Bryn Athyn Church Family Service

On June 19th we celebrated the freedom given to us by the victory of the Lord on the white horse over the forces of evil 256 years ago. On July 4th this year, we will be celebrating 250 years of freedom in our country since we declared our independence 250 years ago. Why are these events so important? Readings: Revelation 19:11-21 , True Christianity 815   Minister: Rev. Jeremy F. Simons Delivered...

After His resurrection, on the road to Emmaus, the Lord showed two of His disciples that the whole Old Testament was about Him. “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). This Sunday we will begin a series of sermons in which we attempt, with the help of the teachings for the New Church, to see what those di...

Every year we have a big celebration of “New Church Day” on June 19, but why is that day so special? We may have heard that it is the church’s birthday, but what does that mean and what can it inspire us to do in our lives? Readings: Revelation 22:12-17 , True Christian Religion 791 , Apocalypse Revealed 956 Minister: Rev. Steven P. Gunther Delivered June 21st, 2026 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral in...

(1 Samuel 17:33) We focus this week on two major battles where heroes step forward to fight. These are David who willingly took on Goliath, and Michael who fought against the dragon. There can be great strength and blessing in our efforts to live our faith. Can we have the courage and the trust to step forward, knowing that the Lord will be with us in all of our efforts to put our beliefs into act...

We often say that we have peace, but it is a worldly kind, which passes away. Rest from war, from aggravations, going on a holiday with no domestic or business worries to affect us - sure, these things are peaceful. But the Peace the Lord offers is so much deeper, and it is eternal. Readings: Matthew 14:22-33 , Isaiah 55:10-13 , Arcana Caelestia 2780 Minister: Rt. Rev. Peter Buss, Sr. Delivered Ju...

(Revelation 3:8). At this time of year, many of us are involved in school graduation ceremonies and the celebrations that accompany them. The concept of “graduation” carries the idea of moving from one mindset or phase of life to another. The Scriptures compare it to walking through a gateway or door. In this service, we will be exploring the spiritual significance of “doors” and “pathways” in the...

The Lord told a paralyzed man to take up his bed and go to his house. With this command, the Lord is also telling us to not let our outward circumstances and habits get in the way of our relationship with Him. What aspects of your life are getting in the way of eternal happiness? Readings: Judges 1 - 2 , Matthew 9:1-8 , Divine Love and Wisdom 396 , Secrets of Heaven 6188.2 Minister: Rev. Jeffrey O...

As we go through life, there are countless things that do not go the way we want them to—at the humdrum level of daily life and at the global level. How should we interpret and respond to these things? Should we be fatalistic and assume that our opinions and decisions are largely meaningless? Should we see hardships as challenges the Lord wants us to face? Or as signs that we are on the wrong trac...

(Luke 15:6). No matter how far we may wander from the beaten track, no matter how bad things may get, no matter how much we may struggle or get frustrated or disappointed, discovering what’s been “lost" in our lives is not simply the "way out” from boredom or inaction - it’s a cause for celebration! Our discontent with the status quo brings the Lord and His angels more joy than we can po...

This Sunday we will talk about the commandment to not covet because coveting gets in the way of our ability to love the Lord and our neighbor. Readings: Genesis 37 ; Arcana Coelestia 6204 ; Divine Love and Wisdom 47   Minister: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith Delivered May 3rd, 2026 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Bryn Athyn, PA. The Bryn Athyn Church is a congregation of the General Church of the New Jerusa...

The Lord called Jeremiah to be a great prophet when he was still young. Even when a child is still young, the Lord is preparing him or her for their life to eternity. Parents also have a special role to help prepare their children for life, and baptism is a symbol that they want to work with the Lord in that preparation. NOTE: Includes the baptism of Asher Bradley Cranch. Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10...

The Lord said hypocrites were people who cleanse the outside of their cups but not the inside. The cups look beautiful but are filthy and poison anyone who drinks from them. This teaching reminds us that we need to pay attention to our thoughts and intentions, and not just our actions or external appearances. Readings: Matthew 23:25-28, 37-39 Minister: Rt. Rev. David H. Lindrooth Delivered April 1...

