by Rev. Malcolm G. Smith

Yesterday at Informal Family Service, we talked about the story of the children of Israel spying out the land of Canaan. This story came to mind because a new school year is about to begin and many students, parents, and teachers face the reality of a new school year with a combination of excitement and apprehension.

When the twelve spies spied out the land, they found things that appealed to them and things that terrified them. They brought back a cluster of grapes so huge it had to be carried between two people, but they said, “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there” (Numbers 13:27, 28). For ten of the twelve spies, the fortified cities and the giants far outweighed anything good that they had seen in the land.

Whether we’re facing a new school year, a new job, a new diagnosis, or a new phase of life we can pretty much guarantee that there will be entrenched, fortified, negative mindsets to reckon with and powerful selfish loves to confront. There will also be genuine goodness to enjoy. Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, had a different perspective than the other ten: they said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it. …. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey’” (Numbers 13:30, 14:8). Which spies’ report are you listening to?

One of the people in the discussion at the end of the service pointed out that we often think of self-examination as being about identifying evils that we need to shun, but accurate evaluation of what is within ourselves will also notice the genuine goodness that the Lord has given each of us and the goodness that He wants to give us through the process of going through whatever is in front of us.

The Lord does not promise us that the school year will be easy, but He does promise to help us deal with the hardest parts — the falsities of hell in our minds and the selfishness of hell in our hearts. And He does promise that we can gain a little bit truer perspective on life and can find a bit more genuine love from the Lord in our hearts, as we work to be strong and of good courage and face whatever is in front of us.

Previous Pastor Boxes

2026

8/17/2026 - "Living to Eternity" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
8/3/2026 - "You Will See..." - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
7/20/2026 - "Creation or Evolution" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
7/20/2026 - "A Chance to Grow In Your Relationship With The Lord" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
7/13/2026 - "Every Moment of Life" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
7/6/2026 - "The Power of Questions" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
6/29/2026 - "Summer Family Worship - We're Trying Something New on August 2" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
6/22/2026 - "To Run and Not Be Weary" - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
6/15/2026 - "New Church Day - An Internal and External Holiday" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
6/8/2026 - "What's The Good News?" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
5/18/2026 - "Speaking the Same Language" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
5/11/2026 - "A Guilty Conscience" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
5/5/2026 - "The Value of Sports" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
4/27/2026 - "Tending our Garden" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
4/20/2026 - "Clarity While in the Midst" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
4/13/2026 - "Joseph, Interpreter of Dreams" - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
4/6/2026 - "Recognizing the Lord" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
3/30/2026 - "Walking the Easter Path" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
3/23/2026 - "Spring Forever?" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
3/16/2026 - "What Should We “Do” with the Future?" - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
3/9/2026 - "Guilt" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
3/2/2026 - "Losing an Hour, Gaining Awareness" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
2/23/2026 - "Paying Attention to the Internal Weather" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
2/9/2026 - "Why Smile?" - Rev. Derek P. Elphick
1/26/2026 - "What is the Informal Family Service?" - Rev. Coleman S. Glenn
1/20/2026 - "A Banquet, Supper, or Dinner?" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
1/12/2026 - "The Return of the Sun" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther

