Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
Worship Focus for February 23
Rev. Hardy Kim, preaching
Greetings!

This Sunday that we celebrate the transfiguration – the moment when the disciples get a glimpse of God’s glory, as revealed in Jesus. It’s a moment for celebration for them, and for us who have received that knowledge of God’s glory in the church.

But this story isn’t just triumphant and joyous – there’s fear and comedy, there’s a surprise message delivered by a voice from the heavens, and some words offered by Jesus himself. This is a great story for us to dig into, so that we can consider what it means to approach God’s glory – especially as we are on the verge of entering into a season of preparing to approach the miraculous glory of God’s resurrection on Easter.

I look forward to worshiping with you all!

Peace,
Hardy
Theme for Sunday

Citizens become powerful when they choose to shift the context within which they act in the world. Using the language of context rather than culture puts the choice into our own hands. It acknowledges that our mindset, even our worldview, is subjective and therefore amenable to change.
—Peter Block, Community
Questions for Reflection
  • Have you ever felt like you were confronted with God’s glory or holiness?
  • Was there anything unexpected about how you felt?
  • How did this experience affect your life moving forward?
Matthew 17:1-9

Six days later, 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.”