Transfiguration Sunday
GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE
MUSIC FOR GATHERING AND CENTERING
Allow the music being offered to help you find your center, to acknowledge God’s presence, and to allow yourself time and space to open your mind and heart to the Spirit of God moving among us this day.
OPENING MUSIC
David Herberg, Director
The Worship Team
“Come, Now Is the Time to Worship”
WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team
“He Is Exalted” ~ TFWS #2070
INVITATION TO WORSHIP
*WORSHIP IN SONG
“He Is Exalted” (reprise)
OPENING PRAYER
Pastor Daniel F. Diss
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Daniel
TIME FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS
Before leaving for Kid’s Church & Sunday School, our students are invited to join Pastor Daniel at the front for a time of learning together. Parents are asked to escort children to their classroom and to pick-up their children following the service. Please sign your children in and out. Thank you.
LISTENING FOR THE WORD
SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger
2 Kings 2:1-12 (CEB)
Now the Lord was going to take Elijah up to heaven in a windstorm, and Elijah and Elisha were leaving Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, because the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”
But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
The group of prophets from Bethel came out to Elisha. These prophets said to Elisha, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”
Elisha said, “Yes, I know. Don’t talk about it!”
Elijah said, “Elisha, stay here, because the Lord has sent me to Jericho.”
But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
The group of prophets from Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”
He said, “Yes, I know. Don’t talk about it!”
Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, because the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”
But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So both of them went on together. Fifty members from the group of prophets also went along, but they stood at a distance. Both Elijah and Elisha stood beside the Jordan River. Elijah then took his coat, rolled it up, and hit the water. Then the water was divided in two! Both of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “What do you want me to do for you before I’m taken away from you?”
Elisha said, “Let me have twice your spirit.”
Elijah said, “You’ve made a difficult request. If you can see me when I’m taken from you, then it will be yours. If you don’t see me, it won’t happen.”
They were walking along, talking, when suddenly a fiery chariot and fiery horses appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went to heaven in a windstorm.
Elisha was watching, and he cried out, “Oh, my father, my father! Israel’s chariots and its riders!” When he could no longer see him, Elisha took hold of his clothes and ripped them in two.
Reader: This is the Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team
“Great and Mighty Is He”
SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger
Mark 9:2-9 (CEB)
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain where they were alone. He was transformed in front of them, and his clothes were amazingly bright, brighter than if they had been bleached white. Elijah and Moses appeared and were talking with Jesus. Peter reacted to all of this by saying to Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good that we’re here. Let’s make three shrines—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He said this because he didn’t know how to respond, for the three of them were terrified.
Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice spoke from the cloud, “This is my Son, whom I dearly love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Human One had risen from the dead.
Reader: This is the Word of God for you the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Pastor Daniel
“To Receive a Double Portion”
*WORSHIP IN SONG
The Worship Team
“Forever”
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
CELEBRATION OF GIFTS
God is generous to us. God’s desire for goodness for us is never in question; it is the witness of Scripture. As we pause to receive and to give this gift of music to the praise and glory of God, let our hearts grow full as we consider again how good God has been to us.
Please complete your “Connections” cards at this time. The ushers will be around to collect them shortly.
OFFERTORY MUSIC
The Worship Team
“Mighty To Save”
*WE ARE AN OFFERING
We lift our voices, we lift our hands; we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. Lord, use our voices, Lord, use our hands, Lord, use our lives, they are yours: we are an offering. All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you. We lift our voices, we lift our hands, we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. We are an offering.
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us offer one another signs of God’s peace and love.
Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with all signs of Christian affection, exchange signs of peace with others near you. Moving throughout the worship space is discouraged. Signs of peace might include: hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, a head nod, or a wave are all possibilities. Please be respectful of each others’ comfort levels with physical contact and closeness as we carefully bring this practice back to our worship service.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The ushers will collect the “Connections” cards and get them to the pastor. The pastor will offer the joy or concern on the card as well as any shared with him during the previous week. After each petition, the pastor will conclude, “Lord, in your mercy…” The congregation is invited to respond, “Hear our prayer.” The entire time will conclude with a short pastoral prayer and the Lord’s Prayer which can be found at #895 in “The United Methodist Hymnal.”
SENDING FOR SERVICE
WORSHIP IN SONG
“Shine, Jesus, Shine”
BENEDICTION
Pastor Daniel
We United Methodists are guided by three simple principles:
Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.
POSTLUDE / INSTRUMENTAL CLOSING
*Please stand as you are able.