Additional Scriptures

Exodus 24:12–18, Psalm 2, Matthew 17:1–9

Preparation

For the Focus Moment, create a worship setting with a variety of lighthouses or lighthouse images.

Prelude

Play a video or audio recording of Gustav T. Holst’s orchestral suite, The Planets, movement IV, “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity.” Many recordings are online. Ensure permission. The full movement is 7–8 minutes. If too long, play approx. 2:59–5:00 to hear the primary melodic theme of the next hymn.

Hymn at the Crossroads

“In the Crossroads of This Moment” CCS 170

Point out Gustav T. Holst’s name at the bottom of this hymn and the reference to The Planets. Listen for how the orchestral theme was transformed into a hymn.

Welcome

Mountaintop Experience 1

Moses

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’ …Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.”

—Exodus 24:12, 15–18

Call to Worship

Let us come to the mountain and wait for God on this Day of Transfiguration.

Hymn of Transformation

“God, Whose Grace Redeems Our Story” CCS 570

OR “Spirit, Open My Heart” CCS 564

OR “God, Who Touches Earth with Beauty” CCS 568

Prayer of Invocation

Response

Mountaintop Experience 2

Peter, James, and John

Do Not Be Afraid!

In Matthew 17:1–9, Jesus is transfigured on the mountain—his face shines and his appearance changes. God affirms, as at Jesus’s baptism, “This is my Son” (v. 5).

Jesus is revealed as who God created him to be. The disciples—Peter, James, and John—were terrified, but Jesus said, “do not be afraid” (v. 7).

Imagine standing there with them, seeing Jesus brilliant as the sun and hearing the divine voice. Sometimes we fear intimate encounters with the Divine and resist transformation. With Jesus’s love and touch, we need not be afraid.

—“Scripture-based Focus Moments,” 2015, Community of Christ, p. 21, adapted

Hymn of Transformation

“Transform Us” CCS 569

OR “Touch Me, Lord, with Thy Spirit Eternal” CCS 574

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

Prayer for Peace

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 52:7

Light the peace candle.

Prayer

I am so blind, Lord,

I cannot see the clearing.

I only feel my way

by the restraining thorn.

I do not dare to trust my foot’s direction,

feeling for paths

in unsure error worn.

Speak to my mind,

direct my true alignment,

light my dim eyes,

my certainty increase.

Out of the maze of self and narrow vision,

lead me to mount the high lookout of peace. Amen.

—Cleo Hanthorne Moon, Daily Bread, September 1966

Mountaintop Experience 3

Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory: 2 Peter 1:16–21

Hymn of Transformation

“Christ Has Called Us to New Visions” CCS 566

OR “We Are Children of Creation” CCS 340

Message

Based on 2 Peter 1:16–21

Focus Moment: Tend the Light

If children are present, provide a lighthouse coloring page or let them hold lighthouse models while discussing. Arrange several lighthouse models as a worship setting.

Lighthouses were automated in the twentieth century, but before then, a keeper tended the light nightly. “Tending the light” was hard work and dangerous near water. Keeper Kate Walker (1848–1931) at Robbins Reef (Staten Island, NY) recorded 50+ rescues over 33 years.

Today’s scripture says, “You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (v. 19).

Let’s consider: What light are we tending? Why is our light-tending important? How might we share our light?

Offer a short prayer over our light-tending.

Disciples’ Generous Response

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 163:3a–b

Testimony

In 2009 and 2012, your worldwide Mission Tithes made possible life-changing mission travel to Africa. With limited luggage, we created peel-n-stick lion-and-lamb labels (Isaiah 11). Children gathered eagerly in each village to receive a sticker and hear about a world where lion and lamb live in peace.

As evening fell, the stickers glowed in the dark, and the children became light in the darkness. We were changed.

—Jane Gardner

Blessing of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Gracious and Generous God, we are constantly in awe of your global creation. Bless our giving that it might bring light to those who need it. We give all that we have and are to the mission of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Hymn of Mission

“God of Dawn, Each Day’s Renewal” CCS 51

OR “Bring Forth the Kingdom” stanzas 2 and 4 CCS 387

OR “God, the Source of Light and Beauty” CCS 593

Closing Prayer

Response

Postlude

Gathering

Welcome

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.

Dear God, just as the disciples were speechless on the mountaintop while seeing the transfiguration of your Son, Jesus, sometimes words fail to express the yearnings of our heart for peace. We see your brilliance and your peace that brings comfort for some, but where is this peace for the hungry, the refugee, the forgotten? We’ve woven complex systems that sometimes make peace seem impossible. Yet, the disciples experienced the impossible on that mountain. Revive us to become soothing balm for a world in pain, juicy morsels for the hungry, a comforting home for the homeless. Remind us that even when we cannot speak your peace, we can do much to foster peace in our neighborhoods and our hearts.

