One of the features of our Young Children’s and Informal Family Services is noisy children. Children who don’t always sit still and listen are welcome, and many of the adults who don’t bring young children of their own find their innocent noises delightful.
When parents brought their little children to the Lord the disciples rebuked the parents. Perhaps the disciples were worried that the children would be noisy and disruptive, but of course the Lord said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them, for of such is the Kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).
Though children are often noisy in worship, something almost magical happened during the marionette worship services this past Sunday. When the Easter story began, the children were quiet. They were caught up in an atmosphere of wonder, and even the one- and two-year-olds silently listened to the Gospel as they watched the scenes unfold. Even though I have witnessed this silence for over two decades of marionette services, I am still awed by it each year.
We know that angels from the highest heaven and also little children who have died are present with little ones in this world, and perhaps those children in heaven were enjoying similar scenes played out in heaven where angels portray the Lord’s resurrection “with incomparable care and reverence” (Heaven and Hell 335).
Yet there is a time for silence and a time for noise. This coming Sunday we celebrate the Lord’s Triumphal Entry. Everyone shouted praises when the Lord came into Jerusalem, and the Pharisees told Him to rebuke His disciples. The Lord replied, ““I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out” (Luke 19:40). Among those shouting were the children, of whom the Lord said, “Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have perfected praise?'” (Matthew 21:16).
I look forward to this coming Sunday, when I expect to hear the shouts of little children where last Sunday there was silence. If you have noisy children, please bring them.
Previous Entries
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Silence and Noise
By Rev. John Odhner, 4/7/25
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In Conversation with Mozart’s Requiem
By Rev. Malcolm Smith, 3/31/25
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Needs
By Rev. Jeffrey Smith, 3/24/25
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Life Without Music
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 3/17/25
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A Season of Repentance
By Rev. Coleman Glenn, 3/3/25
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Chaos
By Rev. John Odhner, 2/24/25
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The Blessing of Truths We Don’t Yet Get
By Rev. Malcolm Smith, 2/10/25
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A Marriage Conference
By Rev. John Odhner, 2/3/25
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I Beg Your Pardon…
By Rev. Jeffrey Smith, 1/27/25
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What Do You “Do” with Swedenborg When Talking about the New Church?
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 1/21/25
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What Changes and What Stays the Same
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 1/13/25
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Beginning A New Life
By: Rev. John Odhner, 1/6/25
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Spreading Christmas Cheer
By: Rev. Jeffrey Smith, 12/16/24
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Daily Readings
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 12/9/24
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Preparing for Christmas
By Rev. John L. Odhner, 12/2/24
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Words for Thanksgiving
By: Rev. Jeffrey Smith, 11/25/24
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In Person Community
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 11/18/24
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Celebrating 40 Years of Troop 97
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 11/11/24
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Voting Day
By: Rev. John Odhner, 11/4/24
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Loving People Who Are Wrong
By: Rev. Coleman Glenn, 10/28/24
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The Gift of Sight
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 10/21/24
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When Remembering is Hard
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 10/14/24
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Charter Day
By: Rev. John Odhner, 10/7/24
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The Use of Social Gatherings
By: Rev. Coleman Glenn, 9/30/24
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 9/23/24
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Communion
By: Rev. John Odhner, 9/16/24
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The Thinking Behind the Preaching Schedule
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 9/9/24
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Listening to What You Hear
By: Rev. Jeffrey Smith, 9/3/24
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Many Things to Say to You
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 8/26/24
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Back to School
By: Rev. John Odhner, 8/19/24
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Two Commandments—One Commandment
By: Rev. Jeffrey Smith, 7/29/24
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 7/22/24
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The Smallest Deviation
By: Rev. John Odhner, 7/15/24
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Loving Our Country
By: Rev. Coleman Glenn, 7/8/24
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My Cup Runs Over
By: Rev. Malcolm G. Smith, 7/1/24
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Some Fun Facts About the Upcoming GC Assembly
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 6/24/24
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New Church Day
By: Rev. John Odhner, 6/17/24
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Grapes of Wrath
By: Rev. Jeffrey Smith, 6/10/24
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This Year’s New Church Day Pageant
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 6/3/24
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Power in the Familiar
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 5/28/24
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Artificial Intelligence
By: Rev. John Odhner, 5/21/24
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Mental Health Awareness
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 5/13/24
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Not Moping Around
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 5/6/24
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Lay Ministry
By: Rev. John Odhner, 4/29/24
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What is Conscience?
