Podcasts about scripture: mark 9:2-9:9

Cornerstone Church of Christ

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY Rev. Kendra Lovelace Balliet Scripture Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: “Glory”

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP Rev. Kendra Lovelace Balliet Organist: Jim Ross Prelude - Ten Thousand Angels-Ray Overholt Welcome *Call to Worship Leader: The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. People: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Leader: God’s glory fills the earth, but sometimes we, like Elisha, do not think we are ready to encounter glory. People: And yet, God’s glory showed up anyway. Leader: Sometimes we are like the disciples who witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration and wanted to cling to that one glorious moment. People: And yet, God called them down from the mountain. Leader: So, we gather today, some of us feeling ready and some of us feeling wholly unprepared, yet all are called together to worship and to be led by glory out into the world. People: God, may we perceive your glory all around us, pointing us in the way you would have us go. Amen. *Opening Hymn "To God Be the Glory" #98 *Unison Prayer Mighty God, stay with us always, not only in our worship, but as we share the risk and challenge of living our faith. By your powerful Spirit, turn our fear to courage. Your glory shines in the face of Christ; shine in our hearts and lives. May your name be praise, glorious God! Amen. Profession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed #881 Gloria Patri Children's Chat Music Ministry and Offertory - Adagio on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: “Glory” Prayer: Take My Life: A Confession (Soloist sings one line of “Take my Life” Frances R. Havergal, 1873) Soloist: Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we fight for control. Take our lives; make us yours. Soloist: Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though our busyness gets in the way. Take our days; make them yours. Soloist: Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we are not always in service. Take our hands; make them yours. Soloist: Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, even though our feet don’t always move with your Spirit. Take our feet; make them yours. Amen. Joys/Concerns Hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” #349 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Closing Hymn "Shine, Jesus, Shine" #2173 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - Andante on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt The flowers on the altar today are given by Millie Ray to the glory of God and in loving memory of her husband Byron Ray. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP Rev. Kendra Lovelace Balliet Organist: Jim Ross Prelude - Ten Thousand Angels-Ray Overholt Welcome *Call to Worship Leader: The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. People: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Leader: God’s glory fills the earth, but sometimes we, like Elisha, do not think we are ready to encounter glory. People: And yet, God’s glory showed up anyway. Leader: Sometimes we are like the disciples who witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration and wanted to cling to that one glorious moment. People: And yet, God called them down from the mountain. Leader: So, we gather today, some of us feeling ready and some of us feeling wholly unprepared, yet all are called together to worship and to be led by glory out into the world. People: God, may we perceive your glory all around us, pointing us in the way you would have us go. Amen. *Opening Hymn "To God Be the Glory" #98 *Unison Prayer Mighty God, stay with us always, not only in our worship, but as we share the risk and challenge of living our faith. By your powerful Spirit, turn our fear to courage. Your glory shines in the face of Christ; shine in our hearts and lives. May your name be praise, glorious God! Amen. Profession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed #881 Gloria Patri Children's Chat Music Ministry and Offertory - Adagio on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: “Glory” Prayer: Take My Life: A Confession (Soloist sings one line of “Take my Life” Frances R. Havergal, 1873) Soloist: Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we fight for control. Take our lives; make us yours. Soloist: Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though our busyness gets in the way. Take our days; make them yours. Soloist: Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we are not always in service. Take our hands; make them yours. Soloist: Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, even though our feet don’t always move with your Spirit. Take our feet; make them yours. Amen. Joys/Concerns Hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” #349 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Closing Hymn "Shine, Jesus, Shine" #2173 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - Andante on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt The flowers on the altar today are given by Millie Ray to the glory of God and in loving memory of her husband Byron Ray. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP Rev. Kendra Lovelace Balliet Organist: Jim Ross Prelude - Ten Thousand Angels-Ray Overholt Welcome *Call to Worship Leader: The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. People: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Leader: God’s glory fills the earth, but sometimes we, like Elisha, do not think we are ready to encounter glory. People: And yet, God’s glory showed up anyway. Leader: Sometimes we are like the disciples who witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration and wanted to cling to that one glorious moment. People: And yet, God called them down from the mountain. Leader: So, we gather today, some of us feeling ready and some of us feeling wholly unprepared, yet all are called together to worship and to be led by glory out into the world. People: God, may we perceive your glory all around us, pointing us in the way you would have us go. Amen. *Opening Hymn "To God Be the Glory" #98 *Unison Prayer Mighty God, stay with us always, not only in our worship, but as we share the risk and challenge of living our faith. By your powerful Spirit, turn our fear to courage. Your glory shines in the face of Christ; shine in our hearts and lives. May your name be praise, glorious God! Amen. Profession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed #881 Gloria Patri Children's Chat Music Ministry and Offertory - Adagio on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: “Glory” Prayer: Take My Life: A Confession (Soloist sings one line of “Take my Life” Frances R. Havergal, 1873) Soloist: Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we fight for control. Take our lives; make us yours. Soloist: Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though our busyness gets in the way. Take our days; make them yours. Soloist: Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we are not always in service. Take our hands; make them yours. Soloist: Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, even though our feet don’t always move with your Spirit. Take our feet; make them yours. Amen. Joys/Concerns Hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” #349 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Closing Hymn "Shine, Jesus, Shine" #2173 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - Andante on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt The flowers on the altar today are given by Millie Ray to the glory of God and in loving memory of her husband Byron Ray. