{"id":3181,"date":"2026-02-17T22:12:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T02:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pccweb.ca\/brookfield\/?p=3181"},"modified":"2026-02-17T22:12:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T02:12:42","slug":"february-15th-2026-sermon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pccweb.ca\/brookfield\/?p=3181","title":{"rendered":"February 15th, 2026 Sermon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Matthew 17:1-9 (2026)<\/span><\/p>\n

God of Word and Wisdom, your Spirit inspired the authors of scripture with faithfulness in their day. Send us your Holy Spirit as we listen to the scriptures in our time. Give us fresh understanding and a vision of how to live out your wisdom in the example of Christ, your living Word.\u00a0 Amen<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Our God is a storytelling God I was reminded of that as I worked on the service for this week Often the major truths in the Bible and in our lives of faith are told in story form The story of the exodus from Egypt which shows God\u2019s providence and care The story of David and Golaith, which has inspired many who cherish God\u2019s truth to stand up to unfair power<\/span><\/p>\n

We could spend a long time remembering the stories that show truth and how they have touched our lives But today we are looking at one story, the story of the transfiguration Why is this story in the Bible?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Is it to give us hope?<\/span><\/p>\n

Certainly that seems to be one concern Jesus had for the disciples with him They were not to tell the events that had happened immediately The story was to be kept for later We accept that Jesus knew that down the road, months or years away from Jesus being with them that the disciples would be discouraged and lonely<\/span><\/p>\n

When that day came they would have this time to look back on<\/span><\/p>\n

To remember that time that Jesus appeared in a transfigured form before them To remember that night when they were so filled with awe and amazement that they wanted to stay there<\/span><\/p>\n

We need those mountain top experiences in our lives<\/span><\/p>\n

The times when we are filled with the joy of the Spirit and filled with a sense of being in the presence of God One such experience of this for me happened in 2001 when John Bell was at Synod He is a member of the Iona Community in Scotland Iona is a place of hope<\/span><\/p>\n

A tiny island to which thousands journey year by year It is sun swept and windswept A place of transformation A sacred spot on earth<\/span><\/p>\n

A pilgrim\u2019s place A place with an alternative vision<\/span><\/p>\n

A place of prayer A place of struggle and commitment<\/span><\/p>\n

Iona is a community A community where people meet daily for prayer and worship A community known for music John Bell stood up at Synod And he taught us to sing We sang unaccompanied and in parts We sang songs we had never heard before Some of the songs were set to familiar tunes Some were tunes that were new to us<\/span><\/p>\n

We sang And we praised God From the depths of our hearts we praised God And with all that we were we lifted our voices in song<\/span><\/p>\n

It was difficult to leave that behind In a way I didn\u2019t have to right away<\/span><\/p>\n

John Bell was in Halifax the night after synod ended and I went to that event too St David\u2019s Presbyterian Church was packed This is a large, impressive sanctuary It is comparable to the Kirk of St James<\/span><\/p>\n

It takes a lot of people to fill that room And they were there Young people I knew from Camp Geddie Someone I hadn\u2019t seen since High School, who is now worshipping at the Christian Reformed Church<\/span><\/p>\n

Young men and maidens Ye old men and children Praising Jehovah<\/span><\/p>\n

What a glorious night John Bell reminded us that we praise God because we can And we praise God because we must<\/span><\/p>\n

And we did indeed praise God! Since that week<\/span><\/p>\n

There have been times when I wished I was back there<\/span><\/p>\n

Back in a group of joyful praising Christians Being led by a man who is able to draw ability out of anyone But that is not where we live our lives We go from the mountaintops to the valleys We go from \u201cBehold, I make all things new\u201d To \u201cHelp me get through this day, or this meeting, or this exam session\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The mountaintop experiences can help us get through the valleys<\/span><\/p>\n

The mountaintops are not where we stay<\/span><\/p>\n

After the disciples saw Jesus transfigured and standing with Moses and Elijah they wanted to set up camp right where they were<\/span><\/p>\n

They felt like they could stay there forever We can want the same thing Sometimes fear is the motivator that has us want to stay on the mountaintop We know this place, this mountaintop But the way ahead is strange and frightening We can be afraid of where we are going<\/span><\/p>\n

When we look at the rapid change that is part of our landscape, especially changes we see in the church we may fear<\/span><\/p>\n

To quote Radar O\u2019Reilly from M*A*S*H\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are those who feel the church is going to heck in a handcart<\/span><\/p>\n

Fear can be what causes us to choose to stay in a safe place, and hold on to the practices that are familiar and proven<\/span><\/p>\n

I also think fear can keep those outside our borders from coming in<\/span><\/p>\n

We need to be ready to move from our mountaintop<\/span><\/p>\n

Our safe place To make a place for the one who has never been there Years ago I met someone who let fear keep her from learning about faith For a while I worked in a literacy organization<\/span><\/p>\n

This was an office partially funded by government, and partially by donations Not a church group at all!<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the women that I worked with was intimidated by the fact that I had been a Diaconal Minister She was afraid, she told me later, that I would ask her something about the Bible Christianity was something that she knew she knew little about And something she wanted to know more about But didn\u2019t know how to learn more about<\/span><\/p>\n

And in the same way we hide our ignorance about _____<\/span><\/p>\n

Anything She was hiding what she didn\u2019t know Afraid to be exposed<\/span><\/p>\n