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 4/22/24
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Say Hello
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 4/15/24
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No More Sermon Reviews
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 4/8/24
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Unrecognized
By: Rev. John Odhner, 4/1/24
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Washing Feet
By: Rev. John Odhner, 3/25/34
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Palm Sunday
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 3/18/24
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Coordinating Pastors
by: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 3/11/24
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Diversions
By: Rev. John L. Odhner, 2/27/24
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What Does Having a Relationship with the Lord Mean to You?
by: Rev. Malcolm G. Smith, 2/20/24
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“What is Love?”
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 2/13/24
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God Don’t Make No Junk
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 2/5/24
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“Swedenborg’s Birthday”
By: Rev. John Odhner, 1/29/2024
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“Building for the Future”
Rev. Derek Elphick, 1/22/2024
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“Impatience or Urgency”
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 1/16/2024
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New Year, New You
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 1/8/24
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New Plan in 2024 for Young Children's and Informal Family Services
From: Pastors Derek Elphick and Malcolm Smith
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Presents
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 12/4/2023
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Christmas Lights
By: Rev. John Odhner, 11/26/2023
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Your Perfect Body
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 11/20/2023
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Be Useful
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 11/13/2023
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World Peace
By: Rev. John Odhner, 11/7/23
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Failure
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 10/30/23
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Why Does Time March on Without Our Approval?
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 10/23/23
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New Dads Group Starting in November
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 10/16/23
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Reconnection and Conflict
By: Rev. John Odhner, 10/9/23
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It’s All Good
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 10/8/23
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Stability and Change
By: Rev. John Odhner, 9/25/23
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The Unexpected Merciful Face of God
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith; 9/18/23
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Darned If You Do
By: Rev. Jeffrey Smith, 9/5/23
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Always an Egg
By: Rev. John Odhner, 8/28/23
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Community Suppers: What We’ve Got Planned So Far
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 8/22/23
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Life is a Camping Trip
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 8/14/23
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Community Supper
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 8/7/23
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Hope for the World
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 7/31/23
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Re-Creation
By: Rev. John Odhner, 7/24/23
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Summer: A Chance to Try Worshipping as a Family
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 7/17/23
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Sacred Fire
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 7/10/23
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Life, Liberty, and Happiness
By: Rev. John Odhner, 7/3/23
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The Leaves of Summertime Trees
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 6/26/23
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What Should We Call It?
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 6/13/23
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June Imagery
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 6/5/23
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Memorial Day
By: Rev. John Odhner, 5/30/23
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Memorial Day
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 5/22/23
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When Should a Young Person Start Taking Holy Supper?
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 5/16/23
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Survival Shelter
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 5/8/23
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May Weddings
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 5/2/23
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Harrowing
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 4/17/23
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What Will and What Will Not Last
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 4/11/23
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Easter
By: Rev. John Odhner, 4/4/23
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 3/28/23
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First Day of Spring
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 3/21/23
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The Need for Filters
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 3/14/23
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‘Tis the Season
By: Rev. John Odhner, 3/7/23
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Beauty and the Beast
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 2/28/23
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The Book That Made Heaven Rejoice
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 2/21/23
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Learning to Use the Lord’s Truth Responsibly: A Reflection from Scout Sunday
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 2/7/23
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Eagles
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 1/30/23
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SWEDENBORG’S 335th!
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 1/23/23
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 1/16/23
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Smile
By: Rev. John Odhner, 1/9/23
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How to Be Prepared to Take the Holy Supper
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 1/2/23
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 12/20/22
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Christmas Spirit
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 12/13/22
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Christmas Outreach
By: Rev. John Odhner, 12/6/22
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God with Us
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 11/28/22
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 11/21/22
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Thanksgiving is Coming Soon
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 11/14/2022
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Choosing Our Leaders
By: Rev. John Odhner, 11/7/22
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HALLOWE’EN
By: Rev. Solomon Keal- 10/31/22
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Gratitude for the Chance to Worship Together
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 10/17/22
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Colors
By Rev. John Odhner, 10/10/22
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Charter Day
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 10/03/22
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The Sad and Beautiful Reality of Serving Different Uses
By Rev. Malcolm Smith, 9/26/22
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 9-20-2022
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Feeding His Flock
By Rev. John Odhner, 9/13/22
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The Season Begins
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 9/6/22
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The Importance of What Happens After The Worship Service
By Rev. Malcolm Smith, 8/30/22
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August Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 8/23/22
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Community
By Rev. John Odhner
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Walking the Lord’s Commandments
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 8/9/22
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Quick! have more fun before it’s too late!