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP Rev. Kendra Lovelace Balliet Organist: Jim Ross Prelude - Ten Thousand Angels-Ray Overholt Welcome *Call to Worship Leader: The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. People: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Leader: God’s glory fills the earth, but sometimes we, like Elisha, do not think we are ready to encounter glory. People: And yet, God’s glory showed up anyway. Leader: Sometimes we are like the disciples who witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration and wanted to cling to that one glorious moment. People: And yet, God called them down from the mountain. Leader: So, we gather today, some of us feeling ready and some of us feeling wholly unprepared, yet all are called together to worship and to be led by glory out into the world. People: God, may we perceive your glory all around us, pointing us in the way you would have us go. Amen. *Opening Hymn "To God Be the Glory" #98 *Unison Prayer Mighty God, stay with us always, not only in our worship, but as we share the risk and challenge of living our faith. By your powerful Spirit, turn our fear to courage. Your glory shines in the face of Christ; shine in our hearts and lives. May your name be praise, glorious God! Amen. Profession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed #881 Gloria Patri Children's Chat Music Ministry and Offertory - Adagio on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: “Glory” Prayer: Take My Life: A Confession (Soloist sings one line of “Take my Life” Frances R. Havergal, 1873) Soloist: Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we fight for control. Take our lives; make us yours. Soloist: Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though our busyness gets in the way. Take our days; make them yours. Soloist: Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we are not always in service. Take our hands; make them yours. Soloist: Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, even though our feet don’t always move with your Spirit. Take our feet; make them yours. Amen. Joys/Concerns Hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” #349 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Closing Hymn "Shine, Jesus, Shine" #2173 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - Andante on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt The flowers on the altar today are given by Millie Ray to the glory of God and in loving memory of her husband Byron Ray. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP Rev. Kendra Lovelace Balliet Organist: Jim Ross Prelude - Ten Thousand Angels-Ray Overholt Welcome *Call to Worship Leader: The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. People: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Leader: God’s glory fills the earth, but sometimes we, like Elisha, do not think we are ready to encounter glory. People: And yet, God’s glory showed up anyway. Leader: Sometimes we are like the disciples who witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration and wanted to cling to that one glorious moment. People: And yet, God called them down from the mountain. Leader: So, we gather today, some of us feeling ready and some of us feeling wholly unprepared, yet all are called together to worship and to be led by glory out into the world. People: God, may we perceive your glory all around us, pointing us in the way you would have us go. Amen. *Opening Hymn "To God Be the Glory" #98 *Unison Prayer Mighty God, stay with us always, not only in our worship, but as we share the risk and challenge of living our faith. By your powerful Spirit, turn our fear to courage. Your glory shines in the face of Christ; shine in our hearts and lives. May your name be praise, glorious God! Amen. Profession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed #881 Gloria Patri Children's Chat Music Ministry and Offertory - Adagio on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: “Glory” Prayer: Take My Life: A Confession (Soloist sings one line of “Take my Life” Frances R. Havergal, 1873) Soloist: Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we fight for control. Take our lives; make us yours. Soloist: Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though our busyness gets in the way. Take our days; make them yours. Soloist: Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we are not always in service. Take our hands; make them yours. Soloist: Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, even though our feet don’t always move with your Spirit. Take our feet; make them yours. Amen. Joys/Concerns Hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” #349 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Closing Hymn "Shine, Jesus, Shine" #2173 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - Andante on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt The flowers on the altar today are given by Millie Ray to the glory of God and in loving memory of her husband Byron Ray. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY ORDER OF WORSHIP Rev. Kendra Lovelace Balliet Organist: Jim Ross Prelude - Ten Thousand Angels-Ray Overholt Welcome *Call to Worship Leader: The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. People: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Leader: God’s glory fills the earth, but sometimes we, like Elisha, do not think we are ready to encounter glory. People: And yet, God’s glory showed up anyway. Leader: Sometimes we are like the disciples who witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration and wanted to cling to that one glorious moment. People: And yet, God called them down from the mountain. Leader: So, we gather today, some of us feeling ready and some of us feeling wholly unprepared, yet all are called together to worship and to be led by glory out into the world. People: God, may we perceive your glory all around us, pointing us in the way you would have us go. Amen. *Opening Hymn "To God Be the Glory" #98 *Unison Prayer Mighty God, stay with us always, not only in our worship, but as we share the risk and challenge of living our faith. By your powerful Spirit, turn our fear to courage. Your glory shines in the face of Christ; shine in our hearts and lives. May your name be praise, glorious God! Amen. Profession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed #881 Gloria Patri Children's Chat Music Ministry and Offertory - Adagio on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude Scripture Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: “Glory” Prayer: Take My Life: A Confession (Soloist sings one line of “Take my Life” Frances R. Havergal, 1873) Soloist: Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we fight for control. Take our lives; make us yours. Soloist: Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though our busyness gets in the way. Take our days; make them yours. Soloist: Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. ALL: We are yours, Lord, though we are not always in service. Take our hands; make them yours. Soloist: Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. ALL: We are yours, Lord, even though our feet don’t always move with your Spirit. Take our feet; make them yours. Amen. Joys/Concerns Hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” #349 Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer Closing Hymn "Shine, Jesus, Shine" #2173 Action Steps & Benediction Postlude - Andante on "Awake My Heart With Gladness" - Michael Burkhardt The flowers on the altar today are given by Millie Ray to the glory of God and in loving memory of her husband Byron Ray. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

