Transfiguration Sunday
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle B
Call To Worship
In the transfiguration, Christ's inner circle is confronted with the overwhelming glory of God. These Calls To Worship celebrate that glory.
Leader:
O come, let us sing to God.
People:
Let us make a joyful noise to our Maker.
Leader:
Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving.
People:
For God is great,
Leader:
He is above all gods,
People:
Holding the depths of the earth,
Leader:
And the heights of the mountains,
People:
In the palm of his hands.
Leader:
Come, let us worship and bow down,
People:
Let us kneel before God, our Maker.
Leader:
For he is our God
People:
And we are the people of his pasture.
From Psalm 50.
Leader:
The mighty one, God, the Lord,
People:
Summons the whole earth to gather.
Leader:
Our God comes and will not be silent;
People:
A fire goes before him,
Leader:
And around him a tornado rages.
People:
The summons is to come for judgment.
Leader:
For God is the righteous judge;
People:
Who judges all creation.
Leader:
Let us bow before our maker,
People:
And our judge. Amen.
Psalm 103 also goes well with the texts for this morning. This Call is based on it.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
All that is with me, bless his holy name.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
And forget not all his benefits.
Leader:
He forgives all our sin,
People:
Heals all our diseases,
Leader:
Redeems our lives from the pit of hell,
People:
Crowns us with unending love
Leader:
So that our youth is renewed like the eagle's.
People:
He is merciful and gracious,
Leader:
Slow to anger,
People:
And steadfastly patient.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, all you his people!
People:
Bless the Lord, all his works!
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
And forget not his benefits!
Prayer Of Confession
Sometimes our confessions are private, and sometimes our people need encouragement to make those private confessions. This Prayer Of Confession encourages a little personal encounter with God.
Introduction to the prayer:
What is between you and God this morning? Only you know. But whatever it is, it needs to be resolved. It needs to be dropped, dumped, let go, overcome.
This morning, let us a take a few moments in silence to come before God and address these obstacles to our relationship.
Let us pray: Abba, we do not wish there to be matters that prevent us from having the richest relationship with you that we can have. But we do, at times, allow things to get between us. Help us this morning to name these matters and begin to take responsibility for them. If there is some sin in which we are wallowing -- bring it to our minds now. (Silence)
If there is some issue or project that is distracting us from giving you our full attention -- bring it to mind now. (Silence)
If there is some earthly relationship we are neglecting and need to repair -- bring it to mind now. (Silence)
If there is some sin that you have long forgiven us for, but which we still hold on to, which still fills us with shame -- bring it to mind now, that we might truly give it to you. (Silence)
Whatever our sin, Lord, help us this moment not only to name it, but to claim responsibility for bringing it to you and working with you to clean it up.
Do not allow us to walk away from this prayer and this sanctuary this morning and forget what we need to do.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Here is a prayer that delves into the ways we limit God.
Leader:
"The virgin birth, the resurrection, the raising of Lazarus, even the Old Testament miracles, all are freely used for religious propaganda, and they are very effective with an audience of unsophisticates and children" -- so says atheist Richard Dawkins. Let us pray.
People:
Lord, we confess that we often think as the atheist thinks.
Leader:
We limit you.
People:
We put you in a box,
Leader:
Expecting you to do only things we can understand.
People:
Forgive us trying to cut you down to our size.
Leader:
And free our minds to begin truly understanding
People:
Just how big you are.
Leader:
Infinite mind!
People:
Endless power.
Leader:
Awesome glory.
People:
Forgive us, Lord.
Leader:
Amen.
Assurance Of Pardon
You might sing this hymn as a response to the above Confession. The second and third verses were written to serve as an Assurance.
(Sung a cappella)
Sing alleluia to the Lord. Sing alleluia to the Lord.
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia, Sing alleluia to the Lord.
Jesus has taken all our sin. Jesus has taken all our sin.
Jesus has taken, Jesus has taken, Jesus has taken all our sin.
He's given us all his righteousness. He's given us all his righteousness.
He's given us all, given us all, given us all his righteousness.
