The Bulletin is at: 02-26-2017 Bulletin
The Service in PDF format is at: 02-26-2017 Transfiguration Sunday
or the service is as follows;
TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY
February 26, 2017
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
AS WE GATHER……………….Reflecting on the experience of the transfiguration of Jesus, Peter wrote in his Epistle, “We were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). The three disciples on the mountaintop, Peter, James, and John, were also “earwitnesses” as they heard the voice of God the Father say, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5). As we listen to the proclamation of the Gospel, we become “earwitnesses” as well. The working of the Holy Spirit that shapes our witness as we share it with others leads us to be those who make manifest the fruit of the Spirit, including gentleness and self-control, in our lives.
RINGING OF THE BELL
After the ringing of the bell, in silence we prepare our hearts and minds for today’s worship.
CHOIR OPENING “Don’t Look Back” By Joseph M. Martin
BEING REAL WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER
Pastor: “Brothers and sisters, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Let us go to our glorious Lord, seeking forgiveness and asking that He would restore us in gentleness.
Silent Reflection
Pastor: Heavenly Father,
People: We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have failed to live in gentleness, the fruit of Your Holy Spirit, in our thinking, speaking and acting. We have not exhibited self-control in times of elation or stress. We need Your help to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called, with all humility and gentleness. In Your great mercy, forgive, renew, and lead us so that we may be revealed as His faith-filled follower to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Pastor: God knows our hearts, also our fear of following Christ when it means making tough choices and real sacrifice. God has been in our shoes, he understands us, and he is more than ready to forgive us. And so by the command of our Lord Jesus and his authority, I proclaim to you the forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING SONG “Standing in the Need of Prayer”
Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, Oh Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer;
Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, Oh Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.
It’s me, (It’s me,) it’s me, Oh Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.
It’s me, (It’s me,) it’s me, Oh Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.
Not the preacher, not the deacon, but it’s me, Oh Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer;
Not the preacher, not the deacon, but it’s me, Oh Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.
It’s me, (It’s me,) it’s me, Oh Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer,
It’s me, (It’s me,) it’s me, Oh Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.
Not the stranger, not my neighbor, but it’s me, Oh Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer;
Not the stranger, not my neighbor, but it’s me, Oh Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer,
It’s me, (It’s me,) it’s me, Oh Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer,
It’s me, (It’s me,) it’s me, Oh Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.
HEARING FROM GOD’S WORD
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 24:8-18
God allows Israel’s elders to see Him and eat with Him on Mount Sinai.
And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.”
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. Now 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. Moses entered the cloud and went upon the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Peter and the others were eyewitnesses to the transfiguration.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was every produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is transfigured.
Pastor: As the transfiguration ends, Jesus deals in gentleness toward Peter and urges self-control until Easter.
Pastor: And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and John his brother, 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 white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus,
People: “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Pastor: He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”
SERMON SONG “Green Book” 165 “Holy, Holy, Holy”
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!
People: 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 into hell.
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 Holy Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING (We give our offerings as a sign of our lives offered to God.)
WELCOME OF NEW MEMBERS
Pastor: People loved by God, let us bring before the throne of grace our praises and petitions, saying: Everlasting God,
People: great is Your glory.
Pastor: Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Your Son, Your glory tabernacled in human flesh and blood to win for us eternal life. Open the eyes of all people to see the glory of God in the face of Christ. Everlasting God,
People: great is Your glory.
Pastor: King of the nations, You have established all authority upon earth to be a blessing, not a burden. Remember those entrusted with civil authority here and in all places and enable them to serve with wisdom and integrity. Everlasting God,
People: great is Your glory.
Pastor: Comforter of the sorrowing, You alone can bring the peace that passes understanding to troubled hearts. Remember all who are ill, hospitalized, lonely, afflicted, or dying (especially__________ and those we name in our hearts). Let them know Your presence, taste Your peace, and experience healing and relief according to Your gracious will. Everlasting God,
People: great is Your glory.
Pastor: All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant to us, all-glorious Trinity, for You are a good God, and You love Your whole creation; and to You we give all glory, honor, and worship: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages!
People: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
CLOSING SONG “Green Book” 260 “On Our Way Rejoicing”
On our way rejoicing Gladly let us go.
Christ our Lord has conquered; Vanquished is the foe.
Christ without our safety; Christ within our joy;
Who, if we be faithful, Can our hope destroy?
On our way rejoicing; As we forward move,
Harken to our praises, O blest God of Love!
Unto God the Father Joyful songs we sing;
Unto God the Savior Thankful hearts we bring;
Unto God the Spirit Bow we and adore,
On our way rejoicing Now and evermore.
On our way rejoicing; As we forward move,
Harken to our praises, O blest God of Love!
NORTHWEST DISTRICT Dustin Kunkel
DISMISSAL
Pastor: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!