Transfigured Jesus; the Setting of Highest Values

Last Epiphany A February 19, 2023
Ex.24:12,15-18, Ps.99
2 Peter 1:16-21 Matt. 17:1-9

Lectionary Link

How are human values set and established?  How do we know what is best?

The writings of the New Testament are in short, writings about how Jesus Christ is the best exemplar for enlightened humanity.  Jesus Christ is at the mountain top of human values.

The New Testament writers wrote in many discursive styles to proclaim the value of Christ.  In the collection of writings there are stories of Jesus which were circulated to tell the value of Jesus Christ.

The irony of the New Testament is that they are writings which did not come about until more than two decades after Jesus lived, and the first Gospel was not written until after thirty five years after Jesus was gone.

What does this indicate?  It indicates that Jesus became better known as the Risen Christ than as the historical Jesus.

The writers needed to connect the fame of the Risen Christ within spreading communities with the actual person of Jesus.  So we have the Gospels written later in the Greek of educated people who lived in the cities of the Roman Empire.

The writers were those who had inherited stories and writings and word of mouth sermons about the person of Jesus.

They wanted to inspire because they had been inspired by their mystical experiences of the Risen Christ.  But their mystical experience had to be connected with the historical person of Jesus and they did this through the Gospel genre.

They used writings styles and rhetorical techniques derived from the story traditions found in the Torah and the other writings of the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as the models used in the Roman Empire settings for valorizing the emperors.

If something marvelous happens,  and if great person arises to be known because of unique wisdom, wonderful deeds, and charismatic winsomeness of people, a new standard becomes set for human living.

Values are set by the standard of the very best exemplar?  But how does one speak about a new very best exemplar?

The new standard, the new best person's story is told in comparison and in light of great people of the past.  In the time of Jesus for the Jewish people,  Moses, David, and Elijah were perhaps the reigning heroes of greatness.

If the story of Jesus as the newest greatest  one, was to be told, his story was told with reference to the great ones in the lore of the people.

The story of the Mount of the Transfiguration is story told to present Jesus as the successor in the train of Moses and Elijah.  These two figures summed up two sections of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Law and the Prophets.  Moses and Elijah were mountain men, they were water men,  they were fire and light men, and they were voice of God men.

The Gospel writers, who believed that Jesus was the successor of Moses and Elijah presented a visionary event wherein Moses and Elijah were conversing with Jesus.  Moses and Elijah were approving of Jesus and were passing the mission of salvation history onto Jesus as God's chosen and unique Child.

Moses went to the top of Mount Sinai to receive the law from God in clouds, dazzling fire and  light and on top of a mountain to signify spatially, closeness to heaven.  From his encounter with God, Moses' face shone so much that he had to cover his face among the people.  Moses had heard the voice of God on many occasions.  He had a way with water in the provision of water from the rock and in the crossing of the Red Sea.

Elijah went to mountains.  He called down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel.  He parted the waters of the Jordan.  He heard the still voice of God in the mountain cave.

The Gospel writers, more than thirty five years after Jesus were telling the story of Jesus across the stories of Moses and Elijah.

Their message was this: In Jesus, a new human superlative had become evident and the proof was in the aftermath of the life of Jesus in the successive manifestations of experiences of the Risen Christ.

The experiences of the Risen Christ had become a social movement phenomenon, and the Gospel story of the transfiguration connects these experiences with the person of Jesus who was the logical successor of Moses and Elijah in the understanding of the Gospel writers.

We are invited today to connect our experiences of the Risen Christ with what is happening in human history.  We do this by modeling our lives after Jesus as our Exemplar of superlative human values.  We do this by living lives of love, justice, kindness, and care.  From the mountain tops of our mystical experience, we must descend in transfiguring ways to change human history toward the values of love and justice.

In this way, we can honor the power and grace of the transfigured Jesus, who wants to transfigure us and the world through the love of God.  Amen.

