You are invited to the First Sunday in Lent with Holy Communion on March 9 at 10 am. The bulletin for this Sunday is available for viewing HERE.
You can worship live on ZOOM by clicking the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9658816441 Meeting ID: 965 881 6441
You can also watch Sunday services at your convenience by going to our website “watsonville1stumc.org” and click YouTube or Facebook. Each Sunday worship will be uploaded on Sunday afternoon for your viewing.
First Sunday in Lent with Holy Communion
Sunday, March 9, 2025, 10 am
Daylight Saving Time Begins March 9th!
Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night
or Sunday morning the weekend of March 9.
Message “Numinous Mystical Fire” Part 1) “Introduction” Rev. John Song
During the 40 days of Lent, I will be devoting my sermon series on “Numinous Mystical Fire.” As humans, we have had various iterations of the experience of numinous. Artists throughout history have painted an aura of numinous halos on saints, mystics, and holy people. We are drawn to this numinous divine light of God. “Numinous” has many names: divine energy, energy of God, uncreated light, original light. Numinous is a love story of God pouring Godself completely in love to become us. Therefore, God is living through the lives of others, including you. The great 20th century Swiss psychologist Carl Jung said, “Only numinous can truly heal and transform us.”
Divine Light: Mystery of “Transfiguration”
“The divine light becomes the principle of our understanding;
in it we come to know God and ourselves.
The divine light manifests itself in this life in space and in time.
It is revealed in history, but it is not of this world. It is eternal.”
~ Vladimir Lossky, The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church
Matthew 17: 1-8
The Transfiguration
“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.”
