Bulletin – Sunday, February 19, 2023 – Transfiguration Sunday
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Transfiguration Sunday
Approach
Lighting the Christ Candle
As we light this candle today we remember our Epiphany journey, we remember that it was not on a mountain-top but by the Jordan we saw the glory of God. It was a revelation as the Messiah showed himself not as being set apart from all of us but being baptized as one of us. God beside us. God one of us. This everyday epiphany is revolution. We remember that it was not on a mountain-top but by a sea shore we saw the wonder of God. It was a revelation as the one from God found us fisher-folk and called us not the theologians but the workers to catch the world and bring it into the kingdom. This everyday epiphany is revolution. We remember that it was not on a mountain-top by on the roadways of the world glory is found. This is a revelation that Jesus has been revealed not in might cathedrals but on the roadways of life amid all who leave footprints in the dust and in everyday epiphanies. This is heaven’s revolution. The light of this candle reminds of God’s revelation to us, even today.
Call to Worship
One: The mountain top, the shining face, the glowing clothes, the voice of God speaking from the cloud, the commandments etched in stone.
All: 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.
One: Sometimes…
All: Sometimes there is the veil, the overshadowing, terrifying cloud, the questions, the appearing and disappearing, the excitement, the wonder, the silence.
One: Sometimes God shows up in ways we cannot deny.
All: Always God shows up somehow.
One: So we have shown up here, now.
All: May God give us eyes to see.
Hymn – “Open Our Eyes, Lord”
Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him and say that we love Him.
Open our ears Lord and help us to listen,
Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus.
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 a 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. We trudge ahead, following you, stumbling, hoping, praying…breathing hard, hearts pounding, and yes, even some of us are nimble and skipping.
Lead us on God, 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 ethereal and grounded and real. God of Mercy and Grace, you come to us in Jesus of Nazareth, the one transfigured in your love, to break down the dividing walls of hostility between us: yet we maintain walls that separate and isolate.
You give us the ministry of reconciliation: yet we nurse our wounds and withhold mercy and forgiveness. You invite us to join with Peter, James, and John on the mountain of Transfiguration: yet we deny the wonders you have worked in our own lives. You ask us to acknowledge and share our wealth: yet we refuse to recognize and relieve the poverty around us.
You bless our lives with boundless love: yet we fail to witness to that love, and so keep others from knowing you. Forgive our selfishness, we pray. Transform us by your Spirit and your Word into that which please you, the image of Christ. Amen.
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
our 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 24:12-18
12 The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.”
15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights
Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1-9
1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!
Meditation – “Are You Listening”
Anthem – “Shine On, Great Saviour”
Offering / Response – “Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands”
Your work, O God, needs many hands to help you everywhere,
And some there are who cannot serve unless our gifts we share.
Because we love you and your work, our offering now we make:
Be pleased to use it as your own, we ask for Jesus’ sake.
The Response
Prayers of the People
One: It is a strange time of year, O God. We linger between the seasons of Epiphany and Lent. We are between the joy of your appearing and the horror of your undoing at the hands of those who would not or could not embrace your way of life.
One: Perhaps we—like Peter, James, and John—wait for your appearing in dazzling light and unmistakable clarity. We are in need of a glimpse of Jesus who is the way through the mix and mess of this life.
One: Our planet is fragile and so is the life that claims it as home. We wonder how long we can simply take what we want with little regard for what it costs your creation. We wonder if the planet is crying out for relief in the floods that are really tears, the earthquakes that try and shake our consciousness; the gales that blow sighs, too deep for words.
One: Renew and restore a vision of care for your creation. Remind us to take what we need and no more. Encourage us in a counter-cultural faithfulness that is not about consumerism. Spur us with new insight and deeper understanding that we may live mindfully each day, conscious of the impact of what we do and fail to do.
One: We pray for the people of the world whose names we will never know, whose faces flash across the TV screen in anonymity born of numbers; those who bear the weight of earth’s pain: we lift up to those whom we do know and we pray will feel your presence with them this day and every day…We are in need of a glimpse of Jesus who is the truth—the truth that love is stronger than hate; peace is possible; and life can emerge even in the midst of devastation. We pray for that truth to be known.
One: We are in need of a glimpse of Jesus who is the life; inviting us to follow in his footsteps as he trod the way of love and justice, inviting us to follow him in prayer as he lived out his faith and made You known.
One: We give thanks for the good news that unfolds in the world as people dream your dreams, follow your nudging, and seek you in the faces they meet each day. Perhaps, O God, it is the only Transfiguration we really need.
One: For all those who are quiet witness to your love and way of life, we give thanks, O God.
One: Draw us to the rhythm of Lent as it unfolds in our midst; a sacred invitation to explore the corners of our soul. Open us to your light that we might see ourselves clearly, with all our fears and faults and faith, with all our desires and dreams and duties.
One: Help us to see our journey as a place of your appearing—that like Peter, James, and John we may come down from the mountain and set one foot in front of the other in your name and for your sake. Amen.
Hymn – “Shine, Jesus, Shine”
Lord, the Light of Your Love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness shining,
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth You now bring us,
Shine on me. Shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine,
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
Flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.
Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
From the shadows into your radiance;
By the blood I may enter your brightness,
Set us free by the truth you now bring us,
Shine on me. Shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine,
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
Flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.
As we gaze on Your kingly brightness
So our faces display Your likeness.
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story.
Shine on me. Shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine,
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
Flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.
Benediction
In the coming week, may you experience the presence of God with joy. May the holy cloud comfort you. May the divine voice encourage you. May the power of the Spirit transform you, transform us, transform our world. Amen.
Response
You shall be the path that guides us;
You the light that in us burns.
Shining deep within all people,
Yours the love that we must learn.
For our hearts shall wander restless.
‘Til they safe to your return.
Finding you in one another,
We shall all your face discern.
