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Luther Memorial Church of the Erie Lutheran Parish
MARCH 2 2014 Transfiguration of Our Lord
Today's festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On the mount of transfiguration Jesus is revealed as God's beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem.
We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey through Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today's liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter. Please turn and reverence the cross of Christ. LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH As the cross passes you, turn and face the cross as it is carried to the chancel. LUTHER MEMORIAL ACADEMY • • 225 West Tenth Street Erie, PA 16501 814-454-0106 ENTRANCE HYMN LBW 526 THE REV . WILLIAM COLEMAN , Pastor
WALT GABER MARILYN ROSITER Cantor Director of Care Ministries RON KING BETH KELLER Pastoral Asst. ~ St. Matthew’s/Holy Trinity Youth and Family Ministry SARAH PRYLINSKI SUSAN M. BELOTT Youth and Family Ministry Academy Administrator THE REV . J. DAVID MUMFORD THE REV . BILLIE B. LOOMIS Pastor Emeritus Pastor Emeritus
2 MARCH 2014
TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD Holy Communion • 10:30
GATHERING – “The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.”
PRELUDE – "Ayres and Trumpet Tunes" Georg Philipp Telemann (arr. S. Drummond Wolff)
INTROIT – "In Thee Is Gladness" arr. Douglas E. Wagner
(Luther Memorial Handbell Choir)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
TEMPLE TALK – Hospitality “Are You My Mother” Marilyn Rositer
SHARING PEACE AND HOSPITALITY
A The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you. A Because we are forgiven children of God, please take a few moments as we begin our worship to share the peace of Christ with each other as a sign of reconciliation and love.
C Amen.
GREETING
P The boundless grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God, and the light of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C And also with you. KYRIE Luke 17:13 HYMN OF PRAISE Luke 2:14
PRAYER OF THE DAY Ruth 2:4 3"Let us break their yoke," they say; "let us cast off their bonds from us."
4God whose throne is in heaven is laughing;
the LORD holds them in derision. R
5Then in wrath God speaks to them, P Let us pray. and in rage fills them with terror. 6 C Almighty God, on the mountain you showed your glory in the transfiguration of your Son. Give "As for me, I have anointed my king us the vision to see beyond the turmoil of our world and to behold the king in all his glory; upon Zion, my holy mountain." 7 through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one Let me announce the decree of the LORD, God, now and forever. Amen. who said to me, "You are my son; this day have I begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance Please be seated. and the ends of the earth for your possession. R
9You shall crush them with an iron rod DISMISSAL FOR CHILDREN’S CHURCH and shatter them like a piece of pottery." 10 (Children 2 years old through sixth grade may join their teachers And now, you kings, be wise; at the pulpit doorway to exit for Children’s Church.) be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Submit to the LORD with fear, and with trembling bow in worship; WORD – “God speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.” 12 lest the LORD be angry, and you perish in a sudden blaze of wrath. Happy are all who take refuge in God! R FIRST LESSON: Exodus 24:12-18
12 The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the 13 SECOND LESSON: Second Peter 1:16-21 tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction." So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 To the elders he 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from dispute may go to them." God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my 15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses were with him on the holy mountain. 19 out of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. from God.
PSALM: Psalm 2 L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Refrain: (Sung once by the choir, then repeated by the congregation and sung where indicated by R.) VERSE
1Why are the nations in an uproar?
Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?
2Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt, and the princes plot together,
against the LORD and against the LORD's anointed? > P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the seventeenth chapter. NICENE CREED
C We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen. GOSPEL: Matthew 17:1-9 We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, eternally begotten of the Father, by themselves. 2And Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes 3 4 God from God, Light from Light, became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter spoke true God from true God, with Jesus and said, "Lord, it is good for us that we are here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, 5 begotten, not made, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud of one Being with the Father. overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well 6 Through him all things were made. pleased; listen to him!" When the followers of Jesus heard this, they fell onto the ground and were 7 8 overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when For us and for our salvation they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. he came down from heaven; 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until by the power of the Holy Spirit after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; P The Gospel of the Lord 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, SERMON Pastor Coleman and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, HYMN OF THE DAY LBW 89 who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He 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.
THE PRAYERS 1 Timothy 2:1
A Called by the Holy Spirit into relationship with a loving God, we pray for the church, all in need, and
the whole creation.
A brief silence.
