March 2, 2025 – Transfiguration of the Lord

Lectionary Readings

Exodus 34:29–35
Moses returns from Sinai with the law, and his face is shining.

Psalm 99
The Lord is holy, a lover of justice; worship at God’s mountain.

2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2
With unveiled faces, we see the glory of the Lord reflected.

Luke 9:28–36 (37–43a)
On a mountaintop, Jesus is transfigured; God says: This is my Son.

— Gathering —

Opening Sentences

God of the mountaintop,
you call us to journey with you.
Shine upon us; grant us sacred illumination;
dazzle us with your beauty and glory.
In the midst of our weary souls
and exhausted bodies,
Transfigure our imaginations
and reveal to us what is possible.
In the face of unceasing violence and endless wars,
Transfigure our imaginations
and reveal to us what is possible.
In the midst of crushing disasters,
natural and humanmade,
Transfigure our imaginations
and reveal to us what is possible.
Move us from scarcity and cynicism
and transfigure our lowly visions
to reveal the abundant life of your realm.
Help us to keep watch
so that we might leave the mountaintop
inspired to do your work of transformation
in the valley below. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

God who dazzles,
just as you revealed yourself in Christ
at the mount of transfiguration,
you send your Spirit now to work in our midst.
Show us this day the light of your presence.
Reveal to us your power and glory.
Illumine our hearts and lives with your brilliance,
that we might envision a world transfigured
in your image. 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:
We all fall short of our call
as beloved children of God.
Yet, in hope and with boldness
we confess our sin together,
trusting that we will be heard in God’s great mercy.

Holy Lord,
we confess that we do not always seek
the light of your way.
We are satisfied to dwell in darkness,
holding fast to the comforts of material fortune.
We ignore the needs of others,
and selfishly look the other way
when our neighbors are oppressed.
In your merciful way,
help us to establish your equity in the world.
Move us to protect creation and ensure equality,
that all of our siblings
may have a share of your abundance
and the safety of your peace,
and that the light of your face
may shine upon all creation.

Lifting water from the font:
The Lord our God answers our prayers.
The Holy One forgives us of our sin.
Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
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: 
Listen for the Word of God, 
shaking the wilderness. 
Psalm 29:8

After the readings: 
Powerful and full of majesty 
is the voice of the Lord. 
Thanks be to God. 
Psalm 29:4

Sermon

Ascription of Praise

After the sermon:
And in the temple of the Lord, 
the people of God say: Glory! Amen.
Psalm 29:9

Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song

Affirmation of Faith

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