Order of Worship
Transfiguration of Our Lord
March 2, 2025
Witnesses to the glory of God in the face of Jesus reflect that glory in the world. It was true for Moses. It was doubtless true for Peter, James, and John. We pray that it will be true of all of us who see God’s glory in the word and in the supper and who are being “transformed into the same image” by God’s Spirit.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
arr. Michael Burkhardt
CONFESSIONS AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father,
and of the + Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Jesus on the Mountain Peak
ELW 317
Jesus on the mountain peak
stands alone in glory blazing;
let us, if we dare to speak,
join the saints and angels praising.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the prophets and the law
shout through them their joyful greeting:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Swift the cloud of glory came,
God proclaiming in its thunder,
Jesus as the Son by name!
Nations, cry aloud in wonder:
Alleluia, alleluia!
This is God's beloved Son!
Law and prophets sing before him,
first and last and only One.
All creation shall adore him!
Alleluia, alleluia!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE (page 184)
Kyrie eleison, on our world and on our way,
Kyrie eleison, ev’ry day.
For peace in the world, for the health of the church, for the unity of all;
for this holy house, for all who worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord
Kyrie eleison, on our world and on our way,
Kyrie eleison, ev’ry day.
That we may live out your impassioned response to the hungry and the poor;
that we may live out truth and justice and grace,
let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord
Kyrie eleison, on our world and on our way,
Kyrie eleison, ev’ry day.
For peace in our hearts, for peace in our homes, for friends and family;
for life and for love, for our work and our play,
let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord
Kyrie eleison, on our world and on our way,
Kyrie eleison, ev’ry day.
For your Spirit to guide; that you center our lives in the water and the Word;
that you nourish our souls with your body and blood,
let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord
Kyrie eleison, on our world and on our way,
Kyrie eleison, ev’ry day.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE (page 149)
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength,
and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God,
for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Transform us into the likeness of your Son, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
READINGS +
FIRST READING: Exodus 34:29-35
Moses’ face shone with the reflected glory of God after he received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The sight caused the Israelites to be afraid, so Moses wore a veil to mask the radiance of God’s glory, taking it off when he spoke directly with God.
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.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 99 (Read Responsively)
1 The Lord is king; let the people tremble.
The Lord is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.
2 The Lord, great in Zion,
is high above all peoples.
3 Let them confess God’s name, which is great and awesome;
God is the Holy One.
4 O mighty king, lover of justice, you have established equity;
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord and fall down before God’s footstool;
God is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among your priests, and Samuel among those who call upon your name, O Lord,
they called upon you, and you answered them,
7 you spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud;
they kept your testimonies and the decree that you gave them.
8 O Lord our God, you answered them indeed;
you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds.
9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord and worship upon God’s holy hill;
for the Lord our God is the Holy One.
SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2
In his debates with the Corinthians, Paul contrasts the glory of Moses with the glory of Christ. The Israelites could not see Moses’ face because of the veil. But in Christ we see the unveiled glory of God and are transformed into Christ’s likeness.
12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
4:1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (page 188)
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 9:28-36
The conversation about Jesus’ suffering and death is enclosed in a dazzling foreshadowing of the resurrection. God affirms Jesus’ identity, the disciples are stunned speechless, and Jesus resumes his mission with a demonstration of his power over evil.
The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
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.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Jeannine Sweet
HYMN OF THE DAY
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
ELW 815
I want to walk as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world.
The star of my life is Jesus.
Refrain
In him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
I want to see the brightness of God.
I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path,
and show me the way to the Father. Refrain
I'm looking for the coming of Christ.
