FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP/COMMUNION
Transfiguration of the Lord
March 2, 2025
PRELUDE Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, arr. Gilbert Martin
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-MISSION/OUTREACH COMMITTEE will be meeting today after worship service.
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM at the Mission Coffee House.
-ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE will be held March 5 at 5:30 PM.
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM in the center meeting room.
-DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins next Sunday, March 9 at 2:00AM, set clocks ahead.
-CE/FELLOWSHIP AND WORSHIP COMMITTEES will be meeting next Sunday, March 9 after worship service.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Beyond our ordinary, everyday life, there is a glory born of heaven and reaching out to each one of us.
There is a light that shines through the clouds
A light that transfigures the world.
Let us worship from the mountain and hear again
“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”
Glory to God! Amen.
*OPENING HYMN #191 (red) “We have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding”
We have come at Christ’s own bidding to this high and holy place,
where we wait with hope and longing for some token of God’s grace.
Here we pray for new assurance that our faith is not in vain,
searching like those first disciples for a sign both clear and plain.
Light breaks through our clouds and shadows;
splendor bathes the flesh-joined Word; Moses and Elijah marvel
as the heavenly voice is heard.
Eyes and hearts behold with wonder how the law and prophets meet:
Christ, with garments drenched in brightness, stands transfigured and complete.
Strengthened by this glimpse of glory, fearful lest our faith decline,
we like Peter find it tempting to remain and build a shrine.
But true worship gives us courage to proclaim what we profess,
that our daily lives may prove us people of the God we bless.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of glory, we confess to you and to each other that we fall short of the lives you desire for us. We are busy with our own worries and fail to see the needs of those around us. We focus on what is wrong and overlook your signs of hope. We argue and fail to see your face in those with whom we disagree. We cling to hurt and close our hearts to your grace. Forgive us. Open our eyes to your possibilities. Soften our hearts and renew us in your holy love. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Loving Father, open our hearts and minds as we read your word today so that we, like Peter, John, and James, may see the full glory of your son Jesus Christ. All praise and glory to you, Amen.
Psalm 99 1-5, 9 (read responsively)
1The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2The LORD is great in Zion;
He is exalted over all the peoples.
3Let them praise your great and awesome name.
Holy is he!
4Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool.
Holy is he!
9Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain;
for the LORD our God is holy.
Luke 9: 22, 28-36
22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
SERMON Reflection on the Transfiguration
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- APOSTLES’ CREED (Modern Version)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #193 (red) “Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain”
Jesus, take us to the mountain, where, with Peter, James, and John,
we are dazzled by your glory, light as blinding as the sun.
There prepare us for the night by the vision of that sight.
What do you want us to see there, that your close companions saw?
Your divinity revealed there fills us with the self-same awe.
Clothed in flesh like ours you go, matched to meet our deadliest foe.
What do you want us to hear there, that your dear disciples heard?
Once again the voice from heaven says of the Incarnate Word,
“Listen, listen, everyone: this is my beloved Son.”
Take us to that other mountain where we see you glorified,
where you shouted “It is finished! where for all the world you died.
Hear the stunned centurion: “Truly this was God’s own Son!”
We who have beheld your glory, risen and ascended Lord,
cannot help but tell the story, all that we have seen and heard;
say with Peter, James, and John: “You are God’s beloved Son!”
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER – INVITATION TO THE TABLE
*COMMUNION HYMN #515 (red) “I Come with Joy”
I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved and free,
the life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me,
in love laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love in Christ's communion bread,
in Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share, each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one, and strangers now are friends,
and strangers now are friends.
The Spirit of the risen Christ, unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known, alive among us here,
alive among us here.
Together met, together bound by all that God has done,
we'll go with joy, to give the world the love that makes us one,
the love that makes us one.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… joining our voices with all the people of faith of every time and place who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
…… make us one as we partake of these your gifts so we might be in communion with you and one another.
As we break bread together, may our eyes be opened to see your glory.
As we lift the cup of salvation, may we be strengthened to follow your Way.
…we pray as Jesus taught his disciples
THE LORD’S 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, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #192 (red) “Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining”
Jesus, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness, shining:
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us; set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me; shine on me.
Refrain:
Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory,
blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.
Lord, I come to your awesome presence, from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness.
Search me; try me; consume all my darkness.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]
As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness;
ever changing from glory to glory.
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Go Out With Joy, Mary McDonald
ORDER OF WORSHIP/COMMUNION
Transfiguration of the Lord
March 2, 2025
PRELUDE Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, arr. Gilbert Martin
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-MISSION/OUTREACH COMMITTEE will be meeting today after worship service.
- TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP, 9:30ish AM at the Mission Coffee House.
-ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE will be held March 5 at 5:30 PM.
- THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM in the center meeting room.
-DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins next Sunday, March 9 at 2:00AM, set clocks ahead.
-CE/FELLOWSHIP AND WORSHIP COMMITTEES will be meeting next Sunday, March 9 after worship service.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Beyond our ordinary, everyday life, there is a glory born of heaven and reaching out to each one of us.
There is a light that shines through the clouds
A light that transfigures the world.
Let us worship from the mountain and hear again
“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”
Glory to God! Amen.
*OPENING HYMN #191 (red) “We have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding”
We have come at Christ’s own bidding to this high and holy place,
where we wait with hope and longing for some token of God’s grace.
Here we pray for new assurance that our faith is not in vain,
searching like those first disciples for a sign both clear and plain.
Light breaks through our clouds and shadows;
splendor bathes the flesh-joined Word; Moses and Elijah marvel
as the heavenly voice is heard.
Eyes and hearts behold with wonder how the law and prophets meet:
Christ, with garments drenched in brightness, stands transfigured and complete.
Strengthened by this glimpse of glory, fearful lest our faith decline,
we like Peter find it tempting to remain and build a shrine.
But true worship gives us courage to proclaim what we profess,
that our daily lives may prove us people of the God we bless.
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of glory, we confess to you and to each other that we fall short of the lives you desire for us. We are busy with our own worries and fail to see the needs of those around us. We focus on what is wrong and overlook your signs of hope. We argue and fail to see your face in those with whom we disagree. We cling to hurt and close our hearts to your grace. Forgive us. Open our eyes to your possibilities. Soften our hearts and renew us in your holy love. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Loving Father, open our hearts and minds as we read your word today so that we, like Peter, John, and James, may see the full glory of your son Jesus Christ. All praise and glory to you, Amen.
Psalm 99 1-5, 9 (read responsively)
1The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2The LORD is great in Zion;
He is exalted over all the peoples.
3Let them praise your great and awesome name.
Holy is he!
4Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool.
Holy is he!
9Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain;
for the LORD our God is holy.
Luke 9: 22, 28-36
22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
SERMON Reflection on the Transfiguration
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- APOSTLES’ CREED (Modern Version)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE #193 (red) “Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain”
Jesus, take us to the mountain, where, with Peter, James, and John,
we are dazzled by your glory, light as blinding as the sun.
There prepare us for the night by the vision of that sight.
What do you want us to see there, that your close companions saw?
Your divinity revealed there fills us with the self-same awe.
Clothed in flesh like ours you go, matched to meet our deadliest foe.
What do you want us to hear there, that your dear disciples heard?
Once again the voice from heaven says of the Incarnate Word,
“Listen, listen, everyone: this is my beloved Son.”
Take us to that other mountain where we see you glorified,
where you shouted “It is finished! where for all the world you died.
Hear the stunned centurion: “Truly this was God’s own Son!”
We who have beheld your glory, risen and ascended Lord,
cannot help but tell the story, all that we have seen and heard;
say with Peter, James, and John: “You are God’s beloved Son!”
SERVICE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER – INVITATION TO THE TABLE
*COMMUNION HYMN #515 (red) “I Come with Joy”
I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved and free,
the life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me,
in love laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love in Christ's communion bread,
in Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share, each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one, and strangers now are friends,
and strangers now are friends.
The Spirit of the risen Christ, unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known, alive among us here,
alive among us here.
Together met, together bound by all that God has done,
we'll go with joy, to give the world the love that makes us one,
the love that makes us one.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
… joining our voices with all the people of faith of every time and place who forever sing to the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
…… make us one as we partake of these your gifts so we might be in communion with you and one another.
As we break bread together, may our eyes be opened to see your glory.
As we lift the cup of salvation, may we be strengthened to follow your Way.
…we pray as Jesus taught his disciples
THE LORD’S 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, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY (on screen)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #192 (red) “Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining”
Jesus, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness, shining:
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us; set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me; shine on me.
Refrain:
Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father’s glory,
blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.
Lord, I come to your awesome presence, from the shadows into your radiance;
by the blood I may enter your brightness.
Search me; try me; consume all my darkness.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]
As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness;
ever changing from glory to glory.
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me; shine on me. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Go Out With Joy, Mary McDonald