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And Forget Not All His Benefits
Worship Service: Informal Family - November 10, 2024
When we’re under stress, or annoyed about something, or feel threatened, the clear rational thoughts that are usually within our reach go right out the proverbial window! What can we do to help each other recall the calm, rational, healing truths of the Lord’s Word? What can we do to help each other “forget not all His benefits?” | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral Undercroft
See Event (29m 32s)
The Minority Report
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - October 13, 2024
“The Minority Report” Of the twelve men sent to spy the land of Canaan to determine the strength of its people, fortifications and resources, only two, Caleb and Joshua, came back with the news that they could conquer the land if they trusted the Lord. Caleb and Joshua’s report contained the truth, the blueprint for a happy life, and yet the people sided with the majority, the ten, who gave a “bad report” (Numbers 13:32) by invoking fear instead of trust. How do we learn to trust the “minority report” and why do we need to listen to the “Calebs” and “Joshuas” of the world? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (18m 48s)
The Minority Report
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 13, 2024
“The Minority Report” The hells want us to think we’re in the minority, that we’re alone in doing the right thing. It can certainly feel that way at times. Think of Caleb and Joshua, two of the twelve spies, who found themselves in the minority when they gave their report that the children of Israel could conquer the land of Canaan if they trusted the Lord and didn’t let fear consume them (Numbers 13-14). But we don’t see as the Lord sees. We’re not alone. All great things start with a few, with a minority. This Charter Day weekend marks the celebration of the Academy Charter. All it took was a few brave souls to cast a vision. What can we do to be like “Caleb” and “Joshua” and further the cause of the New Church? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (28m 07s)
Bless this Community
Worship Service: Children & Adult - September 15, 2024
It’s been a humbling and gratifying experience for myself and the staff to brainstorm, plan and launch these Community Worship Services in the months we don’t have a festival service. However, in planning the topics for each service, I realized I’ve never spoken directly about the “community” part of these services. We are, of course, taught that heaven is made up of countless communities. Why is that? What is the purpose of these communities in heaven? Is Bryn Athyn built on this model? We’ll be looking at the story of Balaam being ordered by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites who instead blesses them. Do we ever “curse” that which “God has not cursed?” or denounce that which “the Lord has not denounced?” (Numbers 23:8). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (29m 36s)
6-1 Ratio
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - September 01, 2024
The third commandment in the Decalogue encourages us to remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy, and, in preparation for that day of rest, to labor six days. But why not labor for five days and rest for two or, even better, labor for three days and rest for four? Isn’t this 6-1 ratio of work to rest a little over the top? People sometimes think of heaven (that is, happiness) as being “rest” or “leisure,” a reward, a free pass, from ever having to “work” again, but would this make us happy? Would this be heaven? It turns out the Lord knows what He’s talking about – His prescribed ratio of 6-1 is perfect. Come find out why those in heaven “are caught up in a love of their work” (HH 393) and why “a life with no activity has no happiness” (HH 403). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (15m 23s)
6-1 Ratio
Worship Service: Sermon only - September 01, 2024
The third commandment in the Decalogue encourages us to remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy, and, in preparation for that day of rest, to labor six days. But why not labor for five days and rest for two or, even better, labor for three days and rest for four? Isn’t this 6-1 ratio of work to rest a little over the top? People sometimes think of heaven (that is, happiness) as being “rest” or “leisure,” a reward, a free pass, from ever having to “work” again, but would this make us happy? Would this be heaven? It turns out the Lord knows what He’s talking about – His prescribed ratio of 6-1 is perfect. Come find out why those in heaven “are caught up in a love of their work” (HH 393) and why “a life with no activity has no happiness” (HH 403). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (26m 03s)
Don't Look Back
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - August 18, 2024
A number of stories in the Word warn us not to “look back” or “turn back” once we’ve made the decision to go forward. This speaks to the fact that there are certain times in our lives when we need to “move on” and put “hand to plough” (Luke 9:62). But what about those times in our lives when we “look back” with nostalgia, with fondness, on what has come before? Is this not appropriate? What’s the difference between these two kinds of “looking back,” and how do they help us move forward? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (14m 57s)
Don't Look Back
Worship Service: Sermon only - August 18, 2024
A number of stories in the Word warn us not to “look back” or “turn back” once we’ve made the decision to go forward. This speaks to the fact that there are certain times in our lives when we need to “move on” and put “hand to plough” (Luke 9:62). But what about those times in our lives when we “look back” with nostalgia, with fondness, on what has come before? Is this not appropriate? What’s the difference between these two kinds of “looking back,” and how do they help us move forward? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (25m 51s)
Bitter Realizations, Sweet Resolutions
Worship Service: Informal Family - July 21, 2024
Our lives can build up quite quickly with “shoulds” – “I should be more patient with ______.” “I should apologize for ______.” “I should reach out to _____.” These “shoulds” stack up whenever we give our old self, our ego, free reign. We have our reasons – we’ve had a long day, we tried before, we’re super busy, etc. – but what we often don’t realize is that the truth we know we should act on will remain bitter and unpleasant until we follow the Lord’s advice and, like Moses, throw “wood” into the situation. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral Undercroft
See Event (37m 38s)
As It Is in Heaven
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - June 30, 2024
This Community Worship service is the culminating event for the 2024 General Church Assembly. We will be focusing on the phrase in the Lord’s prayer: “… as in heaven, so upon the earth…” and what this sacred promise means to us as a worldwide church organization as we say our goodbyes and go back out into the world. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (27m 45s)
“I Saw Heaven Opened...”
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - June 16, 2024
“I Saw Heaven Opened...” (Rev. 19:11). The strange and mysterious symbols in the book of Revelation depict the birth, struggle and growth of the New Church on earth. The joyful refrain, “I saw heaven opened,” ushers in the wonderful news that the Word, the Sacred Scriptures, can now be seen in heaven’s light in a way like never before. This is cause for celebration. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (17m 55s)
The Power of Symbols
Worship Service: Sermon only - June 16, 2024
Symbols, like pictures, speak a thousand words. This is especially true for symbols in the Word – they hold great power and personal significance to us because they embody spiritual values and attitudes we wish to adopt and emulate. The symbols of the Word, especially in the book of Revelation, remind us of what’s truly important in life which is why we rejoice at the refrain, “I saw heaven opened…” (Revelation 9:11). | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (25m 21s)
Plain Talk
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - June 02, 2024
For thousands of years knowledge about the Lord, the afterlife, angels and devils, faith and charity has been clouded with a certain degree of mystery and confusion. One of the promises of the New Church faith is that what was once a mystery can now be understood plainly. The Lord says, “I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language… I will tell you plainly…” (John 16:25). Plain talk seems like something we’d welcome anytime but is that always the case? | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (16m 48s)
Seeking Clarity
Worship Service: Sermon only - June 02, 2024
We all crave clarity – no one goes in search of confusion. We’ve been wired to seek knowledge, truth, so that we may understand and understand ever more clearly. The Lord’s revelations (Old, New Testament, Writings) are a time-lapsed, sequential, unfolding of truth, moving from “figurative” language to “plain” language. This process has taken thousands of years to unfold but why so long? The Lord wishes to tell us “plainly” about Himself (John 16:25) and guide us “into all truth” (John 16:13). Is this something we can handle? Clarity can be freeing and threatening. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Cathedral
See Event (26m 22s)
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)