Searching for the Lost
Fr. Casey
This weekend we will hear again one of the most beloved of all of Jesus’ stories – the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). It is one of the most enduring and important passages in Scripture, because it captures so poignantly the central claims of the Gospel. There is wideness in God’s mercy, as the old hymn says, and Jesus uses a fictional family saga to show just how wide.
Jesus ends the drama with a confrontation between the prodigal’s jealous brother and their father. It’s possible to interpret his tantrum as Jesus throwing shade on the self-righteous Pharisees, who whispered loudly about Jesus’ relationships with sinners. Which is to say, we could make this a story about how “other people” don’t understand the grace and mercy of God. But doing that would mean we’re letting ourselves off the hook too easily.
Right before he told this story, Jesus taught about seeking after lost things: shepherds who leave 99 sheep to seek one who is lost; women who turn their houses upside down to find a single lost coin.
Which has me wondering, what if the older brother’s mistake isn’t just his petty resentment of his repentant sibling…what if his mistake is that he never went looking for that sibling to help him find his way home?
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Transfigured Nights Concert –
Lenten Baroque
Join us this Sunday, March 27 at 7pm, as the Transfiguration Choir, soloists, and orchestra commemorates Christianity's most solemn season with music composed by masters of the 18th century. The program includes Cantatas 78 and 12 by Johann Sebastian Bach, the Organ Concerto in G Minor by George Fredric Handel, and Dietrich Buxtehude's Jesu, meines Lebens Leben. This concert will feature sopranos Terrie Prekitt-Brown & Elizabeth McGee, counter-tenor David Stanley, tenors Barrett Radzium & Jeremy Rohwer, baritone Jason Awbrey, organist Stefan Engels, and conductor Joel Martinson.
*As with all services in the church, masks will be required for attendees*
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Wednesdays in Lent
Wednesdays in Lent include additions to our regular eucharist service. Learn more at our Lent page.
- 5:00 p.m. - Stations of the Cross in the Nave
- 6:00 p.m. - Wednesday eucharist in the Nave
- 6:30 p.m. - Simple meal in Roper Hall
- 7:00 p.m. - Lenten Wednesday Formation
- 8:00 p.m. - Compline in the Nave
A Celebration of Spiritual Disciplines Join us on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. for a guest speaker series centered around Richard Foster’s classic book by the same title. Each week, we’ll focus on a spiritual practice, guided by a guest speaker whose life with God has been enriched by focused attention and discipline with that particular practice.
This Wednesday we welcome Mtr. Amy Heller to lead a discussion on the spiritual practice of Fasting. Mtr. Amy has served as Associate Rector here at Transfiguration, Chaplain at Parish Episcopal School, and most recently as Senior Chaplain at The Episcopal School of Dallas. Mtr. Amy is a lifelong Episcopalian, who strives to share her love of the Christian faith with others, embracing a holy curiosity about this abundant life we share. She grew up in New England, where she developed a love for the Red Sox, the beaches of Maine and the pleasure of an afternoon spent reading. Amy and her husband, Dr. Roy L. Heller, Professor of Old Testament and Director of Graduate Program in Religious Studies at Perkins School of Theology, have two grown children, Noah and Annie.
This class will be livestreamed and previous classes from this series may be accessed here.
Register for childcare here. |
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Formation in Lent
The Cross and the Lynching Tree (Roper Hall): In this class, we’ll read and discuss Dr. James Cone’s provocative and award-winning book on the relationship between the cross and the lynching tree and how they “interpret each other.”
Remember That You Are Dust: The Church’s Teaching on Death & Dying (Parlor): On Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that we are dust, and to dust we shall return, and we carry those words with us throughout our Lenten journey. In this five-week series we will unpack what it means to be mortal and explore the Church’s teachings about death and dying.
Pilgrimage: An Introduction to Holy Journeying (Vestry Room): In recent years, Transfiguration has conducted numerous pilgrimages to places as diverse as the Holy Land, South Africa, and the Deep South. This summer a group of pilgrims will journey to Germany to see the Oberammergau Passion Play, and next fall, Fr. Casey will conduct the Via di Francesco in Italy. During Lent, Fr. Casey will explore this ancient spiritual practice, how it differs from other sorts of travel, and how we can all embrace it to enrich our faith.
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Newcomer Workshop
If you’re new to Transfiguration we welcome you to join us this Saturday, March 26, 8:30-noon, in the Parlor. We will talk about how we live out membership here at Transfiguration. Fr. Casey, Mtr. Rebecca, and Anne Schmidt will lead a discussion on our history, practices, and community.
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Youth Pilgrimage Fundraiser
Our fundraiser for the Fig Youth pilgrimage to Ireland will be up in the Gathering Space for the next two Sundays. Grab an envelope from the wall and donate the amount listed and fill out a card with a prayer request that will be prayed for by one of our pilgrims. If you have already taken an envelope, don't forget to bring it back this week or next! Online donations may be made below.
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Foyer Groups Kick-off April 3
Foyer groups is a great opportunity to connect with fellow parishioners by sharing and hosting meals together in small groups. After a long hiatus, we will Kick-Off our next season in the Parlor, April 3 at 4pm. Comntact Sheila MacLennan Runnels at sheila.s.runnels@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.
We look forward to seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and sharing good meals together!
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Easter Outreach for Children
at Gateway of Grace
Help us bless refugee children by providing an Easter basket and/or stuffing Easter eggs for their celebrations! Drop off baskets on the table in the Tower Cloister area from March 19 through April 3, 9am to 4pm (Monday-Friday), or Saturday, March 20th between 8-9:30am.
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- Coloring Books
- Heath Bars
- Almond Joy
- Mr. Good Bar
- Krackel
- Rolos
- Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
- Dum Dum Lollipops
- Twizzlers
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- Please Note:
- $25 Max Value Per Basket
- No Toys
- No Marshmallows
- No Gelatin
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Experience Holy Week
at Transfiguration
Join us at for the holiest of weeks, when faithful Christians around the world will focus their minds and hearts on Jesus’ final days of mortal life. If we embrace it fully, the journey of Holy Week will change our lives. For in it we see just how far Love Incarnate went to defeat sin, evil, and death forever.
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Holy Week Volunteers Needed
Holy Week requires the help of the whole Transfiguration community.
Bring Bread and Wine for Maundy Thursday
Bring loaves of bread and/or bottles of wine for Maundy Thursday (April 14 at 7pm). The bread is donated to Austin Street Center, and the wine is uncorked after the Great Vigil.
Sign up to bring Bread and Wine here.
Keep Watch before the Altar of Repose
Keep watch for an hour before the Blessed Sacrament through the night between Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (April 14-15).
Sign up to keep watch here.
Break the Fast is Returning!
After a two year hiatus, we are happy to announce that there will be a Break the Feast following the Great Easter Vigil on April 16. As in years past, the food and drinks are supplied by our generous parishioners.
Sign up to bring food or supplies here.
We also need help setting up, serving and cleaned up for Easter Day.
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Easter Flowers & Music Dedications
The church will be adorned during Easter and we will invite musicians to enrich our services. For dedications made in memoriam or thanksgiving to be included in the Easter worship services, please submit by April 8.
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Bookstore Corner
Store Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sundays from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
All proceeds benefit St. Hilda's Guild and our church's ministries.
For questions about books or gifts, contact Carolyn by phone at (972) 231-1634.
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