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The Lord Always Blesses Us
Worship Service: Informal Family - September 01, 2024
When we learn the Lord invites us to do good work which will bring a blessing, like the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), we learn gratitude is a gift from the Lord. "In a spiritual religion the main focus is charity, in which the Lord is present, by means of which he binds himself to humanity, and through which he alone accomplishes everything good." (SH 1069) | By Rev. J. Clark Jr. Echols | Bryn Athyn Cathedral UndercroftEncouragement
Worship Service: Informal Family - August 25, 2024
One of the values of gathering for worship is to invite the Lord’s encouragement in a group setting. In spiritual community, we can be encouraged by the Lord and encourage each other. During this coming week, in preparation for the service, practice being an encourager. Notice any successes and challenges. | By Rev. Nathan D. Gladish | Bryn Athyn Cathedral UndercroftTrue Humility
Worship Service: Informal Family - February 04, 2024
Jesus told a parable about two people who were praying (Luke 18). One gave thanks that he was better than other people; the other would not even raise his eyes to heaven, but simply asked for mercy. How can we recognize our immense need for mercy and forgiveness without giving in to despair? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn | Bryn Athyn Cathedral UndercroftThe Lord's Presence in Times of Transition
Worship Service: Informal Family - January 07, 2024
The story of Jacob’s dream seemed like a good story to focus on for our first Informal Family Service in the Cathedral Undercroft. At that point in the story, Jacob is in a time of transition, in an unfamiliar place, and yet — even there — the Lord was in that place. Can we learn to become aware of the Lord’s presence, even in times of transition and uncertainty? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn Cathedral UndercroftHope in the Lord's Word
Worship Service: Informal Family - November 05, 2023
How does hope help us get through hard times? How can we get more hope in our lives? This Sunday we will look at different types of hope that show up in Biblical stories and how we can use those to help us get through when life feels difficult. | By Rev. Jeffrey Smith | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallHope
Worship Service: Sermon only - October 29, 2023
Even in the darkest of times, there is light. And where there is light, there is hope. | By Rev. J. Bheki Dube | Westville, RSAThe Ten Blessings
Worship Service: Informal Family - October 22, 2023
The first things the Lord spoke about were the blessings He wants to give you—the ten blessings. Come this Sunday and see how these blessings are a daily part of your life. | By Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Kline | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallMy thoughts are not your thoughts
Worship Service: Informal Family - July 16, 2023
When we look at our lives, sometimes we see obstacles, failures, causes for anxiety and distress. But what does the Lord see? How can keeping that Divine perspective in mind help us through difficult times? | By Rev. Dr Thane P. Glenn | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallIn the Lord’s Hands
Worship Service: Informal Family - May 14, 2023
Jeremiah was invited by the Lord to go watch a potter at work. The vessel the potter was making got damaged so the potter started over again and made it into another vessel. Jeremiah’s experience ends with the Lord telling him, “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand” (Jeremiah 18:6). We will be using this powerful visual image to explore what it means to be in the Lord’s hands. | By Rev. Derek P. Elphick | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallCast the Net on the Right Side
Worship Service: Informal Family - May 07, 2023
After the Lord’s resurrection, His disciples went fishing. All night they caught nothing; but in the morning, when Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat, they did so – and they caught a huge number of fish (John 21). What does this story teach us about changing how we approach things that aren’t working in our lives? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallBe still, and know that I am God
Worship Service: Informal Family - April 23, 2023
This beloved and powerful verse from the Lord’s Word becomes all the more powerful when we read it in the context of the tumultuous psalm (Psalm 46) in which we find it. This Sunday we’ll reflect on the symbolism of breaking and unstringing bows and on how the Lord can bring us peace, even in the midst of stressful circumstances. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallRediscover What’s Important - The Parable of the Lost Coin
Worship Service: Informal Family - October 02, 2022
Think of something you've committed to - a job, a new habit, a friendship, a marriage or any project. We have so many high hopes, plans and ideals. But then things get messy, and it can be so easy to lose track of what's most important. In the parable of the Lost Coin from Luke 15, the Lord outlines a method of how to rediscover those treasures. | By Rev. Pearse M. Frazier | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallFinding Meaning
Worship Service: Informal Family - July 31, 2022
Finding a purpose in life is one thing: Get yourself a goal and pursue that goal. But finding meaning and feeling like what we do matters is a whole different matter. The rich man in Matthew wanted eternal life but felt he was lacking something. Join us this Sunday as we explore what the rich man was lacking, and how we can “find” meaning in EVERYTHING we do. | By Rev. Jeffrey Smith | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallTrusting in God
Worship Service: Informal Family - July 10, 2022
David had been anointed as the next king, but Saul was trying to kill him, and so David had to leave his wife Michal, and his best friend Jonathan, to run away and hide (1 Samuel 20). During this time David wrote many psalms about trusting in God. How can this story about David help us to trust in God as well when things aren’t going the way we want them to? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallYou 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 HallPrayer: Leaving the Lord to Decide
Worship Service: Informal Family - April 03, 2022
In the stories leading up to Easter, prayers feature often. In every case, even with the Lord Himself, they’re about getting centered and remaining open to the Lord’s leading. | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Jr. | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallGoing the Extra Mile
Worship Service: Informal Family - May 23, 2021
In Matthew 5:38-42, we hear a call to put energy into the things that matter most. We will explore together the value of working out differences, pursuing spiritual goals, and self-improvement. | By Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss, Jr. | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallChurch as Family: How We Care for Each Other
Worship Service: Informal Family - May 09, 2021
The Lord loves everyone, but shows us His love through other people (True Christianity 457). "The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8) | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallHope in the Face of Fear
Worship Service: Sermon only - May 02, 2021
There's a lot to be afraid of in the world around us, and there's a lot to be afraid of in our own inner world. How do we move forward in the face of what feels like very reasonable fear? How can we find hope at such times? | By Rev. Erik J. Buss | Bryn Athyn CathedralDefense in the Spiritual World
Worship Service: Informal Family - March 21, 2021
Evil defends itself differently from good. Learning to recognize those differences can help us when we are dealing with conflict in our lives. Choosing heavenly defense mechanisms will always promote health and life in us and in others. | By Rt. Rev. David H. Lindrooth | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallAccepting Kindness and Wise Kindness
Worship Service: Informal Family - March 07, 2021
For the final week of our “Practicing Kindness” series, we will look at the familiar story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In this story, we see all the many kinds of kindness we’ve talked about in this series, represented in the acts of the good Samaritan. And we will also explore what it means to accept kindness from others, as the wounded man did in this story. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallChallenging Kindness
Worship Service: Informal Family - February 28, 2021
For week four of the “Practicing Kindness” series, we’ll talk about times when showing kindness can feel like a challenge. Ham pointed out Noah’s faults, but Shem and Japheth paid little attention to his faults and graciously helped their father. | By Rev. Kurt Hyland Asplundh | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallPracticing Kindness: Abundant Love
Worship Service: Informal Family - February 14, 2021
“Practicing Kindness: Abundant Love” is the subject for the second week in our series on kindness. Genuine kindness is given freely and abundantly, going beyond the minimum that is required of us. This originates in the Lord wanting to give infinitely His love and wisdom as much as we can accept. Our story is about Rebekah Drawing Water (Genesis 24). | By Rev. John L. Odhner | Bryn Athyn Heilman HallRahab's Kindness
Worship Service: Family (may include music) - February 07, 2021
For week one of our five-week series on kindness, we will look at the story of Rahab showing kindness to the Israelite spies, in Joshua chapter two. How does this story help us remember to be considerate of other people? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal | Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall