February 23, 2020

February 23, 2020

Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving

Transfiguration Sunday
(last after Epiphany)

Exodus 24:12-18

Psalm 2 

2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

Call to Worship  (adapted from Thom Shuman, http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/)

One: It is good to be here in this sacred space,
Many:  in the shelter of God’s love and hope.
One:   is good to be here with folks we know well,
as well as with new companions,
Many:  joining with all of God’s beloved,
sisters and brothers of Jesus.

One:  It is good to here, where we can hear God’s voice,
Many:  and join with Jesus in change which leads us to be
eyewitnesses to the Spirit’s presence.

Opening Prayer  (adapted from a call to worship by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA)

We follow you O Christ,
up the mountain to pray, not knowing what you have in store.
We witness you O Christ,
your face transformed with light, Moses and Elijah beside you.
We worship you O Christ,
awed by the power of your love.
Emmanuel, God with us,
open our eyes again,
that we might witness your power and glory once more.
Help us see you not only in this place of sacred sanctuary and worship,
not only where we expect to find you,
but in our neighborhoods, on street corners and on mountain slopes, in grocery stores and fallow fields, at our workplaces and in our homesI.

(conclude your prayer with these spoken words,
Open our eyes that we might see you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
follow you more nearly, day by day, AMEN
or a solo voice singing CH 599)

Moment for Stewardship 

Peter is recorded in the Gospels as a man of action – not always thoughtful or wise, but definitely active!

In the story of Jesus’ transfiguration, it’s Peter who blasts right into the midst of the experience, declaring with energy “if you wish, I will make 3 tents; one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah”.

Peter could see these three, and offered, with his own characteristic vigor, what he could offer to provide hospitality and a welcome place for them to linger.

As we come to our offering time in worship this morning, I’d like you to consider, if you were standing in the presence of Jesus (or Jesus, Moses and Elijah), what would YOU offer?

Whether it’s your time, your talent or your treasure, I invite you to join with Peter, to make your own particular enthusiastic offering this morning.


Prayer of Thanksgiving

God of grace and mercy, we thank you for all the gifts offered this morning; gifts placed in the offering trays, gifts offered in silent prayer, gifts of intention and support which will be made tangible in the coming week.

Thank you most of all for Jesus, and the glory which shone in him as you once more claimed him;
“my son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased”.

Help us please you with all we offer you this day.

As Jesus’ followers, we pray,    AMEN

 Invitation to Communion 

This simple meal of bread and cup is a weekly sign of Jesus’ presence among us.  We may not have the experience of seeing Jesus.
We may not be awed by the glory shining on the mountain top long ago.
But we know ourselves to be welcomed at this table,
and we come,
ready to listen once more to the words of Jesus
and ready to remember him.

We come to be nourished by basics – a taste of bread, a sip of juice and the promise of Jesus to his disciples “I will not drink this again until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s realm”. (Mt. 26:29)

So come with joy!
Hold these elements in your hand. Put them to your lips.
Be nourished and encouraged.  Do not be afraid!

(CH 420, I Come with Joy) is an appropriate communion hymn.

Photos for download of Transfiguration Theme