Bulletin – February 14, 2021

Transfiguration Sunday

Approach

Lighting the Christ Candle

We light this candle today so that in the midst of our darkness, Jesus brings holy light! Pierce our darkness; scatter the shadows of doubt and feat! Bring us your light, O God of light and love. Often, even though we seek the light, we have long lived in the darkness. Bring you light, O God of light and love. We ask that you help us be ready to receive that light! So, in the lighting of this candle we come into the shining presence of Jesus, receiving hope and peace. God, let our lives be ablaze with your love, hope, and peace this day, praise to you God of light and love.

Call to Worship

One:   God has called you here this day.
All:     God, reveal to us your purpose for us.

One:   Open your hearts to receive God’s good news.
All:     God, make us ready to serve you.

One:   Come, let us worship God!
All:     Let us sing our praises to the Almighty One. Amen.

Hymn – “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might,
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above,
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life thou givest, to both great and small,
In all life thou livest, the true life of all,
We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
Then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.

Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light,
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight,
All praise we would render, O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee!’

Prayer of Approach

Almighty God, giver of life, your light shines in our lives and your glory is revealed through your Son, Jesus Christ. Reveal his glory to us as you did to Peter, James, and John, that we may be filled with awe at your love for us and our mouths may proclaim his presence forever.

Mighty God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we are called to proclaim your presence but we remain silent, yet we long to hear you, do not be silent, but speak, so that we might hear you again.

Speak justice, that we may challenge injustice. Speak righteousness, that we may know your ways. Speak compassion, that we may know your mercy. Speak abundance, that we may serve others. Speak understanding, that we may be peacemakers. Speak glory, that we may know your Son. Speak, and we will listen to you. You promise forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace when we speak of our shortcomings; when we speak of mistakes we have made; when we speak of abandoning your ways; when we speak of failures to show compassion and mercy, when we speak of our need for forgiveness.

Mighty God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, hear our prayer and lead us into fullness of life. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Time for All Ages

The Word

Scripture Reading:          2 Kings 2:1-12

¹ Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. ² Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. ³ The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”

⁴ Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. ⁵ The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.”

⁶ Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. ⁷ Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. ⁸ Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

⁹ When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” ¹⁰ He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” ^{1 1}As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. ¹² Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

Scripture Reading:          Mark 9:2-9

² Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³ and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. ⁵ Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷ Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” ⁸ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Hymn – “We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding”

We have come at Christ’s own bidding to this high and holy place,
Where we wait with hope and longing for some token of God’s grace.
Here we pray for new assurance that our faith is not in vain,
Searching like those first disciples for a sign both clear and plain.

Light breaks in upon our darkness; splendour bathes the flesh-joined Word,
Moses and Elijah marvel as the heavenly voice is heard.
Eyes and hearts behold with wonder how the Law and Prophets meet.
Christ, with garments drenched in brightness, stand transfigured and complete.

Strengthened by this glimpse of glory, fearful lest our faith decline,
We, like Peter, find it tempting to remain and build a shrine.
But true worship gives us courage to proclaim what we profess,
That our daily lives may prove us people of the God we bless.

Meditation – “Grasping at Straws”

Anthem – “Transfigure Us, O Lord”

The Response

Prayer

One:   God, you are the mighty one, in the beginning you created light; and you continue to send your light around the world.

You sent your son into the world of darkness as the one true light, the light that brings hope to all. And yet we want to capture it like a firefly and keep it to ourselves so that only we have the good feelings and experience.

At the same time there are those who would reject your light, try to find any way imaginable to cover the light. But God, you told us to be the light of the world and to let our light shine.

And so today as we pray, as we ask for your guidance as we want to let our light shine for others whose light may have grown dim, or has almost gone out or yes, are even in the dark.

We pray today that we might become bearers of your light so that we might help to shine the light of hope to those who are discouraged, dejected, despondent, and disappointed. We pray that they feel the presence of your love and peace in the midst of your light. We pray in the name of light incarnate.

All:     Hear our prayer, God of light and love.

One:   We pray today for those who are persecuted. We ask for the courage to be bearers of light so that we might help to shine the light of peace to those who might see themselves as our enemies, those who might feel as if they are hated, those who know no other way but the way of force, those who are seen as bullies, and those who are the objects of force, retribution, and violence. We pray that they feel the presence of your justice and peace in the midst of your light. We pray in the name of light incarnate.

All:     Hear our prayer, God of light and love.

One:   We pray today that we might be symbols of your presence in the world. We pray that we can be conduits of your grace to those who have given up, those that don’t believe God loves them, those that don’t feel wanted, those who are lonely and needy, and those who live in a state of frustration, anger, and disbelief. We pray that through our presence they feel the presence of your grace and love in the midst of your light. We pray in the name of light incarnate.

All:     Hear our prayer, God of light and love.

One:   We pray today that we might be living examples of your faithfulness to all people. We pray that we live our faith each day, so that we can shine the light of your faithfulness, for those who are hungry to believe yet are not sure, those who have struggled a long time with illnesses, as we lift up to you the names of those in this community for whom we pray… We pray that through our faith they feel the presence of your love and compassion in the midst of your light. We pray in the name of light incarnate.

All:     Hear our prayer, God of light and love.

One:   Lord, we carry your light into this world for all to see as we continue to pray in the words that Jesus taught us;

All:     Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn – “Open My Eyes, That I May See”

Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me,
Place in my hand the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear,
And while the wave-notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine!

Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere,
Open my heart and let me prepare love with the children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine!

Benediction

Get ready to go from this place in service to God. Go from this place in peace and joy, sharing the good news of Jesus’ transforming love and power for all. As you go know that the God of transforming light and love goes with you each step of the way. Amen.

Response “Forth in Your Name, O Christ”

Forth in your name, O Christ, we go,
Our daily labour to pursue,
You, only you, resolved to know
In all we think, or speak, or do.