2025

12/8/2025 - "Why December 25th?" - Rev. Steven P. Gunther
9/15/2025 - "Christmas Services: Cancellations, Adjustments, and Bringing Back an Old Favorite" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
9/9/2025 - "Confidentiality" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
9/2/2025 - "Important Details" - Rev. Derek Elphick
8/18/2025 - "Having Time to Reflect on Each Commandment" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
8/11/2025 - "Sweat (Some of) the Small Stuff" - Rev. Steven Gunther
8/4/2025 - "Intermediate Goods Budget" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
7/7/2025 - "How Do We Respond to Ignorance" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
5/26/2025 - "Thought Brings Presence" - Rev. John Odhner
5/19/2025 - "Sing Along with the New Church Day Pageant" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
5/12/2025 - "The Challenge of Choosing" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
5/5/2025 - "Mother's Day" - Rev. John Odhner
4/14/2025 - "Psalms of Easter" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
4/7/2025 - "Silence and Noise" - Rev. John Odhner
3/31/2025 - "In Conversation with Mozart's Requiem" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
3/24/2025 - "Needs" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
3/17/2025 - "Life Without Music" - Rev. Derek Elphick
3/3/2025 - "A Season of Repentance" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
2/24/2025 - "Chaos" - Rev. John Odhner
2/10/2025 - "The Blessing of Truths We Don't Yet Get" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
2/3/2025 - "A Marriage Conference" - Rev. John Odhner
1/27/2025 - "I Beg Your Pardon…" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
1/21/2025 - "What Do You “Do” with Swedenborg When Talking about the New Church?" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/13/2025 - "What Changes and What Stays the Same" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
1/6/2025 - "Beginning A New Life" - Rev. John Odhner

2024

12/16/2024 - "Spreading Christmas Cheer" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
12/9/2024 - "Daily Readings" - Rev. Derek Elphick
12/2/2024 - "Preparing for Christmas" - Rev. John L. Odhner
11/25/2024 - "Words for Thanksgiving" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
11/18/2024 - "In Person Community" - Rev. Derek Elphick
11/11/2024 - "Celebrating 40 Years of Troop 97" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
11/4/2024 - "Voting Day" - Rev. John Odhner
10/28/2024 - "Loving People Who Are Wrong" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
10/21/2024 - "The Gift of Sight" - Rev. Derek Elphick
10/14/2024 - "When Remembering is Hard" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
10/7/2024 - "Charter Day" - Rev. John Odhner
9/30/2024 - "The Use of Social Gatherings" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
9/23/2024 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
9/16/2024 - "Communion" - Rev. John Odhner
9/9/2024 - "The Thinking Behind the Preaching Schedule" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
9/3/2024 - "Listening to What You Hear" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
8/26/2024 - "Many Things to Say to You" - Rev. Derek Elphick
8/19/2024 - "Back to School" - Rev. John Odhner
7/29/2024 - "Two Commandments—One Commandment" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
7/22/2024 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
7/15/2024 - "The Smallest Deviation" - Rev. John Odhner
7/8/2024 - "Loving Our Country" - Rev. Coleman Glenn
7/1/2024 - "My Cup Runs Over" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
6/24/2024 - "Some Fun Facts About the Upcoming GC Assembly" - Rev. Derek Elphick
6/17/2024 - "New Church Day" - Rev. John Odhner
6/10/2024 - "Grapes of Wrath" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
6/3/2024 - "This Year's New Church Day Pageant" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
5/28/2024 - "Power in the Familiar" - Rev. Derek Elphick
5/21/2024 - "Artificial Intelligence" - Rev. John Odhner
5/13/2024 - "Mental Health Awareness" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
5/6/2024 - "Not Moping Around" - Rev. Derek Elphick
4/29/2024 - "Lay Ministry" - Rev. John Odhner
4/22/2024 - "What is Conscience?" - Rev. Derek Elphick
4/15/2024 - "Say Hello" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
4/8/2024 - "No More Sermon Reviews" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
4/1/2024 - "Unrecognized" - Rev. John Odhner
3/25/2024 - "Washing Feet" - Rev. John Odhner
3/18/2024 - "Palm Sunday" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
3/11/2024 - "Coordinating Pastors" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
2/27/2024 - "Diversions" - Rev. John L. Odhner
2/20/2024 - "What Does Having a Relationship with the Lord Mean to You?" - Rev. Malcolm G. Smith
2/13/2024 - "What is Love?" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
2/5/2024 - "God Don't Make No Junk" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/29/2024 - "Swedenborg's Birthday" - Rev. John Odhner
1/22/2024 - "Building for the Future" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/16/2024 - "Impatience or Urgency" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
1/8/2024 - "New Year, New You" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
1/1/2024 - "New Plan in 2024 for Young Children's and Informal Family Services" - Pastors Derek Elphick and Malcolm Smith

