'TIS GOOD, LORD, TO BE HERE

Transfiguration ... so what's it really mean?

at our first service today a man with a shaved head came to communion and it gave me pause.  I hadn't noticed him during worship, but at the communion rail, seeing who he was with, I thought to myself, "that could be Terry's father..."  but low and behold it was Terry - who been endowed with a thick head of hair ever since I've known him.  During worship he had a stocking cap on his head (to stay warm?) so I really didn't notice, but at the rail it was quite a shock.  as they were leaving my comment to him was, "Terry, you've truly experienced a transfiguration!"  he laughed, and said something to the effect that one of his sons/grandsons got him to do this for some reason ... (I'll have to get the whole story next week ...)

Ash Wednesday comes this week. I was preparing for worship and reading different articles and remembrances of worship services others have done and a couple of memories came to mind.  One year I decided to take some palm crosses from the previous year and burn them in front of the congregation to get the impact of the "making of the ashes."  Well, all they did was flame up with a flame I hadn't expected (no I didn't practice ahead of time) and then as quickly as the fire was out they continued to billow out smoke profusely!  That was one of those laughing moments on an usually somber service.  one of the worship assistants came to my rescue with wet paper towels and hauled my object lesson out of the way.  oh well, I tried ... then there was my homily maybe five years ago I preached on the "imposition of ashes" - (what the ceremony is officially called) but focused on the word imposition.  that it really is an imposition to us to do this; that the mark of the cross can get in our way - then after the service I had to go to Safeway for something.  I had forgotten about the ashes, but people at the store sure give a funny look no doubt thinking, "what's with the ashes?" and smiling I'd say "it's Ash Wednesday" as if that makes any sense to some.  the imposition I had been speaking about became reality really quickly.

well, as I was thinking of that I was reading another pastor's experience ... it was late in the day of Ash Wednesday and he hadn't prepared the ashes for the service yet.  not realizing that he didn't have any olive oil to make the ashes mixture he found some clove oil in the pantry and thought, oil is oil - especially if mixed with ashes.  as he was preaching, perhaps 10-15 minutes later he felt a burning sensation on his forehead and realized what was happening - clove oil burns - and as he was watching the congregation it was all hitting them about the same time. then after the discomfort, he realized that the next morning the oil had "burned" a cross in his forehead, as well as his parishioners ... talk about an imposition!

then, after worship as I was sharing with Bill, a retired pastor in the congregation, the Ash Wednesday experiences, he told of a couple of his.  One year, he had his altar guild make the ashes, and one of the ladies made one mixture, while another lady used her own mixture - and one of the mixtures brought on a skin reaction - so half of his congregation was suffering with the imposition - they all became very uncomfortable with the process.  BUT, the classic was this.  Some years he would invite the young folks to come forward and help with the imposition itself.  One year he saw Maggie - who he described as a 'precocious third grader' to help him.  she said 'yes' and so he went through the basics, "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" - and he felt all was well.  It came time for the service, he invited Maggie to come forward to help him, and as she put the ashes on his forehead, she said "Bill, you've always been dirt, and you're gonna be dirt again."  I have no idea how he was able to continue the service after that!  what a hoot!

 but what a ton of truth - out of the mouths of babes.  plus this week we do "ashes" with all the kids in the school - some 300+ kids receive the mark of sin in the sign of its payment, the cross.  never know what the kids are thinking, but is always an impressive time to see them come forward to receive the ashes.

welcome back from Washington D.C., Kristi and happy birthday!  Happy birthday, Rhoda and Judy - and hope you like your flowers.  flowers?  you bet - Today Bert and Bev C.  provided the flowers for worship - dedicated to all the folks celebrating March birthdays!  so, I hope you enjoyed your flowers.

Karina fixed salmon and johnnycake for dinner tonight.  she's so good to me!  

perhaps I can respond by doing more woodworking in the family room tomorrow!

I hope that this week God pulls back the veil and reveals a glimpse of glory to you.  It is such a blessing to know God cares and is with us every step of the way.

love ya.

K and D

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