This is the hinge between the Ordinary Time or season after the Epiphany and the penitential season of Lent. This is the moment that prepares us for that journey, even as it steeled Christ for the path of suffering. Therefore, it is a day of declaration, when we, once again, claim Jesus Christ as our Lord. We see him as he is, in a way, in this moment of Transfiguration. The glory we spoke of last week and will speak again at his death and Resurrection, is revealed in a visible way in this mountaintop moment. We don’t have to fully understand all that might be happening here, but we do have to look in awe and wonder at the glory of our God. It is a day of celebration before a season of denial.

Call to Worship

Leader: We come together today in awe and wonder before the God we worship.

People: We also come burdened down with the worries of the world and the struggles of our individual lives.

Leader: But in the midst of the worries and the struggles is God, our radiant source of love and hope.

People: We worship together today in awe and wonder to worship the God who transforms our lives.

The Abingdon Women’s Preaching Annual, Series 2, Year C, compiled and edited by Leonora Tubbs Tisdale, (Abingdon, 2000), 52-53.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:16-18)

Beyond our busyness,
Above the cold winter floor
there is a glory rising born of heaven
and reaching out to each one of us

a light that shines through the clouds
an invitation seeking all of who we are
that transfigures the world

that transforms darkness into hope
that brings life from a cross
where old life ends, and new life is born

In glory Jesus meets us here
raising us from depths of valley to the height of the mountain
carrying the weight of our humanity
to the heights of heaven’s glory.

Let us worship from the mountain and hear again
“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

Written by Rev. Rob Smith, Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church, Apple Valley, MN. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2017/02/call-to-worship-for-transfiguration.html.

General Prayer of the Day

O God, the Ruler of all the universe, we approach your throne with awe as we consider your majesty. You, the mighty sovereign of all the world, have established justice and righteousness. We worship at your footstool and praise your great and awesome Name.

You are the Holy One of Israel; your greatness is beyond our ability to understand. Your righteousness is so pure that we dare not look upon your face. But our minds are hardened to you, and a veil covers our minds. Our self-reliance leads us astray and we deserve your wrath for our sin. But you have shown yourself to be a forgiving God. Forgive us now, that we may approach your mountain once more.

As your Spirit enabled our forebears to see your glory and then be transformed, so may the Holy Spirit fill us once more. Empower us to come down from the mountaintop to complete the work you have given us to do.

It is hard to walk in the valley once we have been to the mountain, yet here is where most of our lives are lived. We encounter those who have been wounded by illness that destroys the body, disturbs the mind and upsets the soul. Make them and us whole in this life or in the next.

Many before have cried to you, and you answered them. So now answer us as we call in the name of Jesus Christ your Son and our Lord who reigns forever. Amen.

Timothy J. Crouch, OSL, Nancy B. Parks, OSL, Chris E. Visminas, Mark R. Babb, OSL, And Also With You: Worship Resources Based on the Revised Common Lectionary Year C, (OSL Publications, 1994), 41.

Prayer for Transfiguration

Oh Lord,
You call us to go to the mountain top with you
And we follow, not quite sure of what is to happen,
but we like mountain tops,
we like the view from up here,
we like mountain top experiences.

Lord, sometimes we need mountain top experiences with you
when our days are dark and dreary,
when our heart, are heavy,
when the valleys seem more depressing than ever.

Lord, may this mountain top experience
fill our hearts with your light,
may we be filled with your love,
may we be filled with hope.

Lord, just as Moses and your disciples
were changed by their experiences
we too are changed and transformed
into the image of Christ by your mercy.
Lord, may we have unveiled faces
that reflect your love, your hope, and your light.

Written by Rev Abi and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2016/02/transfiguration-prayer.html.

Prayer of Intercession

for Transfiguration Sunday

(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

Holy and loving God - whose nature and ways are far beyond our understanding, we thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus - who lets us see your face in his, who shows us your love in his actions, your grace in his manner of being. In him too, O God, we see ourselves as you would have us be and as your power is able to make us. Make us more like him now, we pray... Lord hear our prayer......

Lord - we often find ourselves weary, tired out by a load of care, a heap of responsibility and concern. We hunger and thirst, and often fail to stop to eat and drink at the table you have prepared for us. Lord, we are here now - and we ask you - grant us a glimpse of your glory - fill us with your spirit - refresh us and make us new ... Lord, hear our prayer.....

Loving God, we pray that your glory may fill your church and give to your people everywhere the energy to shine wherever there is darkness, disunity, persecution, or despair... Lord, hear our prayer....

Father, we pray for those we named in our sharing time and for all those whose names are upon our hearts. Grant to them health and wholeness, peace and joy, strength and hope... We remember before you:

(intercessions and petitions as shared in sharing time)

..... Lord, hear our prayer....

Give us all, O Lord, a greater love of your holiness, a greater delight in your mystery, and a greater joy in seeking your presence. We ask it through Christ Jesus, who revealed your will to us and who taught us to pray to you as one family, saying Our Father….

Written by John Maynard, and posted on Richard Fairchild’s Kir-shalom website. http://www.rockies.net. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/01/prayers-of-people-transfiguration.html.