Apologies for the delay, I was having computer problems Sunday afternoon.
So, a bit of good worship to start your Monday!
Special thanks to our musicians yesterday, especially Gary Ciccotelli and Dave Hamburg for their contributions!
Blessings, Pastor Chris Lee
Order of Service for Transfiguration / Jazz Sunday, February 27, 2022:
Prelude: “Beautiful Savior,” – Fettke. Senior choir.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meditation
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.
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who creates us, redeems us, and calls us by name.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you and your beloved children. We have turned our faces away from your glory when it did not appear as we expected. We have rejected your word when it made us confront ourselves. We have failed to show hospitality to those you called us to welcome. Accept our repentance for the things we have done and the things we have left undone. For the sake of Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us and lead us, that we may bathe in the glory of your Son born among us, and reflect your love for all creation.
Amen.
Rejoice in this good news:
In ☩ Christ Jesus, your sins are forgiven. You are descendants of the Most High, adopted into the household of Christ, and inheritors of eternal life. Live as freed and forgiven children of God.
Amen.
Opening Hymn: ELW 866- “We Are Marching in the Light of Christ.” Sung 3 times: English, Africani, English.
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.
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.
29Moses 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. 30When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. 31But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. 32Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; 34but 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, 35the 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.
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.
12Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13not 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. 14But 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. 15Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And 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.
4:1Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2We 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.
Gospel: Luke 9:28-43a
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.
28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now 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. 33Just 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. 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36When 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.
37On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43aAnd all were astounded at the greatness of God.
Sermon: Pastor Chris Lee
Hymn of the Day: TFF 65 – “This Little Light of Mine,” 4 times: vs. 1, 2, 3 and back to vs. 1
Prayers of Intercession
The Spirit of the Lord is poured out upon us in abundance; so we are bold to pray for the church, the world, and all that God has made.
Transform us by your greatness, O God. Send us down the mountain to share joy with all people. Make us agents of change, confident that your hope will vanquish despair and your goodness will conquer evil. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
The mountains and valleys sing your praise. Dazzle us with your presence in every landscape: bluffs built by ancient glaciers, canyons carved by flowing rivers, flat horizons with uninterrupted views, and sands shaped by ocean tides. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
You love justice and establish equity. Strengthen leaders of local governments, community nonprofits, and grassroots campaigns. Bless them with gifts of integrity, creativity, and sound conscience. Build up safe and joyful communities where all people may thrive. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Heal those who are in distress especially Ruth Mortland; Richard Mowery; Melvin Neu; Sky Stoutt; Gary Berg; Jeanna LaRue; Bruce and Sandy Wright; Betty Lee; Julie Prenatt; David Neu; Sheri Stoutt; Nan Hibbs; Everett Noah; Libby Hofsas; Noah Stoutt; Shelley Collis; Richard Hotchkiss; Charysse and Adean Heritage and Family; Randy McIntyre; Karen Bemowski; Marilyn Hubbard; Helen Schubert, and all those we name before you now, aloud or in our hearts…
Give patience to those waiting for answers. Grant hope to those who have reached the limits of treatment. Give compassionate hearts to those who accompany loved ones through illness and uncertainty. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Today we shout alleluia from the mountaintop; this week we enter the wilderness of Lent. Bless all who prepare and lead us in worship during this change of season: pastors, deacons, musicians, and all who contribute to our worship life. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Blessed are they who listened to Christ’s voice in this life and now rest with him. Transform us from glory into glory, and give us your peace, that we do not lose heart. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Since we have such great hope in your promises, O God, we lift these and all of our prayers to you in confidence and faith; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
Peace
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Hymns: (Combo only)
“Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
“I’m Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table”
“What a Fellowship”
Prayer after Communion
We give you thanks, gracious God, for we have feasted on the abundance of your house. Send us to bring good news and to proclaim your favor to all, strengthened with the richness of your grace in your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Blessing
God, who leads you in pathways of righteousness, who rejoices over you, and who calls you by name, ☩ bless your going out and your coming in, today and forever.
Amen.
Sending Hymn: ELW 671- “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” both verses.
Dismissal
Go with Christ into a weary world. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “When the Saints Go Marching In.” (Jazz Combo)
Facebook link to worship service video for Sunday, February 27, 2022:
https://www.facebook.com/190629367619921/videos/1064044520993219
Image credits: Transfiguration-of-Christ-icon liturgytools.net and Transfiguration, earthbliss.com
Music credits:
Senior Choir
Pianist and Music Director: Pam Edwards
Song leader: Miriam Anderson
Trumpet: Dave Hamburg
Percussion: Gary Ciccotelli
***
“Beautiful Savior.” Music copyright 1973 Lillenas Publishing Company. Contributors: Tom Fettke. (OL #207675) All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“We Are Marching in the Light of Christ..” Text: South African traditional; tr. Freedom is Coming, 1984. Music: South African traditional; arr. Freedom is Coming. Tr. and arr. copyright 1984 Utryck, admin. Walton Music Corp.. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“This Little Light of Mine.” Text: African American spiritual. Music: African American spiritual; arr. Horace Clarence Boyer, b. 1935. Arr. copyright 1992 Horace Clarence Boyer. Public domain.
“Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” Text: North American traditional. Public domain.
“I’m Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table.” Text: African American spiritual. Music: African American spiritual; arr. Carl Diton, 1886 – 1969. Public domain.
“What a Fellowship.” (Leaning on the Everlasting Arms). Text: Elisha A. Hoffman, 1839 – 1929. Music: Anthony J. Showalter, 1858 – 1924. Public domain
“Shine, Jesus, Shine.” Text: Graham Kendrick, b. 1950. Music: Graham Kendrick. Text and music copyright 1987 Make Way Music, admin. Music Services in the Western Hemisphere. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from CCLI with license #11114590.
“When the Saints Go Marching In.” (Jazz Combo) Public domain.
Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Reprinted/ streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS006904. Duplication in any form is prohibited without permission or valid license from the copyright administrator.