Join us in person or live-streamed at 10AM or find our recorded service at your convenience. Details on our Worship page. Service words are below.
Prelude: Glory
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Hymn: 9 CP Today I Awake
Today I awake and God is before me. At night, as I dreamt, God summoned the day; for God never sleeps, but patterns the morning with slithers of gold or glory in grey.
Today I arise and Christ is beside me. He walked through the dark to scatter new light, Yes, Christ is alive, and beckons his people to hope and to heal, resist and invite.
Today I affirm the Spirit within me at worship and work, in struggle and rest. The Spirit inspires all life which is changing from fearing to faith, from broken to blest.
Today I enjoy the Trinity round me, above and beneath, before and behind; the Maker, the Son, the Spirit together— they called me to life and call me their friend.
Gathering Sentences (written by Rev. Rob Smith, Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church)
Beyond our busyness, above the cold winter floor there is a glory rising born of heaven and reaching out to each one of us
a light that shines through the clouds an invitation seeking all of who we are that transfigures the world
that transforms darkness into hope that brings life from a cross where old life ends and new life is born
In glory Jesus meets us here raising us from depths of valley to the height of the mountain carrying the weight of our humanity to the heights of heavens glory.
Let us worship from the mountain and hear again “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”
Prayer: Light a Light for Us (together)
Before the light of Epiphany fades, before we don the ashes of Lent, O Jesus we pray: light a light for us. Light a light for us that is brighter than our vanities and fabricated pleasures. Light a light that is stronger than our fears and our faith. Light a light for us, O Jesus, for we are flailing in the dark, injuring one another as we grope for some certainty and assurance along our way. Light a light that blazes in brilliance and proves the shadows in our lives to be fleeting and insidious. Light such a light, we pray with longing. Light a light for us that leads us to peace. Amen
Gloria: Glory to God
One: Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
All: Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
One: To God be glory forever!
All: To God be glory forever!
One: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen!
One: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen!
One: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen!
One: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen!
One: Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
All: Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
One: To God be glory forever!
All: To God be glory forever!
One: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen!
One: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen!
One: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen!
One: Alleluia, amen! All: Alleluia, amen!
Collect of the Day (together)
Almighty God, on the holy mount you revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured: mercifully deliver us from the darkness of this world, and change us into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the book, Exodus 24:12-18
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.’ So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To 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.’
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The 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. 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 up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
Listen for God’s word coming to us in scripture Our hearts and minds are open
God is good. Praise our God all ye nations, for God is so good! God is good. Praise our God of salvation, for God is so good!
God loves what is right, attending those who heed His law. Worship at His feet, and lift His holy name in awe!
God is good. Praise our God all ye nations, for God is so good! God is good. Praise our God of salvation, for God is so good!
Gracious is our God! Our Lord will answer those in prayer. Equity and grace are given to those in His care!
God is good. Praise our God all ye nations, for God is so good! God is good. Praise our God of salvation, for God is so good!
Our forgiving God. Our loving God. Our God is filled with Grace for You.
A Reading from the second letter of Peter 1:16-21
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 had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Listen for God’s word coming to us in scripture Our hearts and minds are open
Gradual Hymn: 167 CP ‘Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here
'Tis good, Lord, to be here! Thy glory fills the night; thy face and garments, like the sun, shine with unborrowed light.
'Tis good, Lord, to be here, thy beauty to behold, where Moses and Elijah stand, thy messengers of old.
Fulfiller of the past, promise of things to be, we hail thy body glorified, and our redemption see!
Before we taste of death, we see thy kingdom come: O might we hold the vision bright and make this hill our home.
'Tis good, Lord, to be here! Yet we may not remain; but, since thou bidst us leave the mount, come with us to the plain.
The Lord be with you And also with you The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 17:1-9
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John 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 dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then 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.’ While 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!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
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.’
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
by Rev. Julia Seymour, Lutheran Church of Hope, Anchorage, AK
Our hope is God, our holy Parent, who makes all things and from whom all blessings flow. God’s faithfulness is the anchor of our hope.
Our trust is in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. More than a teacher, his life, death, and resurrection giving meaning to our existence. Christ’s faithfulness tethers us to holy mystery.
Our trust is in the Holy Spirit. Blowing over and through creation, unexpected and untamed, the Spirit stirs forgiveness, fruitfulness, and creates families. The Spirit’s faithfulness ties together past, present, and future.
Holy Trinity, One God, we believe you transfigure our faith. Amen.
Prayers of the People (thischurch.com)
Lord Jesus, we see you in your glory, and we remember that you gave up all for us, exchanging a crown for a cradle that you might share our humanity. May we never be proud or unwilling to humble ourselves in whatever duty you would have us to do. Forgive us our unwillingness to go to the places where you have gone before us, alongside those who suffer, sharing the path of the displaced and the unwanted.
Help us to care with that divine love which is willing to give up self interest and be used by you in transforming people and places. Help us to always see our pattern of life to be laid out before us in the life and teachings of Jesus. May we seek always to be faithful disciples willing to allow you by your Holy Spirit to make us the people that you would have us to be.
