WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Let the radiance of Christ be evident among us in our songs and in our words.
People: On mountaintops and in deep valleys, Jesus is the light of the world.
Leader: Let the light of Christ shine through our thoughts and our actions.
People: May we follow the One who reveals grace, truth, and love.
Leader: Let us open our eyes to the vision God places before us.
People: May we be illumined and enlightened by the God of grace and glory.
HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory Ken Heischman
God of grace and God of glory, On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church’s story, Bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour, For the facing of this hour.
Lo! the hosts of evil round us, Scorn Thy Christ, assail Thy ways.
From the fears that long have bound us, Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days, For the living of these days.
Cure Thy children’s warring madness, Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness, Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal, Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.
Set our feet on lofty places, Gird our lives that they may be,
Armored with all Christ-like graces, Pledged to set all captives free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
That we fail not them nor Thee, That we fail not them nor Thee.
Save us from weak resignation, To the evils we deplore.
Let the gift of Thy salvation, Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving Thee whom we adore, Serving Thee whom we adore.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION (unison)
Glorious God and Radiant Redeemer,
although You have revealed Your glory in Jesus Christ,
we confess that we have often turned from Your light.
Because of our sin and self-centeredness, we have not reflected Your grace.
Because of our resentment and intolerance, we have not conveyed Your love.
Because we have been content with injustice and indifference, we have not
displayed Your compassion.
Have mercy upon us, Lord, and renew us with courage and commitment.
Help us to live according to Your word,
so that we would reveal Your glory in all that we say and do,
for we ask it in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. (Silent)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (adapted from Psalm 103:11-12)
Leader: As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love toward those who honor God.
People: As far as the east is from the west, so far does God remove our transgressions from us.
Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.
People: Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
HYMN Make Me a Servant Ken Heischman
Make me a servant, humble and meek.
Lord let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant, make me a servant, make me a servant today.
(Repeat)
SCRIPTURE Mark 9:2-8
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
MEDITATION “Listen to Him”
ANTHEM Unclouded Day Notre Dame Folk Choir
O they tell me of a home far beyond the skies
O they tell me of a home far away
O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise
O they tell me of an unclouded day
O the land of cloudless day
O the land of an unclouded sky
O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise
O they tell me of an unclouded day
O they tell me of a home where my friends have gone
O they tell me of that land far away
Where the tree of life in eternal bloom
Sheds its fragrance through the unclouded day
O the land of cloudless day
O the land of an unclouded sky
O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise
O they tell me of an unclouded day
O they tell me of a King in His beauty there
And they tell me that mine eyes shall behold
Where He sits on the throne that is whiter than snow
In the city that is made of gold
O the land of cloudless day
O the land of an unclouded sky
O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise
O they tell me of an unclouded day
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
INVITATION TO GIVE
Throughout history, God has always blessed God’s people . . .
and throughout our history, God has blessed us with the wonder
of love and life,
with prayerfulness and praise,
with care and compassion.
As we remember God’s gracious activity in our lives,
let us express our gratitude to God by passing on our gifts . . .
let us present to God our offering with thankful and joyful hearts . . .
and let us with love share from the abundance we have been given . . .
so that we may share the light and love of Christ with all people.
BENEDICTION