Sunday School, February 19, 2023 Last Sunday after the Epiphany A

 Sunday School, February 19, 2023    Last Sunday after the Epiphany A

Theme

Comparing the Giving of the Law of Moses to Jesus

How did Israel receive the Law?  Moses went up on Mount Sinai

What was Mount Sinai life when he went there to receive the law?  It was cloudy and had the fiery light of God’s presence.

What happened to Moses face after he received the law on the mountain?  His face was shiny bright.  In fact, it was so shiny that he had to put a veil on his face to keep from blinding the people of Israel.

Mount of the Transfiguration

Who was on the Mount of Transfiguration?  Peter, James, John, Jesus and Moses and Elijah appeared too.  And the voice of God was heard.

What was the Mountain top experience like?  It was covered with clouds.  It had a bright light which was the shiny face of Jesus.

What happened there? Jesus was talking with Elijah and Moses.  Peter was nervous and he wanted to build three tents,booth as worship shrines for Jesus, Elijah and Moses.

What was the most important event on the Mountain?  The voice of God announced that Jesus was God’s Son and that God was pleased with Jesus and the Voice told everyone to listen to Jesus.

What is the meaning of the events of the Mount of Transfiguration?

Peter, James and John who were Jews were to understand that Jesus was a friend of two of the greatest Jewish heroes, Moses and Elijah.  Moses and Elijah had returned to endorse Jesus as their friend and leader.  And the voice of God announced the most important identity of Jesus to be that He was God’s Son.

How can I understand the meaning of transfiguration?

Transfiguration is the word metamorphosis and this refers to the natural process of the cycles of growth in life.  Our lives are in the process of metamorphosis like the larva, caterpillar, and cocoon waiting to become butterflies.  There is a butterfly “spirit” within us that is waiting to break out of us in our resurrection from the dead.  Until then we are being transformed or changed into becoming more like Jesus, who has also called us to be beloved sons and daughters of God.  We have God’s Spirit within us a wonderful Light that helps to change or transform our lives to be more like Jesus.

The story of Jesus tells us that Jesus was God’s special Son and that the Light of the Holy Spirit was in Him.  It also means that we are invited to let the light of the Holy Spirit rise in us to change ourselves to be like our Brother Jesus, who reminds us that we are beloved sons and daughters of God.  And we can know that God loves us and is pleased with us too.

Sermon

Today is the last Sunday of the season of the Epiphany.  Can you tell me what the color is for Epiphany?  Green.  How did you guess?  And what season comes next?  The season of Lent.  And what day does it begin on?  Ash Wednesday.  And why do we call it Ash Wednesday?  We do some face painting on Ash Wednesday.  We draw a black cross on our foreheads to remind ourselves about the parts of our selves that last forever and the parts of our selves that wear out.  Do your clothes wear out?  Do your shoes wear out?  Do cars get old?  Do our bodies wear out?  Our bodies do wear and someday they will just stop working.  And if we wait long enough, they will turn back into dust.  And so on Ash Wednesday, we begin the season of Lent by reminding ourselves that part of our life is going to wear out.

  But you know we have another part of our self that is never going to wear out.  And that part of our self is what we call “Spirit.”  Our spirit is the part of us that will live forever.

  Our spirit is all of that stuff inside of our bodies that we cannot see.  Our spirit is like the light in the light bulb.  On the outside a light bulb is just a piece of glass.  But when you turn the light bulb on it becomes warm and bright.

  You and I have to learn how live our lives like a light bulb that is always turned.  We have to learn to make our spirits light up our bodies?  How do we do this?  We can do this in many ways.  With curiosity.  With learning new things.  With laughter.  With wonder and surprise and excitement.  With kindness and love and care.   In many ways we can make the life of our bodies shine with the life of our spirit.

