Transfiguration Sunday
VISUAL ARTS (PARAMENTS, GENERAL DECORATIONS, SPECIFIC DECORATIONS)
Brim: Creative Overflow in Worship Design
Banner Designs for the Church Year
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CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Just as Peter, James and John saw Jesus transformed on the mountain,
People: So we see Jesus today in all his glory.
Leader: Just as Moses, Elijah, and God joined Jesus to affirm his call to sacrifice,
People: So we are called to sacrifice for Jesus and affirm our call in each other.
Leader: Just as Peter wanted to build three tents to recognize the importance of the transfiguration,
People: So we come today to worship the risen Christ, both human and divine.
Leader: We may not understand, but we believe.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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INVOCATION
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MUSIC (HYMNS, SONGS, ANTHEMS)
- Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining
- Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain
- I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
- Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory
- Jesus on the Mountain Peak
- O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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CALL TO CONFESSION
God calls us to repent: to turn the light on in the room where all of our wrongdoings are stored. It is a scary thought and yet we know that Jesus will be beside us dazzling in blinding radiance, shining the light, but also telling us not to be afraid. Together let us confess our sins to the Almighty God.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O God, so many times we stand in your glory, almost blinded by the light of your awesomeness, and still do not see and recognize you as the giver of all good gifts. We like to live in our world of darkness certain that if we stay in the darkness you will not see the sins of which we are ashamed. We sometimes sin by doing those things that we know are wrong. We sometimes sin by not doing those things that we know are right. We see ourselves as so important that we push away those who love us, even you. God of mercy, forgive us for the wrong that we do. We stand before you saying we are sorry for what we have done, and move to turn away from those things and turn toward you. Hear our prayers and forgive us our sins. In Jesus’ name, our savior and sacrifice. Amen.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Who is in a position to condemn us? Only Christ, and Christ is standing with us pleading on our behalf. Friends, we can be assured that we are forgiveness. God said it is true and we can stake our lives on it. Thanks be to God! Amen.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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CHILDREN’S SERMON
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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
As Jesus did on the mountaintop, shine a dazzling light on this scripture so we can see and understand what you would say to us today. Amen.
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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SCRIPTURE TEXTS/SERMON IDEAS
- Matthew 17:1-8
- Mark 9:2-8
- Luke 9:28-36
- 2 Peter 1:16-18
—Elinor Swindle Brown
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SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS (VIDEOS, TAPED SONGS)
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
God of the transfiguration, we know that on that mountaintop, you were surely with Moses, Elijah and Jesus. We know that Peter, James and John were eyewitnesses to your mighty acts and were awed by your majesty. We too are awed by your majesty and are eyewitnesses to you mighty acts in our world. And so we come to you, asking that you would hear our prayers and be a part of the lives for whom we pray:
We especially pray for:
- our global leaders. May they be led by your will every step of the way every day…
- our local leaders. May they hear your voice and respond the way Jesus would…
- our church leaders: denominational staff, presbyterial staff, our church session, ministry teams and our pastor, secretary and music leaders. May they see your dazzling presence among us and work to be that dazzling presence in the lives of us and others…
- those with health issues. May they feel your healing hand through the doctors, nurses, chaplains, and staff that work for and with them…
- those who are grieving. May they know you are with them whether they have experienced the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the dissolution of a marriage…
- ourselves. We have sometimes been made to feel selfish for thinking of ourselves. Yet we are your children too and in need of help along the way. Be with us and make us strong and courageous for what we need to do on your behalf.
We ask that you help us listen to you and discern what you have in mind for us, as individuals and as a church community. Give us a heart for others so we will do and be what you would have us do and be. In your son’s holy name we pray. Amen.
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LITANY
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INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Peter’s offer to build three tents up on the mountain, although not an appropriate gift at the time, was one of genuine and passionate stewardship. He was willing to give sacrificially in the moment because he was thankful for the mountaintop experience. Let us give that sacrificially in thanksgiving for all we have received.
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OFFERTORY PRAYER
O God, we give you back what was already yours. We hope we always do it in a genuine and generous way. Take these gifts of our hard labor and use them to serve others. Amen.
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CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
It is time to leave the mountaintop.
Jesus is still dazzling and we are reflecting that light.
As we go may we always be willing to share that light with others.
Now may the God of Moses and Elijah,
the God who was chosen and beloved,
and the God who continues to light up our faces with the glory of the Lord,
be with us this week and bring us back safely again. Amen.