The Bulletin is at: 03-03-2019 – Bulletin

The Service in PDF format is at: 03-03-2019 – Service

or the service is as follows:

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

March 3, 2019

THEME:  At the end of Moses’ long and storied life, the Scriptures say, “His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated” (Deuteronomy 34:7). Nevertheless, the day came for even Moses to lay down and let go of his life. Perched atop Mount Nebo, Moses may have reflected on the highpoints of his 120 years and the legacy he was leaving behind. God had other matters for Moses’ attention: The Promised Land, where a greater prophet, God’s own beloved Son, Jesus, would be born and live and do good, laying down His life so that all people might live through Him. At the edge of Moses’ life and death, God invited Moses to dwell not on the past, but to trust God’s promises for the future. Could Moses have known then that he would later speak with the Son of God atop the mountain on the day of Jesus’ transfiguration? Who knows what wonderful things are in store for people like us who trust God’s promises as Moses did?

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPENING BLESSING

P:     In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:    Amen. 

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS

P:     Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from whom no secrets are hid:  Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:    Amen. 

P:     If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

~Silence for reflection~

P:     Most merciful God,

C:    We confess that we are in bondage 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. 

P:     God, our heavenly Creator, hears the prayers of all people and answers those prayers.  Our prayer for forgiveness is answered in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who died for our sin that we might have new life.  By the command of Jesus, I forgive you all of your sins—in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

C:    Amen. 

KYRIE   LBW pg. 78-79

P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

C: Lord, Have mercy.

P: For peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

C: Lord, Have mercy.

P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God. And for the unity of all , let us pray to the Lord.

C: Lord, Have mercy.

P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

C: Lord, Have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord

C: Amen

 

THE HYMN OF PRAISE    LBW pg. 81-82

P: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.

C: 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

P:  Let us pray.

P:  Triune God, You found Your servant Moses in the wilderness and led him back to Egypt to rescue Your people Israel, bringing them to the threshold of the Promised Land. Grant that as Moses trusted Your promises at the edge of life and death, we also trust You together in all things; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns in communion and love with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen. 

SCRIPTURE LESSON:  Old Testament     Deuteronomy 34:1-12

        The death of Moses

Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. And the Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord, and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

    

CHOIR ANTHEM: “Don’t Look Back”

SCRIPTURE LESSON: Holy Gospel          Luke 9:28-36  

The transfiguration of Jesus

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

SERMON HYMN: “Holy, Holy, Holy”       LBW 165

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons blessed Trinity!

 

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

Which wert and art and everymore shalt  be.

 

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,

Though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,

Only thou art holy’ there is none beside thee,

Perfect in pow’r in love and purity.

 

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

 

SERMON

“In between life and death”

CONFESSING OUR FAITH

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

        Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

        He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

        And born of the virgin Mary.

        He 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,

                And is seated at the right hand of the Father.

        He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

        The Christian Church,

        The communion of saints,

        The forgiveness of sins,

        The resurrection of the body

        And the life everlasting.  Amen.

OFFERINGS GATHERED

We give our offerings as a sign of our lives given to the Lord in humble service.

PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

P:     Let us pray together in Christ Jesus for all people according to their needs. Transforming Love, living on our own terms, our lives have become unmanageable. Grant that by Your Word and Spirit we continually be transformed, trusting in Jesus who was transfigured in the sight of Peter, James, and John. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:    hear our prayer.

P:     Transforming Love, the people, systems, and institutions of this world are crying out under the weight of feeling unloved. Jesus has come that all people come to know and believe how much You love all of us—from the least to the greatest. Grant that our elected and appointed officials be persuaded by Your love to govern wisely that all people on earth dwell in peace. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:    hear our prayer.

P:     Transforming Love, Your people are torn to pieces by many dangers, toils, and snares. Our attentions are divided, and our words and actions are motivated by the cares, griefs, and pains of our lives. We cause one another much pain and so get in the way of Your love for all people in Christ Jesus flowing through us to all people in our communities and societies. Grant that we turn to You embracing our identity as vessels of Your mercy in a way that overflows to the people around us. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:    hear our prayer.

P:     Transforming Love, there are many who are weak and sick among us and in our circles of family and friends. Remember for good all people who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit, [especially . . .]. Grant them both inward and outward healing according to Your will, helping them to trust Your goodness in all things. Lord, in Your mercy,

C:    hear our prayer.

P:     Into Your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C:    Amen.

 

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING        LBW pg. 88

P:     The Lord be with you.

C:    And also with you.

 

P:     Lift up your hearts.

C:    We lift them to the Lord.

 

P:     Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:    It is right to give him thanks and praise.  

 

PREFACE     LBW pg.  88

P: It is indeed right and salutary…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

 

SANCTUS     LBW pg. 89

C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of pow’r and might:

Heav’n and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest.  

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  

Hosanna in the highest.

 

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE LORD’S PRAYER

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION HYMN:

“Jesus, Name Above All Names”  TOSB 115

Jesus, name above all names,

Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord,

Emmanuel, God is With us,

Blessed Redeemer, living Word.

 

Jesus, love shepherd

Vine of the branches, Son of God

Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor

Lord of the universe, Light of the World.

 

Jesus, Way of salvation,

King of Kings, Lord of Lords,

The way the truth, and the Life,

Mighty creator, my Savior and friend.

 

“Beautiful Savior” TOSB 9

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,

And the sparkling stars on high;

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,

Than all the angels in the sky.

  1. Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, Praise, adoration,

Now and forevermore be Thine!

 

“People Need the Lord” TOSB 117

Every day they pass me by, I can see it in their eye;

Empty people filled with care, headed who knows where.

On they go through private pain, living fear to fear.

Laughter hides the silent cries only Jesus hears.

People need the Lord.  People need the Lord.

At the end of broken dreams He’s the open door.

People need the Lord.  People need the Lord.

When will we realize people need the Lord.

 

We are called to take His light to a world where wrong seems right;

What could be too great a cost for sharing life with one who’s lost.

Through His love our hearts can feel all the grief they bear.

They must hear the words of life only we can share.

People need the Lord.  People need the Lord.

At the end of broken dreams He’s the open door.

People need the Lord.  People need the Lord.

When will we realize people need the Lord.

 

FAREWELL TO ALLELUIA

P:     Today marks the end of the Epiphany season, and in a few days we begin Lent on Ash Wednesday.  It is traditional to mute our joy during Lent by not singing Alleluias.  We say our “farewell to Alleluia” as we sing the final hymn.

CLOSING SONG: “Shine On Us”

Lord, the Light of Your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness shining;

Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us.

Set us free by the truth You now bring us.

Shine on me, shine on me. – Refrain

 

Refrain:  Shine, Jesus, shine,

               Fill this land with the Father’s glory;

               Blaze, Spirit, blaze,

               Set our hearts on fire.

               Flow, river flow,

               Flood the nations with grace and mercy.

               Send forth Your Word, Lord, and let there be light.

 

  1. Lord, I come to Your awesome presence,

From the shadows into Your radiance;

By the blood I may enter Your brightness,

Search me, try me, consume all my darkness,

Shine on me, shine on me.  – Refrain  

 

  1. As we gaze on Your kingly brightness,

So our faces display Your likeness;

Ever changing from glory to glory,

Mirror’d here may our lives tell Your story,

Shine on me, shine on me. – Refrain

 

DISMISSAL

P:     Go in peace!  Serve the Lord!

C:    Thanks be to God!