Our church, Holy Transfiguration Evangelical Orthodox Church, is named after the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, when His divine nature was revealed to His closest disciples.

Peter, James, and John were chosen by Jesus to ascend the mountain with Him to pray. Unfortunately, being tired, the three disciples fell asleep while Jesus was praying. While He prayed, Jesus’ face changed and His clothing became radiantly white. When the three disciples were full awake, they saw Moses and Elijah standing there and talking with Jesus. (Moses represented the Law and Elijah the prophets.) Meanwhile, a white cloud came and completely covered them. Peter, James, and John were afraid. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” (Mark 9:1-7)

The first implication for us is that God works through prayer. We know this with our minds but sometimes don’t act on it with our hearts. Prayer changes us and gives God the opportunity to speak to us and to show us His treasures.

He works through prayer. Even if we don’t always feel His presence or see Him doing something, God is still at work. Our prayer is effective. We have sometimes been amazed at how He answered our prayers!

Secondly, the kingdom of God sometimes involves our suffering. Jesus said that the disciples were not greater than the master; our Lord would suffer for this world and we as His disciples must be willing to do so as well. The purpose of this event, the Holy Transfiguration, was to confirm that Jesus would suffer. We can expect to do no less as we share our faith and love with our neighbors. Suffering for the sake of righteousness is part of our calling. The world will insult us, persecute us, and falsely say all kind of evil against us because of Jesus. He told us so. (See Matthew 5:10-11)

Thirdly, we must listen to Jesus. There were several conceptions in Jesus’ time about what the Messiah would be and what He would do. Likewise, there are many opinions on every topic today. These opinions include what should a Christian be like and what should churches be doing or not doing. Those opinions don’t matter. Your opinion doesn’t matter. My opinion doesn’t matter. What matters is what the Lord is saying and what He is doing.

As a church, our focus is on worshipping the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We began with three families in 1983 and have had several families join us on our journey for a time here in Terre Haute, Indiana. At this time we have 4 families – Hamilton, Bruce, Paris, and Smith. Jesus said, “where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst.” He has indeed been present in our Sunday liturgy.

God is at work in our lives. He is speaking to us and leading us. Even with that, however, we all go through difficult times. God knows our hearts. We are tested sometimes that we might know our hearts and that we might endure for His name’s sake.

Our focus is on what we can do and not on what we cannot do. God will provide whatever else is needed. Jesus asked the twelve disciples to do something in the feeding of the five thousand. They were not responsible for the results; they were only responsible to give what they had. (Mark 6:37ff)

Over the years, God has given us opportunities to serve our community in providing groceries (and even defraying funeral expenses) for the needy among our neighbors. We have supported both financially and with our time local organizations such as Catholic Charities (especially the Christmas House), Crisis Pregnancy Center/CareNet, and Lighthouse Mission as well as the needs of families in our school system, which includes the replacement of eye glasses. We have participated as coaches and referees in sports for local youth. Also supported are ministries like Focus on the Family.

In all things, we are seeking the will of God first -- “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
 
God has indeed “placed treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.” (I Corinthians 4:7)

May all that we do and all that we say always reflect the glory of the Triune God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

-- Fr. Steve Smith

Divine Liturgy:   Sunday 9:30 a.m.
Vespers:  Wednesday 7:00 p.m.