Hope / Positive Living
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Forgetfulness
Worship Service: Sermon only - 5 Sep, 2010
JF Simons on chancel. | By Erik Buss, Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Bryn Athyn, PA
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The Hated but Good Person
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 22 Aug, 2010
Our idea of love can be so subjective... is that always good? (Luke 10:29-37; Matthew 22:39; AC 351, 9780) "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39) Charity means love to the neighbor and compassion, for anyone who loves his neighbor as himself also has as much compassion for him in his suffering as he does for himself in his own. (Heavenly Secrets #351) The Samaritan..."came to the man who was wounded by thieves, and bound up his wounds and poured in oil and wine" (Luke 10:33, 34). Here are not meant oil and wine, but the good of love and of charity, by "oil" the good of love, and by "wine" the good of charity and of faith; for the subject treated of, is the neighbor, thus charity toward him. (Heavenly Secrets #9780) | By Thomas Rose, Ivyland New Church, PA
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The Great Covenant
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 1 Aug, 2010
The vital importance of the Ten Commandments in life (Exodus 20, 33:11; Matthew 19: 16-19; TCR 283, 456) The Ten Commandments are the most important thing in the Word. As a result, they were the most important thing in the church that was established in the Israelite nation. In a brief encapsulation they included all the elements of religion that provide for God's connection to us and our connection to God. Therefore the Ten Commandments were the holiest thing of all. (TCR #283) People generally know that the law proclaimed on Mount Sinai was written on two tablets, one of which was about God and the other about humankind. People also know that in Moses’ hand the two were a single tablet: the right-hand side contained writing concerning God, and the left-hand side contained writing concerning humankind, because if it was set before people's eyes in this way, the writing on both sides would be seen at once. Therefore the sides faced one another like Jehovah talking with Moses and Moses with Jehovah, face to face, as we read [Exodus 33:11; Deuteronomy 34:10]. The tablets were made in this way so that together they would represent God's connection to people and people's reciprocal connection to God. For this reason the law written there was called "the Covenant" and "the Testimony." The term "covenant" refers to the partnership and "testimony" refers to the life that follows the points agreed upon. The union of the two tablets shows the connection between loving God and loving our neighbor. (TCR #456) | By Thomas Rose, Ivyland New Church, PA
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Holiness Before Our Eyes
Worship Service: Family (includes music) - 20 Jun, 2010
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The Staff of Power - Why the physical matters
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 13 Jun, 2010
Exodus 4:1-5; Luke 24:36-43; AC 6954 A person who is aided by the Lord looks upwards towards heaven and the Lord. The more internal parts are raised, and so too are the sensory parts raised. When this happens, goodness and truth flow in from the Lord and are received. (Heavenly Secrets #6954) | By Pearse Frazier, Ivyland New Church, PA
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Get By With A Little Help From Your Friends
Worship Service: Childrens Talk & Adult Sermon - 6 Jun, 2010
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Part 7-Living Courageously - Taking Up the Mantle
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 23 May, 2010
The Lord sends us strength and the power to persevere. Part Seven of Living Courageously, the Story of Elijah (2 Kings 2:1-18; Jeremiah 31:31-34; AC 3182) Quotes: Doctrine teaches the truth that no one is to be hated, for anyone who hates another kills him every moment. In his earliest years a person scarcely recognizes the truth of this, but as he grows older, if he is being reformed, he places it among those matters of doctrine which ought to be matters of life. At length he lives according to that truth, in which case he no longer thinks from doctrine but acts from life. When that happens this truth of doctrine is raised up from the natural mind. In fact it is separated from the natural mind, and is implanted within good in the rational [or spiritual] mind. Once this has happened he no longer permits the natural part of him to voice any doubt about it by means of any captious argument existing there. In fact he does not allow the natural mind to reason against it at all. (Heavenly Secrets #3182) | By Thomas Rose, Ivyland New Church, PA
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Part 5-Finding Courage - Out of the Cave
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 9 May, 2010
The Lord is always with us, giving us the strength to keep going. Part Five of Living Courageously, the Story of Elijah (1 Kings 18:1-18; Isaiah 40:31; AC 840) Correspondences in the story: Elijah: the Lord as to the Word, esp. the literal sense. Ahab: leading or governing principles of falsity. Jezebel: principles of evil that influence one’s thought. A Mountain: an elevated, interior state of mind, esp. one of love or the heart. Horeb: same as Mt. Sinai where the 10 Commandments were given. The name means “waste.” A Cave: an obscure state (because of the darkness) Wind: an understanding of the truth. Earthquake: a dramatic change of spiritual states. Fire: love, passion. Still, Small Voice: a time for reflection; conscience. Syria: a state of knowing what is good and true. | By Thomas Rose, Ivyland New Church, PA
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Living In The Present Moment
Worship Service: Sermon only - 9 May, 2010
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Part 4-Making a Choice - Fire From Heaven
Worship Service: Children & Adult - 2 May, 2010
Which choice – the Lord or selfishness – brings genuine love and lasting happiness? Part Four of Living Courageously – the Story of Elijah (1 Kings 18:1-2, 18-46; Matthew 6:24; TCR 399, 403) Correspondences in the story: Elijah: the Lord as to the Word, esp. the literal sense. Baal: falsity rooted in evil (specifically the loves of self and the world). Prophets: teachers, or the teachings themselves. A Mountain: an elevated, interior state of mind, esp. one of love or the heart. Carmel: lit, a fruitful place, known for its vineyards; thus the spiritual person. An Altar: worship (thus life). A Bull, lit, a bullock or an ox: good will or charity in outward, natural life. Wood: good works Stone: truth as knowledge or information. Water: the truth of faith. Fire: love. | By Thomas Rose, Ivyland New Church, PA