Announcements
Throughout the service, the people’s responses are in italics.
Prelude
The people stand for the Processional Hymn.
Processional Hymn #542
Opening Acclamation & Collect for Purity
(+) Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.
Glory to God for ever and ever.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gloria
God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The people sit for the readings.
A Reading from Exodus
Then God said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, and I will give you the Law and the commandments, which I have inscribed on stone tablets, for you to teach them with.”
So Moses and Joshua, his attendant, went up the mountain of God, saying to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return. Aaron and Hur will be with you; if there is dispute among you, turn to them.”
Then Moses went up the mountain to where the clouds engulfed it. The glory of God then came to dwell on Mount Sinai. The cloud covered the mountain for six days; on the seventh day, God called to Moses out of the cloud. To the Israelites the glory of God looked like an all-consuming fire at the top of the mountain. Moses climbed the mountain until he disappeared into the cloud, and stayed there for forty days and forty nights.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 99
The choir will sing the antiphon once, and the congregation will repeat it. Choir and congregation will sing the verses together, changing notes on the italicized words and switching between the A and B verses.
[A] God reigns, and the nations tremble! *
You who are enthroned on the cherubim, let the earth quake!
[A] God is even higher than Zion, *
and exalted above all the nations;
[B] let them praise your Name, *
Great and Awesome One:
Refrain.
[A] “You are holy and mighty, a Leader who loves justice,*
who established honesty, justice and righteousness in Is-rael!
[B] You have done this! We exalt you, Beloved,
and we worship at your footstool. *
You are holy!”
Refrain.
[A] Miriam, Moses and Aaron were among them,
and Samuel too was among those who invoked the Name; *
they called on God and God answered them.
[B] God spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; *
they obeyed the decrees and statutes God gave them.
Refrain.
[A] Beloved, you answered them. *
For them, you became God the Forgiver even though you punished their evil deeds.
[B] “We exalt you, our God,
and we worship at your holy mountain; *
for you, are holy!”
Refrain.
A Reading from Second Peter
We did not cleverly devise fables when we taught you of the power and coming of our Savior Jesus Christ; we ourselves saw the majesty of our Savior. For Jesus was honored and glorified by our Creator God when the voice of the Majestic Glory spoke out, “This is my Own, whom I love, and with whom I am well pleased.” We heard this ourselves — this voice from heaven when we were with Jesus on the holy mountain. Moreover, we have the prophetic word, which is even more certain. Depend on it for your own good as a light shining in the dark, until first light breaks and the morning star rises in your hearts.
At the same time, you need to know that no prophecy of scripture ever occurred by one’s own interpretation. Prophecy never comes through an act of human will, but comes as people have spoken for God under the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Re-imagine
by Bonnie Thurston
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.” -Revelation 21:1
The world has become
a sad and sordid place
full of absence, longing
for what might have been.
We are scattered, shattered,
broken as bone china cups
dropped on a tile floor.
I shake accusatory fingers
at the formless void,
from somewhere out
beyond imagining
hear a terrible Eloquence:
“What have you done
with what I gave you?
You made the pieces.
Now pick them up,
re-imagine them as
fragments of possibility.
Fit them together anew.
Re-create my image
in your damaged hearts.”
The people stand and sing.
Gospel Hymn #130
The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ According To Matthew
Glory to You, O Christ.
Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain to be alone with them. And before their eyes, Jesus was transfigured—his face becoming as dazzling as the sun and his clothes as radiant as light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said, “Rabbi, how good that we are here! With your permission I will erect three shelters here—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah!”
Peter was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. Out of the cloud came a voice which said, “This is my Own, my Beloved, on whom my favor rests. Listen to him!” When they heard this, the disciples fell forward on the ground, overcome with fear.
Jesus came toward them and touched them, saying, “Get up! Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they did not see anyone but Jesus. As they were coming down the mountainside, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone about this until the Chosen One has risen from the dead.”
The Gospel of Our Savior.
Praise to you, O Christ.
The people sit for the Homily.
The Homily
Please stand and face the cross for the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead (+), and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Remain standing.
The Prayers of the People
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in God’s Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
The People may add their own petitions
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
The People may add their own thanksgivings
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
The People may add their own petitions
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence
Have mercy upon us, most merciful God; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Please stand for the peace.
The Peace
The peace of God be with you.
And also with you.
Offertory anthem: Fill-a-Me-Up – Pepper Choplin
Doxology
As the offering plates are brought forward, we sing…
Praise God from whom all blessing flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
The Holy Eucharist
Please stand.
It is truly right to glorify you, Holy One, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing,
We acclaim you, holy God, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.
Holy God, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose Jesus gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.
And that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for Christ who died and rose for us, you sent the Holy Spirit, your own first gift for those who believe, to complete your work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.
When the hour had come for Jesus to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper Jesus took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Almighty God, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and descent among the dead, proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting Christ’s coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you.
We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God.
God our Creator, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Fraction Anthem
Sung once by the cantor, repeated by the congregation.
The people are invited to come forward for communion.
Communion Hymn #64 (LEVAS)
Postcommunion Prayer
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of Christ, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Blessing
May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world; and the blessing of God Almighty, the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Closing Hymn #460
Dismissal
Alleluia! Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!