BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY / ALL-AGES SERVICE

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February 14, 2021

The video recording of this service can be found here.
You can also dial-in by phone to listen to the audio recording at 613-820-8104

Gathering Music: Hallelujah Time – Oscar Peterson Piano: Abe

Welcome & Announcements Rev. Kim Vidal

Good day everyone! On behalf of BCUC, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ on this All-Ages Transfiguration Sunday when we once again reflect on that story of Jesus being changed into a radiant form on top of a mountain. Today we are also celebrating Black History Month as we honour the legacy and contributions of black Canadians and their communities. This is also our way of showing our solidarity with all black peoples in their continuing struggles against racism.

Due to the provincial lockdown, we will not be offering in-person worship service until further notice but we will continue to offer worship service in a number of ways. Check our website at bcuc.org, for our worship service in audio, video and text formats along with the weekly announcements, online meetings, events and other updates. You can also listen to the service via telephone by dialing 613-820-8104. Please continue to reach out by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls and prayers.

Our Annual General Meeting will take place via Zoom on Sunday March 7th at 11:00 AM. The purpose of this meeting is to review and receive the 2020 Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements and to approve the 2021 Annual Activity Plan, Budget and Nominations Report, and various other items of importance. To ensure the congregation is informed, and that new business items are given an adequate amount of time for deliberation, please notify the Board of your intent to introduce any new items of business, or new motions by sending an e-mail to John MacFarlane before noon on Monday February 22nd. A mover and a seconder for motions, as well as any background material that can be distributed to the congregation at least one week before the meeting, will also be appreciated. The proposed Agenda and other documents will be circulated to the congregation by Sunday February 28th. Link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed to the congregation few days prior to the AGM.

Today is the last Sunday in the season of Epiphany and we are entering the Season of Lent. I invite you to join us for an Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, Feb 17th at 6 pm or anytime after. The service will be offered in both text and audio formats. It will be posted on our website. And for the first Sunday in Lent on February 21, we will be celebrating an agape meal so join us for that service as well.

I invite you to participate in the Prayer Circle every Wednesday at 8 pm. Wherever you are, say a prayer for the world, your community including our congregation, your family, your friends and yourself.

And for those of you who are able to join us via Zoom, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11: 00 am. Link has been emailed to you or call the office for more information.

For all other announcements, please visit the website.

Friends, as we gather today wherever we are, let us ask the Divine Presence to lead us into that radiant light, where God’s love is revealed to all who follow the transfigured Jesus, light of the world. Let us gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle Acolyte: Calliyanna Fowler

The light of Christ shines on us and in us.
The light of Christ leads us.
The light of Christ transforms us.
We light this candle in the certainty
That Christ’s presence is with us.

Call to Gather Raven Miller

Who is Jesus for us?
The continuation of the covenant.
The promise of something new.
The presence of God’s love.
Who are we for him?
The continuation of the covenant.
The promise of something new.
The presence of God’s love.
In God’s love – Jesus was changed, transfigured, and transformed.
In God’s love – we are changed, given hope, made new.
As people changed and changing,
as followers of Jesus’ way,
we worship God![1]

Prayer in Movement: “I Wanna Be Ready!” Wendy Morrell & Sacred Dancers

Recorded live in February 2020

Hymn: A Light is Gleaming - Voices United #82 Erin, Abe, Kim: guitar

Refrain:
A light is gleaming,
spreading its arms throughout the night,
living in the light.
Come share its gladness,
God’s radiant love is burning bright,
living in the light.