Others take their knowledge of what the church is from unreliable sources They know the church has rules That we forbid things<\/span><\/p>\n

The stories that get told are often the ugly ones<\/span><\/p>\n

We hear about the wrongs that have been done, or perceived to have been done<\/span><\/p>\n

One minister friend told of what happened one Sunday at his church<\/span><\/p>\n

People who hadn\u2019t been out for some time came to church one Sunday They wanted their new envelopes Since there had been no news of them for a considerable time There were no envelopes for that year Oh the fuss and commotion that caused!<\/span><\/p>\n

My friend said unfortunately the story that would be told was that this unfeeling church had no envelopes ready The story would not be that four concerned people jumped into action to get envelopes ready ASAP<\/span><\/p>\n

More serious wrongs than church envelopes take place all the time<\/span><\/p>\n

People who don\u2019t know, see the church as the place where old fashioned ideas are held for their own sake Where how you look is important Where a whole list of dos and don\u2019ts is adhered to\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where there is no compassion<\/span><\/p>\n

There can be a lot of time spent making accusations, and a lot of time spent giving defense to who we are and what we do<\/span><\/p>\n

What God invites us to do is not to defend ourselves, but to share the gospel and minister to the hurt of people To those of us hiding on our mountaintop, our safe place And to those hiding from God<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus says \u201cGet up and do not be afraid\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus is able to say, \u201cdo not be afraid\u201d Because Jesus is the one who really knows us The one who values us The one who helps us to go on<\/span><\/p>\n

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule ‘braying’ or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened…and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back…a thought struck him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back…HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This he did, blow after blow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought “panic” and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!<\/span><\/p>\n

You’re right! It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him…all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The old mule faced adversity and lived to see another day<\/span><\/p>\n

Those of us facing the adversity of fear for our future can have hope<\/span><\/p>\n

We can listen to the voice of Jesus saying \u201cGet up and do not be afraid\u201d Jesus, being God is the one who can help us do something real to make things different And our story in Matthew shows<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus is God<\/span><\/p>\n

CREATIVE CLOSING<\/span> copyright – George Hartwell, 2002, 2005\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rev. Richard J. Fairchild 2002, 2005<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0please acknowledge the appropriate author if citing these resources.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I am going to suggest that you put yourself in the place of Peter, James or John on the Mount of Transfiguration. Seeing Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus has awed you. The cloud of God\u2019s glory has come over you. The words of God are still ringing in your ears: \u201cThis is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What is your response\u201d Are you willing to be one who listens to Jesus<\/span><\/p>\n

throughout your life?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, imagine that the Spirit has moved you to go to a peaceful place. You are alone. You still yourself. You clear your mind of all your usual mental clutter. You are still to hear from God.<\/span><\/p>\n

You pray to God something like this: \u201cGod you said to listen to<\/span><\/p>\n

your beloved son Jesus. I am ready to listen. What does Jesus want to say to me?\u201d See yourself remaining quiet and listening to Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you sense what Jesus is saying to you?<\/span><\/p>\n

If what he said is significant and encouraging to you; if you feel good and right about it, then let it soak in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imaging how your life would be different if you took time to be still and<\/span><\/p>\n

listen to Jesus. Do you feel good about that?<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask God: \u201cIs that your vision for me \u2013 a life transformed by listening to<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Go now in hope and hopeful stay Though shadowed valleys hide your way Through good and evil, joy and pain With God in Spirit you remain<\/span><\/p>\n

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(Teach response, \u201cGod of the human family<\/span><\/p>\n

Hear our prayers for your world.\u201d)<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God of life, God of love, You created us and set us in relationship with each other In families and neighbourhoods, in communities and countries,in cultures and nations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for the inheritance offered by previous generations\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

that helped establish our families and our common life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Help us stand open to the wisdom in other cultures and insight from a new generation so we can all contribute something to the well-being of wherever we call home.<\/span><\/p>\n

God of the human family<\/span><\/p>\n

Hear our prayers for your world.<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God of our faith and our future, there are many pressures on families today. Draw near to those struggling in economic difficulty,<\/span><\/p>\n

and those burdened by challenges to their health and happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Work with families where members are in conflict with each other<\/span><\/p>\n

to create solutions that express mutual respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make us a congregation that supports people whatever their state or condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Help us find joy and support together as part of the family of your people.<\/span><\/p>\n

God of the human family<\/span><\/p>\n

Hear our prayers for your world.<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God of mercy and forgiveness, you call us to live together in peace and unity. Where people are divided and bitterness turns into resentment, show us how to work for reconciliation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where violence and fear turn neighbour against neighbour, or nation against nation, call out leaders to work for justice that will bring peace.Help us build a world where children can grow up to enjoy their future in good health and happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

God of the human family<\/span><\/p>\n

Hear our prayers for your world.<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God who is our hope and our help, thank you for the inheritance we share as church members,for the gifts of so many generations handed along to teach us your wisdom and inspire us with a vision of the new things you make possible.Teach us how to learn from tradition but also to recognize the work of the Spirit to keep reforming us in the faith. Build up the family of this church.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Help each one find a place and a purpose in our mission and ministry,<\/span><\/p>\n

using their talents and sharing their vision for our future with you.<\/span><\/p>\n

And now as a part of your family called together over the centuries,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

we pray in Jesus name<\/span><\/p>\n

Amen\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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