2023

12/4/2023 - "Presents" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
11/26/2023 - "Christmas Lights" - Rev. John Odhner
11/20/2023 - "Your Perfect Body" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
11/13/2023 - "Be Useful" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
11/7/2023 - "World Peace" - Rev. John Odhner
10/30/2023 - "Failure" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
10/23/2023 - "Why Does Time March on Without Our Approval?" - Rev. Derek Elphick
10/16/2023 - "New Dads Group Starting in November" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
10/9/2023 - "Reconnection and Conflict" - Rev. John Odhner
10/8/2023 - "It's All Good" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
9/25/2023 - "Stability and Change" - Rev. John Odhner
9/18/2023 - "The Unexpected Merciful Face of God" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
9/5/2023 - "Darned If You Do" - Rev. Jeffrey Smith
8/28/2023 - "Always an Egg" - Rev. John Odhner
8/22/2023 - "Community Suppers: What We've Got Planned So Far" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
8/14/2023 - "Life is a Camping Trip" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
8/7/2023 - "Community Supper" - Rev. Derek Elphick
7/31/2023 - "Hope for the World" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
7/24/2023 - "Re-Creation" - Rev. John Odhner
7/17/2023 - "Summer: A Chance to Try Worshipping as a Family" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
7/10/2023 - "Sacred Fire" - Rev. Solomon Keal
7/3/2023 - "Life, Liberty, and Happiness" - Rev. John Odhner
6/26/2023 - "The Leaves of Summertime Trees" - Rev. Solomon Keal
6/13/2023 - "What Should We Call It?" - Rev. Derek Elphick
6/5/2023 - "June Imagery" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
5/30/2023 - "Memorial Day" - Rev. John Odhner
5/22/2023 - "Memorial Day" - Rev. Solomon Keal
5/16/2023 - "When Should a Young Person Start Taking Holy Supper?" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
5/8/2023 - "Survival Shelter" - Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith
5/2/2023 - "May Weddings" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
4/17/2023 - "Harrowing" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
4/11/2023 - "What Will and What Will Not Last" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
4/4/2023 - "Easter" - Rev. John Odhner
3/28/2023 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
3/21/2023 - "First Day of Spring" - Rev. Solomon Keal
3/14/2023 - "The Need for Filters" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
3/7/2023 - "'Tis the Season" - Rev. John Odhner
2/28/2023 - "Beauty and the Beast" - Rev. Solomon Keal
2/21/2023 - "The Book That Made Heaven Rejoice" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
2/7/2023 - "Learning to Use the Lord's Truth Responsibly: A Reflection from Scout Sunday" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
1/30/2023 - "Eagles" - Rev. Solomon Keal
1/23/2023 - "SWEDENBORG'S 335th!" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
1/16/2023 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/9/2023 - "Smile" - Rev. John Odhner
1/2/2023 - "How to Be Prepared to Take the Holy Supper" - Rev. Malcolm Smith