  Today we read a story about Jesus when his face shone like a very bright light.  You see, Jesus had such a strong and wonderful Spirit, he was able to make his face shine when his friends saw him in a very special way.  Jesus was a very special friend.  His friends called him the Light of the world, because he helped them to learn and live their lives better.  We need to follow Jesus and learn how to be lights in this world for each other.  We need to learn how to make our spirits so strong and so full of knowledge and love and kindness that we become lights in our world for the people in our world.

  Can you learn how to shine like a light today?  Okay let’s turn on our lights…now.  Amen.

Intergenerational Family Service with Holy Eucharist

February 19, 2023: The Last Sunday after The Epiphany

Gathering Songs: I’ll Be a Sunbeam; This Little Light, Climb Climb Up Sunshine Mountain, Shine, Jesus, Shine,

Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

People: And Blessed be God’s Kingdom, Now and forever. Amen.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Song: I’ll Be a Sunbeam (Christian Children’s Songbook, # 112)

1-Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, to shine for him each day; in every way try to please him, at home, at school, at place.  Refrain: A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.  A sunbeam, a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for him.

4-I’ll be a sunbeam  for Jesus, I can if I but try; serving him moment by moment, then live with him on high.  Refrain: A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.  A sunbeam, a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for him.

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People:            And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

O God, who before the passion of your only­ begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany of Praise: Chant: Alleluia

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

A Reading from the Book of Exodus

Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God

Let us read together from Psalm 99

The LORD is great in Zion; * he is high above all peoples.

Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; * he is the Holy One.

"O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; * you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

 Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

People:            Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.  As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:            Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Lesson – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and

     resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is

     welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy.

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Youth Liturgist:          The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:                        And also with you.

Offertory: Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Song: This Little Light of Mine (Christian Children’s Songbook, # 234)

1-This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

2-Hide it under a bushel, No!  I’m going to let it shine.  Hide it under a bushel, No!  I’m going let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

3-Don’t let anyone, blow it out.  I’m going to let it shine.  Don’t let anyone blow it out.  I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

4-Shine all over my neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.  Shine all over my neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of God.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

All may gather around the altar

 Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

  the bread and drink the wine, we can  know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as  

  this food and drink  that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:       Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion  Song:   Climb Up Sunshine Mountain, (The Christian’s Children Song Book # 1)

            Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, heavenly breezes blow,

            Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, faces all aglow. 

            Turn, turn from sin and doubting, look to God on high;

            Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, you and I.

Post Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

    and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: Shine, Jesus Shine  (Renew! # 247)

Lord the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness shining. Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us. Set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine on me.  Shine on me.

Refrain: Shine Jesus Shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory.  Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire.  Flow, rivers, flow, fill the nations with thy grace and mercy.  Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

Dismissal:   

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ. Alleluia!  Alleluia!

People: Thanks be to God!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

The removal of “alleluia” until Easter

Announcements, Snack and Fellowship

Change as the Process of Spiritual Metamorphosis

Last Epiphany A      February 23,2020

Ex.24:12,15-18,      Ps.99        

2 Peter 1:16-21  Matt. 17:1-9

Lectionary Link

Today in our Collect, the prayer for today, we asked that we might be changed into the likeness of Christ, from glory to glory as we behold the light of his countenance.

One of the basic requirements of human life is to learn how to deal with change.  To be human is to become aware of the passage of time.  And in our aging, we know ourselves as appearing to be different in time, even as we try to cover up the aging process cosmetically.  In our physical, lives we experience entropy, the running out of energy because the end of our physical lives is death.  But we encounter in our lives a counter force to the forces of entropy; we experience in our inner lives the optimism of assuming that some part of us will live forever.  We ponder the possibility that we will recognize ourselves as ourselves in the afterlife in a continuity with who we have been in this life.

In our lives of change how do we live toward the person that we might continue to be, rather than toward our physical homes, our bodies, which are in decline?

The word for transfiguration in Greek might be better translated metamorphosis and all of learn about this in elementary school science class as we were taught to observe the changes in the life cycles of butterflies.  And the church is so fascinated with butterflies, that the butterfly hatching out of a dead looking cocoon has become an oft used metaphor for the resurrection of Christ.