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
we shall know the joy of Jesus. Refrain
APOSTLES’ CREED (page 105)
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the
dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
With the Spirit of Christ shining upon us, let us boldly pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
Transfiguring God, through the glory of your presence, you transform us. Move the church from complacency to boldness in sharing the good news with others. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We pray for your creation. As seasons change, give patience and skill to all who tend to animals giving birth. Grant nourishing weather for the growing of crops. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We pray for all in leadership, especially for those who lead states, counties, and town councils. Give them wisdom to protect local resources so that all will flourish both now and in the years to come. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Bring your healing grace to those who feel distant from you. Speak comfort to those who need your words of mercy. We pray for those close to our communities and in our hearts especially Cissy, Joey, Mary, Mabel, Doris, June, Barbara, Ann, Julie, Sydney, Brooklyn, Carol, Anne, Judy, Tom, Lydia, Brian, James & Grace, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Scott, Ron & Flo, Mac, Monica, Tom & Leona, Avery, Doris, Natalie, Elaine, John, Tim, Betty, Linda, Paul, Jeff, Henry, Gary, Mary, Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God of our past, present, and future, lead us into new beginnings, trusting in the promise of new life in Christ. Accompany congregations needing to close, and give courage to congregations starting new ministries. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God of all, bless those that take bread and wine to homes where Christ’s presence can be celebrated. Bless our eucharistic minister, Phyllis Whidden. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God be with Grace’s Call Committee, for their diligence and faithfulness as servants of Christ. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon them. Blessing, strengthening and empowering them for the task of calling a new pastor. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Renewing God, the saints who have gone before us witnessed to the ways you transform your church and people. We give thanks for their example and pray we carry it forward. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We entrust our prayers to you, O God, in the sure and certain hope that your promise is revealed among the people.
Amen.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
We prepare now to receive our offerings as we return to God a portion of what God has entrusted to us.
+ MEAL +
OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
ANTHEM
Soon and Very Soon
Crouch
OFFERING SONG
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
ELW 184
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE (page 107)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ.
In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see.
And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS (page 190)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory, full of your glory
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
LORD'S PRAYER (page 145)
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 and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
The baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the communion rail where we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Gluten free bread and grape juice are available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
AGNUS DEI (page 146)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace, Lamb of God.
COMMUNION HYMNS
Beautiful Savior
ELW 838
Beautiful Savior,
King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I'd love thee,
truly I'd serve thee,
light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
Fair are the meadows,
fair are the woodlands,
robed in flow'rs of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer,
he makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
Fair is the sunshine,
fair is the moonlight,
bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels in the sky.
Beautiful Savior,
Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine!
How Good, Lord, to Be Here!
ELW 315
How good, Lord, to be here!
Your glory fills the night;
your face and garments, like the sun,
shine with unborrowed light.
How good, Lord, to be here!
your beauty to behold
where Moses and Elijah stand,
your messengers of old.
Fulfiller of the past
and hope of things to be,
we hail your body glorified
and our redemption see.
Before we taste of death,
we see your kingdom come;
we long to hold the vision bright
and make this hill our home.
How good, Lord, to be here!
Yet we may not remain;
but since you bid us leave the mount,
come with us to the plain.
BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING SONG
We Are Marching in the Light
ELW 866
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, (marching, we are marching, marching,)
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, (marching, we are marching, marching,)
we are marching in the light of God.
Additional stanzas ad lib:
We are dancing . . .
We are praying . . .
We are singing . . .
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord’s face shine upon us, and be gracious unto us.
The Lord’s countenance be upon us and give us peace, now and forevermore.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace and pray for the world.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Majesty
Jack W. Hayford
setting by Douglas E. Wagner
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise, Music: ST. DENIO, Welsh folk tune. Arr. Michael Burkhardt, © 1990 Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP), a division of MorningStar Music Publishers. in Seek Ye First, Praise and Worship for Organ, Arr Michael Burkhardt. © 2000 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Jesus on the Mountain Peak, Text: Brian A. Wren, b. 1936. Text © 1977, rev 1995 Hope Publishing Company, Music: Mark Sedio, b. 1954. Music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense A-722274. All rights reserved.
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light. Text and music: Kathleen Thomerson, b. 1934. Text and music © 1970, 1975 Celebration. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
Soon and Very Soon, Words and music: Andraé Crouch, Arr. Jack Schrader. Words and music © 1976, arr. © 1997 Bud John Sons, Inc. admin Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Music: Ronald A. Nelson, b. 1927. Text and music © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Beautiful Savior, Text: Gesangbuch, Münster, 1677; tr. Joseph A. Seiss, 1823-1904. Music: Silesian folk tune, 19th cent. Public domain.
How Good, Lord, to be Here, Text: Joseph A. Robinson, 1858-1933, alt. Music: W. Mercer, The Church Psalter and Hymn Book, 1854. Public domain.
We Are Marching in the Light, Text: South African traditional, tr. Anders Nyberg, b. 1955. Music: South African traditional, arr. Freedom Is Coming. Tr. and arr. © 1984, Peace of Music Publishing AB, Walton Music Corp., div GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Majesty, Music: Jack W. Hayford, b. 1950, Arr. Douglas E. Wagner, b. 1952. Music © 1981, Arr. © 2000 Rocksmith Music, admin.Trust Management, Inc. All rights reserved.
