» Transfiguration – What does this mean?

The Transfiguration is a story that in the lectionary we use to bookend the season after Epiphany. Christ was revealed to the world by the Magi, and by his baptism by John in the river Jordan and the breaking open of the heavens. Now, Jesus has been revealed to the disciples as the Christ, the Son of God, who will be betrayed into human hands. Jesus has been revealed to his disciples that he is no worldly king, and that the kingdom of heaven is drawing very near.

So what do we do with this? It definitely was a moment for the three disciples – there on the mountain top – a liminal place where heaven and earth collide. Moses met God at Sinai and Elijah met God in the silence also on a mountain top. Where do we meet God? And what happens with that experience?

This day of Transfiguration prepares us for the coming days of Lent – where we walk with Christ to his death and resurrection. And so we celebrate the revelation of Christ this morning – and we pray that Christ is ever revealed in our lives.

No matter where you are…know that you are most welcome here.

We Welcome.

Welcome New Families!
This week we are welcoming five families into membership. We are excited to add the Valtos Family, the Johnson family, the Schweiger family, the McGowan family and the Hardt family through Affirmation of BAptism Please introduce yourselves and stay after to worship to celebrate with us!

Ministry Partner Sundays:
This Sunday, we begin six weeks of hearing and interacting with our ministry partners. This is one way of living out our faith after those mountain top experiences. You hear us sharing stories about what these folks do and how we share things?

This week, Connect For Community will share their vision and their excitement about having a home in our facility. They will give a Temple Talk at each service, lead adult forum and also host fellowship hour!

Lent Community Fish Fry (&Pie):

We’re having a community fish fry fundraiser! Save the date for Saturday March 14 between 4:30 and 7:30 to eat-in with us or carry-out your dinner(s). The Thistle, a three generation fish and chips shop, with be helping us provide this authentic meal that will be available to eat-in or carry out.

We need your help to run this event as well as invite all your friends to come and see what Shepherd of the Hills is doing! We’ll need table folks, servers, pie bakers, and set-up/breakdown folks. We pray that this event will welcome the community,share our outreach ministries with them, and raise some money to help keep our facility in working order and open for the various ministries that meet here.

We Equip.
Ash Wednesday Worship:
12 PM – Spoken Worship of Word & Sacrament with Imposition of Ashes
7:30 PM – Worship of Word and Sacrament with Imposition of Ashes.
Those who attend will be able to pick up a plain wooden cross that will be the center of our mid-week Lenten Vesper Services. Daily Lenten Devotion Books will also be available for all who desire.

Faith Formation:
Our next unit of study is “Sharing the Good News.” We will learn about the Woman at the Well this week – about bringing folks to come and see the Good News about Jesus. Our unit outreach project on February 22 will be write cards and make bookmarks for the residents at Merryheart in Succasunna.

Confirmation Retreat:
Looking ahead, the Middle School Retreat at Crossroads Camp and Retreat Center is April 24-26. The cost per student is $95. You may register directly with Crossroads. This is a great weekend of fun and fellowship with other youth. If you have questions, please see PTina!
We send.
SEC Food Pantry Gift of the Month:This year, we are switching up our offerings a bit. There are many things that folks need but are unable to buy with SNAP dollars. Last month, our gift was deodorant and soap. This month. our gift will be spices. we all know that salt enhances the flavor of food – but there are other spices that work well with food – and these things aren’t part of the federal program. They are also things that we normally don’t think about when we donate our food.

Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle enables us to journey in prayer through every region of the world and through every week of the year affirming our solidarity with Christians all over the world, brothers and sisters living in diverse situations, experiencing diverse problems and sharing diverse gifts.

This week (2/15-2/21) we pray for Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain. Click on the country names to find out more for specific thinks to pray for and to give thanks.