What insights can we gain from the metamorphosis of Jesus Christ event on the Mount of his special Epiphany, called the Transfiguration?

First, we know that the writers of the Gospels revisited themes from Hebrew Scripture to show the surpassing greatness of Jesus.  The event of the Transfiguration was presented to be akin to the event of Mount Sinai.  Moses had a shiny face in his encounter with God; the face of Jesus shone on the Mount of the Transfiguration.  The clouds and the elevation are in keeping with the traditions of describing significant manifestation of the divine.  In biblical symbology, cloud, elevation and light signify mystery, closeness to the divine presence of elevated realm and enlightenment through divine encounter.  Biblical landscape corresponds to personal inscape in the spiritual metamorphosis of those baptized and on the mystical path.

The chief gift of the former covenant was the Law.  The gift of the New Covenant is the person of Jesus Christ.  This contrast is presented in the description of the Transfiguration.

The apparitional appearances of Moses and Elijah meant that followers of Jesus believed him to be in continuity and in succession with the great traditions of the Hebrew Scriptures.  Moses and Elijah were mountain men; Moses saw God on Mount Sinai.  Elijah heard the still small voice of God in a mountain cave.  Elijah called down fire from heaven on the altar on Mount Carmel as he confronted the prophets of Baal.  To the members of the Judaic faith, the poignant references of Moses and Elijah on the Messianic resume of Jesus were important.  How can you go wrong in following Jesus if Moses and Elijah followed and affirmed him in their afterlife appearances?

The Transfiguration event stands between the baptism of Jesus and his resurrection.  The heavenly voice is heard again, like at his baptism, to proclaim Jesus as God beloved Son.  The lit face of Jesus is like a preview of what his appearances will be like in his resurrection.

Further, the Transfiguration visionary event allowed the friends of Jesus to witness a special experience of Jesus, Moses and Elijah.  Jesus invited his willing friend to climb the mountain with him to receive epiphany insights.

The sharing of the visionary event with his friends, is also an invitation for us to embrace the metamorphosis of the presence of the Risen Christ in our paths of mystical transformation.  Since change is inevitable in life, how do we embrace, and process change in the best possible way?  We do it in spiritual metamorphosis with the Risen Christ.

One of the natural tendencies of spiritual metamorphosis is our resistance to change and, in such resistance, we interpret the apparent absence of Christ as the real absence of Christ.  In spiritual metamorphosis, we prefer certain spiritual states over others.

We all perhaps prefer butterflies to cocoons, even as we know that there is not butterfly without the cocoon and the life of the cocoon is equal from the life of the butterfly, equal but different.  In faith, we have to learn how to accept the equal presence of the Risen Christ within the different phases of spiritual metamorphosis.

The mystics have written about the apparent states of deprivation in their mystical journey, as caught in the cloud of unknowing, or the dark night of the soul, or the state of purgation.  When Jesus said on the cross, "My God, why have you forsaken me," is this not the state of the apparent absence of God?

When Peter was on the Mount of the Transfiguration, he wanted to build tents or shrines for the three heroes to have permanent dwelling places.  This meant that he could try to retain endlessly a particular "butterfly" state of Jesus Christ.  Peter, like us, wanted to live on the mountain top; he did not want to descend to the demon possessed valley anymore.

Spiritual metamorphosis is learning to embrace dynamic change.  It is learning to have faith that the same presence of the Risen Christ is with us whether in the dark valley of human loss or on the mountain top of such apparent presence when faith is easy.  

We can be like Peter too in our spiritual lives.  We want to build a permanent dwelling place at the place of our significant spiritual break through.  We try to build rituals, readings, practice and songs around those breakthrough events.  And the assumption is that our spiritual growth has reached it height.  One of the pitfalls of trying to retain the states of our significant spiritual break throughs, is that we make them final and we can judge as lacking people who have not had that same superior experience that we had when we went on retreat.

