Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves. While on top of that mountain, our Lord was transfigured before them – his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Moses and Elijah also appeared talking with him. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The Lord revealed the glory of the eternal Son of God in this moment on the mount: Jesus of Nazareth is the beloved Son of the Father, with whom he is well pleased. In all things, let us listen to him.

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

O God, who on the holy mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thy well-beloved Son wonderfully transfigured: Mercifully grant unto us such a vision of his divine Majesty that we, being purified and strengthened by thy grace, may be transformed into his likeness from glory to glory; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

Te Deum Laudamus 
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.

*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in 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, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Benediction 

Almighty God, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: Give us faith to perceive his glory, that being strengthened by his grace we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

~ The Theological and Worship Ministry Unit. Book of Common Worship. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993. p. 215.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Lord Jesus, you are the beloved Son of the Father, well pleasing to him in all things; we will listen to you alone.

“The theme of the divine sonship of Jesus runs like an unbroken thread through the early chapters of Matthew, ‘becoming ever more visible and thus alerting the reader to the manner in which Matthew would have him comprehend the person of Jesus’. In the remainder of this gospel, the confession of Jesus as Son of God is obviously central to Matthew’s view of discipleship (cf. 14:33; 16:16; 27:54; 28:19). The ‘Son’ theme incorporates the notion that Jesus is the one who fulfils the role and destiny of the true Israel (cf. 2:15; 4:3), as well as the notion that he is the promised king of Israel (cf. 3:17; 16:16; 17:5; 26:63) and the one who uniquely manifests the power and presence of God amongst his people (cf. 8:29; 14:33). The claim that Jesus is the Messiah might also have indicated to some of Matthew’s original readers that he is the one to build the eschatological temple.”

~ David G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992. pp. 82-83.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Jesus Fulfills the Law, Matthew 5.13-20

Book Reading
Peterson, Engaging with God

Special Church Year Service
Ash Wednesday: Wednesday, February 22, 2023