This year’s short Epiphany season, the time after Christmas and before Lent, means that even this early in February it is already Transfiguration Sunday. This is the week of the year when we typically read the story of Jesus taking a few disciples up a mountain where they see him change before their eyes and hear the voice of God declare, “This is my Son, the Beloved!”
We hear that story again this year, but the majority of our focus this year is shifting to one of the several “pre-quels” that sheds some light on the transfiguration. 2 Kings 2 tells of the prophet Elijah, one of the ancestors in faith who appears on the mountain to talk with Jesus during the transfiguration. Elijah is unique among prophets because his death is recorded with a dramatic, divine flair. With his student and successor Elisha watching, chariots and horses of fire come to earth to carry Elijah in a whirlwind to heaven.
What do this stories of an encounter with divine power tell us about God’s presence in times of grief and transition?
The full worship video for this service is available here.
you remember what it was like to be a resident and have all this death around you being new, terrifying? Why do you think they care so much about this stupid streak? Death is scary. They just want to believe that there’s somebody out there who can defy it.”
For Some Reason 