Yes, we retain the insights of our mountain top experiences; but in spiritual metamorphosis, we are given a mountain top experience, only to see higher mountains which remain for us to climb, and to get there, we must go through valley, desert, storm, cloud and darkness and the exertion of another ascent.

The event of the Transfiguration is presented to us as we prepare for the ordeal of the forty days of Lent.  The church calendar is program which presents to us the rhythm of the life of spiritual metamorphosis.

Today, let us be reminded that we are dealing with change gracefully by accepting the path of spiritual metamorphosis as the Risen Christ asks us to identify with him as he works the process of transformation in our lives.

Enjoy the mountain top!  Enjoy the butterfly events!  But in faith let us also know that Christ is equally present in the valley, in times of loss, times of sin, times of failure and times of disappointment.  In the times when we seem deprived of the apparent presence of Christ, we need to recall the mountain top experience as a reminder to keep on, keeping on because we are in spiritual metamorphosis.

I wish for you many mountain top experiences and from them I pray that you will have the faith to celebrate the equal presence of the Risen Christ in all phases of our spiritual metamorphosis.  Amen.

Sunday School, February 23, 2020 Last Sunday after the Epiphany A

Sunday School, February 23, 2020    Last Sunday after the Epiphany A

Theme

Comparing the Giving of the Law of Moses to Jesus

How did Israel receive the Law?  Moses went up on Mount Sinai

What was Mount Sinai life when he went there to receive the law?  It was cloudy and had the fiery light of God’s presence.

What happened to Moses face after he received the law on the mountain?  His face was shiny bright.  In fact, it was so shiny that he had to put a veil on his face to keep from blinding the people of Israel.

Mount of the Transfiguration

Who was on the Mount of Transfiguration?  Peter, James, John, Jesus and Moses and Elijah appeared too.  And the voice of God was heard.

What was the Mountain top experience like?  It was covered with clouds.  It had a bright light which was the shiny face of Jesus.

What happened there? Jesus was talking with Elijah and Moses.  Peter was nervous and he wanted to build three tents,booth as worship shrines for Jesus, Elijah and Moses.

What was the most important event on the Mountain?  The voice of God announced that Jesus was God’s Son and that God was pleased with Jesus and the Voice told everyone to listen to Jesus.

What is the meaning of the events of the Mount of Transfiguration?

Peter, James and John who were Jews were to understand that Jesus was a friend of two of the greatest Jewish heroes, Moses and Elijah.  Moses and Elijah had returned to endorse Jesus as their friend and leader.  And the voice of God announced the most important identity of Jesus to be that He was God’s Son.

How can I understand the meaning of transfiguration?

Transfiguration is the word metamorphosis and this refers to the natural process of the cycles of growth in life.  Our lives are in the process of metamorphosis like the larva, caterpillar, and cocoon waiting to become butterflies.  There is a butterfly “spirit” within us that is waiting to break out of us in our resurrection from the dead.  Until then we are being transformed or changed into becoming more like Jesus, who has also called us to be beloved sons and daughters of God.  We have God’s Spirit within us a wonderful Light that helps to change or transform our lives to be more like Jesus.

The story of Jesus tells us that Jesus was God’s special Son and that the Light of the Holy Spirit was in Him.  It also means that we are invited to let the light of the Holy Spirit rise in us to change ourselves to be like our Brother Jesus, who reminds us that we are beloved sons and daughters of God.  And we can know that God loves us and is pleased with us too.

Sermon

Today is the last Sunday of the season of the Epiphany.  Can you tell me what the color is for Epiphany?  Green.  How did you guess?  And what season comes next?  The season of Lent.  And what day does it begin on?  Ash Wednesday.  And why do we call it Ash Wednesday?  We do some face painting on Ash Wednesday.  We draw a black cross on our foreheads to remind ourselves about the parts of our selves that last forever and the parts of our selves that wear out.  Do your clothes wear out?  Do your shoes wear out?  Do cars get old?  Do our bodies wear out?  Our bodies do wear and someday they will just stop working.  And if we wait long enough, they will turn back into dust.  And so on Ash Wednesday, we begin the season of Lent by reminding ourselves that part of our life is going to wear out.

