February 19, 2023

Worship Resources for 
the Center for Faith and Giving

Exodus 24:12-18

 Psalm 99
 
2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

Transfiguration Sunday
(last Sunday before Lent)

Call to Worship  (inspired by Ps 99)

Leader:  Come!  Let’s worship the Lord our God!
People:  God’s name is mighty! 
Leader:  God establishes equity.
People:  So we come to praise God, who is lifted up over all peoples.
Leader:  Remember!  God both avenges wrong-doing, and forgives.
People:  We offer our hearts to this One who is holy!

Opening Prayer  

Mighty God, you spoke words of blessing from the cloud to Moses,
                                  words of blessing for your beloved son, Jesus.
Speak your blessing to us this day as we gather to praise you.  
Lift us up and fill us with your blessing, 
so your presence might pour forth through us
to encourage our weary and dis-spirited world.  AMEN

                  

Invitation to the Offering

Can you call to mind a time in your life when you were so inspired, you wanted to move mountains?  Some moment when you were so filled with gratitude you were willing to respond with super generosity?

We hear of Peter’s moment on the mountain, seeing Jesus “transfigured” (changed into glory in the presence of Moses and Elijah), which led to Peter’s offer to build three dwellings; one for each of these heroes of faith.

Matthew records the remarkable story of God breaking into that moment, claiming Jesus as God’s own Son and instructing the disciples to listen to Jesus.  And the three disciples responded with fear!

You may find fear a first response to your desire for super generosity.  However, Jesus spoke into the moment, with the familiar words, “do not be afraid”.

Today, I want to speak those words to you, as well. 
Do not be afraid to respond in gratitude, with super generosity, to your own moment of recognizing the amazing blessing we’ve received: this gift of life.  
It will not last forever, so I encourage you to respond with gratitude, as you offer your most generous gifts for Christ’s work here and to the ends of the earth.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Loving God, we offer you the gift of our lives, recognizing all you provide for each of us.  Please receive the symbols of each of our lives presented in this offering.  And accept, as well, the good intentions of our hearts and minds as we offer you our time and talent,
that we might live in gratitude rather than in fear.  AMEN

Invitation to Communion 

In Matthew’s telling of the Transfiguration of Jesus, Peter, James and John were also transformed on the mountain.  Filled with fear at the appearance of Moses and Elijah and the voice of God, they could so easily have run for home.  However, they found themselves still in the presence of Jesus once the others had gone, and their stories as followers of Jesus continued to the ends of their lives.

While we do not have the physical presence of Jesus with us, we recognize Jesus in the breaking of this bread, and the sharing of this cup.  All are invited to participate in this feast, renewing in us the awareness of Christ-with-us. 

Fear not!  For God, maker of heaven and earth, continues to teach us to listen to the Beloved. And it is Jesus who welcomes you to this Table.

Come, for all is prepared, and there is a place for each one.