A God of glory and grace, you answer those who call on your name. Continue the transformation of this church, its people, and those who serve with us, so that we may share your love with the world. Lord, in your mercy, CCC hear our prayer. >
A God of glory and grace, we pray for those who are a part of this body of Christ, but are absent from us. ANTHEM – "In Thee Is Gladness" G.G. Gastoldi; arr. Carl Schalk Pull them back into this community, and move them to share their gifts so that this body may be whole. Lord, in your mercy, In Thee is gladness amid all sadness, Jesus, Sunshine of my heart. By Thee are given the gifts of heaven, Thou the true Redeemer art. C hear our prayer. Our souls Thou wakest, our bonds Thou breakest, A God of glory and grace, we pray today for those within this ministry who share hospitality with the Who trusts Thee surely has built securely, He stands forever: Alleluia! friend and stranger, and those who serve on the Congregational Life Committee who set a table of Our hearts are pining to see Thy shining, food, care and love so that we may be fed. Let us all carry that caring and hospitality, so that through Dying or living to Thee are cleaving, naught can us sever: Alleluia! us your humble servants, people may see your glory. Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. If He is ours, we fear no powers, not of earth nor sin nor death. A God of glory and grace, please bless the pained souls who exist without any faith or hope, especially He sees and blesses in worst distresses, He can change them with a breath. those who are so tired of being ill and sick. We pray especially today for those names upon our church Wherefore the story tell of His glory, prayer list and those people we think of in this moment. Lord, in your mercy, With heart and voices, all heaven rejoices in Him forever: Alleluia! We shout for gladness triumph o'er sadness, C hear our prayer. Love Him and praise Him and still shall raise Him glad hymns forever: Alleluia! A God of glory and grace, you spoke to Israel in a pillar of cloud. Speak to this community of faith, the ministry of Luther Memorial Church, so that we might be a place of refuge and help for our neighbors. In Thee is gladness amid all sadness, Jesus, Sunshine of my heart. Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. OFFERTORY Here other intercessions may be offered. A Holy Spirit, keep us in your care until we gather with all the saints from every time and place, especially those we have loved, in the company of our sovereign God. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P Into your loving hands, gracious God, we place ourselves and all our prayers, spoken and unspoken,
trusting in your mercy through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
C Amen.
MEAL – “God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.”
THE OFFERING IS RECEIVED Psalm 116:12
An Individual Silent Prayer as We Prepare to Make our Offering: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who
believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and
distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Acts 2: 42-45
OFFERTORY PRAYER
A Let us pray. C God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. We offer you now a sign of our thanksgiving EUCHARISTIC PRAYER through these our joyful offerings. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. P Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world heaven and earth are full of your glory. signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, Amen. who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, GREAT THANKSGIVING Matthew 21:9 and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus 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.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory.
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory, now and forever. P It is indeed right and salutary….. C Amen. 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. Matthew 6:9 AGNUS DEI
BLESSING
P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION C Amen.
P Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Blessed are all who are called to the supper of the Lamb. CANTICLE
C Amen.
The congregation is seated.
Today's service is a celebration of Holy Communion. We believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the gifts of bread and wine, bringing forgiveness of sins and new life to all who receive this sacrament. All baptized Christians who come at our Lord's invitation are welcome at His table of grace.
HYMN FOR THE DISTRIBUTION ELW 318
> Communion Care Ministers are not invited to come forward to receive their blessing.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
A Let us pray. C Lord, it is good for us to be here, for we have tasted your glory in this holy meal. Continue your goodness as we go out from here. Open our eyes to see your face shining in every person, and send us to be your servants in every place, for you are the life and light of all, both now and forever. Amen.
SENDING OF COMMUNION CARE MINISTERS
P Compassionate God, as Jesus called people to follow him, bless those who go forth to share your word and sacrament with those who are sick and homebound. These your servants have remembered that you said that when we care for the least of these, we are caring for you Lord Jesus. So may these gifts, then, be signs of our love and prayers, that through the sharing of the body and blood of Christ, all may know your grace and healing revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. C Amen.
BLESSING Numbers 6:24-26
P May the God of glory dwell in you richly, name you beloved, and shine brightly on your path; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. C Amen.
BURYING THE ALLELUIAS AND DISMISSAL Luke 7:50
A As we begin Lent, we bury our songs of rejoicing by “burying” our Alleluias. Through the hands of our children we bury the word Alleluia outside this sanctuary for the season of Lent. We look forward to Easter morning where we will sing our Alleluias once again, ever thankful for the gift of the resurrection. Go in peace. Christ is your light. C Thanks be to God!
Before leaving your pew please allow our children to process out of the church to bury the alleluias.
POSTLUDE – "In Thee Is Gladness" Johannes Matthias Michel
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #46819. 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.