Transfiguration

February 14, 2021
9:30 a.m.

Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
Lancaster, PA

Welcome to worship. If you are visiting with us, a special welcome. We invite you to return and worship with us as often as you are able. Guest cards are available on the round table in the center of the narthex. Please take one, fill it out and return it to an usher. If you need a large print bulletin, please ask an usher. As you enter the nave, please conclude all conversations and silence all cell phones and other electronic devices, as to fully enter into this time of worship.

Please note the instructions on distancing for the sharing of the peace and receiving Holy Communion.

The Prelude

Please stand.

The Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness

P
In the name of the Father and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C
Amen

P
Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God.

Silence is kept for reflection.

P
Holy God,

C
you search us and know us and are acquainted with all our ways. We confess to you our sin, known and unknown and the broken systems that bind us. Forgive us, gracious God, for all we have done and left undone, and provide for us a measure of your divine mercy. Amen.

P
In the wake of God’s forgiveness, we are called to be that beloved community living out our lives enveloped by justice and peace. Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C
Amen

The Apostolic Greeting and Prayer of the Day

P
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C
And also with you.

P
Let us pray. Almighty God, the resplendent light of your truth shines from the mountaintop into our hearts. Transfigure us by your beloved Son, and illumine the world with your image, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Please be seated.

Children’s Message

The children remain at their seat as the pastor share a message with them.

The First Reading

2 Kings 2:1-12
A reading from Second Kings: 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.
A
The Word of the Lord
C
Thanks be to God.

The Second Reading

2 Corinthians 4:3-6
A reading from Second Corinthians: 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.
A
The Word of the Lord
C
Thanks be to God.

The Holy Gospel

Mark 9:2-9
P
The Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark, the ninth chapter.
C
Glory to you, O Lord.
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.
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.
P
The Gospel of the Lord.
C
Praise to you, O Christ.

The Sermon

Silence for reflection follows.

The Apostles Creed

C
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and 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.

The Prayers of the Church

A
Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.

After each portion of the prayers:
A
Lord, in your mercy,
C
Hear our prayer.

The prayers conclude:
P
Into your hands Gracious God we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.
C
Amen.

The Peace

P
The peace of Christ be with you always.
C
And also with you.

Without leaving your seat offer a wave to your neighbor, sharing God’s peace, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Please stand.

Offertory Prayer

A
Let us pray. Holy God,
C
receive these gifts as you receive us: like a mother receives her child, with arms open wide. Nourish us anew in your tender care, and empower us in faithful service to tend to others with this same love, through Jesus Christ, our saving grace. Amen

The Great Thanksgiving

P
The Lord be with you.
C
And also with you.

P
Lift up your hearts.
C
We lift them to the Lord.

P
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Eucharistic Prayer

P
Almighty Lord,
we praise your shining light, your glowing grace.
From before the earth’s foundation,
you loved us and promised us life forever.
Within the earth’s deep sadness,
we laud your great and glorious might.
Despite our tears and sinning,
we sing of the gladness of your mercy.

We praise your Son, our Morning Star
He is our living Savior who has ransomed us in love.
He keeps us yours and fails us never—
today, tomorrow, and every day.

On the night before his great salvation,
he took bread and gave thanks,
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

With happiness we tell our story:
C
Alleluia!

P
We call for your Spirit on us and this meal.
Refresh our souls with this heavenly food,
the body and blood of your Son.
Nourish us as branches of your tree,
and enlighten us with your undying flame.

We sing out to the Father, we ring out to the Son, we exult in the Spirit.
Transport us in our yearning,
and be for us the end and the beginning,
our purest pleasure, our victorious crown, our never-ending love.
And so we pray and praise:
C
Amen and Amen!

The Lord’s Prayer

C
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 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.

The Fraction

P
Jesus is here. Come be fed.
C
Thanks be to God.
Please be seated.

The Distribution of Holy Communion

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America practices open table hospitality. Baptized communicants of other Christian denominations, of all ages, are welcome to receive the sacrament. An usher will direct each seating area to come forward to receive the sacrament. Bring your communion cup with you, or take one from the usher. The pastor will drop the host into your hand. Next move to receive the wine from the Assisting Minister. Then take another step to consume the sacrament. As you return to your seat, place the empty cup into the receptacle. Those persons not receiving communion are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing.

Please stand.

Post Communion Blessing

P
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C
Amen.

Post Communion Prayer

A
Let us pray. Dearest Jesus, at this table we have feasted on your very life and are strengthened for our journey. Send us forth from this banquet nourished in body and in spirit to proclaim your good news and serve others in your name.
C
Amen.

The Blessing

P
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C
Amen.

The Dismissal

A
Go in peace. Serve the Lord!
C
Thanks be to God. We will!

Postlude

+++

Readings for next week:
Lent I

Genesis 9:8-17
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15

Coming up at Holy Spirit

Today	Transfiguration Sunday
February 15 & 16	Fasnacht Sale
February 17	Ash Wednesday Worship, 7:00 p.m.

Worship on the Wednesdays of Lent at 7:00 p.m.
The Wednesday sermon series is entitled:
Martyrs, Missionaries, and Renewers

Holy Week

March 28	Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday
April 1	The Triduum: Maundy Thursday
April 2	The Triduum: Good Friday
April 3	The Triduum: The Great Vigil of Easter
April 4	Easter Day

Acknowledgments

Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS103416.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.

Eucharistic Prayer from Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks: A Collection of Litanies, Laments, and Thanksgivings at Font and Table by Gail Ramshaw, copyright © 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission.