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The Last Supper
Worship Service: Informal Family - November 05, 2017
During the Lord’s last week on earth He taught and modeled some very important things about love and forgiveness. This week is a Holy Supper service, and also a Baptism service for Sarah LaCroix, who is recently engaged to Schuyler Williams. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (34m 53s)
Practicing Forgiveness - Transformation
Worship Service: Informal Family - October 29, 2017
In the story of the paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus through the roof, the Lord said, “Your sins are forgiven you…. Arise, take up your bed and walk” (Mark 2). In what ways does being unforgiving or unforgiven paralyze us? In what ways does forgiveness transform us, and allow us to take new steps on our spiritual journey? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (46m 48s)
Being Forgiven
Worship Service: Informal Family - October 15, 2017
In the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), this son had done some wrong things. But he turned his life around and returned to his father who lovingly forgave him. His brother didn’t want to forgive him. Each of the characters represent parts of us on the journey of forgiveness; the journey of being lost and then found; the journey home. In order to complete this journey, forgiveness and repentance need to go hand in hand. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (44m 36s)
Why Forgive?
Worship Service: Informal Family - October 01, 2017
This Sunday we launch the “Practicing Forgiveness” Journey series with the story of a woman who washed and anointed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36-50). In this story the Lord taught one of the Pharisees something important about forgiveness. Why is forgiveness such an important part of spiritual life? What is the connection between forgiveness, faith, and love? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (47m 53s)
Five Loaves and Two Fishes
Worship Service: Informal Family - September 17, 2017
In the Gospels, the Lord fed 5000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fishes. How does this symbolize the way the Lord feeds us? And what does it have to do with New Church Education? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (59m 45s)
Saved By The Whale
Worship Service: Informal Family - September 10, 2017
Jonah the prophet was told by the Lord to go to Nineveh, to preach against their wickedness. But instead he went the opposite direction, and was eventually cast into the sea and swallowed by a great fish, which was prepared by the Lord for him. What is the “whale” or the “great fish” that the Lord prepares for us? How can something as scary as that represent the Lord's love for us? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (57m 16s)
An Ally on the Inside
Worship Service: Informal Family - August 27, 2017
In Joshua chapter two, Joshua sent spies into the city of Jericho to determine how hard it would be to take the city. While they were there the spies found an unexpected ally in a woman named Rahab. What does “Rahab" represent in our spiritual battles? Non-copyrighted music included. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (52m 20s)
Looking for the Good in People
Worship Service: Informal Family - August 20, 2017
We as a human race are often stuck in the evil of hatred and violence. In Genesis chapter 18, Abraham pleads with the Lord, and asks Him if He would still destroy Sodom even if there were just a few good people there. The Lord says He would spare the city if there were just a few good people there. This story describes how desperately the Lord wants the whole human race to be rescued from “Sodom” (representing the evil of hatred and violence) and to get to heaven. The Lord sets an example for how we too can look for even the smallest amount of goodness in other people. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (55m 23s)
"Service service"
Worship Service: Informal Family - August 13, 2017
We’re doing something quite different in our service this morning. Solomon had the idea of having what he calls a “service service” this week. New Church theology tells us that worship comes in many forms. Apocalypse Explained 325 says “Worship does not consist just of prayers and external devotion, but in a life of charity.” So this week, our worship service will be doing useful things to contribute to this service and congregation. Matthew 12:1-12 Secrets of Heaven 7884 Secrets of Heaven 7038 | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (00m 00s)
The Writing is on the Wall
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - August 13, 2017
"In the same hour the fingers of a person's hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the King's palace." (Daniel 5:5) Closing prayer by Rev JL Odhner. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (29m 04s)
The Middling Goodness of Laban
Worship Service: Informal Family - July 23, 2017
In the middle of the story of Jacob, he spends a significant amount of time in Haran with his uncle Laban. Was it a good thing or a bad thing that Jacob lived with Laban for so long? “Laban” symbolizes “mediate good” or “middling goodness” in the middle of our own spiritual journeys. He represents our mixed motivations; the times when we do good things for selfish reasons. Is that a good thing or a bad thing for us? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (57m 05s)
The Call of Samuel - Hearing God's Voice
Worship Service: Informal Family - July 16, 2017
In 1st Samuel chapter 3 the Lord called to Samuel, but neither Samuel nor Eli knew that it was the Lord calling at first. The Lord kept calling, and the 3rd time Eli understood, and the 4th time Samuel answered. What does this represent in our lives? How do we hear the Lord's voice in our hearts and minds? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (59m 55s)
Honoring Our Fathers
Worship Service: Informal Family - June 18, 2017
We will look at the story of Jethro who was the father-in-law and father-figure for Moses (Exodus 18). The Writings say that “fathers” represent goodness, which is at the heart of true masculinity. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (57m 39s)
12 Pearly Gates to the City
Worship Service: Informal Family - June 04, 2017
On the Holy City New Jerusalem there are twelve gates facing four different directions (Revelation 21:12-13). Twelve different ways into the City. What does this mean about entering heaven, or entering the New Church? What does this mean about our own spiritual lives? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (56m 37s)
The Writing is on the Wall
Worship Service: Informal Family - May 28, 2017
In Daniel chapter 5 there is a story about a mysterious hand which writes a message on king Belshazzar’s wall: "Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin." Daniel interprets the message for the king. What are the times when we see the “writing on the wall” in our own lives? What does it mean? And what should we do? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (47m 11s)
Honoring Our Mothers
Worship Service: Informal Family - May 14, 2017
New Church theology tells us that there are many different “mothers” we can honor in our lives, including: actual mothers, mother figures, the Church, and the Lord as to Divine Wisdom (see Doctrine of Sacred Scripture 67). We’ll look at the story of Moses’ Mom, and Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2). This service will feature women lay readers. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (46m 11s)
Holy Bread or Common Bread?
Worship Service: Informal Family - April 30, 2017
In 1st Samuel chapter 21, David and his men were running from Saul and they needed food. The only food available was the holy showbread, which was not for general consumption, but the priest gave it to them to eat. What does this represent in our lives? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (01h 00m 17s)
Easter - Choose Life!
Worship Service: Informal Family - April 16, 2017
The story of the Lord rising from the tomb on Easter morning gives us a wonderful picture of the reality of life after death. But this reality is not always easy to believe in. What are the various “deaths” that we experience in our lives, and how can the Easter story give us faith and hope that there will be “life” after them? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (36m 39s)
Palm Sunday - Clothes on the Road
Worship Service: Informal Family - April 09, 2017
Why did people put their clothes on the road to prepare for the Lord’s triumphal entry? In what way should we be putting our “clothes on the road” to make way for the Lord in our life? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (35m 23s)
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)
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)
Courage
Worship Service: Informal Family - February 19, 2017
What is “courage”? This week we will talk about the fear that often comes up when we face resistance. Where do we find the courage to face our fears? We will look at the story of Deborah and Barak in Judges 4 and 5. In honor of Black History Month, I will also talk a little about Harriet Tubman's courage, and her similarities with Deborah the Judge. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (38m 51s)
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)
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)
Bethlehem
Worship Service: Informal Family - December 18, 2016
“Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:15). What is significant about the Lord being born in Bethlehem? What does “Bethlehem” represent in our lives today? How can we go there to find the Lord? We will look at the story of the wise men bringing gifts to the Lord in Bethlehem. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
See Event (20m 52s)