2022

12/20/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
12/13/2022 - "Christmas Spirit" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
12/6/2022 - "Christmas Outreach" - Rev. John Odhner
11/28/2022 - "God with Us" - Rev. Solomon Keal
11/21/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
11/14/2022 - "Thanksgiving is Coming Soon" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
11/7/2022 - "Choosing Our Leaders" - Rev. John Odhner
10/31/2022 - "HALLOWE'EN" - Rev. Solomon Keal
10/17/2022 - "Gratitude for the Chance to Worship Together" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
10/10/2022 - "Colors" - Rev. John Odhner
10/3/2022 - "Charter Day" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
9/26/2022 - "The Sad and Beautiful Reality of Serving Different Uses" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
9/20/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
9/13/2022 - "Feeding His Flock" - Rev. John Odhner
9/6/2022 - "The Season Begins" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
8/30/2022 - "The Importance of What Happens After The Worship Service" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
8/23/2022 - "August Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
8/16/2022 - "Community" - Rev. John Odhner
8/9/2022 - "Walking the Lord's Commandments" - Rev. Solomon Keal
8/2/2022 - "Quick! have more fun before it's too late!" - Rev. Malcolm Smith
7/12/2022 - "Community Worship" - Rev. Derek Elphick
7/5/2022 - "Africa and Asia" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
6/21/2022 - "Inclusivity of the Church" - Rev. Solomon Keal
6/14/2022 - "The Lord Leads the Church" - Rev. John Odhner
6/7/2022 - "Seeing the Light of Heaven" - Rev. Eric Carswell
5/31/2022 - "Memorial Day" - Rev. Solomon Keal
5/24/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
5/10/2022 - "Arguments" - Rev. John Odhner
5/3/2022 - "Swedenborg Foundation" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
4/26/2022 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
4/19/2022 - "A Divine Mission Being Served By Fallible Humans" - Rev. Eric Carswell
4/12/2022 - "Pastor's Box" - Rev. John Odhner
4/5/2022 - "A Moveable Feast" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
3/29/2022 - "The Christian Symbol of the Cross" - Rev. Eric Carswell
3/22/2022 - "The Strength of Inner Peacefulness" - Rev. Eric Carswell
3/15/2022 - "A Message from our Head Pastor" - Rev. Derek Elphick
3/8/2022 - "Prayer Service for Ukraine" - Jeremy Simons
3/1/2022 - "Invading Boundaries" - Rev. Solomon Keal
2/22/2022 - "The Olympics" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
2/15/2022 - "Love is Always the Heart of the Matter" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
2/8/2022 - "Unmasked" - Rev. John Odhner
2/1/2022 - "Groundhog's Day" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
1/25/2022 - "January Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
1/18/2022 - "Martin Luther King Jr. Day" - Rev. Solomon Keal
1/11/2022 - "Zeal for the Common Good" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
1/4/2022 - "Reflecting on the Past Year" - Rev. Eric Carswell

2021

12/21/2021 - "A Christmas Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
12/14/2021 - "Santa Claus" - Rev. John Odhner
12/7/2021 - "The Christmas Tree Sale" - Jeremy Simons
11/30/2021 - "My peace I give to you. (John 14:27)" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
11/23/2021 - "Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclaimation" - Rev. Solomon Keal
11/16/2021 - "Getting Ready for Thanksgiving" - Rev. John Odhner
11/9/2021 - "May Our Lives Bear Fruit" - Rev. Eric Carswell
11/2/2021 - "Human Heart" - Rev. Derek Elphick
10/26/2021 - "What is Easy for One is Difficult for Another" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
10/19/2021 - "Pumpkin Spice" - Rev. Solomon Keal
10/12/2021 - "A Healthy Congregation: Worship, Instruction and Community" - Rev. Eric Carswell
10/5/2021 - "Charter Day" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
9/28/2021 - "Adapting and Modifying" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
9/21/2021 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
9/14/2021 - "Remembering and Forgetting" - Rev. Eric Carswell
9/7/2021 - "Meaningful Work" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
8/31/2021 - "End of Summer" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
8/24/2021 - "New Church Education" - Rev. Eric Carswell
8/17/2021 - "Laurel Camp Jubilee 2021" - Rev. Solomon Keal
8/10/2021 - "Pastor's Message" - Rev. Derek Elphick
8/3/2021 - "Tranquility" - Rev. Phil Schnarr
7/20/2021 - "Nina Finkelday" - Rev. Jeremy Simons
7/13/2021 - "Elphick's Arrival" - Derek Elphick
7/6/2021 - "When will it be over?" - Rev. John Odhner
6/29/2021 - "The Fruit and Leaves of the Tree of Life" - Solomon Keal
6/22/2021 - "New Church Day" - Jeremy Simons
6/15/2021 - "Being Useful for the Sake of Use" - Erik Buss
6/8/2021 - "The Future of the Church" - Eric Carswell
6/1/2021 - "Manifested in Person" - Phil Schnarr
5/25/2021 - "It's Easy to Believe Things That Aren't True" - Jeremy Simons