By Rev. Malcolm Smith, 8/2/22
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Community Worship
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 7-12-22
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Africa and Asia
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 7/5/22
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Inclusivity of the Church
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 6/21/22
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The Lord Leads the Church
By Rev. John Odhner, 6/14/22
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Seeing the Light of Heaven
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 6/7/22
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Memorial Day
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 5/31/22
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 5/24/22
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 9-20-2022
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Arguments
By Rev. John Odhner, 5/10/22
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Swedenborg Foundation
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 5/3/22
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 4/26/22
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A Divine Mission Being Served By Fallible Humans
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 4/19/22
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Pastor’s Box
By Rev. John Odhner, 4/12/22
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A Moveable Feast
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 4/5/22
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The Christian Symbol of the Cross
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 3/29/22
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The Strength of Inner Peacefulness
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 3/22/22
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A Message from our Head Pastor
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 3/15/22
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Prayer Service for Ukraine
By Jeremy Simons, 3/8/22
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Invading Boundaries
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 3/1/22
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The Olympics
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 2/22/22
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Love is Always the Heart of the Matter
By Rev. Phil Schnarr, 2/15/22
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Unmasked
By Rev. John Odhner, 2/8/22
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Groundhog’s Day
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 2/1/22
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January Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 1/25/22
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Martin Luther Kind Jr. Day
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 1/18/22
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Zeal for the Common Good
By Rev. Phil Schnarr 1/11/22
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Reflecting on the Past Year
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 1/4/22
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A Christmas Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 12/21/21
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Santa Claus
By Rev. John Odhner, 12/14/21
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The Christmas Tree Sale
By Jeremy Simons, December 7th, 2021
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My peace I give to you. (John 14:27)
By Rev. Phil Schnarr, November 30th, 2021
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Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclaimation
By Rev. Solomon Keal, November 23rd, 2021
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Getting Ready for Thanksgiving
By Rev. John Odhner, November 16th, 2021
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May Our Lives Bear Fruit
Rev. Eric Carswell, November 9th, 2021
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Human Heart
By Rev. Derek Elphick, November 2nd, 2021
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What is Easy for One is Difficult for Another
By Rev. Phil Schnarr, October 26th, 2021
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Pumpkin Spice
By Rev. Solomon Keal, October 19th, 2021
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A Healthy Congregation: Worship, Instruction and Community
By Rev. Eric Carswell, October 12th, 2021
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Charter Day
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, October 5th, 2021
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Adapting and Modifying
By Rev. Phil Schnarr, September 28th, 2021
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, Septemer 21st, 2021
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Remembering and Forgetting
By Rev. Eric Carswell, September 14th, 2021
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Meaningful Work
by Rev. Phil Schnarr, Sept. 7th, 2021
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End of Summer
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, August 31st, 2021
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New Church Education
By Rev. Eric Carswell, August 24th, 2021
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Laurel Camp Jubilee 2021
By Rev. Solomon Keal, August 17th, 2021
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, August 10th, 2021
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Tranquility
By Rev. Phily Schnarr, August 3rd 2021
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Nina Finkelday
By Rev. Jeremy Simons July 20th, 2021
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Elphick’s Arrival
By Derek Elphick, July 13th, 2021
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When will it be over?
By Rev. John Odhner, July 6th, 2021
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The Fruit and Leaves of the Tree of Life
By Solomon Keal, June 29th, 2021
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New Church Day
By Jeremy Simons, June 22nd, 2021
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Being Useful for the Sake of Use
By Erik Buss, June 15th, 2021
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The Future of the Church
By Eric Carswell, June 8th, 2021