- Mountains in Scripture symbolize places where heaven and earth meet; encounters with God transform us but send us back into ordinary life changed.

- The sermon centres on the Transfiguration in Matthew as a pivotal revelation of Jesus as the bridge between heaven and earth.

- Jesus brings Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray; his face shines like the sun and his clothes become dazzling, revealing divine glory.

- Moses (Law) and Elijah (Prophets) appear, speaking with Jesus about his coming departure in Jerusalem, foreshadowing the cross.

- The Transfiguration holds both radiant glory and the shadow of suffering, preparing disciples for the passion and modelling how prayer faces real-world pain.

- Peter’s impulse to build shelters is corrected by the divine command: “This is my Son… listen to him,” emphasizing attentive listening over impulsive action.

- Prayer is portrayed as an adventurous ascent with rare spiritual “peaks,” amid mostly ordinary, sometimes arduous, daily faithfulness.

- Personal anecdote: “Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music evokes the joy and perseverance of spiritual climbing and moments we wish to “bottle.”

- As Lent begins (Ash Wednesday service on the 18th at 10am), the congregation is invited to prepare intentionally through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and a Lent course.

- Like mountaineering, Lent requires preparation; the Transfiguration strengthens faith to follow Jesus through light and darkness toward the cross and resurrection—trust him, follow him, listen to him.