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 —
Call to Worship
We inherit a measure of our ancestors’ faith.
The glory of God shines all around.
Yet sometimes we are too afraid
to understand the gifts that are ours.
The glory of God shines all around.
We long to hear, to see, to understand.
The glory of God shines all around.
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 Intercession
God of highest mountain and deepest valley,
shine out of darkness and show us your glory.
Hear us as we pray.
We pray for the right use of the world’s resources . . .
Grant to future generations
the wonders of your bounty.
God of glory, let your love shine.
We pray for the leaders of nations . . .
Bring them under your sway.
God of glory, let your love shine.
We pray for ourselves . . .
Help us to listen to your Beloved Son.
God of glory, let your love shine.
We pray for those we love . . .
Bring them, with us, nearer to you.
God of glory, let your love shine.
We pray for all who suffer . . .
In your mercy, make them whole.
God of glory, let your love shine.
We pray for those who live in fear . . .
Be their shield and defender.
God of glory, let your love shine.
We pray for those who long for change . . .
Reveal to them signs of your dawning kingdom.
God of glory, let your love shine.
God of highest mountain and deepest valley,
shine out of darkness and show us your glory
in the face of your Son, the Beloved,
in whose name we pray. 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
- We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding (BREWER) GTG 191 (OG)
- O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair (DEO GRACIAS) GTG 189 (G)
- God Is Here! (ABBOT’S LEIGH) GTG 409 (E)
- All Creatures of Our God and King (LASST UNS ERFREUEN) GTG 15 (OEG)
WORD
- Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory (GENEVA) GTG 190 (OG)
- Sing of God Made Manifest (SALZBURG) GTG 156 (G)
- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (SWING LOW) GTG 825 (O)
- O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright (PUER NOBIS NASCITUR) GTG 666 (G)
EUCHARIST
- Within Our Darkest Night (DANS NOS OBSCURITÉS) GTG 294 (E)
- You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (PICARDY) GTG 274 (G)
- Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (UNION SEMINARY) GTG 529 (EG)
SENDING
- Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain (UNSER HERRSCHER) GTG 193 (G)
- Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (RATISBON) GTG 662 (EG)
- I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light (HOUSTON) GTG 377 (E)
- Arise, Your Light Is Come! (FESTAL SONG) GTG 744 (OEG)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 50:1–6
Metrical
- Nearer, My God, to Thee [BETHANY] OLOF 117
- Pour Out Thy Spirit from on High [MELCOMBE] CP 554
Responsorial
- O Lord You Have the Words of Life PP 98
- Out of Zion, Perfect Beauty PAS 50B
Organ Music
- “Swing Low, Swing Chariot,” Spirituals for Organ: Vibrant Settings with Jazz Spirit, arr. Marianne Kim, LOR (MA)
- “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies,” Sunset and Dawning: Hymn Preludes for Evening and Morning, arr. Jeffrey Blersch, CON (M)
- “Beautiful Savior,” David N. Johnson, HWG (ME)
- “Toccata on ABERYSTWYTH,” Again, I Say, Rejoice! Festive Postludes for Organ, arr. Brenda Portman, SAC (MA)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “This is My Beloved Son,” Knut Nystedt, CON, SAB, org (E)
- “Prayer for Transfiguration Day,” John Weaver, HOPE, SATB, org (M)
- “And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth,” from Elijah, Felix Mendelssohn, CPDL, SATB, keybd (A)
- “Jesus on the Mountain Peak,” Michael Burkhardt, MSM, SATB, org (E)
- “O Nata Lux,” Thomas Tallis, CPDL, SATB, acap (M)
- “Dazzling as the Sun,” Gwyneth Walker, ECS, SATB, org (A)
- “Fairest Lord Jesus,” Derek Hakes, BP, SATB, pno (E)
Art
- The Event of a Thread, Ann Hamilton, 2012–13 (https://www.annhamiltonstudio.com/projects/armory.html)
- Transfiguration, Theophanes, 15th century (PD)
- Moses with the Law and the Veil, stained glass, Abbey of St. Denis, Paris, France (PD)
- Transfiguration, Fra Angelico, 1450 (VDL) (PD)
- Transfiguration, Kelly Latimore, 2014 (VDL)
- Be Thou My Vision, Mike Moyers, 2013 (VDL)
