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Silence in Heaven
Worship Service: Sermon only - June 12, 2022
Rev. 8:1. There are lots of reasons why we become silent - when we see or hear something astonishing, or deeply moving, or awkward and embarrassing. We also seek out silence as a way to collect our thoughts, to stop and think. The opening of the seventh seal, followed by silence in heaven, represents how the Lord helps us see things in ourselves we didn't (or couldn't) see before. We'll discover that the silence of heaven is as important to us as the air we breathe. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (28m 56s)
In Search of Beauty
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - May 08, 2022
"In search of beauty" Psalm 27:4. We live in a world of opposites, of stunning beauty and shocking ugliness. Unfortunately, the ugliness of evil has a way of blinding us to the beautiful things around us, but we can reverse this trend by modeling its opposite, by slowly, methodically, incorporating into our lives the inner calm and beauty of the Lord's truth and goodness. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (14m 20s)
To Behold the Beauty of the Lord
Worship Service: Sermon only - May 08, 2022
"To behold the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4). Beauty - what an incredible git. We see it reflected in all of the Lord's creation - in nature, in people, in literature, art, and science. Beauty is of a spiritual origin which is why we are affected by it so deeply. Standing in sharp contrast to the beauty we all desperately seek is the ugliness of war, violence, greed and hatred. What can we do to make our corner of the world a little gentler, kinder and beautiful? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (23m 43s)
You are Witnesses
Worship Service: Informal Family - May 01, 2022
The Lord spoke these words to His disciples shortly before the Ascension. They had certainly witnessed many incredible things. Are we to be “witnesses” too? If so, in what ways and to whom? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (30m 08s)
And They Remembered His Words
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - April 17, 2022
Easter Festival Service | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (11m 23s)
Wilderness Training
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - March 20, 2022
When the Israelites learned they would have to fight their way into Canaan, fear gripped their hearts and they refused to enter it. As a consequence, they ended up "wandering" the wilderness for 40 years and yet this time wasn't pointless or wasted. They learned five important wilderness tasks along the way which filled their lives with purpose and meaning. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (22m 23s)
The Wandering Years
Worship Service: Sermon only - March 20, 2022
We typically think of the activity of "wandering" as being directionless or aimless and yet the Israeliste's 40-year period in the wilderness ended up being filled with purpose and meaning because the Lord was doing the leading. The Lord had a plan. This Biblical narrative helps put in perspective the apparent "randomness" of our own spiritual journey. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (35m 50s)
The Ancient Law of the Pledge
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - February 27, 2022
Topic: Boundaries. (Deut. 24:10-13) Sometimes we use unfair tactics to win over a friend or loved one to our point of view. The ancient law of the pledge shows us a way to “state our case” without taking away the freedom of the other person. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (15m 50s)
The Ancient Law of the Pledge
Worship Service: Sermon only - February 27, 2022
(Deut. 24:10-13) Just as the Lord doesn’t use His almighty force to squeeze a decision out of us, so must we avoid using undue pressure to force an opinion or decision out of those we know or love. The lender in ancient Israel was required to follow certain guidelines, guidelines which, spiritually speaking, lead to perfect peace and harmony. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (25m 22s)
Putting Hand to Plough
Worship Service: Informal Family - February 13, 2022
There are several stories in the Word which warn against “looking back” or “turning back.” What is the significance of this and how is it different from taking a trip down memory lane? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (38m 53s)
Easy or Hard?
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - February 06, 2022
Does the Lord have a difficult time ruling the universe? Is anything difficult for the Lord? We tend to create our own list of what's easy and what's hard but how does our list compare to the Lord's? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (16m 11s)
The Lord Rules the Universe with Ease
Worship Service: Sermon only - February 06, 2022
The Lord doesn't have any trouble ruling the universe and does so "most easily" (SE 2234). As finite human beings, we tend to impose on God that which we consider to be difficult and hard. Can the Lord's definition of "easy" change our view of what's hard? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (22m 36s)
Blessed Are Your Eyes
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - January 23, 2022
The Lord told His disciples they were blessed to be able to see what they were seeing because not everyone who came before had had that opportunity (Matthew 13:16). The Lord offers to open our eyes to new things becuase we don't always see what we need to see. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (13m 38s)
Look with New Eyes
Worship Service: Sermon only - January 23, 2022
We talk about selective hearing, meaning there are times when we hear what we want to hear, instead of hearing what we need to hear. The same can be said for seeing - there are times when we see what we want to see, instead of seeing what we need to see. Thankfully we have an objective source of truth, the Lord's Word, which helps us look at the world around us with "new eyes." | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (21m 55s)
We Can't Be Perfect
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - January 16, 2022
No one is perfect but God. Even the angels in heaven aren't perfect. So why do we strive for prefection if it can't be attained? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (14m 01s)
Living with Imperfection
Worship Service: Sermon only - January 16, 2022
Setting goals, striving to be the best, holding ourselves to the highest of standards; these are all necessary goals, the "fuel" that keeps us going, and yet perfection can't ever be achieved, not in this world or the next. How do we learn to be at peace with this seeming paradox? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (24m 52s)
The Infant Lord
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 24, 2021
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (13m 00s)
"And His Name Shall Be Called..."
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 05, 2021
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (13m 52s)
What's in a Name?
Worship Service: Sermon only - December 05, 2021
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (20m 43s)
Thanksgiving
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 25, 2021
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (14m 51s)
Memorial Service for Beryl H. Moorhead
Memorial Service - November 07, 2021
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (24m 05s)
Listening with Compassion
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 07, 2021
Week 4 of the Journey program "Tell Me More". In the Parable of the Good Samaritan the Lord presents a scenario in which the listener is invited to consider who was neighbor toward the man who fell among theives - the priest, Levite or Samaritan. The first two "passed by" on the other side but the third stopped and "had compassion" (Luke 10:33). Sometimes our compassion toward others is spontaneous, at other times it's not - why is that and what can we do to be more consistent? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (14m 20s)
Listening with Compassion
Worship Service: Sermon only - November 07, 2021
Week 4 of the Journey program "Tell Me More". In the Parable of the Good Samaritan the Lord presents a scenario in which the listener is invited to consider who was neighbor toward the man who fell among theives - the priest, Levite or Samaritan. The first two "passed by" on the other side but the third stopped and "had compassion" (Luke 10:33). Sometimes our compassion toward others is spontaneous, at other times it's not - why is that and what can we do to be more consistent? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (20m 53s)
Listening with Patience
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 24, 2021
In Week 2 of our new Journey series, "Tell Me More," we consider the story of the Lord's visit to the home of tow sisters, Mary and Martha. As Martha rushes around getting things ready for her Guest, she complains that she's having to do all the housework herself while Mary just sits there listening to the Lord (see Luke 10:38-42). We are, of course, tempted to side with Martha - she has a point - but the Lord's response reveals a "missing ingredient" that an easily overlooked. [Note: readings are cut off near the end] | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (15m 15s)
Listening with Awareness
Worship Service: Informal Family - October 17, 2021
Starting our fall Journey sermon series “Tell Me More” with the story of Pharoah’s daughter discovering Moses in the basket along the riverbank. This service will also include commissioning the newly trained Stephen Ministers into the important use of compassionately listening. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (44m 18s)