Bryn Athyn Church Family Service

“I Have Set Before You an Open Door” | Rev. Derek P. Elphick

(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 Word, and why the “open door” described in Revelation is a door that cannot be shut. Readings: Revelation 3:7-13 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/kempton-lite/revelation/3/], Apocalypse Revealed 176 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/apocalypse-revealed-rogers/contents/1760]-177 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/apocalypse-revealed-rogers/contents/1770], Divine Providence 233 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/divine-providence-dole/contents/2330] Minister: Rev. Derek P. Elphick Delivered May 31st, 2026 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Bryn Athyn, PA. The Bryn Athyn Church is a congregation of the General Church of the New Jerusalem, located in Bryn Athyn, PA. We are committed to helping each other draw closer to the Lord God Jesus Christ through lives of love and useful service, guided by the Old and New Testaments and the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church (contained in the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg). Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings; services and times can be found at brynathynchurch.org [http://brynathynchurch.org/].

Take Up Your Bed | Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith

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 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/kempton-lite/judges/1/]-2 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/kempton-lite/judges/2/], Matthew 9:1-8 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/kempton-lite/matthew/9/], Divine Love and Wisdom 396 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/divine-love-and-wisdom-dole/contents/3960], Secrets of Heaven 6188.2 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/secrets-of-heaven-nce/gen-47/61880] Minister: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith Delivered May 24th, 2026 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Bryn Athyn, PA. The Bryn Athyn Church is a congregation of the General Church of the New Jerusalem, located in Bryn Athyn, PA. We are committed to helping each other draw closer to the Lord God Jesus Christ through lives of love and useful service, guided by the Old and New Testaments and the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church (contained in the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg). Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings; services and times can be found at brynathynchurch.org [http://brynathynchurch.org/].

Divine Providence and Our Choices | Rev. Malcolm G. Smith

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 track? This Sunday, using teachings about the Lord’s Divine Providence from the teachings for the New Church, we will attempt to see things a bit more from the Lord’s perspective: what matters to Him in our choices, and why there is reason to hope in Him. Readings: John 12:32 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/kempton-lite/john/12/], 3:17-18 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/kempton-lite/john/03/]; True Christian Religion 652 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/true-christian-religion-rose/contents/6520]; Divine Providence 210 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/divine-providence-dole/contents/2100] Minister: Rev. Malcolm G. Smith Delivered May 17th, 2026 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Bryn Athyn, PA. The Bryn Athyn Church is a congregation of the General Church of the New Jerusalem, located in Bryn Athyn, PA. We are committed to helping each other draw closer to the Lord God Jesus Christ through lives of love and useful service, guided by the Old and New Testaments and the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church (contained in the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg). Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings; services and times can be found at brynathynchurch.org [http://brynathynchurch.org/].

“Rejoice With Me…” | Rev. Derek P. Elphick

(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 possibly imagine (see AC 5992) and it's all that's needed to put us on the path of purposeful living again. Readings: Luke 15 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/kempton-lite/luke/15/], Arcana Coelestia 5992 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/secrets-of-heaven-nce/gen-45/59920], Heaven and Hell 461 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/heaven-and-hell-dole/contents/4610] Minister: Rev. Derek P. Elphick Delivered May 10th, 2026 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral in Bryn Athyn, PA. The Bryn Athyn Church is a congregation of the General Church of the New Jerusalem, located in Bryn Athyn, PA. We are committed to helping each other draw closer to the Lord God Jesus Christ through lives of love and useful service, guided by the Old and New Testaments and the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church (contained in the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg). Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings; services and times can be found at brynathynchurch.org [http://brynathynchurch.org/].

The Ninth and Tenth Commandments: “You shall not covet” | Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith

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 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/kempton-lite/genesis/37/]; Arcana Coelestia 6204 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/secrets-of-heaven-nce/gen-47/62040]; Divine Love and Wisdom 47 [https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/divine-love-and-wisdom-dole/contents/470]  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 Jerusalem, located in Bryn Athyn, PA. We are committed to helping each other draw closer to the Lord God Jesus Christ through lives of love and useful service, guided by the Old and New Testaments and the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church (contained in the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg). Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings; services and times can be found at brynathynchurch.org [http://brynathynchurch.org/].