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Weakness and Strength Part 3: After the Battle
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 23 Aug, 2015
The Gideon story unfortunately doesn’t end with the glorious victory over the Midianites. There’s some confusing, brutal conflict with other Israelites; there’s an execution of two Midianite kings; and then there’s an idol that Gideon makes that people start worshipping. It’s not the kind of story that we like to read and yet, if we want to gain an accurate picture of what is involved in living a spiritual life, it’s important to also look at the uncomfortable reality of what can happen after the times of strength and victory. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
Weakness and Strength Part 2 “ The Rout of Midian
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 16 Aug, 2015
In part 2 of our series on Gideon we get to explore the story of his victory over the Midianites - a battle in which his men were outnumbered 450 to 1. What can we learn from how the Lord orchestrated this miraculous victory about how He can orchestrate a similar victory in our inner landscape over the enemies that seem to vastly outnumber us? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
Gideon Part 1 - Weakness and Strength – You Mighty Man of Valour
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 9 Aug, 2015
This week we begin a three-week series on the story of Gideon, one of the Judges of Israel. This week, we hear about his startling call: an angel appeared to him, called him a mighty man of valour, and told him he would rescue Israel from their enemies. The problem? Gideon was the youngest son in an unimportant family, and didn't feel much like a mighty man at all. And yet - God chose him to conquer the enemy. In our own lives: how does God transform our weakness into power? How can we see ourselves as mighty men and women of valour when we know from experience just how weak we are? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
Those Who Are With Us
Worship Service: Sermon only - 2 Aug, 2015
The prophet Elisha and his servant were surrounded by a huge enemy army. It seemed hopeless - until Elisha prayed to the Lord and the servant's eyes were opened to see the angelic army that vastly outnumbered the enemy. When we feel alone, how can our eyes be opened to the reality that "those who are with us are more than those who are against us"? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
Conjunction with the Lord in the New Church
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 26 Jul, 2015
This Sunday we will be reading a sermon by Rev Lawson Smith about conjunction with the Lord through the Holy Supper. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 19 Jul, 2015
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus describes the eternal consequences for a rich man who refused to have compassion for the poor man on his doorstep. What is this parable saying to us? What are our responsibilities to the poor – both the physically poor and the spiritually poor? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
The Parable of the Talents
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 12 Jul, 2015
Our sermon this Sunday focuses on the parable of the talents. In English, a "talent" means a skill or ability, but in Biblical times it was a very valuable coin. The parable describes two "good and faithful" servants who use their master's coins well and make more for him, and a bad servant who buries the talent entrusted to him. Those "talents" symbolise more than just our natural skills and abilities - they represent a kind of spiritual treasure that we are called to use wisely. So, what does it mean to use our "talents" as good and faithful servants? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
The Prodigal Son
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 5 Jul, 2015
The parable of the Prodigal Son tells the story of a young man leaving his father's house, wasting all that he had, returning to his father, and finding forgiveness. How are we like that prodigal son, and what does it mean for us to find our way back to our Father's house again and again? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
A New Heaven and a New Earth
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 21 Jun, 2015
At the end of the book of Revelation, John records seeing "a new heaven and a new earth," and the Holy City descending out of heaven. As we've talked about for the last few weeks, in the New Church we believe this prophecy has been fulfilled and is continuing to be fulfilled. But where is that new heaven? Where is that new earth? And what does it mean to live within the walls of the Holy City? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
The Lord's Coming Part 3 - A New Heaven and a New Earth
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 21 Jun, 2015
At the end of the book of Revelation, John records seeing "a new heaven and a new earth," and the Holy City descending out of heaven. As we've talked about for the last few weeks, in the New Church we believe this prophecy has been fulfilled and is continuing to be fulfilled. But where is that new heaven? Where is that new earth? And what does it mean to live within the walls of the Holy City? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
The Lord's Coming, Part 2: The Last Judgement
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 14 Jun, 2015
Some of the prophecies of the Lord’s coming are beautiful and hopeful but others sound rather cataclysmic and disturbing. This Sunday we’re continuing our series on the coming of the Lord by talking about the Lord coming to perform a Last Judgement. The New Church teaches that the Last Judgement has already taken place. Wondering how you missed it? Listen to it on-line. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
The Lord's Coming Part 1
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 7 Jun, 2015
What is the Second Coming of the Lord? When the Lord was in the world, He promised that He would come again. In the New Church, we believe that this Second Coming has already happened, is happening now, and will continue to happen in the future. What does that mean? Over the next few weeks, we'll be talking about three aspects of the Lord's coming: His Second Coming, the Last Judgement, and the New Church. This week, we're talking about the coming of the Lord itself. What is the Second Coming of the Lord? And what difference does it make to my life here and now? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