Pastor Kendra has a chat with the children of Stone UMC on this Transfiguration Sunday.

Pastor Kendra has a chat with the children of Stone UMC on this Transfiguration Sunday.

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY Rev. Kendra Lovelace Balliet Scripture Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: “Glory”

Pastor John Mars Sermon Called " What We Need, When We Need It"

We are pleased to provide you with sermons from Mayflower Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mayflower is a growing inclusive church - Faith is a journey, God is good, Jesus saves, and the Spirit leads us to faith, hope and love.

We welcome the Rev. Evangeline Taylor, Director of Seniors Pastoral Care, to the pulpit on the Transfiguration of the Lord. The Scripture lesson is Mark 9:2-9.

Storyline Christian Community

Pastor John Mars Sermon Called " What We Need, When We Need It"

After two years of witnessing as well as participating in the work of Jesus, the disciples were still confused as to who Jesus was. Similarly, our familiarity with whom we think Jesus is breeds indifference to His Word and disobedience to His will. When faith in Jesus becomes routine, we miss the transformation that God intends for us.

This is the one who calls us to follow. We can always ask which is the real Jesus? Is it the one who gets his hands dirty with the mud and spit of this world, or is it the one who stands on the mountain top and glows with a radiance divine? Well, of course, the answer is yes! Yes, it is both. The human Jesus and the divine Christ. Join us as Rev. Rick Vance leads this week for Transfiguration Sunday

In the final week of our series "Jesus on Display," we explore the story of Jesus' transfiguration.

We are pleased to provide you with sermons from Mayflower Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mayflower is a growing inclusive church - Faith is a journey, God is good, Jesus saves, and the Spirit leads us to faith, hope and love.

We are pleased to provide you with sermons from Mayflower Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mayflower is a growing inclusive church - Faith is a journey, God is good, Jesus saves, and the Spirit leads us to faith, hope and love.