1 When light comes pouring into the darkest place, it hurts our eyes to see the glow.
Sometimes a word of hope reminds us of our fears, our memories and tears. R

2 When night is round us and every shadow grows, a star is there to light our way.
It tells a story of Jesus who came near to say: “God’s light will ever stay.” R

3 And Jesus showed us a brighter path to walk. He showed us things we hadn’t seen.
Now we, like Jesus, can help creation shine,
and this will be a sign: R

4 So let us live in the brightness God has giv’n, and let us rise to see the dawn.
We trust that God is here a sparkle and a blaze, warming all our days. R

Storytime: Rev. Lorrie Lowes “The Big Orange Splot” by Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Mr. Plumbean lives on a street where all the houses look the same, and everyone likes it that way. Everything changes when a seagull splashes orange paint on Mr. Plumbean’s house. He decides to paint his house to reflect his colorful dreams. Although the neighbors are upset at first, one by one they talk to Mr. Plumbean. He convinces them to use their imaginations to transform their own houses to reflect their dreams.

This might seem like a strange story to read to you on Transfiguration Sunday, but I was trying to find a new way to explain that word “transfiguration”. It’s a little bit like “transformation”. Both mean that something changes. A caterpillar, for instance, transforms into a butterfly or maybe it makes you think of a toy transformer that can change from a car into a giant robot. Those are certainly big changes – big transformations. I think “transfiguration” is a little bit different though… to me it is more about changing the way something or someone is seen.

In our Bible reading today, three of the disciples are alone with Jesus on a mountain. Suddenly they see Jesus in a whole new way – shining with light and talking with Moses and Elijah – important men in our Old Testament scriptures who had died a long time before… Jesus looked totally different to the disciples in that moment and they heard God’s voice telling them that Jesus was God’s beloved son.

I wonder… Did Jesus really change?... or did the disciples change the way they saw and understood who Jesus was and what he was trying to tell the world.

Mr. Plumbean in our story certainly changed the way his house looked, didn’t he? It was a brand-new idea to the people on his street and they weren’t very comfortable with it. They thought he was a bit of a nuisance. But when each person got to really know him by talking with him, they saw him in a whole new way. He helped them realize what their own dreams were and they realized that they could change the whole street by sharing their dreams and listening to the dreams of others.

I don’t think Mr. Plumbean was the one who was transformed, do you?

I think it might have been the same with the disciples. We know that Jesus had a brand-new way of looking at the world. Some people were really uncomfortable with his new ideas – but those who really listened and really got to know Jesus, saw him in a whole new light. He was transfigured in front of them!

Just like Mr. Plumbean’s new and different way of painting his house transformed the street, Jesus’ new and different way of thinking began to change the world. Jesus’ dream was bigger than transforming his small group of friends. He knew that if we all learn to listen to each other and share our hopes and dreams, the people around us will be transfigured. We will see each other in a whole new light - and then, the whole world might be transformed! Do you think can we help make Jesus’ dream come true?

Children’s Song: The Light of God’s Love CGS/Bell Canto – Director: Erin Berard

Words & Music © Mark Burrows; This Little Light - traditional
Song Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Samantha Jones

In this time together, we invite you, O God,
to open our hearts as we receive your word of life.
And through these words, may we know your presence with us. Amen.

The Reading: Mark 9: 2-10 (The Message)

The Transfiguration of Jesus

2-4 Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. Elijah, along with Moses, came into view, in deep conversation with Jesus.

5-6 Peter interrupted, “Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah.” He blurted this out without thinking, stunned as they all were by what they were seeing.

7 Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him.”

8 The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus.

9-10 Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. “Don’t tell a soul what you saw. After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you’re free to talk.” They puzzled over that, wondering what on earth “rising from the dead” meant.

May the Light of Christ dwell where the Word is spoken. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Whose Transfiguration?” Rev. Kim Vidal

Every year, just before the beginning of Lent, the church goes mountain climbing. The congregation that gathered up on the mountain with Jesus that day was a small one. Only five were present. Peter, James and John were regulars. They never missed. Also present were two visitors who had not attended a worship service on earth in centuries. Neither Peter, James nor John had ever met these two men face to face before, but they had heard of them from their parents and grandparents. Even without the customary, "passing of the peace," they knew their names. Moses and Elijah - two giants of the Jewish faith - and they were talking with Jesus. Quite impressive. Mountains, you may well know, in Greek, Hebrew, Roman and Asian religious literatures, were believed to be places where the human could touch the divine. Sure enough, on top of that mountain, a wonderful thing happened. Jesus' appearance changed–his clothes became dazzling white and he actually glowed. I confess I have been puzzled over this transfiguration story and how to bring this particular story relevant for us today. This was something out of the ordinary.