Judging and Being Judged
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 31 May, 2015
We make judgements about other people based on how they look, what they eat, how they raise their children, how they spend their time and money, and the list goes on. What should we do with these thoughts? Are they bad? People often quote Jesus saying, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). But He also said, “Do not judge according to the appearance, but judge with just judgement” (John 7:24). Join us this Sunday as we explore with this important aspect of human relationships. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
One Sinner That Repents
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 24 May, 2015
The topic for this Sunday is the Lord's mercy. Is the Lord always merciful? Does that mean that it doesn't matter how we live our lives? | By Rt. Rev. Peter Martin Buss, Sr. , Westville, RSA
Life After Death
Worship Service: Sermon only - 17 May, 2015
On Sunday we conclude our two-part series on dying, death, and grief. This Sunday we will focus on life after death. What happens to a person's spirit when their body has died? Are they in some sense still with us? And how do those of us who are left behind continue to live with hope and joy after the death of a loved one? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
Life Before Death
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 10 May, 2015
On Sunday we begin a two-part series on dying, death, and grief. This Sunday we will focus on life before death. What is the value and purpose of natural life? Why do some people die earlier than others? What comfort and perspective does the Lord offer in His Word to those who are approaching death or grieving the death of a loved one? Also, Being Mother's Day the children's talk focuses on the value of parents and mother's in particular. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
Be the Church 3 - Repenting of Evil and Serving Others
Worship Service: Sermon only - 3 May, 2015
We’ve been talking for the past two weeks about different essential aspects of being part of a church. This Sunday we’re talking about how those different aspects all come together and what the ultimate factor is that determines whether you’re part of the spiritual community that’s following the Lord or not. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
Be the Church Part 2: “ Learning from the Word and Sharing Truth"
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 26 Apr, 2015
What does it mean to be part of a church? We're in the second week of our three part series called "Be the Church." Last week we talked about the heart side of being the church: loving God, loving one another. This week we're talking about the head side of things: learning from the Word of God and sharing the truth with others. How do we learn meaningful things from the Lord's Word? And how do we share the truth we know with others without being "preachy" or patronising? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
Be the Church Part 1: "Worshipping the Lord & Caring in Community"
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 19 Apr, 2015
What is the purpose of church? What does it mean to be part of a church? Are churches still relevant in the 21st century? These are some of the questions that we're going to be digging into this Sunday and in the two weeks that follow. The church can be so much more than just a building you walk into; it can be something that changes your life. | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
The Road to Emmaus
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 12 Apr, 2015
Have you been disappointed in how little your religion has changed your life? Does it not seem to have the power you wanted it to have, to bring change and happiness into your relationships? One part of the Easter story addresses this. | By Rt. Rev. Peter Martin Buss, Sr. , Westville, RSA
What Would Love Do Wk 7 – Love Rejoices
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 22 Mar, 2015
This Sunday we end our 7 week program with the same question that we asked at the beginning and throughout the program: what would love do? What is the loving thing to do for all the people we interact with in our lives with all their different needs and situations? And, as we try to push ourselves to become more loving, how do we not become worn out and jaded in the process? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
What Would Love Do Wk 6 – Love Is Present
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 15 Mar, 2015
This Sunday we continue the What Would Love Do? program, talking about the different ways that we are called upon by the Lord to love and serve other people. This week we will particularly focus on what it means to go to those in prison. How can we serve those who are trapped by false ways of thinking? What does it mean to be present with them? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA
What Would Love do -Wk 5: Love Visits
Worship Service: Sermon only - 8 Mar, 2015
Continuing our series on the different ways we are called to love and serve other people (What Would Love Do?), this week we're focusing on how to help the sick. Being sick is awful and it can be hard to be around people who are sick or know how to help them. What does the Lord teach us about how to serve this obvious but difficult need? | By Rev. Malcolm G. Smith , Westville, RSA
What Would Love Do, Week 4 – Love Serves
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 1 Mar, 2015
This Sunday we continue the What Would Love Do? program, talking about the different ways that we are called upon by the Lord to love and serve other people. This week we will particularly focus on how to clothe the naked - both giving clothes to those who are physically in need, and offering comfort to those who are spiritually naked. | By Rev. Erik J. Buss , Westville, RSA
What Would Love Do, Week 3 – Love Welcomes
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 22 Feb, 2015
This Sunday we continue the What Would Love Do? programme, talking about the different ways that we are called upon by the Lord to love and serve other people. This week we will particularly focus on how to welcome the stranger or sojourner - both those who are physically displaced, and those on a spiritual journey. | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Westville, RSA