In This Issue
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n a post-Christmas sermon the Rev. Michael D. Gladish looks at The Growth
of the Lord – what happened in His life on earth after He was first presented
in the temple at Jerusalem. How much was He human, like any other young
child, and how was He different because of His divinity? How did He grow
and learn? And how was He tempted? Mr. Gladish says: “He knew He would
overcome all these challenges. What was in question was whether we would
accept and benefit from His work. In short, let us remember that His whole
life right from birth was all about just one thing: helping us find our way to our
‘place’ in heaven.” (Page 9)
The Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss Sr. looks at the story of Hagar and Ishmael
for insight into the development of the rational in a sermon, Contempt or
Rebellion on the Way to Maturity. The story “reflects the rebelliousness of every
generation against the wisdom of the past,” but, he notes: “The message – for
us and our children – is not to be too scared of the Ishmael quality. In truth it
is not meant to linger in us forever. But it is a stepping stone.” (Page 15)
In a children’s talk in conjunction with his sermon on Hagar and Ishmael,
Bishop Buss offers a cautionary message on Looking Down on Others. We are
all born with special talents, he told the children, but also are not as good as
others in some things. The lesson is never to look down on anyone but to look
for what is special in each person and celebrate that. (Page 20)
In a memorial address for beloved Bryn Athyn College professor Dr.
Sherri Rumer Cooper, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan S. Rose celebrates the way that
her great love of science was fulfilled by her faith – especially as her lifelong
faith was “clarified” when she discovered the New Church. “Scientific truth
was extremely important to Sherri but was enhanced by being in balance with
spiritual truth; and both kinds of truth shone the most in the presence of love.”
(Page 23)
Small group study may seem a new thing in the Church, but the Rev. John
L. Odhner says it really has a long history, going back to the ancient churches.
The new emphasis is a way to enhance normal worship practices and enrich
the experience of personal spiritual journeys. There are a lot of ways to get
involved – from the annual Journey Programs to the new Sunroom Groups.
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