Tema: ¿Me Oyes? Serie: Jesús Y Yo Escritura: Marcos 9:2-8 Predicador: Mike Bocachica Visítanos los domingos a las 2pm en 1469 Saint Peters Avenue, Bronx, NY o en vivo por http://www.facebook.com/tsfesp

Brad Sullivan Last Sunday after the Epiphany February 11, 2018 Emmanuel, Houston 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 God Is In the Grind Have you ever been outside walking around and then looked up and been startled, scared even, by a hideous, almost other worldly beast staring at you with hungry eyes, vicious teeth, and razor sharp claws, only to have your eyes refocus and realize you were in fact looking at a tree branch? The tree branch didn’t change, only how your eyes saw the tree branch changed. I wonder if that isn’t something like what happened to Peter and James and John with the transfiguration. Rather than Jesus changing before their eyes, perhaps what changed was their eyes’ ability to see for a few minutes something they had not previously been able to see: the radiance and majesty of the light of Jesus. Perhaps even, Moses and Elijah had been there previously as well, unseen and unheard by Peter, and James, and John, until God changed something within them and allowed them to see and experience more of the world than any of us are able to see or experience with our regular senses. Perhaps Jesus took Peter, and James, and John up to the mountain top in order to change something of their ability to see and experience the world for a short time, so that they saw not only the majesty of Jesus, but also the majesty of God’s kingdom in which those who have died are still alive and well with God, and the world. Perhaps then, when God turned the dimmer switch back down on Jesus and Moses and Elijah disappeared, what they had seen on the mountain didn’t cease to be, but only their ability to see it. As beautiful and wonderful as the world is then, what they saw for a short time was that the world is far more beautiful than they or we could ever have imagined. Little wonder then that they wanted to make booths and stay there. In any mountain top experience, any jaw dropping, mind blowing, beautiful experience of our lives, we tend to want to stay in that moment, rather than come back down to earth to the drudgery of daily life. As much as we like to poke fun at Peter for seemingly always saying the wrong thing, I have a feeling we’d have all wanted to stay up on the mountain a little while longer as well. I wonder then how Peter, and James, and John saw the world once they came back down the mountain. Did the world seem dull by comparison? Maybe, but I sure hope not. I hope instead that after Jesus’ transfiguration, the world seemed to Peter, and James, and John to be alight with possibility and alive with wonder. I hope they realized that everything they saw up on that mountain was still there in the regular old mundane world, just simply hidden from their eyes. I would say that’s the reason for any mountain top experience, any jaw dropping, mind blowing, beautiful realization of the majesty of God and his kingdom all around us. We’re never meant to stay on top of the mountain. The only reason we go up the mountain to see Jesus transfigured before us is so that we can come down the mountain and also see Jesus in the miracle of the mundane, the non-dopamine laced divinity of the daily drudge. Every moment is a possibility for love and wonder. Every person we see is a beautiful miracle of God’s design, made with the spark of God’s image and the dust of our common humanity out of which we are all made and to which we all go. We go up the mountain in order to come down, realizing Jesus is just as transfigured at the bottom of the mountain as at the top, even if we can’t see it Bishop Doyle writes similarly in his book, The Jesus Heist: (p. 67) The only reason to come into a community [for worship] is so you can learn how to leave it and do the real work of worship - being with Christ in the world around us. This is how we show the love of God - we go and love people, heal people, care for people, live with people, eat with people. We go and discover where Jesus is in the world and join his work there. Whether the mountain, or church service, or any experience we have of the divine, we’re never meant to stay, we’re meant to live, and we’re meant to realize that the rest of our lives are every bit as sacred. As mundane as our lives may seem at times, they and we are all part of something bigger and far more beautiful than we can see or imagine. Something as simple as a kind gesture. Giving a cup of cold water to a kid who is thirsty, as Jesus said…or an old person who is thirsty for that matter. Going to work or school each day at a job that does not satisfy or an education that seems pointless, God is there just as much as on the mountain top in the miracle of the mundane. What in us keeps us from seeing the miracle of the mundane and the divinity of the daily drudge? How about our wounds? How about our desires to make the world be how we want it rather than to accept the world as it is? What if we were to give some of those wounds and desires to God so that he might heal them and transform us so that we could see the miracle of the mundane and the divinity of the daily drudge? That’s kinda what Lent is all about, which we start this Wednesday. That is why we give things up during Lent, and so my suggestion is this: rather than give up something simple like Diet Coke or Chocolate, try giving up some of your woundedness which keeps you from seeing the miracle of the mundane. Try giving up some of your desires for control which keep you from seeing the divinity of the daily drudge…or perhaps, do try giving up something as mundane as Diet Coke or Chocolate and see the miracle of the world in even so simple a sacrifice. In any case, realize that the sacrifice, like the mountain top, like the community gathering for worship is not the point, is not where we stay. The sacrifice, like the mountain top, like the community gathering for worship is done so that we can then come back down the mountain, leave the gathering for worship and “do the real work of worship - to show the love of God by loving people, healing people, caring for people, living with people, eating with people: going and discovering where Jesus is in the [mundane] everyday world and joining his work there,” for God is in the work, the common work of eating with people, living with people, working with people, getting angry with and reconciling with people, caring for people, healing people, loving people, and seeing people as brothers and sisters. That is the work where God is at the bottom of the mountain. God is in the grind of daily life. Realizing that truth, trusting that God is in the grind just as much as on the mountain, we can spend the grind in worship and prayer, in communion with God, every moment a miracle, every step a sacred act, resting in God’s presence, even in the mundanity of daily life, for God is in the grind.

