We gather to worship, we go out to serve.
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD
* Those who are able, please stand.
Tolling of the Bell
Welcome and Announcements
Visitors, fill out the connection card in the pew so we can send you a note
Opening Prayer Becky Yaeckel
The Holy One is our sovereign. Let us praise God’s great and awesome name! Amen
Prelude Christopher Bunch
*Call to Worship (Unison) Becky Yaeckel
Redeeming God, you come to us in Christ to reconnect us. Guide us by your wisdom to see you in all that has life.
*Hymn Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain #193
Prayer for New Beginnings (Unison) Becky Yaeckel
I awake this morning in the presence of the holy angels of God. May heaven open wide before me, above me, and around me that I may see the Christ of my love and his sunlit company in all the things of earth this day. ©J.Philip Newell
*Passing of the Peace (Responsive)
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
*Congregational Response In My Life #468 v.1,4
In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In my life, Lord, be glorified today,
In your world, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In your world, Lord, be glorified today.
HEARING THE WORD
Prayer for Illumination Becky Yaeckel
God our light, make us attentive to your Word as to a lamp shining in a dark place, that seeing your truth we may live faithful lives until that great day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts. Amen.
Old Testament Reading Exodus 24:12-18
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Word in Music
2nd Reading Matthew 17:1-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Sermon Rev. Jeff Sockwell
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*Hymn You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd #274
*Affirmation of Faith (Unison) Declaration of Faith
Jesus broadened the definition of neighbor to include those ordinarily despised and excluded. His life in behalf of others led to persecution and death. He commanded his disciples to live the same way. We believe Christ gives us and demands of us lives that recognize all people in all cultures as our neighbors on this planet. Christ teaches us to go beyond legal requirements in serving and helping our neighbor, to treat our neighbor's needs as our own, to care passionately for the other's good, to share what we have.
It is part of our discipline to live in simplicity, avoiding greed and luxury that threaten our neighbor's survival. We are obligated to speak the truth in love, to listen with patience and openness, to love our enemies, to accept the risk and pain which love involves.
Prayers of the People / Lord’s Prayer (Responsive)
We ask all this in the name of Christ, who is our light and our life, and taught us this prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Invitation to the Offering
Offering Prayer of Thanksgiving / Dedication
Offertory
*Doxology #606
Prayer of Dedication
WE GO OUT TO SERVE
*Hymn O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair #189
*Blessing
May the God who is always with us be a lamp on your way as the day dawns and rises within you.
Postlude Christopher Bunch