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READ THE SERMON

February 19, 2023 | Transfiguration of the Lord

Pastor Denise Clark-Jones

“FROM THE MOUNTAINTOP TO THE VALLEY ”

Today we celebrate the Transfiguration of Our Lord. In the Church season of Epiphany, and the accompanying lectionary passages from the Bible, the focus has been on revelation – God revealing Godself in Jesus Christ. Transfiguration Sunday, the bridge between the seasons of Epiphany and Lent, highlights (yes, “pun intended”) the necessary move from revelation to change, We will begin our observance of Lent in a few days, on Ash Wednesday.

In our reading from Exodus, Moses climbed Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments and ordinances which God gives to prepare the children of Israel for life in the Promised Land. Moses saw the glory of the Lord through a cloud on the mountain, but the people below saw blazing light, like a “devouring fire.” Later Elijah will encounter God on top of that same mountain. The psalmist remembers God’s gracious gift of “decrees and statutes” and urges the people to worship and praise God at his “holy mountain.”

In our gospel reading, Matthew gives his account of Jesus’ Transfiguration. Peter, James, and John follow Jesus up a mountain. There they saw Jesus, with Moses and Elijah all of whom appear in dazzling white light shining through them. As at Moses’ encounter on Mt. Sinai, God’s voice breaks through the cloud. God repeats the words spoken at Jesus’ baptism: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him, I am well pleased,” adding the instruction,” listen to him!” In our Epistle reading, the author of 2 Peter claims to have been an eyewitness to the Transfiguration. The author claims the Transfiguration was a preview of Christ’s “Second Coming.”

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“Why am I a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church?  Two words keep  floating up in a rather persistent way  –  “home” and  “family” – and I realized that it is an inescapable fact that is what this church means to me. During my 40 years here, so many life events have happened and Westminster has been there for me through all those times – good and bad.    It has been my home and family.  They say “home is where the heart is” and I’ve found the heart of Westminster to be as open and warm as a family’s!”