We remember that often your disciples were afraid when confronted by the things which you placed before them. At these times you touched them and encouraged them to trust in you and to know your peace which casts out fear. Hear us as we bring before you the things which trouble us. We pray for those situations where our sinfulness brings about preventable disease, war, hunger and homelessness.
Hear our prayers for those for whom we pray and by your great mercy touch them with your love.
We pray for those who have no decent homes, inadequate sanitation, no clean water. For those who sleep rough in the cold. There are so many people with no place to call home. We remember displaced people in refugee camps or those fleeing across hostile lands. We are mindful of the atrocities in the world and those who lose their lives daily.
We remember those who are persecuted or imprisoned for their beliefs. God of love and strength, your Son forgave his enemies even while he was suffering shame and death. Strengthen those who suffer for their faith. When they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair.
Spirit of justice, creator Spirit; help us to make and keep this country a home for different people, and grant to our government and all its representatives imagination, skill and energy that there may grow amongst us good neighbourliness and peace.
Hear our prayers for those for whom we pray and by your great mercy touch them with your love.
We pray for those who are ill (please remember those that we have been asked to pray for either silently or aloud) and those who minister to them. Jesus our Healer, we place in your gentle hands those who are sick. Ease their pain, and heal the damage done to them in body, mind or spirit. Be present to them through the support of friends, and in the care of doctors and nurses, and fill them with the warmth of your love now and always.
Welcome, Lord, into your calm and peaceful kingdom those who, out of this present life, have departed to be with you. Grant them rest and a place in your eternal safe keeping in that place where life knows not age, the reward that passes not away. May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.
Call to Confession (written by Thom Shuman)
Sometimes we wait for God to astound us with whirlwinds of wonders, while God silently offers us grace. God waits to forgive us, so let us hold nothing back, but trust in the One who listens to our prayers and answers us with mercy.
God of mountaintops, the din of the world can harden our hearts to your Word. We watch news, reality TV, silly shows - yet have trouble bearing witness to your presence in our lives. Our faith is placed in those who fail us, our trust is given to those who misplace it.
Forgive us, Revealer of Mystery. You offer mercy to us, so we might hear your call to discipleship. You whisper our names, so we might know how loved we are. Caught by the surprise of your never-ending joy in us, how can we not follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, onto the mountaintops of worship and into the valleys of sacrifice and service! Silent Prayers may be offered Assurance of Pardon
On mountaintops and in valleys, in our homes and in our hearts, God knows us better than we know ourselves, and God forgives us when we cannot forgive ourselves. By God's mercy, we are forgiven; by God's mercy, we are made whole; by God's mercy, we are equipped to serve others.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
The Peace: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Offertory Hymn: 457 CP Alleluia! Glory to God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Glory to God who does wondrous things; let all the people God’s praises now sing; all of creation in splendour shall ring: alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! See how salvation for all has been won; up from the grave our new life has begun; life now perfected in Jesus, the Son: alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Now in our presence the Lord will appear, shine in the faces in all of us here; fill us with joy and cast out all our fear: alleluia! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Call us, good Shepherd; we listen for you, Wanting to see you in all that we do; We would the gate if salvation pass through: alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Lord, we are open to all that you say, ready to listen and follow your way; you are the potter and we are the clay: alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! If we have love, then we dwell in the Lord; God will protect us from fire and sword. fill us with love and the peace of his word: alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The Prayer over the Gifts (together)
Holy God, receive all we offer you this day, and bring us to that radiant glory which we see in the transfigured face of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer 3
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for your transfiguring light has overcome us and is restoring within us the image of your glory. When you created the universe you said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” and the heavens lit up in testimony to your justice. Through the law and prophets your light has shone forth, and your Word has never fallen silent. On a high mountain you pulled back the veil of heaven and, as Moses and Elijah passed on their mantles to the one in whom your saving Word is fulfilled, you allowed the incomparable glory of your Son to be seen by his terrified disciples. He was killed by those who would not listen to you, but after you raised him from the dead, you sent the winds of heaven upon us with an extravagant outpouring of your Holy Spirit.
In our unending joy we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven as they praise Your glory for ever.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth of your glory are full.
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth of your glory are full.
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Therefore, Father, according to his command,
we remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory;
and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
As our Saviour taught us we pray
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins. As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory are yours. Now and forever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
We, being many, are one body, for we all share in the one bread.
The Communion
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Hymns during Communion: Peace In Our Time 505 CP Be Thou My Vision
Prayer after Communion (together)
Holy God, we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. May we who are partakers of his table reflect his life in word and deed, that all the world may know his power to change and save. We ask this in his name. Amen
The Doxology
Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
Closing Hymn: 1 CP Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty! Early in the morning my 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 evermore shalt be. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though our sinful human gaze thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, 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!
The Blessing
Announcements
The Dismissal
May God now send us back down the mountain of our worship. We have been changed. We can’t be silent anymore. We have seen the Light of the World. Go and share the radiance of love!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Postlude: Climbin Up the Mountain