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Think Like an Angel
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - March 19, 2023
Community Service. We tend to think of life in heaven as a future event even though the Lord says we can experience it right now (Luke 17:21). The Lord makes this phenomenon possible by using our intellect, the rational part of our mind, to grow angelic loves in us. It’s a struggle, for sure, because we’re competing against 6,000 thoughts a day (what scientists estimate the daily average to be), many of which aren’t helpful and some of which sabotage our efforts to improve and grow. The Lord wants us to think like an angel because this makes navigating life’s ups and downs much more manageable compared to our clumsy efforts. Let’s explore together how this angelic way of thinking works. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (24m 36s)
What is it?
Worship Service: Informal Family - February 26, 2023
The whole of Exodus Chapter 16 contains a detailed description of how the Israelites were to handle the Manna - when to collect it, how much, not save it overnight, etc. The leading idea is that each person “gathered according to each one’s need” (v. 18). We will consider needs versus wants as they relate to trusting the Lord and His Providence. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (46m 28s)
Be Strong
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - February 05, 2023
When Naaman, an important man and sufferer of leprosy, was told by Elisha to wash in the Jordan seven times, Naaman at first was furious because he thought such an act would make him look weak (I Kings 5:11-12). What we consider to be signs of “weakness” or “strength” can actually be the opposite of what we imagine. Sometimes our weakness is a sign of strength and our strength a sign of weakness. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (16m 51s)
Be Strong
Worship Service: Sermon only - February 05, 2023
In the corporate world or in competitive sports, no one deliberately reveals their weaknesses or shortcomings because this would give competitors and opponents a competitive edge. But when it comes to our spiritual growth and development this is precisely what we must do. Even though it seems counterintuitive, it is by admitting that we are weak, that we have no power or strength over evil, that makes us strong. We have to re-train our mind to think this way because outside forces often tell us the exact opposite. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (26m 00s)
"I Give You a Future"
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - January 22, 2023
(Jeremiah 29:11) In our first Community service back in September of last year, the theme of the day was how the Lord gathers His flock, and we considered some of the reasons why we, as a church community, might feel scattered and lost. In our second service in October we talked about re-building that which was lost and what that might look like in our own lives and collectively as a community. This upcoming service will conclude this opening three-part series by considering the future. What are the Lord’s plans for us as individuals and collectively as a church community? What role do we have in laying the foundation for a future that doesn’t repeat the mistakes of the past? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (22m 02s)
Taste and See That the Lord is Good
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - January 08, 2023
"How sweet are Your words to my taste" (Psalm 119:103) Before we swallow food, we go through two lines of defense: we smell it and then taste it to see if it’s good, if it’s worth eating. On a physical level, our nose and tongue rarely let us down but what about our spiritual sense of smell and taste? How do we distinguish between attitudes and habits that are “stinky” versus “sweet?” Can we figure this out on our own or do we need help? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (15m 11s)
Taste and See That the Lord is Good
Worship Service: Sermon only - January 08, 2023
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) Spiritually speaking, taste has to do with perception, with the ability to discern whether something is pleasant (good) or unpleasant (evil). We might think we can cultivate our own spiritual palate, but this gets tricky when our old and new “self” present contradictory ideas of what is “good” and “sweet.” Thankfully, the Lord can help. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (19m 57s)
Keeping Watch
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 24, 2022
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (14m 06s)
Head, Heart and Hands
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 24, 2022
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Field House
See Event (15m 56s)
Seeing Providence: Adulthood
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 13, 2022
Week 3 | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (19m 00s)
Seeing Providence: Adulthood
Worship Service: Sermon only - November 13, 2022
(Week 3) Moses was called to do a very important job. So are we. The way the Lord works through us during the “ups” and “downs” of adulthood (20-60 years of age) can be considered “holy ground.” Through every detail of life, the Lord is leading us toward the promised land. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (37m 48s)
Seeing Providence - Providence Throughout Our Lives
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 30, 2022
Week 1 in the “Seeing Providence” series. Seeing Providence- is it even possible? New Church teachings suggest we can only see it when we look back on our life, and that we don’t typically “see” or “feel” the Lord’s leading in the present moment. So how does Providence work? This introduction to our new Journey Program, sponsored by Bryn Athyn Church, will explore some of the remarkable, uplifting teachings on Providence, which paint a new and refreshing image of our infinite and loving God. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (16m 22s)
Seeing Providence: Providence Throughout Our Lives
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 30, 2022
