Peace and love to you in the name of Jesus. I pray that this week finds you stronger and healthier than in previous weeks. We have many folks among us facing health issues, and many more who are living with spiritual distress. In the middle of all of this is the emotional trauma of seeing what is happening in our world today.

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we worship a victorious Savior. Our Lord Jesus Christ has already defeated all the things that would come against us. Darkness will never have the final word.

At the same time, even when somebody gives you a pair of boots, you still have to learn to tie your own shoelaces, or you will fall. We have to become a healthier congregation. Physically, our church offers chair yoga and standing yoga every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. As spring approaches, we can also create a shared walking group. We have four and a half acres of beautiful land surrounding our church, and we should be using this land to strengthen our bodies.

Spiritually, there is a class every Sunday morning at 9:45 called Discovering God. How much more spiritual can you get than going to a class that’s called Discovering God? Emotionally, we can make ourselves stronger by being committed to the connections we have as believers in the risen Christ. Lent is upon us—just eight days away from this writing—and it is our time to prepare for the events at Calvary, coming very quickly the first weekend in April. Taking care of ourselves emotionally includes filling our lives with so much joy that we are able to help one another and stay connected.

If you are able, please come to the Women’s Luncheon on Thursday, February 12, at noon. We will have nurses from Texas Health Fort Worth who will be teaching a class about heart health. You don’t have to be a woman to attend this class. Please come if you can and bring something special to share as part of our potluck meal.

My love to all of you. Please know in your hearts that every single day, I pray for you.

Mary

Jesus and his disciples had been walking and teaching for a long time when one day Jesus invited three of them—Peter, James, and John—to climb a mountain with him. They didn’t know why, but they trusted Jesus and followed him up the steep path. Mountains were often places where people felt close to God, even if they didn’t always understand what might happen there.

While they were on the mountain, something amazing happened. Jesus was changed right before their eyes. His face began to shine like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus. The disciples were terrified and confused. Peter blurted out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” (Matthew 17:4), not really knowing what else to say.

Then a bright cloud covered them, and a voice spoke from the cloud: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5). The disciples fell to the ground in fear. But Jesus came to them, touched them gently, and said, “Get up and do not be afraid.” When they looked up again, Moses and Elijah were gone. It was just Jesus—still the same Jesus they knew and loved—walking with them back down the mountain.

Jesus didn’t stay shining like that forever. He came down the mountain to keep teaching, healing, and loving people. But the disciples never forgot what they saw. They learned that Jesus was more than a teacher or friend—he was God’s beloved Son, full of God’s glory, even when it wasn’t easy to see.

What We Learned

• God sometimes shows us who Jesus really is in surprising ways.
• Even when we are scared or confused, Jesus stays close and tells us not to be afraid.
• God asks us to listen to Jesus and trust him.
• Jesus’ love and glory are always with us, even when they aren’t shining like the sun.

Keith Butterfield turns 99 this Sunday.

Yes, we are having a party—right after worship.

A chicken dinner. The church provides the chicken.

We bring the other stuff. (Sign-up was last week. Feel free to bring something even if you did not sign up.)

But do come. We will not have another one of these until Blake turns 99.

Happy Birthday—our beloved Kieth!

No Breakfast

Sorry—no breakfast on dinner days.

We need preparation time for dinner.

Pastor’s Class—You Bet!

Yes—at 9:45, as usual. We just have to starve afterwards. So get a bite of breakfast before you come. It will be a long wait for chicken and birthday cake.

Last Week and This Week

We had good attendance for such a cold day.

Our one new visitor, Paul Champion, said he enjoyed the service, and we enjoyed having him with us.

The five-year-old child, held in ice detention for two weeks with his father, referenced in the sermon, has been released along with his father, after a court decision.

Our courts are holding. They, alone, are preserving our democracy. Every other agency of our government has been corrupted.

Who would have thought it possible?

+++

THIS SUNDAY—There’s something I really want us to know: We are, at all times, watched over, cared for, and loved. I want us to know how literally Jesus spoke when he said, “I am with you always.”

Sermon title: Someone to Watch over Me

The choral anthem will be My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, featuring our own Julian on flute and
a guest, Hyobin Kim, on oboe.

And the weather—70 degrees.

A great day to be in church.

I’ll see you there.

God Bless
revmaxb@tx.rr.com