Prayer Of Dedication
Let us pray: All things come of thee, O Lord. And of thine own have we given thee.
Thus begins an ancient prayer that reminds us that not only are our things not ours, but we are not our own as well. This morning we dedicate these gifts with the understanding that we are simply returning to you what is rightfully yours. Take these gifts back and use them as you see fit. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Let us pray: Sorrow bruises us and breaks us, but in so doing it also opens us to truths we often fail to see when all is well. It sometimes makes us vulnerable enough to allow a touch from which we would normally shrink. Lord, in our brokenness help us to be open to your healing touch. Heal each one this morning, Lord. Heal them through and through; from head to toe; body and soul, and mind and spirit.
In the name of the great physician, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Benediction
We may not be able to stay on the mountaintop, but the mountaintop of the presence of God can stay with us. Go forth knowing that God is with you, even in you. Amen!
Hymns
All Glory Be To God On High
An Image Of That Heavenly Light
Bright The Vision That Delighted
Chosen Three, On Mountain Height, The
Forever Would We Gaze On Thee
God Of Grace And God Of Glory
God's Glory Is A Wondrous Thing
In The Days Of Old On Sinai
Lord, Thy Glory Fills The Heaven
Majesty
Not Always On The Mount
O Lord, Our Lord
O Master It Is Good To Be
O Splendor Of God's Glory Bright
O Wondrous Sight!
Tis Good, Lord, To Be Here
To God Be The Glory
With Glory Clad, With Strength Arrayed
Contemporary Choruses
Ancient Of Days, Jamie Harvill
Awesome God, Rich Mullens
Days Of Elijah, Robin Mark
Glorify Thy Name, Donna Adkins
Great Is The Lord, Michael W. Smith
Holy Ground, Geron Davis
Lord, I Lift Your Name On High, Rick Founds
Shout To The Lord, Darlene Zschech
Other Music
Be Still, The Newsboys
A wonderful little song calling us to "Be still and know that he is God."
Gloria, Watermark
A beautiful praise song that simply praises God.
No Higher Place, Sierra
According to this song there is no higher place we can be than with God.
In the transfiguration, Christ's inner circle is confronted with the overwhelming glory of God. These Calls To Worship celebrate that glory.
Leader:
O come, let us sing to God.
People:
Let us make a joyful noise to our Maker.
Leader:
Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving.
People:
For God is great,
Leader:
He is above all gods,
People:
Holding the depths of the earth,
Leader:
And the heights of the mountains,
People:
In the palm of his hands.
Leader:
Come, let us worship and bow down,
People:
Let us kneel before God, our Maker.
Leader:
For he is our God
People:
And we are the people of his pasture.
From Psalm 50.
Leader:
The mighty one, God, the Lord,
People:
Summons the whole earth to gather.
Leader:
Our God comes and will not be silent;
People:
A fire goes before him,
Leader:
And around him a tornado rages.
People:
The summons is to come for judgment.
Leader:
For God is the righteous judge;
People:
Who judges all creation.
Leader:
Let us bow before our maker,
People:
And our judge. Amen.
Psalm 103 also goes well with the texts for this morning. This Call is based on it.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
All that is with me, bless his holy name.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
And forget not all his benefits.
Leader:
He forgives all our sin,
People:
Heals all our diseases,
Leader:
Redeems our lives from the pit of hell,
People:
Crowns us with unending love
Leader:
So that our youth is renewed like the eagle's.
People:
He is merciful and gracious,
Leader:
Slow to anger,
People:
And steadfastly patient.
Leader:
Bless the Lord, all you his people!
People:
Bless the Lord, all his works!
Leader:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
People:
And forget not his benefits!
Prayer Of Confession
Sometimes our confessions are private, and sometimes our people need encouragement to make those private confessions. This Prayer Of Confession encourages a little personal encounter with God.
Introduction to the prayer:
What is between you and God this morning? Only you know. But whatever it is, it needs to be resolved. It needs to be dropped, dumped, let go, overcome.
This morning, let us a take a few moments in silence to come before God and address these obstacles to our relationship.