Brad Sullivan Last Sunday after the Epiphany February 11, 2018 Emmanuel, Houston 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 God Is In the Grind Have you ever been outside walking around and then looked up and been startled, scared even, by a hideous, almost other worldly beast staring at you with hungry eyes, vicious teeth, and razor sharp claws, only to have your eyes refocus and realize you were in fact looking at a tree branch? The tree branch didn’t change, only how your eyes saw the tree branch changed. I wonder if that isn’t something like what happened to Peter and James and John with the transfiguration. Rather than Jesus changing before their eyes, perhaps what changed was their eyes’ ability to see for a few minutes something they had not previously been able to see: the radiance and majesty of the light of Jesus. Perhaps even, Moses and Elijah had been there previously as well, unseen and unheard by Peter, and James, and John, until God changed something within them and allowed them to see and experience more of the world than any of us are able to see or experience with our regular senses. Perhaps Jesus took Peter, and James, and John up to the mountain top in order to change something of their ability to see and experience the world for a short time, so that they saw not only the majesty of Jesus, but also the majesty of God’s kingdom in which those who have died are still alive and well with God, and the world. Perhaps then, when God turned the dimmer switch back down on Jesus and Moses and Elijah disappeared, what they had seen on the mountain didn’t cease to be, but only their ability to see it. As beautiful and wonderful as the world is then, what they saw for a short time was that the world is far more beautiful than they or we could ever have imagined. Little wonder then that they wanted to make booths and stay there. In any mountain top experience, any jaw dropping, mind blowing, beautiful experience of our lives, we tend to want to stay in that moment, rather than come back down to earth to the drudgery of daily life. As much as we like to poke fun at Peter for seemingly always saying the wrong thing, I have a feeling we’d have all wanted to stay up on the mountain a little while longer as well. I wonder then how Peter, and James, and John saw the world once they came back down the mountain. Did the world seem dull by comparison? Maybe, but I sure hope not. I hope instead that after Jesus’ transfiguration, the world seemed to Peter, and James, and John to be alight with possibility and alive with wonder. I hope they realized that everything they saw up on that mountain was still there in the regular old mundane world, just simply hidden from their eyes. I would say that’s the reason for any mountain top experience, any jaw dropping, mind blowing, beautiful realization of the majesty of God and his kingdom all around us. We’re never meant to stay on top of the mountain. The only reason we go up the mountain to see Jesus transfigured before us is so that we can come down the mountain and also see Jesus in the miracle of the mundane, the non-dopamine laced divinity of the daily drudge. Every moment is a possibility for love and wonder. Every person we see is a beautiful miracle of God’s design, made with the spark of God’s image and the dust of our common humanity out of which we are all made and to which we all go. We go up the mountain in order to come down, realizing Jesus is just as transfigured at the bottom of the mountain as at the top, even if we can’t see it Bishop Doyle writes similarly in his book, The Jesus Heist: (p. 67) The only reason to come into a community [for worship] is so you can learn how to leave it and do the real work of worship - being with Christ in the world around us. This is how we show the love of God - we go and love people, heal people, care for people, live with people, eat with people. We go and discover where Jesus is in the world and join his work there. Whether the mountain, or church service, or any experience we have of the divine, we’re never meant to stay, we’re meant to live, and we’re meant to realize that the rest of our lives are every bit as sacred. As mundane as our lives may seem at times, they and we are all part of something bigger and far more beautiful than we can see or imagine. Something as simple as a kind gesture. Giving a cup of cold water to a kid who is thirsty, as Jesus said…or an old person who is thirsty for that matter. Going to work or school each day at a job that does not satisfy or an education that seems pointless, God is there just as much as on the mountain top in the miracle of the mundane. What in us keeps us from seeing the miracle of the mundane and the divinity of the daily drudge? How about our wounds? How about our desires to make the world be how we want it rather than to accept the world as it is? What if we were to give some of those wounds and desires to God so that he might heal them and transform us so that we could see the miracle of the mundane and the divinity of the daily drudge? That’s kinda what Lent is all about, which we start this Wednesday. That is why we give things up during Lent, and so my suggestion is this: rather than give up something simple like Diet Coke or Chocolate, try giving up some of your woundedness which keeps you from seeing the miracle of the mundane. Try giving up some of your desires for control which keep you from seeing the divinity of the daily drudge…or perhaps, do try giving up something as mundane as Diet Coke or Chocolate and see the miracle of the world in even so simple a sacrifice. In any case, realize that the sacrifice, like the mountain top, like the community gathering for worship is not the point, is not where we stay. The sacrifice, like the mountain top, like the community gathering for worship is done so that we can then come back down the mountain, leave the gathering for worship and “do the real work of worship - to show the love of God by loving people, healing people, caring for people, living with people, eating with people: going and discovering where Jesus is in the [mundane] everyday world and joining his work there,” for God is in the work, the common work of eating with people, living with people, working with people, getting angry with and reconciling with people, caring for people, healing people, loving people, and seeing people as brothers and sisters. That is the work where God is at the bottom of the mountain. God is in the grind of daily life. Realizing that truth, trusting that God is in the grind just as much as on the mountain, we can spend the grind in worship and prayer, in communion with God, every moment a miracle, every step a sacred act, resting in God’s presence, even in the mundanity of daily life, for God is in the grind.

