On this last Sunday of Epiphany, the scriptures take us to high places where the glory of the Lord appears to Moses and a bright cloud speaks out to Jesus. Peter gives us the image of a lamp shinning in a dark place. The readings alone dazzle us by light.

They ascend the mountain and are awed by the moment of glory. They want to build a monument. They don’t know what to do. Sometimes we don’t either. Sometimes we keep mountain-top experiences a secret because we are afraid of what people will say. Jesus only told them to keep it a secret because he had a part to play, before the tale would be told. We can tell it now. We may call it the story of “The Holy Hamburger” or something else, but we are called by our God to tell the story.

Without the glory of our own mountain-top experiences, we do not have the glimpse into the kingdom that allows us to live there and take it home with us. It is not about going anywhere but walking closer with our Lord and letting God change us. He created us in his likeness.

Scripture lessons for todayExodus 24:12-182 Peter 1:16-21Matthew 17:1-9Psalm 2

Scripture lessons for next weekGenesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7Romans 5:12-19Matthew 4:1-11Psalm 32

Dazzled by the Light–By Rev. Cynthia M. Spencer

Upcoming Birthday CelebrationsMarch 4 Ellika DwelleMarch 8 Ian McPhaiMarch 9 Jean-Paul Hill l

Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase;

bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand;

comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may thy peace

which passeth understanding abide all the days of their lives;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany — March 2, 2014

All Saints’WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORGThe Weekly

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God Interrupts –By Robin Denney

The disciples are terrified by Jesus’ transfiguration and the appearance of Moses and Elijah. Not knowing what to say and missing the point, Peter suggests that they set up camp for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Just before ascending the mountain, Peter had proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God, but in the moment of the transfiguration he seems to have forgotten. Into this moment of confused priorities, God speaks truth. God interrupts Peter and proclaims with clear certainty who Jesus is: the beloved Son of God, the one in whom God is well pleased. Like Peter, our own journeys of faith take turns for the better and for the worse. We can have amazing mountaintop experiences of feeling in the presence of God, and then we can get frustrated when we fall into old patterns. It’s important to remember that God is always there, ready to speak truth to our hearts, ready to show us once again who Jesus is, and who we are: servants and beloved children of God.

REFLECTION (at Epiphany) –By Bob Nielsen

In the beginningthe Word, Light, Lifeeternal, inextinguishable incarnate, manifest at ChristmasLight from LightPresent in eachalone, still, knowing Godpresent whenevertwo or more are gatheredpresent in all soulscommunity, all saintsEverlasting Light of the world not hidden underbaskets, bushels, buckets or bowlsshining for all to seeLight of living in wisdom, lovewarming, healing, protectingshowing the way, the pathshining in darknessnot overcome by darknesskeeping the darkness at bay

All Saints’ Day School GalaPurchase your tickets online at:

http://goo.gl/EK36Pe

Visit our website to download or read a series of daily reflections, and prayers throughout Lent. This e-book has been prepared by the Society of St. Andrew. “Gleaning America’s fields ~ feeding America’s hungry”

http://www.allsaintscarmel.org/2014/02/end-hunger-2014-lenten-study/

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Consider the Radiance–By Greg Troxell

This is the last Sunday of the Epiphany and the transfiguration of our Lord. How appropriate to consider the light we wish to be in the world around us and how our involvement with the world, and our surrender to pressures and principalities, or to Jesus and the Gospel, has the power to transform not only the world but ourselves. Sometimes, in fact very often in Carmel, the light of day is hidden by the overcast skies. Yet we know that the sun is there — shining, radiant, transforming the world by its very existence. So it is with the Lord and the Gospel, and the person who treasures the Word in their heart. There in our heart, passages of scripture take root and divine principles and disciplines form a sort of trellis to support us as we growth in the faith, and we begin to bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

In this season, may the Good News take root in all our hearts. May we see the light of Christ in one another and may God help you and me to notice his presence in our circle of friends, in nature that surrounds us, in our family, in this church, and also ourselves.