  But you know we have another part of our self that is never going to wear out.  And that part of our self is what we call “Spirit.”  Our spirit is the part of us that will live forever.

  Our spirit is all of that stuff inside of our bodies that we cannot see.  Our spirit is like the light in the light bulb.  On the outside a light bulb is just a piece of glass.  But when you turn the light bulb on it becomes warm and bright.

  You and I have to learn how live our lives like a light bulb that is always turned.  We have to learn to make our spirits light up our bodies?  How do we do this?  We can do this in many ways.  With curiosity.  With learning new things.  With laughter.  With wonder and surprise and excitement.  With kindness and love and care.   In many ways we can make the life of our bodies shine with the life of our spirit.

  Today we read a story about Jesus when his face shone like a very bright light.  You see, Jesus had such a strong and wonderful Spirit, he was able to make his face shine when his friends saw him in a very special way.  Jesus was a very special friend.  His friends called him the Light of the world, because he helped them to learn and live their lives better.  We need to follow Jesus and learn how to be lights in this world for each other.  We need to learn how to make our spirits so strong and so full of knowledge and love and kindness that we become lights in our world for the people in our world.

  Can you learn how to shine like a light today?  Okay let’s turn on our lights…now.  Amen.

Intergenerational Family Service with Holy Eucharist

February 23, 2020: The Last Sunday after The Epiphany

Gathering Songs: I’ll Be a Sunbeam; This Little Light, Climb Climb Up Sunshine Mountain, Shine, Jesus, Shine,

Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

People: And Blessed be God’s Kingdom, Now and forever. Amen.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Song: I’ll Be a Sunbeam (Christian Children’s Songbook, # 112)

1-Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, to shine for him each day; in every way try to please him, at home, at school, at place.  Refrain: A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.  A sunbeam, a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for him.

4-I’ll be a sunbeam  for Jesus, I can if I but try; serving him moment by moment, then live with him on high.  Refrain: A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.  A sunbeam, a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for him.

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People:            And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

O God, who before the passion of your only­ begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany of Praise: Chant: Alleluia

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

A Reading from the Book of Exodus

Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God

Let us read together from Psalm 99

The LORD is great in Zion; * he is high above all peoples.

Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; * he is the Holy One.

"O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; * you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

 Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

People:            Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.  As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:            Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Lesson – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and

     resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is

     welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy.

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Youth Liturgist:          The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:                        And also with you.

Offertory: Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Song: This Little Light of Mine (Christian Children’s Songbook, # 234)

1-This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

2-Hide it under a bushel, No!  I’m going to let it shine.  Hide it under a bushel, No!  I’m going let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

3-Don’t let anyone, blow it out.  I’m going to let it shine.  Don’t let anyone blow it out.  I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

4-Shine all over my neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.  Shine all over my neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of God.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

All may gather around the altar

 Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

  the bread and drink the wine, we can  know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as  

  this food and drink  that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:       Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion  Song:   Climb Up Sunshine Mountain, (The Christian’s Children Song Book # 1)

            Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, heavenly breezes blow,

            Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, faces all aglow. 

            Turn, turn from sin and doubting, look to God on high;

            Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, you and I.

Post Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

    and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: Shine, Jesus Shine  (Renew! # 247)

Lord the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness shining. Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us. Set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine on me.  Shine on me.

Refrain: Shine Jesus Shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory.  Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire.  Flow, rivers, flow, fill the nations with thy grace and mercy.  Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

Dismissal:   

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ. Alleluia!  Alleluia!

People: Thanks be to God!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

The removal of “alleluia” until Easter

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