Preaching the Gospel While Preaching Our Lives

On this Transfiguration Sunday we look at Mark's account of the transfiguration, alongside those of Matthew and Luke, to see how God's endorsement of Jesus in the presence of the great law giver, Moses, and the great prophet, Elijah, give him the authority to establish how the love of God and neighbor provide the framework upon which hangs all the law and the prophets.

On this Transfiguration Sunday we look at Mark's account of the transfiguration, alongside those of Matthew and Luke, to see how God's endorsement of Jesus in the presence of the great law giver, Moses, and the great prophet, Elijah, give him the authority to establish how the love of God and neighbor provide the framework upon which hangs all the law and the prophets.

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Transfiguration Sunday is traditionally celebrated as the worship before the beginning of Lent. In transfiguration Jesus revealed to his disciples role bridging the law and the prophets in the vestiges of Moses and Elijah.

An "image" of a sculpture or painting becomes art when it sparks our imaginations. But WONDER is past imagining. What makes you say "WONDER-FULL" and mean it?

An "image" of a sculpture or painting becomes art when it sparks our imaginations. But WONDER is past imagining. What makes you say "WONDER-FULL" and mean it?

St. John's Lutheran Church is a vibrant congregation with active adult ministries and numerous opportunities for children and youth. Founded in 1798, St. John's continues to grow being nourished by the Word of God.

Listen to Christ when he says what is critical in life Listen to Christ when he explains who our neighbor is Listen to Christ’s promise that “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

Listen to Christ when he says what is critical in life Listen to Christ when he explains who our neighbor is Listen to Christ’s promise that “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

