Order of Worship
March 2nd , 2025
(Transfiguration Sunday with Communion)
10:00 AM
*If you are able, please stand.
Prelude: Prelude sur l’Introit de l’Epiphanie” Maurice Durufle
“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” Wayne Wold
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION STATEMENT: (Let us say our Mission Statement together)
“To welcome and inspire All through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ’s example.”
Introit: “We Gather Together” Ruth Duck/Edward Kremser Filitz
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
Leader: It is easy to live comfortably in our homes and communities without challenges. We feel concerned but do not know what to do.
People: We learn what to expect and what is expected of us.
Leader: Christ calls us to the mountaintop to receive a new vision.
People: We are not sure we are ready for that.
Leader: Place your hope and trust in Christ, for He is your guide.
People: Let us open our hearts to Christ, ready for the vision he places before us. AMEN.
*GATHERING HYMN:“Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” #265
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Radiant Christ, you shine with purity, power, and truth. Your mercy reflects your compassion, your care, and your love. Transform us into your image as we seek to follow you. Use us to make your presence known throughout the world. In your name, we pray. Amen.
Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray. 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
STATEMENT OF FAITH: We believe in God known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God’s love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a
spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic
relationship with God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith,
dissolves guilt, and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call. We believe that God is still speaking…
*SERMON HYMN: “Transform Us” # 182
WORD OF GOD: Luke 9: 28-43a
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was being brought forward, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
Sermon Title: “Holy Smoke” Rev. Norman Michaud
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: (Please share by phone, text, or email at [email protected] or 603-812-1161 before the service.)
CALL TO PRAYER:
Pastor: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer:
We picture the mountain top experience of the disciples, Peter, James, and John, who chose to go up to the mountain top with Jesus to receive a new vision. But it was not what was expected. They were awed and frightened. They did not know what to do. One wanted to build special altars for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus so that people could come to receive healing and blessings. It would have been easy to stay on the mountain and never again descend to the hungering valley below. But Jesus has work for us to do. We are called to receive the blessing, not for ourselves alone, but to give it to others, to offer healing, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, hope, and peace. These are difficult things to do in the face of the anger and hostilities that seem to abound. We are not alone. God is with us. Just as we have asked for God’s healing mercies in our prayers for others, we are recipients of God’s love and strength. Feel the power of God’s love flooding over you, coursing through your veins, encompassing your spirit! Let God’s strength and hope abide in you. Then, be prepared to go and bring that blessing to others in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Choral Response: “Jesus Stand Among Us” William Pennefather/Friedrich Filitz
COMMUNION HYMN: “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly” #419 (verse 3)
SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
One: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. You who come to me shall not hunger; you who believe in me shall never thirst.”
All: In company with all who hunger for spiritual food, we come to this table to know the risen Christ in the sharing of this life-giving bread.
One: You need not be a member of this church or any church to partake of this spiritual food. All you need be is hungry.
Communion Prayer:
All: Eternal God, who created the heavens and the earth, giving breath to every living thing, we thank you for the gifts of creation and for the gift of life itself. We thank You for making us in your image, for forgiving us when we act as though you have no claim on us, and for keeping us in your steadfast care. Praise you for Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection and for calling forth your church for its mission.
One: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, Jesus took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, saying, “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, Jesus took the cup after supper, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
All: Bless this bread and this cup. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking at this table, that our eyes may be opened and we may recognize the risen Christ in our midst, in each other, and in all for whom Christ lived and died. Amen.
One: Through the broken bread we remember the body of Christ.”
Through the cup of blessing, we remember in the new life Christ gives.
The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready.
Sharing of the Elements: (One) Eat and drink in remembrance of Christ.
Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)
Holy one, you gave us this day our daily bread and nourished us with Christ’s presence. Through one loaf and cup, you have made us one, with you and each other. By your grace and love, feed the world with this bread. Let us remember the joy of your presence with the fruit of the vine. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
CALL TO GIVING: Before the Good News came to us through your Beloved, Jesus Christ, God was seen as far from his people. But through the Gospels, we know Christ, and through him we have come to know God. When we share what we have out of love, our hearts grow closer to God, and we shine with Christ’s glory. Let us offer our gifts to God today.
Offertory Music for Inspiration: “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship” Faye Lopez
*Offertory Music is dedicated to Women’s History Month during March 2025.
Doxology: (Tune: Old Hundredth)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune, whom we adore.
*Prayer of Dedication: (Unison) Generous God, through Your mercy, we have this ministry—the ministry of our talents and treasure and our passion and purpose. Strengthen our hearts for your service, and accept the grateful offerings we lay before you. Amen.
*HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “Go My Children with My Blessing” #431
Benediction: Led by the Spirit, go forth in God’s love. Illumined by the Spirit, shine with Christ’s light. Amen.
Postlude: “When Love Is Found” Emma Lou Diemer