On top of the mountain, Peter was so impressed by what he had seen. Peter was so awed by the radiant light emanated from Jesus. "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here." Peter exclaimed. Peter wants to stay there forever to immortalize such radiant moment. He didn't know where he was or what was happening but this much he knew, this moment was very good. He was in the ‘light’ and it was ‘good.’ The aura surrounding them – is it bursting from Peter’s heart? Peter is in pure bliss. And he wanted to build permanent booths or shrines and make an idol of the moment. Peter attempted to build dwellings for Moses, Elijah and Jesus - to capture that moment and immortalize it, hoping to make it last forever. I interpret this as Peter opting for a religion of temples, brick and mortar, institutions and shrines. And before Peter could even finish speaking, the voice of God coming through a mass of cloud interrupted and said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" These very words were the same pronouncements we heard at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. In the words of theologian Marcus Borg: “Jesus in that moment becomes a metaphor of God – he is the heart of God made flesh”.

The three disciples, fell to the ground and were overcome with fear. But I’m sure they saw Jesus in a new, different way. They were presented with a brand-new insight who Jesus really was -- dazzling, overwhelming, literally enlightening. If they were confused before, now they almost get it! This was a moment of epiphany – a revelation – an “aha” moment for the three disciples. Mark told this story to remind us that whatever else we think of Jesus, and no matter how we feel about these coming weeks of Lent, when we focus on his journey toward death, there was, in Jesus’ life, a radiant truth of his person and character; that Jesus is all about transforming lives!

A black teacher and activist from Montreal, Sabrina Jafralie, is inspiring her students to transform the world. Sabrina was one of the many black changemakers in Montreal featured in CBC Quebec this year highlighting people from the Black communities who are giving back, inspiring others and helping to shape the future. Born and raised in Montreal, Sabrina holds a doctorate degree in education and currently teaches at Westmount High School and a lecturer at McGill University in the faculty of education. She says she can almost see the raw, untapped potential radiating off her students the moment she walks into a classroom. She believes it is her job to “harness those potentials, to bring them out and to make sure that they just blossom in the world.” As a history teacher, Sabrina believes that most of her students don't connect with the material in Quebec's history curriculum, so she focuses on the stories that are under-represented — Black history, Indigenous culture, the stories of Asian people who came to Canada, for example. She was transformed at a young age and was introduced to the concepts of working for the community and giving back to transform others. She tells her students that if they want change to happen, they must get involved and be bold enough to push themselves beyond their comfort zones. She tries to ensure that when they leave high school, they're critical thinkers who are ready to make the world better, one step at a time. Sabrina said she is only a changemaker because her students help her make change.[2]

The story of Sabrina Jafralie made me think of the word transfiguration. Transfiguration –sounds like a lofty word. But really, it’s just another word for change or metamorphosis - to transform inwardly radiating into changed outward appearance, to morph into something. It is not a popular word we use these days. A block of ice is transfigured into a beautiful sculpture. A caterpillar morphs into a dazzling butterfly. A seed grows into a tree. A young person is transformed into a changemaker. Jesus was transfigured before his three disciples. His appearance was changed - transfigured in a blazing light, in a dream-like space talking with those who lived centuries before. Jesus turned from the ordinary Jewish man into someone who is extraordinarily special. He shone with the glory that caused old Moses to shine that day on Mount Sinai, when the 10 commandments were given to him. Jesus shone with the glory that carried old Elijah up in a chariot to heaven's heights - gone from this world - but alive in the memory of those who followed his teachings. The transfiguration of Jesus revealed God’s nature to his three disciples and to us. Jesus disclosed both the character and passion of God. In that moment, he became the Word of God, the Light of the World.

