February 11
Beloved families of Good Shepherd,
Peace be with you! This Sunday’s Gospel story centers on a significant moment in Jesus’ life called “The Transfiguration”. Jesus was on a mountaintop with three of his closest followers, Peter, James, and John, when the magnificent glory of the Lord was revealed within Jesus’ body. The Gospel text from Matthew says Jesus’ face “shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” Moses and Elijah then appeared, talking with Jesus, and all three were full of light. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice in the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”
The Godly Play story about Jesus’ Transfiguration that I’ll share with our children this Sunday says, “the three disciples were so afraid they fell to the ground, but Jesus came to them and touched each one”, telling them to “rise and have no fear.”
I love the tender way in which Jesus handled his friends’ fears as they witnessed his Transfiguration. Jesus went to them and gently touched them to calm their dread. My sense is that Jesus did not want his Transfiguration to scare his friends, but rather to show them that Love is the truest, most powerful, and most beautiful force in the universe and within themselves. Jesus’ Transfiguration encourages us to not settle for anything less than Love in our lives. Jesus knew that his Transfiguration could also be our divine transfigurations when we follow his Way of Love.
The church gives us the season of Lent to examine the parts of our lives that are not aligning well with Jesus’ Way of Love. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and serves as a sober reminder that there is an endpoint to our lives on this earth. With God’s help, we can realign our lives toward Love and continue growing into the full, shimmering stature of Christ. Ash Wednesday services will be offered at 7 am, 12 pm, and 7 pm on Wednesday, February 18. Child care is available for the 7 pm service.
Families are invited to participate in a Lenten lunch and a Godly Play story about the life of Jesus as we begin to journey toward the great Mystery of Easter. Experience the story we will tell the children in chapel. Enjoy time with other families. Receive Lenten resources to encourage your family to love like Jesus together. Register your family HERE to join our Lenten Lunch.
Parents are invited to join one or more movements of Good Shepherd’s Silent Retreat on Saturday, February 21. Fr. Hendree and his colleague, Dr. Gary Jones, will co-lead this wonderful day of silence and contemplative teaching. Register HERE for our Lenten Silent Retreat. Our Outreach Minister, Julie Broderson, has organized a fantastic day of community outreach service called “Good Shepherd Loves Like Jesus” on Saturday, February 14. Go HERE to learn more and to sign up for one or more outreach events that day.
We hope to see you this Sunday!
Many Blessings,
Patty