Coming down the Mountain –By Robin Denney

Peter, James, and John had the quintessential “mountaintop experience.” Dazed and confused by what it all meant, they were dazzled and then terrified when God spoke to them. In that moment of awe they also received affirmation of Jesus’ identity and their own identity as his followers. It is always difficult to come down off the mountain, and put the lesson or experience into practice in the busyness of daily life. Like the disciples, in our own walk with Jesus, we too experience moments of clarity and a strong sense of God’s presence, and we too experience times of doubt and darkness. As we come down from the mountaintop of Epiphany and walk the way of the season of Lent, let us remember that Jesus walks with us, through sacrifice and darkness, and matures in us these lessons. We are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. Fear not, for there is no darkness that the light of Christ cannot overcome.

Shrove Tuesday pancake supperJoin us in Seccombe Hall at 5:30 p.m. on March 4 for an evening of pre-Lent fun.

Our traditional supper will feature crêpes (they’re pancakes, too!) with a variety of sweet and savory fillings provided potluck-style by members, in addition to the typical side dishes and American pancakes that we’ve enjoyed in past years. We are also eager to welcome performers for our Talent Optional Show, and all are invited to team up for the annual Pancake Race!

AnnouncementsToday: Evensong, a traditional Anglican service of music, prayer, and reflection, will be offered at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Shrove Tuesday pancake supper—This year, our traditional supper will feature crêpes (they’re pancakes, too!) with a variety of sweet and savory fillings provided potluck-style by members, in addition to the typical side dishes and American pancakes that we’ve enjoyed in past years. We are also eager to welcome performers for our Talent Optional Show, and all are invited to team up for the annual Pancake Race! Join us in Seccombe Hall at 5:30 p.m. on March 4 for an evening of pre-Lent fun.

Wednesday: Join us for Bible study from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Grant Hall as we explore Jesus’ life in a chronological study of the Gospels.

Wednesday: Ash Wednesday services will be held at noon and 7:00 p.m. Bishop Mary will be our celebrant at the evening service.

Our annual Lenten soup suppers will begin next Wednesday, March 12. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by Lenten presentations by Bishop Mary, Canon Jesus Reyes, Ed Fincke, Canon Brian Nordwick, Frank Graham, and others. A children’s program will be offered in the library. Dust off your tastiest soup recipe, sign up for a slot on the roster of cooks, and enjoy this Lenten opportunity for fellowship and spiritual growth.

New staff and new e-mail addresses—As we prepare to hire two part-time employees, Greg Troxell (who finished his term of service on February 28) has created two distinct e-mail addresses for the new staff. For print, web, and advertising needs, please send e-mail to communications@allsaintscarmel.org. For all business administration needs, use admin@allsaintscarmel.org.

Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: An Episcopal gathering to challenge the epidemic of violence will take place in Oklahoma City April 9–11, 2014. Would you be interested in attending? A partial scholarship is available; contact the church office. More information is available at http://epiok.org/reclaiming-the-gospel-info.

Pastoral care transportation help—The pastoral care team is putting together a list of potential drivers for members who need help with transportation, such as for a medical appointment. If you’d be willing to occasionally give a fellow member a lift, please contact Susan Stanton via the office.

Sunday handout deadline—To be included in next Sunday’s handout, your announcement must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding Wednesday. Most special parish events are included in the announcements for three weeks before they occur. Contact Andrea Matters at andreamatters@gmail.com or 624-3090.

Highlighted Events and MeetingsMarch 3 Outreach Meeting

March 4 All Saints’ Singers Rehearsal

Shrove Tuesday Dinner

March 5 Wednesday Bible Study

Ash Wednesday Liturgies

March 8 ASDS Spring Auction “A Roaring Twenties Gala: The Magic of Dreams”

March 10 Strategic Planning Meeting

Le Salón des Artistes

March 11 Buildings & Grounds Meeting

All Saints’ Singers Rehearsal

Book Club

March 12 Lenten Soup Study

All Saints’ ParishDisciples Glorifying Christ and Serving Others