In the name of the One who lights the way. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Jesus Prayer

This ancient practice from Orthodox Christianity connects us with the gracious Spirit of Christ as we ask to receive mercy.

The prayer comes from the scripture of the blind person calling Jesus to heal.

Let your breath become slow and even. I will speak the prayer aloud for the first few breaths, then you will pray silently, repeating with your breath:

As you breathe in: “Lord Jesus Christ.”

As you breathe out: “Have mercy on me.”

Continue prayerfully for two or three minutes.

Close with “Amen,” then invite sharing about the experience.

https://www.heraldhouse.org/products/yearning-for-god-discernment-and-spiritual-practice-pdf-download?_pos=1&_sid=2331abd1d&_ss=r

Sharing Around the Table

2 Peter 1:16–21 NRSVue

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The author speaks from tangible experience and is well-versed in the Gospel transfiguration accounts. The assurance is clear: Jesus is God’s Son.

They went to sacred space—a mountaintop. Where are our sacred spaces? Where do we go to commune with God and gain wisdom, light, assurance, and truth?

Be attentive to the lamp in the dark, the dawn in our hearts, prophecy, and prior spiritual experiences. Learn from those before us and from our own stories. Do these point to the Living Jesus, and are we being transformed?

Questions

1. What sacred space, mindset, or reading helps you receive insight, clarity, peace, or understanding?
2. How are you trying to pay attention to what God is doing around or within you?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

—Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

The offering basket is available for ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

Transforming God, may our lives be transformed by your love, grace, and generosity. May our response be humble service to others, and may generosity be part of our nature. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 569, “Transform Us”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture

Choose one: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. Communion remembers the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, it also renews our baptismal covenant and forms disciples for Christ’s mission. Others may have different understandings. We invite all who participate to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

Let us celebrate the revelation of Christ in the world as we share in Communion as blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation, sing Community of Christ Sings 527, “Bread of the World.”

Blessing and serving bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Say: Today’s scripture reminds us to shine light in the darkness. Peace is like a light that shines wherever there is need.

Take three deep, peaceful breaths together.

Imagine a light of peace within you. What color is it?

Think of someone you care about. Breathe out and send your light to them. See them become peaceful.

Think of someone you don’t see often. Breathe out and send your light of peace.

Think of someone you feel grumpy toward. Breathe out and send your light of peace to them. See them smile and receive peace.

Picture the whole world. Breathe out and send your light of peace to the Earth. Notice what you see and hear as the Earth experiences peace.

When ready, open your eyes. Ask: What color was your light of peace? How did it feel to send peace to someone you care about? Was it easy or hard to send peace to someone you feel grumpy toward? What did you notice when the whole Earth was filled with peace?

—Adapted from Spiritual Practices for Young People on All Things Are Spiritual

Exploring the Scripture

Marketing persuades by “seeing is believing,” but this passage rejects manipulation. The author of 2 Peter insists their testimony is not myth. It is based on lived experience with Jesus.

Doubt is natural. Here we are urged to pay attention—because the witness is what they heard God speak and what they experienced: feeding thousands, meeting at a well, raising a friend. The story changed their lives.

The Hebrew Bible anchors this witness. When eyewitness accounts aren’t enough, search the prophets: the long heritage points to Jesus. Rather than fads and quick fixes, this message is grounded in ancient faith and now entrusted to us. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Central Ideas

1. Testimonies in 2 Peter are offered by firsthand witnesses of Jesus’s life and ministry.
2. These experiences were life-changing and shared authentically.
3. Skeptics are encouraged to search the ancient faith in the Hebrew Bible that points to Jesus’s ministry.

Questions for Speaker

1. Share a time when doubts in your faith were met by others’ testimony, leading to deeper faith.
2. How have scriptural words challenged and shaped you?
3. How are you paying attention to what God is doing around and within you?
4. What testimony do you offer about how God is moving in your community?

Focus Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 1:16–21

Lesson Focus: Appropriate ways to interpret Scripture

Objectives

The learners will…

• engage the scripture text and Peter’s interpretation of Christ’s transfiguration and scripture interpretation.
• identify effective ways to study Scripture, including using hymnody.
• explore affirmation statements in “Scripture in Community of Christ.”
• create a plan for using a spiritual practice for scripture study.

Supplies

• Bible
• “Scripture in Community of Christ,” Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Ed., pp. 63–67
• Board or flip chart, markers
• Paper and pens or pencils
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to teacher: Read “Exploring the Scripture” for 2 Peter 1:16–21 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (Letters), pp. 47–48 (Herald House).

Gather

15% of total lesson time

Identify ways to study Scripture.

• What ways have participants tried?
• What is their favorite or most effective way, and why?

Sing “We Limit Not the Truth of God” CCS 69.

Engage

35% of lesson time

Read 2 Peter 1:16–21.