We all know that we shouldn’t lie about other people or spread rumors about them, but sometimes we can bear false witness against our neighbors even if we never say anything out loud about them. When Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin for trial, many people tried to bear false witness against Him, but their testimonies wouldn’t line up. In reality though, all those scribes and pharisees had bo...

How do we recognize the Lord, and how do we recognize Him for who He truly is — our God and Savior who rose from the dead? In the gospels we see that some people recognize the Lord and some do not; and we see that some take longer than others to recognize Him. All of these stories have something to teach us about how we can grow in our recognition, understanding, and trust of the Lord our God. Rea...

By riding into Jerusalem as King, the Lord set in motion a series of events that became unstoppable. The Pharisees grew worried and tried to shut down the festivities, but it was too late. The momentum for truth and love had grown so strong, nothing could stand in its way. We will be talking about steps we can take to let the Lord’s momentum grow in us. Readings: Luke 19:28-48 , True Christian Rel...

There are lots of good things about following the Lord, but there are hard things too. The Lord’s disciples were often confused and scared; they were often rebuked and challenged by the Lord; and they often didn’t understand what was going on or what the Lord was saying. And yet they kept following Him. This Sunday, as we approach Easter, we will think about what we should expect in our efforts to...

(Exodus 20:15). In the literal sense, this commandment forbids taking what doesn’t belong to us. In the spiritual sense, it forbids taking away truth from someone. In the highest sense, it forbids taking credit for something that belongs to the Lord. How do we avoid stealing on every level? Readings: Genesis 44 , John 10:1-10 , Arcana Coelestia 5747 Minister: Rev. Coleman S. Glenn Delivered March...

Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions…” (John 14:2). He was talking about heaven, and a place that He is preparing for each of us there. What can it mean that the Lord has in mind an eternal home specifically for you, and how can you best work with Him to accept this incredible gift? Readings: Deuteronomy 6:10-19 , John 14:1-4 , Divine Providence 203 , Heaven and Hell 519 Minister: R...

Often, when we hear stories from the Word about the powerful enemies that conquered the Children of Israel and then we read in the Heavenly Doctrine about the hatred of the devils in hell, we can think that our enemies and hell are formidable foes. But the reality is that hell has no power at all. Come and learn why we do not need to fear the hells. Readings: Numbers 13:30-33 ; I Samuel 17:4-49 (p...

The phrase “going the extra mile” has become a part of everyday language but there’s a fascinating context for the two miles spoken of in Matthew 6:41 - the first is done under compulsion, the second (or “extra”) is our choice. Let’s gather as a community this Sunday to worship together and to reflect on the Lord’s powerful invitation to get our heads and hearts in the right space so that we may f...

"Jehovah will give it into the hand of the king.” (1 Kings 22:12) Does the Word agree with us, or do we agree with the Word? The Lord asks us to learn and live truths we understand, but maybe that doesn’t mean to learn and live truths we like. “Enlightenment” means not only seeing life the way we want to but also seeing life the way the Lord wants us to. Readings: 1 Kings 22:3-23 , True Chris...

(Exodus 20:14) This commandment challenges us to explore the promptings of our heart (ego) which can be at odds with the watchful eye of our understanding (better self). Just as we strive to live in a world free of pollution and contamination, so do we strive to live lives of purity that are free of the filth and profanity in and around us which threaten to contaminate our relationship with the Lo...

Did you know that the teachings for the New Church reveal that everything in our spiritual reality and our natural reality is in the human form — from a friend group, to a nation, to a planet, to the entirety of heaven? Heaven in the human form is called the “Grand Man” or the “universal human.” On Sunday we will explore how we relate to and find our place in the Grand Man. Readings: Psalm 8 ; Rev...

Most of us probably don’t struggle too much with the commandment not to murder, but we may find it much more relatable when Jesus extends the commandment to include anger and belittling others. Join us this Sunday to dive deeper into the ins and outs of what it means to not take someone else’s life from them. Readings: Exodus 20:13 ; Matthew 5:21-24 ; Arcana Coelestia 8902 , 9293 ; Doctrine of Lif...

Part of understanding the importance and value of holy supper is understanding its connection to heaven. Jesus said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever…." (John 6:51). And in the teachings for the New Church it says this: "The Lord is present and opens heaven to those who worthily approach the Holy Supper" ( Tr...