The Celebration of the Gospel
Transfiguration Sunday
February 26, 2017
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!”
—Matthew 17: 5
The Celebration of the Gospel
______________ We Gather as the Body of Christ
GREETING
PRELUDE I Surrender All
W. S. Weeden, arr: Edward Broughton
[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]
* CALL TO WORSHIP adapted from Psalm 99
Leader: Yahweh Reigns! Let the people tremble!
All: Yahweh is great! Holy is God!
Praise Yahweh our God, and worship at God’s holy mountain.
For Yahweh our God is holy.
Mighty Ruler, lover of justice, you have established equity.
You have brought forth righteousness and justice.
You led your people and spoke to them in the pillar of cloud.
Alleluia! God of love, lead us by your light,
transform us by your grace, that we may truly follow Christ. Alleluia!
* SONG Immortal, Invisible
Blue hymnal # 103
(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME
[We invite you to sign and pass the red attendance pads down the row and across the aisle—
and back again, so you can learn your neighbor’s names.]
______________________ We Attend to the Word
THE WORD IN SONG 8:15: Matins
Cynthia Dobrinski (Ringtones)
10:30: Prayer
Jeanne Warzen (Bells of St. Matthew’s)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Beloved Jesus, your brilliant love for us brings us to our knees. Give us the courage to “get up and not be afraid” so that we, like you, might shine love, mercy and justice into a troubled world. You are the light of the world! We are the light of the world!
Alleluia! Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT Exodus 24: 12-18
RESPONSE: The Word of life. All: Thanks be to God.
NEW TESTAMENT 2 Peter 1: 16 -21
RESPONSE: The Word of God for the people of God . All: Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL Matthew 17: 1-9
RESPONSE: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
SONG Wounded World That Cries for Healing
Black hymnal #2177
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
God of all Creation, we trust in you. Love is your light, and mercy is your glory.
Christ, word of God made flesh, light of the world, God’s Beloved, in you we see God’s glory, and in you we see our own true glory. Your love is light for our path, and your love is our path.
Holy Spirit, light of God in us, we give you our hearts, that we may always accompany you in your journey of justice and liberation, that we may always wonder, that we may always listen. Light of love, lead us, and we will follow. Amen.
* SONG Together We Serve
Black hymnal #2175
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]
RESPONSE: This is my prayer. All: This is our prayer.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS [*Please use the word of your choice.]
Our Mother/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. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
___________ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World
OFFERING OUR GIFTS When I Consider How The Father Loves
Penny Rodriguez
* OFFERING SONG Doxology
Blue hymnal #94
* PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you these gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. Fill us with wonder and awe, fill us with love and courage, and lead us by your light, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG Lift High the Cross
Blue hymnal # 159
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE Please stand and sing to your neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE To God Be The Glory
Wm. H. Doane, arr: Douglas Wagner