiah 29:5)) Gardens feature prominently in the Scriptures, beginning with the Garden of Eden in Genesis and ending in Revelation with the garden appearing again, this time in the midst of the Holy City New Jerusalem. It’s significant too that the Lord chose to rise from the tomb in the midst of a garden. All of the physical delights of a garden - the sights, sounds, textures, smells, tastes – represent what happens when we invite the order and symmetry of the truths of the Lord’s Word into our lives. In this service we will explore the profound spiritual principle that our choices determine our spiritual environment. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (21m 45s)
"He Will Raise Us Up"
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - March 31, 2024
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (10m 47s)
Who are you Following?
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - February 25, 2024
We are all “followers” of one thing or another – a favorite athlete, team, musician, artist, brand, expert – the list goes on. We tend to follow whoever or whatever interests us and, depending on the intensity of the interest, we allow it to influence us in small or big ways. This Sunday, we’ll be exploring what happened the day after the Feeding of the 5,000 when many of the followers of Jesus “walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (29m 45s)
Anticipating the Famine
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - February 11, 2024
Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, meant that the land of Egypt had time to prepare for this eventual hardship (Genesis 41). If “famine” is a hardship we can expect, what steps might we take to better prepare for it? The happy reunion of Joseph and his brothers wouldn’t have happened without the famine. This story gives us a wonderful glimpse into the workings of the Lord’s providence. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (14m 47s)
Anticipating the Famine
Worship Service: Sermon only - February 11, 2024
Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, meant that the land of Egypt had time to prepare for this eventual hardship (Genesis 41). If “famine” is a hardship we can expect, what steps might we take to better prepare for it? The happy reunion of Joseph and his brothers wouldn’t have happened without the famine. This story gives us a wonderful glimpse into the workings of the Lord’s providence. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (27m 30s)
Struggling
Worship Service: Informal Family - January 28, 2024
The mysterious incident of Jacob “wrestling” with God all night speaks to an important principle – as much as we may try to avoid spiritual pain and suffering, these struggles are nevertheless the mechanism which enables us to grow and mature. Jacob’s new name carries the idea of being tied up with God’s purposes. How do we become more “tied up” with God’s purposes? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral Undercroft
See Event (36m 04s)
Covenant Renewal
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - January 14, 2024
King Josiah initiated the biggest reform and covenant renewal his country had ever seen. Amongst his reforms was the reinstatement of the Passover which had not been held in Jerusalem “since the days of the judges” (2 Kings 23:22). We will be considering the benefits of a covenant and why our covenant with the Lord is something that needs to be revisited and “renewed” on a regular basis. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (12m 41s)
Covenant Renewal
Worship Service: Sermon only - January 14, 2024
King Josiah initiated the biggest reform and covenant renewal his country had ever seen. Amongst his reforms was the reinstatement of the Passover which had not been held in Jerusalem “since the days of the judges” (2 Kings 23:22). We will be considering the benefits of a covenant and why our covenant with the Lord is something that needs to be revisited and “renewed” on a regular basis. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (19m 51s)
Traveling
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 24, 2023
Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, the Wise Men, almost everyone involved in the events leading up to the birth of Christ needed to travel in order to celebrate that happy event. We too are invited to “travel” in order to celebrate the Lord’s birth in our hearts and minds. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (17m 35s)
The Little Things
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 03, 2023
“The Little Things” In Micah’s prophesy, Bethlehem is identified as the birthplace of the Messiah. The emphasis placed on this town is its smallness, its seeming insignificance, and yet out of Bethlehem will “come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel” (5:2). This description of the Lord’s birthplace contains deep spiritual significance and foretells a spiritual virtue we all need which, in the eyes of the world, seems insignificant and unremarkable but which, in reality, is “the little thing” that counts the most. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (10m 49s)
The Little Things
Worship Service: Sermon only - December 03, 2023
“The Little Things” In Micah’s prophesy, Bethlehem is identified as the birthplace of the Messiah. The emphasis placed on this town is its smallness, its seeming insignificance, and yet out of Bethlehem will “come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel” (5:2). This description of the Lord’s birthplace contains deep spiritual significance and foretells a spiritual virtue we all need which, in the eyes of the world, seems insignificant and unremarkable but which, in reality, is “the little thing” that counts the most. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (20m 48s)
Thanksgiving Day Service
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 23, 2023
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Field House
See Event (13m 08s)
Saving Nineveh
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 12, 2023
The book of Jonah is about the spiritual welfare of the great city, Nineveh. Will Jonah be convinced that Nineveh is worth saving or will he just sit outside the city and sulk? Why was Jonah so reluctant to go to Nineveh in the first place? And why, after the people of Nineveh demonstrated a willingness to repent, was Jonah still angry? What does “Nineveh” represent in our lives? There are times when we deem certain situations or circumstances irredeemable, not worth saving, but then the Lord presses us to reconsider, saying, “should I not pity Nineveh, that great city?” (Jonah 4:11). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (16m 13s)
Saving Nineveh
Worship Service: Sermon only - November 12, 2023
The book of Jonah is about the spiritual welfare of the great city, Nineveh. Will Jonah be convinced that Nineveh is worth saving or will he just sit outside the city and sulk? Why was Jonah so reluctant to go to Nineveh in the first place? And why, after the people of Nineveh demonstrated a willingness to repent, was Jonah still angry? What does “Nineveh” represent in our lives? There are times when we deem certain situations or circumstances irredeemable, not worth saving, but then the Lord presses us to reconsider, saying, “should I not pity Nineveh, that great city?” (Jonah 4:11). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (33m 26s)
Memorial Service for Janet M. Karallus
Memorial Service - October 21, 2023
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (26m 26s)
Spiritual 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 Cathedral
See Event (15m 11s)
Spiritual 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 Cathedral
See Event (25m 13s)
The 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 Cathedral
See Event (24m 36s)
Tell 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 Cathedral
See Event (12m 59s)
Tell 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 Cathedral
See Event (20m 48s)
Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord
Worship Service: Informal Family - August 20, 2023
What is it like to reason with the Lord, and how is this different from reasoning with each other? Can the tone and quality of our dialogue with each other change if we have first reasoned with the Lord? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (39m 29s)
"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
See Event (14m 50s)
"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 Cathedral
See Event (25m 22s)