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 Life 73

Minister: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith

Delivered January 18th, 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.

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" (True Christian Religion 719). Let’s talk this Sunday about how we can experience heaven through the holy supper.

Readings: Isaiah 55, John 6 (selections), True Christian Religion 669

Minister: Rev. Malcolm G. Smith

Delivered January 11th, 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.

Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds all knew about the Lord's birth and its significance because they were informed directly and specifically by angelic messengers. But how did the Wise Men know to come? They reported that they had "seen His star in the East." But how did they know that it was "His" star? How did they know what it meant?

Readings: Matthew 2:1-6; Arcana Coelestia 5223:1, 4

Minister: Rev. Stephen D. Cole

Delivered January 4th, 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.

When Zacharias’ mouth was opened after being mute, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and he prophesied. We will go through the words he said, as a way of reflecting on what the Lord accomplished when He came. We will also reflect on what each of us might say if we were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Readings: Exodus 4:10-12, Luke 1:63-79, True Christian Religion 154

Minister: Rev. Malcolm G. Smith

Delivered December 28th, 2025 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.

After the shepherds had visited the newborn Jesus, “they made widely known the saying which was spoken to them concerning this little Child.” Mary, meanwhile, “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:17-19). At Christmas, we have the opportunity to both joyfully proclaim the Lord’s birth and quietly reflect on what His birth means for our lives and for the world.

Readings: Psalm 145:1-7; Luke 2:8-20; Heaven and Hell 399; Divine Love and Wisdom 404

Minister: Rev. Coleman S. Glenn

Delivered December 24th, 2025 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.

Choices are like a magnifying glass - we magnify the thoughts and feelings that capture our attention at any given point in time which means we can “magnify” negative thoughts and feelings just as easily as positive ones. But something miraculous happens when we, like Mary, in the face of our worries and concerns, consciously and deliberately magnify the Lord. We start to see and feel things we never saw or felt before.

Readings: Psalm 34:1-3, Luke 1:39-56, John 3:25-31, Arcana Coelestia 6206, Divine Providence 3

Minister: Rev. Derek P. Elphick

Delivered December 21, 2025 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.

“The Lord’s Birth: His Introduction to Us, Allowing Us to Get to Know the God of the Universe” The Lord’s birth on earth allows us to see things we could never see or understand on our own. Unless He lived on Earth, we could not know how He loves us. Without the stories of the New Testament, we would not know how to serve Him and prepare for heavenly life.

Readings: Isaiah 9:3-7, John 15: 1-10, True Christian Religion 787:1

Minister: Rt. Rev. David H. Lindrooth

Delivered December 7th, 2025 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.

(Exodus 20:12) Our heavenly Father is perfect, but this commandment calls us not just to honor Him but also to honor our literal parents and other imperfect human beings who make up His church. How do we keep this commandment in every sense?

Readings: 1 Samuel 24, Luke 2:41-52, True Christian Religion 305-307 (portions)

Minister: Rev. Coleman S. Glenn

Delivered November 30th, 2025 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.