11 Feb BULLETIN – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2024
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Transfiguration of Our Lord
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS Page 56
Blessed be the holy Trinity, [☩] Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the one God who created darkness and light, who came to us as the word of truth and died to save us all. Law and guilt give leverage to sin and with that comes a kind of destructive power. Therefore, let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Brief silence.
God, our rock and refuge, we pour out our hearts before you. We know you but don’t always love you. We sometimes wound one another and sin against you. We don’t always recognize your likeness or the presence of your Holy Spirit dwelling in ourselves and others. Renew all that you’ve created. Wholly forgive and forget our trespasses. Make us better able to do your will. Amen.
God’s beloved, listen up. By the victorious sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the power of guilt and death continues to wane. The havoc and destruction of sin is becoming undone. By His authority, in the name of the [+] Father, Son and Holy Spirit, accept complete absolution, that is, release from guilt and punishment from your every sin. Amen.
ENTRANCE HYMN
Love Divine, All Love Excelling #315
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE Pages 57-59
🎶In peace let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶For this holy house, and for all who offer here and online their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶Help, save, comfort, and defend us gracious Lord.
🎶Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 58-59
🎶Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
🎶Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father: we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God: You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, the light of your truth still shines. Transfigure our hearts through your beloved Son and illumine the world with the image of Christ our Savior and Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit as one, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING 2 KINGS 2:1-12
Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.” Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
PSALM 50:1-6
The mighty one, God the Lord, has spoken; calling the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, God shines forth in glory.
Our God will come and will not keep silence; with a consuming flame before, and round about a raging storm.
God calls the heavens and the earth from above to witness the judgment of the people.
“Gather before me my loyal followers, those who have made a covenant with me and sealed it with sacrifice.”
The heavens declare the rightness of God’s cause, for it is God who is judge.
SECOND READING 2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-6
Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
🎶Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark, the 9th chapter.
🎶Glory to you, oh Lord.
GOSPEL MARK 9:2-9
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. 7Then 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 anymore, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
The Gospel of the Lord.
🎶Praise to you, o Christ.
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY
How Good, Lord, to Be Here! #89
PROFESSION of FAITH Nicene Creed Page 64
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,* who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
As we celebrate Christ embodied in human form, we pray for God’s blessing on the church, the world, and all of creation.
Mighty one, we pray for the church, that the transformational power of God enters the hearts of all people. May its members and leaders serve as examples of your grace and healing. God of glory and righteousness, witness and respond to the prayers of loyal followers.
God above, we pray for all of creation, that we as humans will humbly observe your ways. Teach us to honor all you have made and to care for the animals, plants, air, and the waters of this planet. God of glory and righteousness, witness and respond to the prayers of loyal followers.
God who will not keep silent, we pray for those charged with leadership, lawmaking, and governance of towns, states, and countries, that they will strive for goodness and justice all the days of their lives and callings. God of glory and righteousness, witness and respond to the prayers of loyal followers.
God who made a covenant sealed with sacrifice, we pray for all who are sick and suffering (especially those on our prayer list). Guide us to offer hospitality, shelter, friendship, and care to any in need. God of glory and righteousness, witness and respond to the prayers of loyal followers.
God who shines forth in glory, we pray for our two congregations and their ministry to the wider community. May we share the transforming beauty and love of God in ways that honor the dignity of all whom we encounter. God of glory and righteousness, witness and respond to the prayers of loyal followers.
Trusting that all who die in faith are held within your loving arms, we remember with thanksgiving those who have died. Grant us patience, peace and consolation as we await your return and anticipate reunion. God of glory and righteousness, witness and respond to the prayers of loyal followers.
You are perfect in beauty and righteousness, Lord. Though we aren’t always loyal, we aim to follow you. We are grateful to know that Christ himself along with the Holy Spirit constantly intercede for us, so we add these spoken prayers and the silent prayers of our hearts to their petitions in the name of your holy and precious Son. Amen.
EXCHANGE of PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERATORY
🎶Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit.
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 our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
BENEDICTION Page 74
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
Beautiful Savior #518
DISMISSAL Page 74
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE