Lectionary Readings
2 Kings 2:1–12
After crossing the Jordan, Elijah ascends to heaven in a chariot.
Psalm 50:1–6
From the storm and fire, God calls: Gather up my faithful ones.
2 Corinthians 4:3–6
We know the glory of God through the face of Jesus Christ.
Mark 9:2–9
On a high mountain with Moses and Elijah, Jesus is transfigured.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
It is God who gathers us here.
It is not our denomination that gathers us, or our church staff or family, or our political parties.
It is God who gathers us here.
We find ourselves on the mountain
this Transfiguration Day,
witnessing a last flash of glory
before a forty-day journey.
It is not about us;
it is all about Jesus Christ.
From the river Jordan to this place,
it is all about Jesus Christ.
From Ash Wednesday toward Easter,
it is all about Jesus Christ.
Let us worship God!
Prayer of the Day
Glorious God,
thank you for the invitation to immerse ourselves in the stories of our faith.
Today we watch with Peter, James, and John as you shine before us.
We see your garments glisten intensely.
We are just as frightened and confused as the disciples were,
not because we do not believe,
but because we trust what is to come.
We give you thanks for the reminder that in Jesus we are not alone,
a truth that never changes.
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus was surrounded by the prophets of the past
and disciples to follow him into the future.
Help us to recognize the great cloud of witnesses that went before us,
to answer the call to be your disciples here and now,
and to listen for the new prophets among us.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the faith, hope, and love you give to us
through the blessing of our baptism—
claiming us as your beloved children,
calling us to the path of discipleship,
revealing to us the light of your glory.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
help us to follow you with faith,
to trust in you with hope,
and to serve you with love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth,
whose wisdom is endless,
whose mercy is great.
Isaiah 40:27–28
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
God of transformation,
you make new life where there was old,
dazzling light where there were shadows,
peace where there was violence,
and friends where there were enemies.
Forgive us, O God, when we stand in the way
of your transformative love.
Forgive us when we do not live
as people who have been changed by your grace.
Call us to the mountain once more,
and send us out to be witnesses
of your transformative grace.
Lifting water from the font:
Those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will rise up to fly like eagles,
they will run and not be weary,
they will walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40:31
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
God of shining splendor,
your voice makes the earth tremble in wonder.
Overshadow us with your Spirit
so that we may hear your Word
and live as faithful disciples
and covenant people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Speak to us, Lord,
for your servants are listening.
1 Samuel 3:9–10
After the readings:
A new teaching, with authority!
Thanks be to God.
Mark 1:27
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
To the Lord who speaks to us,
and strengthens us,
and blesses us with peace,
be all glory and honor forever. Amen.
Psalm 29:1, 11
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Time after Epiphany
In Jesus of Nazareth,
true humanity was realized once for all.
Jesus, a Palestinian Jew,
lived among his own people
and shared their needs, temptations,
joys, and sorrows.
He expressed the love of God
in word and deed
and became a brother
to all kinds of sinful men and women.
But his complete obedience
led him into conflict with his people.
His life and teaching judged their goodness,
religious aspirations, and national hopes.
Many rejected him and demanded his death.
In giving himself freely for them,
he took upon himself the judgment
under which everyone stands convicted.
God raised him from the dead,
vindicating him as Messiah and Lord.
The victim of sin became victor,
and won the victory
over sin and death for all.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.08
Prayers of the People
Mindful of the many needs around us,
we turn to God for help and healing, saying:
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Ever seeking your glory, we pray for the church . . .
Transform us, by your grace,
into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ,
so that all may know your glory.
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Ever seeking your glory, we pray for the world . . .
Establish your law of love in every land,
speak your prophetic word of justice,
and shine with blessing upon the poor.
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Ever seeking your glory, we pray for this community . . .
Open our eyes and hearts
to see the beauty of your face
in the faces of our neighbors.
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Ever seeking your glory, we pray for loved ones . . .
Look with tenderness and mercy
upon all who need your care.
Hold them in your healing light.
To you, O God, we cry; be gracious to us.
Gracious God, turn our mourning into dancing
and change our sorrow into joy,
so that we may give you thanks and praise forever;
through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
There is only one Lord and God,
from whom all things come
and for whom we live.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 8:4–6
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
We praise and thank you, Lord God,
for the majesty of your work,
the wisdom of your word,
and the generosity of your grace.
Let the gifts of our lives bear witness
to your goodness and mercy,
your faithfulness and justice,
and your steadfast love for all. Amen.