Week 1: “Seeing Providence” - is it even possible? New Church teachings suggest we can only see it when we look back on our life, and that we don’t typically “see” or “feel” the Lord’s leading in the present moment. So how does Providence work? This introduction to our new Journey Program, sponsored by Bryn Athyn Church, will explore some of the remarkable, uplifting teachings on Providence, which paint a new and refreshing image of our infinite and loving God. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (25m 25s)
Sell What You Have
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 16, 2022
“Sell What You Have” (Mark 10:21) It started off simple: what do I need to do to get to heaven? You need to keep the commandments, the Lord said. I’ve kept them from my youth, was the reply of the young man. Then sell whatever you have and come follow Me. This the man couldn’t do, and went away sorrowful. What do we need to “sell” in order to follow the Lord and why might this be hard? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (15m 26s)
Letting Go
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 16, 2022
We can be doing all the right things - “turning up” for work, family, and friends; putting in a good day’s work; reading the Word; volunteering at church or in the community - but still lack “one thing” (Mark 10:21). This “one thing” is different for everyone, but the “letting go” part is the same - it’s hard, very hard to do, but not impossible. Once we see what’s holding us back we become mentally prepared to “sell,” take up our cross, and follow the Lord. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (27m 06s)
The Tower of Babel
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 02, 2022
The Tower of Babel is a parable about what happens to us when we place our needs and wants above others. We become so busy building our own “tower” of opinions and positions we find it difficult to “hear” what anyone else is saying. Thankfully, the Lord teaches us a new language. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (17m 22s)
Babel
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 02, 2022
“Babel” is an apt descriptor for our public discourse right now - it seems as if we’re all speaking a different language. In the ancient parable of the Tower of Babel, the Lord offers us a way out, a road map that teaches us a new language, the language of mutual love and respect. (Congregational Holy Supper follows) | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (23m 14s)
Gathering
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - September 11, 2022
First "Community Service" in Bryn Athyn, with a children's talk followed by a sermon. No other services held in Bryn Athyn on this day. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (01h 08m 40s)
I Will Run in the Way of Your Commandments
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 28, 2022
(Psalm 119:32). The Scriptures are full of examples of people running: Esau running to meet his brother Jacob, the multitudes running to hear Jesus preach, Peter and John running to the tomb on Easter morning. Running carries with it the idea of urgency, of doing something from set-purpose. As to our spirit, we’re all runners. But what are we running toward or from? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (14m 02s)
To Run and Not Be Weary
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 28, 2022
(Isaiah 40:31) Running is hard to do half-heartedly. Either we do it or we don’t. In other words, we don’t run unless we’re intent on doing something important. This fits with the correspondence of running – "wanting to make something known" (AC 3804). As to our spirit, we "run" to communicate our intent, our desire. The goal is to run "in the way" of the Lord’s commandments, and away from the things that make us weary. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (26m 38s)
Let Your Light Shine
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 14, 2022
Can a person really "shine?" If so, what is it in us that shines and why would the Lord ask us to do this? Who benefits? We will be exploring the difference between "hiding" our light and letting it shine before others, and how the former is actually a disservice to our neighbor while the latter is an expression of love and gratitude, an expression of charity. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (16m 15s)
Shine
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 14, 2022
Moses' face was said to have "shone" when he came down from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets (Ex. 34:29). It was such a startling moment for Aaron and the children of Israel that they were afraid to come near him. We talk about a person's face "shining" or "beaming" (and how pleasant that is) but in the spiritual world this happens quite literally (see TC 209). The Lord wants us to shine, not simply for our own wellbeing and happiness, but for the sake of our neighbor too. We will be exploring why it is that our friends, neighbors and family need to see us shine. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (28m 20s)
Memorial Service for Michael Alan Brown
Memorial Service - July 24, 2022
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (33m 39s)
"Go Forward"
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - July 17, 2022
Even though the command to "go forward" seemed like certain doom, the Israelites did it anyway and the Red Sea was miraculously parted. But as the Israelites crossed the dry seabed, they looked back in horror to discover Pharoah's army driving towards them in chariots, but then the wheels of the chariots fell off! That changed everything. We will consider the spiritual significance of "wheels" and how they symbolize the power to go forward. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (18m 02s)
Got Momentum?
Worship Service: Sermon only - July 17, 2022
When we have momentum in our lives, things go well, when we lose momentum, we get frustrated and lost. In the account of the Red Sea Crossing (Exodus 14) we learn how the Lord "troubled" the Egyptian army causing the wheels of their war chariots to fall off. We will consider how the Lord "fights" for us (v 25) by cutting off our negative momentum and replacing it with true, lasting momentum, the kind that carries us forward to happier, peaceful states. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (31m 54s)