This week AJ will be out of town for Asher’s Spring Break. We are fortunate to have the Reverend Adrian J. Pratt B.D. (Retired) as the guest preacher.

Adrian was raised in the United Kingdom and originally a minister within the Presbyterian Church of Wales. In 1996, following an exchange experience, he began ministry within the PC(USA) serving Presbyteries in the States of West Virginia, Maryland and New York. After 40 years of ministry he retired. In December 2024, along with his wife Yvonne, they relocated to Greer SC. They have been happy to visit with the St Andrews congregation on a few occasions since then.

Questions

James Kirk introduces this passage in his lectionary companion “When we Gather.” “Jesus leads His three disciples up a high mountain and there is transfigured before them. The light of the gospel will henceforth shine on the darkness of the world. A cloud appears, and they hear a voice proclaim, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.” No longer can anything on earth or in heaven separate God’s people from the love Christ came to reveal. The glory of Christ shone in order that God’s will would be known.”

It is in that setting we find Peter reacting in a state of fear to the unfolding events. Jesus is transfigured before them and is seen speaking with Moses and Elijah. It is a brief and fleeting experience. Peter has his mind in neutral, but his words are flowing at full speed. His response is unwelcome and inappropriate.

In the United Kingdom, (the homelands of this mornings preacher Rev Adrian Pratt) they have a phrase to describe such outbursts. “Dropping a Brick.” The dictionary definition of “Dropping a Brick” is “to make a blunder or mistake, especially one that is tactless or causes embarrassment.” We see Peter dropping at least three of them in our reading! It is these responses that the sermon will explore as we approach the communion table.

Communion is a blessed time when we realize that, like Peter, we make many mistakes in our lives. Thankfully God’s love, shown in Jesus Christ, is greater than even our greatest blunders. Around the table we seek renewal and strength for the journey that is ahead of us. As the disciples were instructed on the mountain, we also have the privilege of responding to God’s invitation: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!”

Theme

1. Are there occasions when our actions are determined by our fears rather than our faith?

2. What can we learn from our mistakes, that we never learn from our triumphs?

3. As God forgives us for our inappropriate, fearful actions, are there any folk we need to forgive for acting in a similar way? (Including our selves!)

Reflections:

Transfiguration Sunday

Introit: Epiphany means “manifestation”, and the text of  “Sing of God Made Manifest” cites key disclosures of Jesus as Messiah. The final verse, which we sing as Introit, sums up the Transfiguration, recalled on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany.

Opening Hymn: In this text about the Transfiguration, “that foretaste of Christ’s glorification helps to prepare Peter, James, and John for their roles as proclaimers of “God’s beloved Son.””

Transition Hymn: For the month of March, “As the Deer”.

Communion Hymn: For 2025, we are returning to a communion hymn we haven’t done in quite a while: “We Gather Here (Come, Share the Lord”. The 3 verses, in succession, recall Christ’s post-resurrection meal with the disciples, remind of God’s presence where two or more are gathered, and foreshadow the heavenly feast to come.

Sending Hymn: While understood generally, reference to Jesus as the Light of the world, in this text in best understood as a response to the Transfiguration: “Lord, the Light of Your Love Shining”.

Benediction: Before we begin the season of Lent, one last use of “May the Love of the Lord” as our Benediction.