Last Sunday after the Epiphany

What does Jesus mean to you? There are a lot of answers to this question posed on the internet and some are really good. Just about every person that is asked this question has some type of answer. Jesus means hope. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is the Son of the living God. The answers vary greatly, but all point to different attributes of Christ. As Christians we believe Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain. His clothes became a dazzling white and Elijah and Moses appeared. The three men were terrified. Then God told them from the clouds, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Jesus ordered the men to tell no one what they had seen until after his resurrection. They then left the mountain where this had occurred and they could no longer see Elijah or Moses with them. What would happen if you saw something like this occur? Would it change your perspective in life? Would Jesus seem more real to you? The difference between the time of the transfiguration and today is that we cannot physically see and speak with Jesus. We can pray, but we have to live out our walk with Christ by faith. This miracle of the transfiguration is unique in that this miracle happens to Jesus himself. May we be ever mindful of the one that is the reason for our faith. May we transform the lives of those around us and our own for the sake of Jesus Christ. God doesn't need us. Greater still, he wants us. No matter who you are or where you are on your journey of faith God loves you. God understands how hard it is to live in this life and even understands doubts. We are supposed to constantly grow. May you grow in love and faith in Jesus. Amen.

Collect:
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.

Pray especially for healing for:
John Cunningham, Betty Stenger, Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber, Pete Walburg, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Pete Stanish, Nathan McConnell, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, Donald Kaltenback, and Susan Beeler.

(1st Reading 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2nd Reading 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Gospel St. Mark 9:2-9)

Reminders for this week:

Tuesday, February 21st -- social time begins at 6:00PM and dinner starts at 6:30PM. There will be Italian dishes and sangria punch. We will be taking donations to buy a new chasuble for Henry. The good news is we have the money for the chasuble. The bad news it is still in your pockets.

Ash Wednesday liturgy and imposition of ashes: February 22 at 6:30PM.