Glory - Luke 9:28-36 - Transfiguration - 2-27-22

 

Sermon podcast from the Transfiguration Sunday, 2-27-22 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Luke 9:28-36

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"Glory" podcast

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Glory

Sermon podcast for Transfiguration - 3-3-19  - at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL.  Luke 9:28-36.  It’s about what God is doing continuously

Video sermon preview
"Glory" podcast

Changed

Sermon podcast from Transfiguration Sunday, February 7, 2016.  It was also Scout Sunday, Mardi Gras Sunday, and Super Bowl Sunday.
"Changed" podcast

Listen to Him

This week's Transfiguration Bible study blog entry from i.ucc (When you don't know what to do) changed slightly and then became a dazzling new Sunday sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL. :)
"Listen to Him" text
"Listen to Him" podcast

When you don't know what to do

Here's this week's Bible study blog post for i.ucc:

Unusual events in this week’s Bible reading from Luke 9:28-36.

Jesus started glowing and his clothes got really bright. Moses and Elijah – two famous dead guys – appeared.

Peter, James, and John must’ve thought they were dreaming.
“Wait a minute – how can we all be having the same dream?” they might have said.

Peter didn’t know what to make of all it. He didn’t know what was going on. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do.

So he offered to set up three tents.

Set up tents?

• It may have been that Peter thought that the three would need shelter.
• It may have been that Peter wanted each of them to have a prayer tabernacle.
• It may have been that Peter had no idea what to say, but offering hospitality was hard-wired in him.

Oh that we would all, whether we are confused, completely understanding or anywhere in between, offer hospitality because it is hard-wired in us.

A new look

"Shiny happy people," the blog entry for i.ucc on Monday, is now adapted into tomorrow morning's sermon. If you want a preview of "a new look," then have at it!

Update: "A New Look" podcast is ready!

Shiny happy people?

Here's this week's "Opening the Bible" blog post from i.ucc. The blog entry is called "Shiny happy people?" Have you joined the United Church of Christ's online community?
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There's a whole lot of people glowing in this week's Bible readings -- and the reactions to them aren't all the same!
The glowing faces of Moses and Jesus are the focus of two Bible readings for this week (Exodus 34:29-35 and Luke 9:28-36.)

In the reading about Moses, we find that he comes down from the mountain where he spent time in the cloud with God. Moses has the two tablets of the 10 commandments and his face is white and glowing. The people are afraid of his glowing face, so he covers it with a veil. (Why? Is it so that they won't be afraid of him? Is it because he knows it will wear off and they won't be impressed anymore?) Regardless, the people saw the glowing face as a sign that Moses had been in God's presence and they were in awe.

It's interesting to note that in another Old Testament reading from Numbers 12:9-12, Miriam (Moses' sister) spends some time in the cloud and starts glowing too. But in this case, the reaction is different. "She has a skin disease!" is the reaction to a woman glowing. How is it that Moses glows and it's God and Miriam glows and it's a disease?

Fast forward to Luke 9 -- Jesus takes Peter, James and John up the mountain to pray. And then Jesus starts glowing too! On top of that, Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Jesus. Peter's reaction isn't exactly one of awe -- it's more a reaction of (what's a word that means "I have no idea what to say?"). He moves into "let's make some dwelling places for you three" mode. I guess he was so dumbfounded (is that the word?) that he couldn't even comprehend what the glowing meant.

Three glowing people -- three reactions:

Awe and fear
Accusation of disease
Dumbfoundedness

What kind of reaction have you had, or do you think you might have, if you encounter someone who has been in God's presence? What does that really mean? What do you think your reaction has been, or would be if you experience God's presence? And what does that really mean?