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The Call of Samuel - Hearing God's Voice
Worship Service: Informal Family - 16 Jul, 2017
In 1st Samuel chapter 3 the Lord called to Samuel, but neither Samuel nor Eli knew that it was the Lord calling at first. The Lord kept calling, and the 3rd time Eli understood, and the 4th time Samuel answered. What does this represent in our lives? How do we hear the Lord's voice in our hearts and minds? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Inviting the Poor, the Maimed, the Lame and Blind to Dinner
Worship Service: Informal Family - 9 Jul, 2017
"When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid." (Luke 14:12). Taken literally, these words seem to say that much of our social life is not appropriate. New Church theology gives these words a different meaning. The emphasis is not that meals with family & friends are wrong, but rather that the good things that we do should not have our own reward as their goal. | By Rev. Eric H. Carswell , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Independence from Ego
Worship Service: Informal Family - 2 Jul, 2017
The U.S. founding fathers declared independence from tyranny in 1776. The Lord delivered the children of Israel from the tyranny of Pharaoh. How is tyranny a part of each of our lives, our ego? How can we declare independence from that? | By Rev. John L. Odhner , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Book of Life
Worship Service: Informal Family - 25 Jun, 2017
What exactly is in the Book of Life? "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books." (Rev. 20:12) | By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Honoring Our Fathers
Worship Service: Informal Family - 18 Jun, 2017
We will look at the story of Jethro who was the father-in-law and father-figure for Moses (Exodus 18). The Writings say that “fathers” represent goodness, which is at the heart of true masculinity. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Lord God Omnipotent Reigns
Worship Service: Informal Family - 11 Jun, 2017
The Book of Revelation describes a great multitude in heaven praising God: "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory." (Rev. 19:6-7) Our praise of the Lord can grow in intensity when we come to understand that everything good in our lives comes from Him. How can we get to this state? | By Rt. Rev. Peter Martin Buss, Jr. , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
12 Pearly Gates to the City
Worship Service: Informal Family - 4 Jun, 2017
On the Holy City New Jerusalem there are twelve gates facing four different directions (Revelation 21:12-13). Twelve different ways into the City. What does this mean about entering heaven, or entering the New Church? What does this mean about our own spiritual lives? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Writing is on the Wall
Worship Service: Informal Family - 28 May, 2017
In Daniel chapter 5 there is a story about a mysterious hand which writes a message on king Belshazzar’s wall: "Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin." Daniel interprets the message for the king. What are the times when we see the “writing on the wall” in our own lives? What does it mean? And what should we do? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Spirit of the Lord Moving Us
Worship Service: Informal Family - 21 May, 2017
Just exactly what is the Holy Spirit? How do we see the Holy Spirit in our lives? "When people who are perceptive have feelings of compassion they know that they are being alerted by the Lord to offer help." (AC 6737) "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor." (Isaiah 61:1) | By Rev. Erik J. Buss , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Honoring Our Mothers
Worship Service: Informal Family - 14 May, 2017
New Church theology tells us that there are many different “mothers” we can honor in our lives, including: actual mothers, mother figures, the Church, and the Lord as to Divine Wisdom (see Doctrine of Sacred Scripture 67). We’ll look at the story of Moses’ Mom, and Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2). This service will feature women lay readers. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
I Have Called You By Name
Worship Service: Informal Family - 7 May, 2017
"Even in our world a 'name' means more than just a name - it also means what someone is like. People's natures get attached to their names." (True Christianity 300) "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine." (Isaiah 43:1) | By Rev. John L. Odhner , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Holy Bread or Common Bread?
Worship Service: Informal Family - 30 Apr, 2017
In 1st Samuel chapter 21, David and his men were running from Saul and they needed food. The only food available was the holy showbread, which was not for general consumption, but the priest gave it to them to eat. What does this represent in our lives? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Final Words to the Disciples
Worship Service: Informal Family - 23 Apr, 2017
"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." | By Rev. Eric H. Carswell , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Easter - Choose Life!