Some scholars understood that this transfiguration event is Mark's resurrection story, the only resurrection picture we have in this gospel because the risen Jesus did not appear at the end of Mark's story. Like the disciples who were dazzled by the transfigured form of Jesus, there is something in us that want us to stay up on the mountain forever where we can taste and touch and see and hear and even smell the presence of God. Have you ever had a transfiguration experience? Has a light entered the room and suddenly illuminated your life? Has a cloud descended upon you and wrapped you up and then released you and suddenly you know exactly what you are called to do? There are times when we feel lifted up, taken up to a place a little closer to God and God's glory. There are times when we feel we are hearing God speaking to us, telling us things, giving us direction, comfort, or joy.

I don’t know about you but my personal experience of transfiguration comes to me in discovering that the ordinary is laced with the sacred and that my daily ordinary rituals call me towards God. It is more like life on the plain than life on the mountaintop. I feel God’s presence here among us in the ordinary life on the plain. And I can proclaim too, down in this plain, it is good for us to be here! It could be those times when we listen to each other’s stories or when we are moved to put together ordinary pieces of cloth made into an exquisite quilt or weaving milk bags made into mats for the poor of Haiti and Africa. Through our hearts and hands, the hungry will be fed, the homeless will have roof over their heads, refugees will have a safe place to call home. In this time of pandemic, through our prayers and social distancing, love, safety and connection will be offered to our neighbours and friends, especially those who are lonely and those who are grieving. These are moments of grace that transfigure us day by day.

Transfiguration isn't just about a “shining moment” of going up the mountain, it is also a “shining moment” about Jesus coming down, all the way down into our brokenness, fear, grief and loss. Because below the mountain, reality awaits - the world is waiting. And some experiences are not pleasant at all. We might like to stay up on top of the mountain forever but life on the plain is as equally powerful and filled with meaning, surprise and the possibility of transfiguration as life on top of a mountain - for God’s presence surely is everywhere!

Just when the three disciples were enjoying their “peak” moments, Jesus brushed off the sleeves of his garment and said “Guys, it’s time to go. Roll up your sleeping bags. Our camping is over. Let’s get down to work!” Work? What work? Where? Jesus himself does not want to stay up on the mountain forever. He had to come back down to the plains. Jesus comes back down where real transformation takes place. Not in the high places but down in the plain. Down into the mundane nature of everyday life. Down into the nitty-gritty details of misunderstanding, squabbling, disbelieving people. Down into the religious and political quarrels of the day. Down into the jealousies and heartaches that colour our relationships. Down into the poverty and pain that are part and parcel of our life in this world. Down. Jesus came down. He asks his disciples to roll up their sleeves and get down to work. He showed them how to heal the sick. He led them down to the bottom of that mountain to the hurting people, unbelieving religious and political leaders, the bureaucratic institutions and the realities of suffering below. Through this puzzling event called transfiguration, Jesus has set the example that true religion is not about building temples and keeping shrines. It is about healing hurts, speaking for and being with the poor, the helpless, the voiceless and the forgotten who are at the silent bottom of every pinnacle, every hierarchy and every power. True religion, is not about transcending life; it is about transforming life.

Friends, as we follow the way of Jesus, remember that we are the transfigured people of God. We are the transfigured followers of Jesus. We, too, are to wear robes that shine with Jesus' presence in our lives. We are to wear robes of love and compassion, garments of justice and peace. Moments of transfiguration change us, sustain us, prepare us, encourage us, and guide us regardless of the circumstances we face. We are called to be changemakers - to transform people, situations and places and make the world a haven of shalom, healing, justice and love. Thanks to be to God. Amen.

*Thanks to the Lectionary Group for their insights, comments and reflections on Transfiguration.