Let us pray: Abba, we do not wish there to be matters that prevent us from having the richest relationship with you that we can have. But we do, at times, allow things to get between us. Help us this morning to name these matters and begin to take responsibility for them. If there is some sin in which we are wallowing -- bring it to our minds now. (Silence)
If there is some issue or project that is distracting us from giving you our full attention -- bring it to mind now. (Silence)
If there is some earthly relationship we are neglecting and need to repair -- bring it to mind now. (Silence)
If there is some sin that you have long forgiven us for, but which we still hold on to, which still fills us with shame -- bring it to mind now, that we might truly give it to you. (Silence)
Whatever our sin, Lord, help us this moment not only to name it, but to claim responsibility for bringing it to you and working with you to clean it up.
Do not allow us to walk away from this prayer and this sanctuary this morning and forget what we need to do.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Here is a prayer that delves into the ways we limit God.
Leader:
"The virgin birth, the resurrection, the raising of Lazarus, even the Old Testament miracles, all are freely used for religious propaganda, and they are very effective with an audience of unsophisticates and children" -- so says atheist Richard Dawkins. Let us pray.
People:
Lord, we confess that we often think as the atheist thinks.
Leader:
We limit you.
People:
We put you in a box,
Leader:
Expecting you to do only things we can understand.
People:
Forgive us trying to cut you down to our size.
Leader:
And free our minds to begin truly understanding
People:
Just how big you are.
Leader:
Infinite mind!
People:
Endless power.
Leader:
Awesome glory.
People:
Forgive us, Lord.
Leader:
Amen.
Assurance Of Pardon
You might sing this hymn as a response to the above Confession. The second and third verses were written to serve as an Assurance.
(Sung a cappella)
Sing alleluia to the Lord. Sing alleluia to the Lord.
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia, Sing alleluia to the Lord.
Jesus has taken all our sin. Jesus has taken all our sin.
Jesus has taken, Jesus has taken, Jesus has taken all our sin.
He's given us all his righteousness. He's given us all his righteousness.
He's given us all, given us all, given us all his righteousness.
Prayer Of Dedication
Let us pray: All things come of thee, O Lord. And of thine own have we given thee.
Thus begins an ancient prayer that reminds us that not only are our things not ours, but we are not our own as well. This morning we dedicate these gifts with the understanding that we are simply returning to you what is rightfully yours. Take these gifts back and use them as you see fit. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Let us pray: Sorrow bruises us and breaks us, but in so doing it also opens us to truths we often fail to see when all is well. It sometimes makes us vulnerable enough to allow a touch from which we would normally shrink. Lord, in our brokenness help us to be open to your healing touch. Heal each one this morning, Lord. Heal them through and through; from head to toe; body and soul, and mind and spirit.
In the name of the great physician, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Benediction
We may not be able to stay on the mountaintop, but the mountaintop of the presence of God can stay with us. Go forth knowing that God is with you, even in you. Amen!
Hymns
All Glory Be To God On High
An Image Of That Heavenly Light
Bright The Vision That Delighted
Chosen Three, On Mountain Height, The
Forever Would We Gaze On Thee
God Of Grace And God Of Glory
God's Glory Is A Wondrous Thing
In The Days Of Old On Sinai
Lord, Thy Glory Fills The Heaven
Majesty
Not Always On The Mount
O Lord, Our Lord
O Master It Is Good To Be
O Splendor Of God's Glory Bright
O Wondrous Sight!
Tis Good, Lord, To Be Here
To God Be The Glory
With Glory Clad, With Strength Arrayed
Contemporary Choruses
Ancient Of Days, Jamie Harvill
Awesome God, Rich Mullens
Days Of Elijah, Robin Mark
Glorify Thy Name, Donna Adkins
Great Is The Lord, Michael W. Smith
Holy Ground, Geron Davis
Lord, I Lift Your Name On High, Rick Founds
Shout To The Lord, Darlene Zschech
Other Music
Be Still, The Newsboys
A wonderful little song calling us to "Be still and know that he is God."
Gloria, Watermark
A beautiful praise song that simply praises God.
No Higher Place, Sierra
According to this song there is no higher place we can be than with God.