Worship Service: Informal Family - 16 Apr, 2017
The story of the Lord rising from the tomb on Easter morning gives us a wonderful picture of the reality of life after death. But this reality is not always easy to believe in. What are the various “deaths” that we experience in our lives, and how can the Easter story give us faith and hope that there will be “life” after them? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Palm Sunday - Clothes on the Road
Worship Service: Informal Family - 9 Apr, 2017
Why did people put their clothes on the road to prepare for the Lord’s triumphal entry? In what way should we be putting our “clothes on the road” to make way for the Lord in our life? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Jesus Wept
Worship Service: Informal Family - 2 Apr, 2017
Sometimes we feel that God is far away when we are going through difficult times. But He wants us to have this picture: He, the God of heaven and earth, weeps - why? Because He loves us so much. We are told that "Jesus weeps" in the internal sense is "love grieving." | By Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Kline , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Learning to See the Lord
Worship Service: Informal Family - 26 Mar, 2017
The Lord healed a man who had been blind from birth by putting clay on his eyes and sending him to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man did as the Lord told him, even though he didn't know who the Lord was, and was able to see. How can we learn from this blind man's example and learn to see clearly? | By Rev. Coleman S. Glenn , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Being Born Again - Spiritual Pregnancy and Birth
Worship Service: Informal Family - 19 Mar, 2017
Becoming a better person - and eventually an angel - is a process called “regeneration,” meaning: “re-birth.” In John chapter 3, Nicodemus was surprised and incredulous when Jesus told him this. Sometimes we can be surprised and incredulous about this process too. What do pregnancy, morning sickness, braxton hicks, transition, labor pains, contractions, and birth have to do with our spiritual growth? What does it mean to take our first spiritual breath as a spiritual newborn? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Carried Away, Rescued, and Blessed
Worship Service: Informal Family - 12 Mar, 2017
In Genesis chapter 14, in a battle of 5 kings against 4 kings, Lot gets captured and carried away by Chedorlaomer, and Abram comes to his rescue. When they return, Melchizedek offers bread and wine and blessings. This confusing chapter describes the confusing nature of our spiritual struggles, and the blessings that the Lord brings on the other side of struggle. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
How to Help People
Worship Service: Informal Family - 5 Mar, 2017
We all have needs, both physical & spiritual. We need to understand people's needs and fill them. Just as we give food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, etc., in a corresponding way we can identify and meet their spiritual needs. Matthew 25:31-46; Isaiah 58; NJHD 107 | By Rev. John L. Odhner , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Courage
Worship Service: Informal Family - 19 Feb, 2017
What is “courage”? This week we will talk about the fear that often comes up when we face resistance. Where do we find the courage to face our fears? We will look at the story of Deborah and Barak in Judges 4 and 5. In honor of Black History Month, I will also talk a little about Harriet Tubman's courage, and her similarities with Deborah the Judge. | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Resistance
Worship Service: Informal Family - 12 Feb, 2017
Why is it that when we start to choose something good in our life, we often end up facing resistance, discouragement, or conflict? Sometimes it might even feel like we’re being punished for doing something good. Right after the Lord was baptized by John, He faced temptation in the wilderness with the devil (see Matt 3:16-17, 4:1-11). This is our story as well. Why is this normal and to be expected? How can we maintain hope and positivity through all this? How does the Lord use these times to make us stronger? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Curiosity
Worship Service: Informal Family - 5 Feb, 2017
Our curiosity is the spark that moves us forward in the creative process. To be curious is to be thirsty. Explore the story in John 4, where Jesus met a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, and she asked about the water that would forever quench thirst. | By Rev. Jeremy F. Simons , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
Beginning
Worship Service: Informal Family - 29 Jan, 2017
We are all created in the image of the Creator, and so we are all creators in our own ways. Our topic on that theme is “Beginning.” “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Beginning anything - natural or spiritual - can sometimes feel like the hardest part. What can we learn this week about beginning something new? | By Rev. Solomon J. Keal , Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall
The Future of Spiritual Tourism
Address - 27 Jan, 2017
Swedenborg Birthday Address. A potential next step for the Internet's interest in Swedenborg. Introduction by Rev EH Carswell. Includes 17 min of comments. | By Curtis Childs, Bryn Athyn Heilman Hall