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Learning in the Christmas Story
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 17, 2023
In the gospel of Matthew, the Lord teaches us about the importance of learning and using our minds as we work toward becoming angels in heaven, and He does this through characters like Joseph and the wisemen. | By Rev. Jeffrey Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Wisdom of Matthew’s Nativity
Worship Service: Sermon only - December 17, 2023
"The Wisdom of Matthew’s Nativity" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith For anything we do, it is important to have an idea of how to do it before we just jump right in. This importance of knowledge is the reason the Christmas story in Matthew features certain people like Joseph, the wisemen, and even Herod. Join us this Sunday as we look at some of the details of the Matthew nativity, and how they can help us actually live a more fulfilling life. | By Rev. Jeffrey Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralMemorial Service for Cade Glenn Gurney
Memorial Service - December 17, 2023
| By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Jr. | Bryn Athyn CathedralJoseph, Being Just
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - December 10, 2023
1st Lesson: Psalm 80:1-3 2nd Lesson: Matthew 1:18-25 3rd Lesson: Arcana Coelestia 3969.3, 9263.2 Talk: “Joseph, Being Just” | By Rev. Brett D. Buick | Kempton, PAGlorifying and Praising God
Worship Service: Informal Family - December 10, 2023
When the shepherds had seen the new-born Jesus they did not keep it to themselves. The went back to their flocks “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). When we glorify and praise the Lord, not just with our words but our actions as well, we invite His continuing presence into our lives going forward. | By Rev. Joel C Glenn | Westville, RSAPrepare the Way of the Lord
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - December 03, 2023
1st Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-5 Talk: “Making Room for the Lord” 2nd Lesson: Luke 3:2-18 3rd Lesson: Apocalypse Explained 405:36 Sermon: “Prepare the Way of the Lord” | By Rev. Calvin Heinrichs | Kempton, PAThe 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 CathedralThe 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 CathedralWe Have Come to Worship
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - December 03, 2023
Worship is not something we think of as difficult. Yet there is a lot more to worship than meets the eye. The deeper meaning of worship shows up in the story of the wise men. These men did not simply worship the Lord from where they were. They got up and traveled to find the Lord and give him unique gifts. Likewise, if we want to truly worship the Lord, we have to seek Him out, and offer Him gifts of love, faith, usefulness. | By Rev. Joel C Glenn | Westville, RSAProphecy and the Lord's Birth
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 26, 2023
Christmas commences with prophecy, as the Old Testament foretells the birth of the Lord. This Sunday, we delve into Isaiah's prophecies, considering his message to the people and the possible significance for his original audience. We also reflect on what these prophecies might have meant to those living just before the Lord's birth—the first Christmas. Exploring their thoughts and emotions allows us to draw parallels with our own experiences. Come and see! | By Rev. Pearse M. Frazier | Bryn Athyn CathedralGlory! Truly Seeing the Lord
Worship Service: Sermon only - November 26, 2023
The Lord's birth marks the beginning of a process often called "glorification." Essentially, it unveils the genuine identity of the Lord – Human. This revelation echoes through prophetic voices, as seen in Isaiah 9: "For to us, a child is born... And he will be called... Mighty God...." The process of understanding God's true nature unfolds through foreshadowing prophecy, followed by the profound experience of witnessing His infancy. Come and see! | By Rev. Pearse M. Frazier | Bryn Athyn CathedralGod Made Flesh
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 26, 2023
At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Lord into our world, as a Divine Human with whom we can have a real, direct relationship. In the Holy Supper, we also celebrate the closeness of the Lord, not just nearby but within us. Both events, the incarnation of the Lord 2000 years ago and partaking of Holy Supper in the present day, speak to the Lord’s tangible presence in our lives. | By Rev. Joel C Glenn | Westville, RSAA Son of Twenty Years and Upwards
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 26, 2023
1st Lesson: Numbers 1 (portions) 2nd Lesson: Arcana Coelestia 10225 (portions) Talk: “A Son of Twenty Years and Upwards” | By Rev. Brett D. Buick | Kempton, PAThanksgiving Day Service
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 23, 2023
| By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Field HouseMemorial Service for Leone A. Graham
Memorial Service - November 20, 2023
| By Rev. Charles E. Blair | Bryn Athyn CathedralKnow Your Spiritual Enemies: The Amorites
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - November 19, 2023
This year we’ve been working our way through a series of sermons on ancient enemies in the stories of the Word and their spiritual significance in our lives today. The Amorites will be our focus this Sunday. This enemy shows up in a number of different stories but particularly in the stories of the conquest of the land. We will be exploring the spiritual implications of the idea that our spiritual lives (represented by the Children of Israel) must find their home in areas previously governed by selfishness and worldliness (represented by the Amorites). | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralKnow Your Spiritual Enemies: The Amorites
Worship Service: Sermon only - November 19, 2023
This year we’ve been working our way through a series of sermons on ancient enemies in the stories of the Word and their spiritual significance in our lives today. The Amorites will be our focus this Sunday. This enemy shows up in a number of different stories but particularly in the stories of the conquest of the land. We will be exploring the spiritual implications of the idea that our spiritual lives (represented by the Children of Israel) must find their home in areas previously governed by selfishness and worldliness (represented by the Amorites). | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn CathedralThe Lord Won't Let You Down
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 19, 2023
The life of David is one of courage and trust in the Lord. Yet even David, as king, fell away from the right path. It turns out that heroes can never quite live up to our hopes and expectations. The same is true of life: we build up hopes and expectations, but then feel let down when they don’t turn out. The Lord, however is different: He will never let us down; His promises always come to pass, and they turn out to exceed our hopes and expectations. | By Rev. Joel C Glenn | Westville, RSAThank you!
Worship Service: Informal Family - November 19, 2023
“Thank you!” is found many times in the Word. Its origin is having a thought, recognizing a favor, experiencing grace, pleasure or satisfaction. It is a verb which has an urgency to it, and is directed towards another. Our worship will be an opportunity to infill our thanks with a new spirit of gratitude with a mindful attention to what happens spiritually in and through us when we say “Thanks!.” | By Rev. J. Clark Jr. Echols | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallInstruments of Praise
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 19, 2023
1st Lesson: Psalm 92:1-4 Talk: “"It is Good to Give Thanks to the LORD"” 2nd Lesson: Psalm 92:5-15 3rd Lesson: D. Sacred Scripture 104, 108 Sermon: “Instruments of Praise” | By Rev. Lawson M. Smith | Kempton, PASaving 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 CathedralSaving 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 CathedralChoosing Sides
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - November 12, 2023
Life seems to be full of complicated choices, and the world we live in can often seem so confusing. Yet, the Lord in His Word is continually urging us to make the right choice to follow Him. Why does this many times become so hard for us to do? Clearly this choice is wise, but why isn’t making this choice easy? | By Rt. Rev. Bradley D. Heinrichs | Westville, RSAReconciliation and Peace
Worship Service: Informal Family - November 12, 2023
Jacob and Esau had been struggling with each other all their lives, but finally they were able to accept each other and make peace (Genesis 33). The Lord shows us how to find peace in our hearts and our homes even when there is conflict around us. | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall