Lection: Matthew 17

February 15, 2026

Matthew 17:1-9

“From the Mountains to the Valleys and Beyond”

For all the years that I was serving as the minister at St. Andrew’s in Saskatoon, I kept up the tradition of my predecessors who liked to schedule the Presbyterian World Service & Development service on the last Sunday before the Season of Lent begins.

It made a certain amount of sense because our practice was to have our annual appeal for PWS&D during Lent, so just before the season began we would dedicate a Sunday to telling the stories of that ministry and encouraging folks to support it, just as we did a couple of weeks ago here at First Church.

However, the other reason that it was scheduled that way was because the ministers wanted to avoid preaching about the Transfiguration – the Gospel story that the lectionary always places on the last Sunday before Lent. I know, it’s kind of a strange story. When I announced the text we were going to be reading in Bible study earlier this week, at least one of our members let out a sigh, as if to say, “Not this one again!”

Jesus takes a few of his friends up to the top of a mountain. … Read more »

February 19, 2023

Exodus 24:12-18
Matthew 17:1-9

“Thin Places”

After Easter this year, our denomination will be offering a new study resource under the program “Presbyterians Read.” Folks from First Church have participated in these book studies in the past, often during the seasons of Advent and Lent. But this upcoming study could be done at any time because it’s on the theme of Pilgrimage as a Way of Life.

As the author of the study, I enjoyed reading Jim Forest’s book, “The Road to Emmaus” and putting together a program that involves reading the book, engaging in pilgrimage practices, and having group discussions over five weeks. I hope that some of you will be interested in participating when I offer the study this Spring.

The reason I’m telling you about it now is that the chapter on “Thin Places” connects very strongly with our Scripture readings for this Transfiguration Sunday. I wonder if you’ve heard about “thin places” before, or if perhaps you’ve experienced one yourself.

Jim Forest tells us that “thin places have a way of slowing us down, even stopping us in our tracks.” Thin places are locations “where ordinary matter seems charged with God’s presence.” He explains that many Christians receive inspiration and encouragement when … Read more »