Bulletin – Sunday, February 27, 2022 – Transfiguration Sunday
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Transfiguration Sunday
Approach
Lighting the Christ Candle
As we light this candle today we are reminded of the mountain top, the shining face, the glowing clothes, the voice of God speaking from the cloud, and the commandments etched in stone. Sometimes God shows up in ways we cannot deny in a place we can go, a light we can see, a voice we can hear, a stone we can touch. Sometimes! Sometimes there is the veil, the overshadowing, terrifying cloud, the questions, the appearing and disappearing, the excitement, the wondering, and the silence. Sometime God shows up in ways we cannot deny. Always God shows up somehow. This light reminds us of all God has, and is doing, so we have shown up here, now, that God might give us eyes to see.
Call to Worship
One: We come today to worship you, O God, with songs of praise.
All: We worship you with words of prayer and with ears that listen for you to speak your saving truth into our lives.
One: We worship you in the silent spaces where we struggle for hope and for courage.
All: We long for a glimpse of your glory: the glory that shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it; the glory that touches lives with a beauty so holy that it heals the wounded soul; the glory that gives strength to the weary.
One: We, who stumble and fall so often, worship you, longing for your light to shine upon us.
All: As we worship you this day, dazzle us with your holy love, draw us into your purifying presence, speak to us your transforming truth.
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 and Confession
Holy One, we come before you, many of us feeling like we have climbed just a part of the mountain, and there is so much more of a climb left to even get to the point to dream that we might be dazzled by what is Divine.
Our loads are heavy, with worry, with regret, with fatigue, with illness, with despair for all in the world that is hurting, in danger, in bondage and more. And we know that we paly a part in the struggles of this world. Even so, we trudge ahead, following you, stumbling, hoping, praying…breathing hard, hearts pounding, and yes, even some of us are nimble and skipping.
Lead us Lord, to the top of that mountain, where we might be dazzled by your Light, lifted by what is Divine, filled by the sheer delight of what is shimmering and ethereal and grounded and real. We pray this, for ourselves, for one another, and for the worlds in which we live in. Amen.
(adapted from Rev. Karla)
Words of Assurance
Hymn – “Longing for Light”
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
Light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Many the gifts, many the people,
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
Making your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Time for All Ages
The Word
Scripture Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
29 Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; 34 but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:28-36
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!
Anthem – “Shine On, Great Saviour”
Meditation – “Endings and Beginnings?”
The Response
Anthem – “Shine, Jesus, Shine”
Prayers of the People
One: Let us bring the needs of the church, the world, and all in need, to God’s loving care, saying: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. God of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ you promise to hear us when we pray to you in his name. Confident in your love and mercy we offer our prayer. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
One: Empower the church throughout the world in its life and witness. Break down the barriers that divide, that, united in your truth and love, the church may confess your name, share one baptism, sit together at one table, and serve you in one common ministry. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
One: Guide the rulers of the nations. Move them to set aside their fear, greed, and vain ambition, and bow to your sovereign rule. Inspire them to strive for peace and justice, that all your children may dwell secure, free of war and injustice. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
One: Hear the cries of the world’s hungry and suffering. Give us, who consume most of the earth’s resources, the will to reorder our lives, that all may have their rightful share of the food, medical care, and shelter, and so have the necessities of a life of dignity. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
One: Restore among us a love of the earth you created for our home. Help us to put an end to ravishing its land, air, and waters, and give us respect for all your creatures, that, living in harmony with everything you have made, your whole creation may resound in an anthem of praise to your glorious name. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
One: Renew our nation in the ways of justice and peace. Guide those who make and administer our laws to build a society based on trust and respect. Erase prejudices that oppress; free us from crime and violence; guard our youth from the perils of drugs and materialism. Give all citizens a new vision of a life of harmony. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
One: Strengthen this congregation in its work and worship. Fill our hearts with your self-giving love, that our voices may speak your praise, and our lives may conform to the image of your Son. Nourish us with your Word and sacraments that we may faithfully minister in your name, and witness to your love and grace for all the world. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
One: Look with compassion on all who suffer. Support with your love those with incurable and stigmatized diseases, those unjustly imprisoned, those denied dignity, those who live without hope, those who are homeless or abandoned. As you have moved toward us in love, so lead us to be present with them in their suffering in the name of Jesus Christ. Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
One: Sustain those among us who need your healing touch. Uphold all who suffer in body or mind, not only those we know and love but also those known only to you, that they may know the peace and joy of your supporting care. As we lift up in prayer to you this day…Lord, in your mercy,
All: hear our prayer.
One: O God, in your loving purpose, answer our prayers and fulfill our hopes. In all things for which we pray, give us the will to seek to bring them about, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Benediction
Light of God to give us hope. Power of God to protect us. Light of God to give us joy. Peace of God to calm us. Light of God to give us faith. Grace of God to save us. This day and forevermore. Amen.
Response
Lead me, Lord, I will follow.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
You have called me, I will answer.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