Psalm 111
Great Thanksgiving
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.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You are the Mighty One; by your word the sun rises and sets.
The heavens declare your righteousness and the prophets speak your truth.
You gather us to yourself, for we are yours.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
On the mountain with Peter, James, and John he was transfigured.
There, Moses and Elijah appeared and your voice was heard,
echoing from his baptism: This is my beloved son, listen to him.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
By your Spirit, let your light shine through us,
so that we may proclaim Jesus Christ in our lives,
and take the gospel out into the world with love.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
We give you thanks, Lord Jesus Christ,
for the gifts of grace
we have received from your hand.
Now send us forth to reflect your light,
proclaiming your saving death and resurrection
until you come again in glory. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
Beloved children of God,
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,
the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the blessing of the Lord forever. Alleluia!
Mark 1:11, 9:7
As Jesus called the first disciples,
so he calls to us this day:
Follow me. Amen.
Mark 1:17, John 1:43
Transfiguration of Christ
Paris, France, 1200
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- God Is Here! (E) ABBOT’S LEIGH GTG 409
- O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright (E) PUER NOBIS NASCITUR GTG 666
- O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair (G) DEO GRACIAS GTG 189
- Source and Sovereign, Rock and Cloud (O) ABERYSTWYTH GTG 11
WORD
- Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (E) RATISBON GTG 662
- Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory (G) GENEVA GTG 190
- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (O) SWING LOW GTG 825
- We Are Standing on Holy Ground (G) HOLY GROUND GTG 406
EUCHARIST
- As We Gather at Your Table (G) IN BABILONE ELW 522, NETTLETON SSS 411, RAQUEL STF 2268
- Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts (E) QUEBEC GTG 494
- Within Our Darkest Night (Dans nos obscurités) (E) DANS NOS OBSCURITÉS GTG 294
- You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (G) PICARDY GTG 274
SENDING
- I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (E) HOUSTON GTG 377
- Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain (G) UNSER HERRSCHER GTG 193
- Lord, the Light of Your Love Is Shining (Shine, Jesus, Shine) SHINE, JESUS, SHINE (EG) GTG 192
- We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding (G) BREWER GTG 191
Psalms and Canticles
Metrical
- The Mighty God with Power Speaks [KINGSFOLD, STAR OF COUNTY DOWN]; GTG 13, PAS 50A, LUYH 9
- God Appears in Zion [TYSK]; PLP1 50
- The Mighty One, the Lord, Our God [CM]; SGP 78 (setting 1)
Responsorial
- Out of Zion, Perfect in Beauty; PAS 50B
- Let the Giving of Thanks Be Our Sacrifice [GREYFRIARS]; PAS 50C, LUYH 379
- O Lord, You Have the Words of Life [LEONI/YIGDAL]; PP 98
Organ Music
- “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” Two Spirituals for Organ, Ralph Simpson, MSM (M)
- “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” Worship the King, Joyce Jones, MSM (ME)
- “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” Easy Hymns for Organ, Douglas E. Wagner, LOR (E)
- “Offertory on ‘Quebec,’” Expressions, David Lasky, LOR (E)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Go Up to the Mountain of God,” Michael Helman, AF, SATB, org, fl (E)
- “Canticle of Transfiguration,” Franklin D. Ashdown, PAR, SATB div, org (A)
- “Jesus on the Mountain Peak,” Michael Burkhardt, MSM, SATB, org (M)
- “O Lord, How Manifold Are Your Works,” Alfred V. Fedak, MSM, SATB, org (M)
- “This Glimpse of Glory,” David Ashley White, AF, SATB, org (E)
- “O Light of Light,” David Ashley White, MSM, SATB, acap (A)
- “Light Everlasting,” Olaf C. Christiansen,” KJO, SATB, acap (M)
- “True Light,” Keith Hampton, Earthsongs, SATB, solo, pno (M)
Handbell Music
- “Outburst,” Karen Buckwalter, 4‑7 oct, opt orchestral chimes, BP, HB715, Level 5
- “Festival Prelude on ‘Deo Gracias,’” Sondra Tucker, 3‑6 oct, opt hc, BP, HB325, Level 4
- “Abbot’s Leigh,” Lee Afdahl, 3‑5 oct, HOPE, 2103, Level 2+
Art
- Elijah, John August Swanson (VDL)
- Transfiguration, Mary Jane Miller (VDL)
- Transfiguration, Raphael (VDL)
- They Saw His Glory, Jan Richardson (JR)