The way of Jesus is the way of vulnerability and reconciliation. With Jesus, we get to be 100% who we are, including all of what makes of ashamed, and we are told that we are still worthy of love and belonging. We are reconciled and nothing will separate us from God's love. That means we get to be vulnerable with those we love and let our true selves show, warts and all. When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, he brought only his three closest friends / disciples. He brought only those he knew he could trust with the revelation of his truest, inmost self. I can imagine Jesus being anxious about how his friends would react, thinking that they might run pell-mell down the mountain or be totally freaked out by him from then on. They were a bit freaked, wanting to build a booth for Jesus, supposedly so he could stay up there, and they could visit from a safe distance. Jesus wasn't having it, however, and came on down the mountain with them, telling then not to share what they had seen. They had to be ok with Jesus not only as their carpenter/rabbi friend, but as the Son of God as well. That was something he could share only with his closest friends at the time, and they could accept it, see his true self, and still love him. With reconciliation, we have the same vulnerability Jesus did, exposing our inner self which we often hide from others, exposing our misdeeds and our shame, hoping that they do not make us unlovable. Then, with reconciliation, we find that we are absolved and reconciled. We are still lovable. We are not defined by our sins. We are defined as God's beloved children, worthy of love and belonging. Our sins get in the way of our relationships, but they do not define us. Admitting our faults to God, and admitting our faults to others who are trusted enough to hear them is a vulnerable act, and one that frees us from our shame so that we can live not as the sum total of our sins, but as the beloved people we are. The sacrament of Reconciliation of a Penitent is offered in the Episcopal Church as well. It is offered to all as a helpful way to speak out loud one's sins in a totally confidential conversation. Then the person gets to hear the words of God's forgiveness proclaimed by a priest. While we know in our heads that God forgives us, our hearts often need to hear the words spoken by a human being. Then the priest lays the conversation on the altar and gives it to God, never to be brought up by the priest again. In whatever form it comes, the vulnerability of reconciliation is a huge part of our life as Jesus disciples. Jesus knows we are a mess, and he declares us beloved.

Sunday Morning Worship Service

The way of Jesus is the way of vulnerability and reconciliation. With Jesus, we get to be 100% who we are, including all of what makes of ashamed, and we are told that we are still worthy of love and belonging. We are reconciled and nothing will separate us from God's love. That means we get to be vulnerable with those we love and let our true selves show, warts and all. When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, he brought only his three closest friends / disciples. He brought only those he knew he could trust with the revelation of his truest, inmost self. I can imagine Jesus being anxious about how his friends would react, thinking that they might run pell-mell down the mountain or be totally freaked out by him from then on. They were a bit freaked, wanting to build a booth for Jesus, supposedly so he could stay up there, and they could visit from a safe distance. Jesus wasn't having it, however, and came on down the mountain with them, telling then not to share what they had seen. They had to be ok with Jesus not only as their carpenter/rabbi friend, but as the Son of God as well. That was something he could share only with his closest friends at the time, and they could accept it, see his true self, and still love him. With reconciliation, we have the same vulnerability Jesus did, exposing our inner self which we often hide from others, exposing our misdeeds and our shame, hoping that they do not make us unlovable. Then, with reconciliation, we find that we are absolved and reconciled. We are still lovable. We are not defined by our sins. We are defined as God's beloved children, worthy of love and belonging. Our sins get in the way of our relationships, but they do not define us. Admitting our faults to God, and admitting our faults to others who are trusted enough to hear them is a vulnerable act, and one that frees us from our shame so that we can live not as the sum total of our sins, but as the beloved people we are. The sacrament of Reconciliation of a Penitent is offered in the Episcopal Church as well. It is offered to all as a helpful way to speak out loud one's sins in a totally confidential conversation. Then the person gets to hear the words of God's forgiveness proclaimed by a priest. While we know in our heads that God forgives us, our hearts often need to hear the words spoken by a human being. Then the priest lays the conversation on the altar and gives it to God, never to be brought up by the priest again. In whatever form it comes, the vulnerability of reconciliation is a huge part of our life as Jesus disciples. Jesus knows we are a mess, and he declares us beloved.

Mountaintop for valley living

Our God is awesome! This awesome God speaks to us, as God's people. Yet, often, we can't find that silent place in our hearts to hear.

Our God is awesome! This awesome God speaks to us, as God's people. Yet, often, we can't find that silent place in our hearts to hear.

The bad view from a mountain top

Why was Jesus Transfigured? How does God's command to listen to Jesus affect us today?

Why was Jesus Transfigured? How does God's command to listen to Jesus affect us today?

What does the Transfiguration of Jesus mean for our lives?

What does the Transfiguration of Jesus mean for our lives?