Bulletin – Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Transfiguration
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Transfiguration
We Gather as People of Faith
Welcome
Announcements
Minute Person
Lighting the Christ Candle
One: Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World,” and so we light a candle to remind us of Jesus, God’s light, which is a lamp before us, showing us the way.
All: May Christ’s light shine within us, through us, and around us. Amen.
The Candle is lit.
Call to Worship
One: To the highest mountains, God transforms us.
All: To the deepest waters, God calls us.
One: To the widest inclusion God loves us.
All: To simple worship, God welcomes us.
Hymn – “O Splendour of God’s Glory Bright” (VU #413)
O Splendour of God’s glory bright, from light eternal bringing light;
O light of life, light’s living spring, true-day, all days illuming:
Come, Holy Sun of heavenly love, pour down your radiance from above,
And to our inward hearts convey the Holy Spirit’s cloudless ray.
O Christ, with each returning morn your image to our hearts is born;
O may we ever see anew our Saviour and our God in you!
Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Holy Spirit, Divine Wisdom. Source of Love, Lover of Justice, and Holy Presence: Your glory astounds us. You orchestrate holy symphonies all round us.
All: Yet sometimes we fail to notice because we work too hard at keeping our routines and predictable outcomes. Forgive us and help us to open our hardened hearts to the glory of your holy, still small voice. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Sung Response – “Behold, Behold, I Make All Things New” (MV #115)
Behold, behold,
I make all things new, beginning with you
And starting from today.
Behold, behold,
I make all things new, my promise is true,
For I am Christ the way.
We Hear God’s Word
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:28-36
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
May God speak to us through these readings of scripture.
Thanks be to God!
Hymn – “We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding” (VU #104)
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, stands 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
Anthem – “Transfiguration”
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of Jesus.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of the Son.
And oh, how his beauty transforms us,
The wonder of presence abiding.
Transparent hearts give reflection
Of Tabor’s light within,
Of Tabor’s light within.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of Jesus.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of the Son.
Jesus, Lord of Glory,
Jesus, beloved Son.
Oh, how good to be with you;
How good to share your light,
How good to share your light.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of Jesus.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of the Son.
We Respond to God’s Word
An Invitation to Share
Offering Sung Response – “Grant Us, God, the Grace” (VU #540)
Grant us, God, the grace of giving;
With a spirit large and free,
That ourselves and all our living
We may offer faithfully.
Offering Prayer
Prayers of the People
Prayer Jesus Taught Us
All: Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, they 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, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
We Go Into God’s World
Hymn – “Open My Eyes, That I May See” (VU #371)
Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
Place in my hands 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 ears, 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 heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Benediction
Sung Response – “Lead Me Lord, I Will Follow”
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.
