The Celebration of the Gospel
February 23, 2020 — The Transfiguration Sunday
Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun.
—Matthew 17.2
_____ We Are Received as Children of God_____
GREETING
PRELUDE – Be Still And Know – Traditional, Arr: Fred Bock
[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
Leader: In the beginning God said, “Let there be light.”
All: We behold your glory.
Jesus is the light of the world.
We behold your glory.
Christ lives, shining with the light of resurrection.
We behold your glory. Alleluia!
* SONG – Fairest Lord Jesus – Blue hymnal #189
_____We Are Transformed by the Love of Christ____
(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME
(10:30) THE WORD IN SONG – Joy and Celebration – Lee Afdhal (Bells of St. Matthew’s)
PRAYER
God, your Chosen One Jesus shone on the mountain with the light of glory. You said to the disciples, “Listen to him.” May Christ speak to us now in scripture, word and silence; by your grace may we listen and hear and be enlightened. Amen.
HEBREW BIBLE – Exodus 24.12-18
[The Sunday of the Transfiguration brings to a climactic close the season of Epiphany, with its theme of Jesus as light of the world. Here Moses goes up on the mountain and encounters God, who shines with light. ]
God 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.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 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.”
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Holy One settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of God was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
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(10:30) NEW TESTAMENT – 2 Peter 1.16-19
[We witnessed God’s blessing of Christ on the mountain. We are warned to pay attention to the prophetic message “like a lamp shining in a dark place.”]
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
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SONG: The Promises of God Steve G-H
Pay attention, my friends to the promises of God,
like a candle shining in a dark place
till the morning star rises brightly in your hearts
so that even in the darkness you may walk in the light of God.
GOSPEL – Matthew 17.1-9
[Reflecting the story of Moses on the mountain, Matthew describes the vision of Jesus transfigured in light on the mountain. We see Jesus’ glory, his approval from God, his shining forth the good news, his authority equal to the law (represented by Moses) and the prophets (Elijah), and the command that we listen to him.]
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 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.” 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!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 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.”
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SERMON – Being angels
SONG – Nothing Can Trouble – Black hymnal # 2054
(10:30): THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM – Evelyn Fischer Berry
Introduction
Pastor: Beloved in Christ:
through the sacrament of baptism
God gives us new birth through water and the Spirit,
brings us into Christ’s holy church,
and makes us part of the salvation of the world.
So we come to the water—
Yes, everyone who thirsts! Come to the waters:
water of new birth, poured out and flowing freely
for all who will receive it;
water of justice rolling down,
water of righteousness like an everflowing stream;
a spring of water in us gushing up to eternal life;
the river of God for the healing of the world.
We come to this water
because our souls thirst for you, O God,
as in a dry and weary land.
Sponsor: We come to this water
to baptize Evelyn
and to bathe her in your love for her.
Pastor: We come to this water as a community.
All: We come to this water
to renew our love as siblings in Christ,
and to renew our baptism
in the death and resurrection of Christ.
The Baptismal Vows
Pastor (to the parents): As we behold the mystery of God’s grace,
I invite you to profess your faith,
and to confirm the baptismal covenant made in your name:
Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Parents: We confess our need for the saving, life-giving grace of God!
Will you turn away from the powers of sin and death?
We renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of our sin!
Will you let the Spirit use you as prophets to the powers that be?
We accept the freedom and power God gives us
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves!
Will you receive God’s grace, give yourselves wholly to God,
and live as disciples of Jesus, Christ’s body on earth?
We confess Jesus Christ as our Savior,
put our whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as our Lord,
in union with the church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races!
According to the grace given you,
will you remain faithful members of Christ’s holy church
and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world? We will.
[To the Sponsor and Godparents]Will you who sponsor Evelyn
support and encourage her in her Christian life? We will
Do you, as Christ’s Body, the church, reaffirm your rejection of sin
and your commitment to Christ?
Congregation: We do.
Will you be living witnesses to the gospel,
individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?
We will live as faithful members of the Body of Christ
and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.
Will you nurture one another in living the faith through the church
and include Evelyn in your care?
With God’s help we will embody the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We will surround Evelyn with faith, hope and love
that she may grow in grace and faith
and learn to trust God and live in loving service in the world.
We will pray for her and walk with her
on her journey of discipleship among us.
Thanksgiving over the Water
The Spirit of God is among us.
The blessing of the Beloved is upon us!
Let us pray. Loving, life-giving God, we give you thanks,
for in the beginning your Spirit brooded over the waters
and you brought forth Creation.
You brought us to freedom through the waters of the Red Sea.
You gave us new birth through baptism into Christ,
and gave us life that cannot die.
The river of God is full of water,
the river of the water of life,
bright as crystal, flowing from the heart of God.
We who are baptized into Christ Jesus
are baptized into his life,
born in the water of a womb;
we are baptized into his ministry,
giving water to the thirsty,
washing the feet and sharing the tears of all who suffer;
and we are baptized into his death,
so that just as Christ was raised by the glory of God,
we too might walk in newness of life.
Born of water and the Spirit,
may we enter into the Realm of God
as children of God,
born not of human will, but of God.
Pour out your Holy Spirit in this water
and bless her who receives it,
that claimed by your Word, nourished in your grace,
washed from all sin and borne by your Spirit,
she may live in freedom, trust and courage,
sharing in the eternal life of Christ.
Evelyn, you are God’s Beloved,
in whom God is well pleased.
All reverence and delight is yours,
infinite and loving God, now and forever.
All praise to you, Eternal Father and Mother,
Son and Holy Spirit,
in the present moment and in eternity. Amen!
… Baptism with Laying on of Hands …
Let us welcome our new sibling in Christ.
Evelyn, Child of God, claimed by water and the Spirit,
you are joined to God’s new creation.
We are one in Christ Jesus,
sharing in Christ’s royal priesthood.
With joy and thanksgiving
we welcome you as a member of Christ’s church.
God bless you now and in eternal life. Amen.
SONG – Baptism Song – Jenn Berry
Baptized by water, filled with the spirit,
cleansing our being, flowing with grace:
praise for the promise and the forgiveness
love freely given, growing in faith.
Joined as one village, God is our shepherd.
Lead us and guide us on the right path.
Nourish the seed of faith planted in us,
bearing the fruit of beauty and love.
Woven together, each one is sacred;
all are God’s children, light of the world.
One in the Father, Son and the Spirit,
we are your praise, God, we are your Word.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer at the microphone.]
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
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. Amen.
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
____We Are Sent in the Power of the Holy Spirit__
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
8:15: Fairest Lord Jesus – C. E. Haupt, arr: Lee Evans
10:30: Glad Hearts Rejoice – Michael Mazzantenta (Bells of St. Matthew’s)
* OFFERING SONG – Doxology – Blue hymnal #95
* PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you our lives, symbolized in these gifts. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. By your grace you have already saved us from death, and raised us as angels of light. Send us into the world as peacemakers and healers, and to work for justice, the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG – Hymn of Promise – Blue hymnal #707
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE We stand and sing to our 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 – Postlude On “Lobe Den Herren” – arr: Pierce Dickens