Sunday, March 2, 2014

Worship Liturgy for Sunday, March 2 - Transfiguration Sunday

Due to the snowstorm today (March 2) and for those who won't be able to attend either worship service this morning, here are our prayers and scriptures that we will be using at our 9:00 am service. Today is Transfiguration Sunday, a day in which we celebrate when Jesus was transfigured and a bright light shone upon him on the mountain.

Call to Worship
L: Let the radiance of Christ be evident among us:
P: in our songs and our words;
L: in our deepest thoughts and desires;
P: in the youthful and the experienced, the exhausted and the energetic;
L: in the hungry and the scared.
All: We are here together. We join our voices and our hearts in praise.


Prayer

God of the mountaintop and of the valley, we remember today the Transfiguration of Jesus. Glorious, mysterious, and shimmering with light, you know our hearts, our triumphs, and our disappointments. As we walk with you, help us to see the light of eternity. In the name of the light of the world, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Exodus 24:12-18 
The OT lesson is from Exodus 24:12-18.  This scripture has been chosen for this day because it reminds us of when Jesus went up the mountain and was transfigured before his disciples.  In this scripture reading, we read how Moses went up the mountain and also entered into the cloud of the glory of the Lord. 
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.’ 13So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14To 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. 16The 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. 17Now 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. 18Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Our Gospel reading from Matthew 17:1-9 is the story of when Jesus went up a mountain with some of his disciples and was transfigured before them.  Matthew is showing us that Jesus is like Moses from the OT because he too, experienced the bright light of God's glory on a mountain.  PLEASE STAND FOR THE READING OF THE GOSPEL. 


Matthew 17:1-9

The Transfiguration

17Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then 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.’ 5While 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!’ 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ 8And 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.’   THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.  THANKS BE TO GOD.

Morning Prayer
Let's join our hearts in prayer.  Thank you Lord, for, indeed, the light of your love is shining in the midst of our darkness. We rejoice this day in the hope and power of the transfigured one as we are about to embark on Lent, a season in which we will actively seek transformation in our hearts and lives.  We shine brightly when we offer a shoulder on which to lean, an arm to steady someone who is hurting,  a ride to the store or Dr.'s office, or simply by being present in someone's life.  All too often, however, we are caught off guard and our weaknesses are exposed.  We prefer the spotlight, while you call us to explore the shadows and brighten the darkness.  We seek the spectacular, while you bind  the broken with countless acts of mercy.  We desire to stay on the mountain top or in the security of a  comfortable pew, while you call us to walk into the valley of need.  Lord Jesus, let us remember that after you were transfigured and blessed by God as his chosen son, you came down from the mountain to heal and to be with your people. It is only by your grace that any of us are able to get up and do anything.   We all have times when we feel terrified and out of control, when it takes everything we have to find the strength and courage to face our worst tragedies and fears.  Our fear of inadequacy, our fear of saying or doing the wrong thing, our fear of failing our families and friends.  Or ourselves. Breathe your power and grace into us so that we are transformed from feeling frightened and helpless into strong, able disciples who are able to get up and serve in the name of Jesus.   We pray for those who are overwhelmed by snow, cold, storms, drought, and flooding.  We remember those still struggling to have clean drinking water.  We ask your healing for those who are dealing with the flu and colds, as well as those coping with long term illness.  We pray for the violence in our world to end.  We pray for the countries torn by civil war.  We pray for those taken into slave trade and trafficking.  We pray that your light will shine brightly and transform our world.  These things we ask, along with the unspoken prayers in our hearts, as we pray the prayer you taught your disciples living lives that reflect the light of your story, Our Father...  Because Christ leads us down from the mountain, we are able to see opportunities to extend love and grace to those in need of hope and help. May we rejoice in sharing our gifts this and every day.  And as the ushers come forward, please note that the March Coins for Christ offering is designated for Sharing Hope, one of the ministries served at our CR facility.  

Blessing
May the light of the transfigured Christ shine upon you, guide your journey, and bless you with God's warmth, joy, and peace as you proclaim the hove of Jesus Christ by word and deed. Amen. 

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