Prayers of the People Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Radiant God,
It is good that we are here
It is indeed right and good that we give you thanks for the many blessings you bestow upon us.
We thank you for this amazingly diverse world with its kaleidoscope of colour and texture and culture. Open our minds to see how everything in Creation is interconnected according to your plan. Open our hearts to fuller understanding and our eyes to see Jesus in the many ways he comes to us – through people, known and unknown, familiar and different, near and far - through the beauty and abundance of Creation - through the love and generosity of others.
Give us the courage to radiate the beauty of the transfigured Jesus in all that we do.

God of Light,
We bring to you the week we’ve had with all of its mountain-top highs and deep valley lows.
We offer to you the week ahead with our excitement of anticipation as well as our fears and worries. We bring to you all those in our hearts who are suffering through these days in many ways and circumstances – named and nameless, expressed, and in the silence of our hearts.
Give us opportunities to be your hands, feet and heart in the world.
Give us the clarity to see that you are with us in all that we do and experience.

Illuminating God,
Help us to cope with the disturbing and sometimes frustrating events in our world.
Give us patience to deal with a pandemic that seems to go on forever.
Give us hope that the new vaccines will soon allow us back into community with each other.
Give us bravery to speak up for those whose voices are not heard and whose needs are great.
Give us the vision to see the places where your light shines in the darkness.
Help us to be that light for those around us.

All these things we ask in the name of the transfigured Jesus who helped the world to see the way to fulfill your dream for Creation, and who left us this ancient prayer which will be offered through a liturgical dance. Amen.

Dance Movements: “The Lord’s Prayer” Wendy Morrell & the Sacred Dancers

Invitation to Offer Rev. Kim Vidal

We, the United Church of Canada, have made a commitment to becoming an anti-racist denomination. Another way of saying this is that we are committed to developing healthy relationships with individuals and communities, especially those experiencing marginalization, because this was a focus of Jesus’ redemptive work. Thank you for being invested in this transformative work, and thank-you for being dedicated to living out this incredible vision for our community and the world. Your time, talents, and gifts make a huge difference, and we are forever grateful to see what God is doing in you and in our community.[3]

I now invite you to offer your gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of your gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC. Let us now gather our gifts together and offer them to God in gratitude and praise.

Offertory Prayer

Here is the work of our hands,
the love of our hearts,
our desire to make a better world.
Bless our gifts, our giving and our hopes
for a world in which your will is done. Amen.[4]

Sending Forth Rev. Lorrie Lowes

As we prepare to leave this time of worship,
May we be transformed so that we might embrace our calling:
To see with new eyes,
Reach out with gentle hands,
Imagine with transformed minds,
Be still with hallowed presence,
And be filled with grateful prayers,
Knowing that the wisdom of the Spirit,
the light of Christ, and the unending love of God
Bless us in our work each and every day.[5] Amen.

Hymn: Siyahamba (We Are Marching in the Light of God) - Voices United #646

We are marching in the light of God; (4X)
We are marching, marching,
we are marching, oooo -
we are marching in the light of (the light of) God. (2X)

Siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos' (4X)
Siyahamba, hamba,
siyahamba, hamba, oooo -
siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwen(khanyen' kwen) khos'. (2X)

Nous marchons dans la lumière de Dieu (4X)
Oui, nous marchons, marchons;
oui, nous marchons, marchons; oooo-
nous marchons dans la lumière de (lumière de Dieu) Dieu. (2X)

Repeat verse 1

Departing Music: Hymn to Freedom – Oscar Peterson BCUC men

Join us for Zoom Fellowship at 11:00 am

[1] Richard Bott, Gathering, ACE 2020-2021. Used with permission.

[2] Black Changemakers, cbc.ca, February 2021.

[3] Rev. Adam Kilner. Black History Month Service 2021, United Church of Canada website.

[4] Kate Crawford. Gathering, ACE 2017-2018. Used with permission.

[5] Based on Bruce Sanguin’s “Light Transfusion”, If Darwin Prayed.

Sunday Worship Service - February 14, 2021