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Spiritual Freedom: Responding to What Seems Like Impossible Odds
Worship Service: Informal Family - 21 Jan, 2018
King Saul and his pitifully small army were nothing compared to the Philistine invaders. Even worse the only weapons they had were two swords, one for Saul and one for his son, Jonathan. Saul apparently thought it was hopeless, but Jonathan had a different response—one that the Lord would like to inspire in us in challenging times. | By Rev. Eric H. Carswell , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Back Ten Degrees
Worship Service: Informal Family - 14 Jan, 2018
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” As we mark Dr. King's birthday this weekend we discuss the meaning of this quote by comparing it with Isaiah's message to King Hezekiah, that the shadow on his sundial would move back ten degrees. | By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Expressions of Prayer
Worship Service: Informal Family - 7 Jan, 2018
Throughout the Word people pray to the Lord, and their position and gestures are often described. They may kneel, prostrate themselves, lift up their hands to heaven, look up to heaven, bow their heads, beat their breasts, or make other gestures. Why do they do this? What should we do? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Journey with the Lord
Worship Service: Informal Family - 31 Dec, 2017
We want the warm glow of Christmas to stay, but we know that's not how it works. Yet we can keep the baby Lord in us alive and strong if we are willing to go to Egypt. We'll explore this next step in our spiritual life, and especially how we can take the Lord with us on that journey. | By Rev. Erik J. Buss , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Gifts of the Magi
Worship Service: Informal Family - 17 Dec, 2017
When the wise men came to see the Lord they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. What do these three gifts symbolize in our lives? How can we give these three gifts at Christmastime? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Lord is A Very Present Help in Trouble
Worship Service: Informal Family - 3 Dec, 2017
The Lord came into the world in a very challenging time to help the human race through its troubles, and to be present with each of us through trying times. | By Rev. John L. Odhner , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Word Made Flesh
Worship Service: Informal Family - 26 Nov, 2017
Sometimes human language can seem rather inadequate when it attempts to convey an idea. One of the things the Lord accomplished by being born into this world was to give us tangible examples of what it means to wisely love others. The Lord became the Word made flesh and dwelt among us to teach and lead us so that we might know Him and be led by Him towards better lives. | By Rev. Eric H. Carswell , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Observing Feasts
Worship Service: Informal Family - 19 Nov, 2017
The Lord proclaimed that the children of Israel were to celebrate feasts of harvest of first-fruits and ingathering (see Exodus 23:16), and that they should bring their fruits to the Lord. What does it represent when we bring fruit to the altar and have a feast on Thanksgiving? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Horses and Chariots of Fire
Worship Service: Informal Family - 12 Nov, 2017
We don't see them, and we are almost always unaware of them, but as Elisha says in 2 Kings 6 "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Coming out of our forgiveness series, we see how our resentments can be replaced by forgiveness and then by gratitude. The story from 2 Kings 6 illustrates how the Lord’s armies protecting us are invisible to our eyes. As we look towards Thanksgiving we note how much of the support that we receive in life goes unnoticed by us, and how helpful it is to pay attention to it. | By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Last Supper
Worship Service: Informal Family - 5 Nov, 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
Practicing Forgiveness - Transformation
Worship Service: Informal Family - 29 Oct, 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
Forgiving Ourselves
Worship Service: Informal Family - 22 Oct, 2017
We all make mistakes, often. We will need to receive forgiveness for many of those. Yet we can sometimes be our own harshest critics. How do we forgive ourselves for our mistakes so that we can find peace and hope? We will look at the story of the woman the Lord saved from being stoned, and said to her "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." (John 8). | By Rev. Erik J. Buss , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Being Forgiven
Worship Service: Informal Family - 15 Oct, 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
Forgiving Others
Worship Service: Informal Family - 8 Oct, 2017
Today we explore some of the challenges in forgiving others, balancing justice and compassion, and what to do if someone continually hurts you. Our text is the story of the unforgiving servant in Matthew. | By Rev. John L. Odhner , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Why Forgive?
Worship Service: Informal Family - 1 Oct, 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
Little by Little
Worship Service: Informal Family - 24 Sep, 2017
Spiritual change takes time and learning. In Exodus 23, the Lord tells the Israelites that He will drive out their enemies little by little. Our traits and tendencies are all interconnected, and must be removed gradually. | By Rev. Eric H. Carswell , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Five Loaves and Two Fishes
Worship Service: Informal Family - 17 Sep, 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
Saved By The Whale
Worship Service: Informal Family - 10 Sep, 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
Samson's Strength
Worship Service: Informal Family - 3 Sep, 2017
Judges 14-16 tell stories of the strength of Samson. Where did his power come from? What does it mean in our life? There is miraculous power in service. "A person's thought from his will produces all the strength of his body, and if it were inspired by the Lord through His Divine truth, that person would have the strength of Samson." (AC 10182.6) | By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
An Ally on the Inside
Worship Service: Informal Family - 27 Aug, 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
Looking for the Good in People
Worship Service: Informal Family - 20 Aug, 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
"Service service"
Worship Service: Informal Family - 13 Aug, 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
The Woman at the Well
Worship Service: Informal Family - 6 Aug, 2017
How have you experienced the Lord in your life? "Jesus said, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” (John 4:13-14) | By Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Kline , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Come and See
Worship Service: Informal Family - 30 Jul, 2017
How does the Lord call us, and attract us like a magnet? Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "what do you seek?" They said to him, Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), Where are You staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." (John 1:38-39) | By Rev. Erik J. Buss , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Middling Goodness of Laban
Worship Service: Informal Family - 23 Jul, 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