• What is this letter saying about the Apostles’ witness?
• Which interaction most confirmed the prophetic message?
• Why is this so important to the author?
• What does the passage say about interpreting scripture?

Respond

35% of lesson time

Consider “We Limit Not the Truth of God” CCS 69 (present in the last three hymnals).

• Why does this hymn speak so strongly?

Review “Scripture in Community of Christ,” pp. 63–67.

• How do the affirmation statements share beliefs from the hymn?
• Where do 2 Peter 1:16–21, the hymn, and the affirmations agree?
• What is most important to keep in mind when studying scripture together or alone?
• How do we check our interpretations according to the affirmations?

Send

10% of lesson time

Create a plan to study scripture regularly, alone or with others. Learn a spiritual practice for scripture study and use it regularly. Search “spiritual practices” at www.CofChrist.org.

Bless

5% of lesson time

Close with a circle prayer.

Focus Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 1:16–21

Lesson Focus: We do not need to be eyewitnesses of God’s transforming power before we can help transform others.

Objectives

The learners will…

• hear eyewitness explanations of a “magical” thing they saw happen.
• participate in Visio Divina using a painting of the Transfiguration.
• watch a short video depicting the Transfiguration of Jesus.
• reflect on helping transform others, then transform paper into a flower.

Supplies

• Bibles
• Projector to display a Transfiguration painting
• Chime/singing bowl/bell for Visio Divina
• Board or chart paper, markers
• Video: “The Transfiguration of Jesus Bible Story” (Kids on the Move) — www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC081rBhFsE (Used by permission)
• Colored paper strips ~11 × 28 cm (4¼ × 11 in), scissors, markers, glue
• Green pipe cleaners (one per person)
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Note to teacher: Read “Exploring the Scripture” for 2 Peter 1:16–21 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (Letters), pp. 47–48.

Gather

15% of lesson time

Visio Divina

Say: We will practice Visio Divina (seeing God) with an image of the transfiguration (as the three eyewitnesses saw).

Display the image. Invite students to get comfortable. Use a chime to begin and end silence. Guide with slow prompts to notice, breathe, focus on details, allow words/phrases to arise, and rest in God’s peace. Close with the chime and brief sharing of a word or phrase.

Engage

35% of lesson time

Transfiguration Scripture Passage Video

Write “Transfiguration” on the board. Say: Transfiguration means to change into something more beautiful. Watch the short video for context.

Watch: The Transfiguration of Jesus Bible Story

Discuss:

• What changed into something more beautiful? (Jesus)
• Who were the three eyewitnesses? (Peter, James, John)
• How might you have felt seeing Jesus glow and hearing God’s voice?
• Examples of transformation you’ve seen? (caterpillar to butterfly, seeds to flowers, etc.)

Respond

35% of lesson time

Say: God’s transforming story didn’t end with the Bible (Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Ed., p. 17). We don’t need to be eyewitnesses of Jesus to be transformed—and to help transform others.

Transformation Flower

1. Give each person a paper strip (~11 × 28 cm).
2. Fold lengthwise to ~5.5 × 28 cm.
3. From the fold, cut slits every ~2 cm, stopping ~1.3 cm from the edge to form “petals.”
4. On each petal, write one way to share God’s joy, hope, love, and peace.
5. Twist a green pipe cleaner as a stem.
6. Glue one corner of the strip to the stem and wrap, gluing every few inches.
7. Fluff petals and notice how paper transformed into a flower—like we help transform lives.

Send

10% of lesson time

Read or sing “Transform Us” CCS 569, verses 1–2. Explain “Tabor’s height” (Mount Tabor, Lower Galilee, ~18 km from the Sea of Galilee), a traditional site of the transfiguration.

Bless

5% of lesson time

Invite a sending posture (palms up). Pray:

God of Transformation,
We are open, willing, and ready for transformation.
We are ready to help others in their journey of transformation.
Transform us as seeds become flowers.
May we help transform others by sharing your joy, hope, love, and peace.
Amen.

Focus Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 1:16–21

Lesson Focus: When we witness of God’s love, it can be transformative to others.

Objectives

The learners will…

• define transformation, eyewitness, and transfiguration.
• explain ways God’s love may cause transformation.
• identify ways to witness of God’s love to others.

Supplies

• Bible
• Six old, dark pennies (pre‑1982 US pennies work best)
• Small clear container (bowl/glass/jar) and something to hide it (folders/books/box/plant)
• Small spoon
• White vinegar (~½ cup) and salt (~1 Tbsp)
• Rag or paper towels; optional water
• Projector for a Transfiguration image
• Chime/bell for Visio Divina
• Board or chart paper, markers
• Video: “The Transfiguration of Jesus Bible Story” (Kids on the Move) — www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC081rBhFsE (Used by permission)
• Colored paper strips (~11 × 28 cm), scissors, markers, glue (hot glue adult-only)
• Green pipe cleaners