Sunday School, February 26, 2017 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.
St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Family Service with Holy Eucharist
February 26, 2017: 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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