As children welcomed to your presence,
instill within us a sense of curiosity and wonder
as we gather to listen to your Word. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Stephen M. Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY
Mark 9
Transfiguration Hymn: We Seek to Follow Christ
Note: please include copyright info when reproducing hymns. Permission is granted for church use.
Text: Rev. Elana Keppel Levy, 2018
Tune: TERRA BEATA (“This Is My Father’s World”, Glory to God #370)
1. The disciples followed Christ
Up a high mountain apart.
He preached the Word, but they had not heard
The wisdom from his heart.
We seek to follow Christ
And listen for his call.
Help us to hear, even though we fear
Our faith may prove too small.
2. And before their very eyes
They saw him shining bright.
His face, his clothes, his very soul
Were bathed in glorious light.
We seek to follow Christ
With vision pure and clear
To see his glow everywhere we go
And to his truth draw near.
3. The disciples wanted Christ
And prophets from the past
To stay in tents, but they could not sense
The moment would not last.
We seek to follow Christ
Through what we can control.
Give us the nerve to let go and serve
G-d’s glory to extol.
Submitted by Rev. Elana Keppel Levy, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla.
Should you prefer to have music and words interlined, the PDF is downloadable here:
We_Seek_to_Follow_Christ.pdfCTW: Listen, Marvel, Follow
Listen to God, whose voice speaks from top of the tallest mountain to the depths of humanity.
May the peace of God’s words resonate within us!
Marvel at the light of the Holy Spirit, which inspires all goodness and shines forth brilliantly against the darkness of sin and evil.
May the light of the Holy Spirit be the lamp to our true path!
Follow Jesus wherever he leads you – for Jesus’ way is love.
May the love of Jesus lead us to change ourselves and the world! Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla.
Confession: we manipulate grace
Invitation to Tell the Truth About Ourselves
One: Jesus said, “those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, we admit before God and one another our faults and failings. Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession (we tell the truth)
All: You know, O God, how often we set our mind on human things instead of divine things. You know the ways we try to force your Spirit to fit our agenda, to manipulate your grace for our own ends. You know that we are prone to thinking of our desires long before we ever consider yours. We confess these things to you, praying that saying them out loud might make us aware of our own brokenness, so that we can also be more aware of your ever-present grace. Startle us with your truth and your love. Set our minds and hearts on you, and lead us on your way. Amen. ~silence~
Assurance of Forgiveness
One: The grace of God is always doing a new thing—whether we are prepared, or worthy, or not. Let yourself live and believe this good news:
All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson
Transfiguration Affirmation
Our hope is God, our holy Parent,
who makes all things and from whom all blessings flow.
God’s faithfulness is the anchor of our hope.
Our trust is in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
More than a teacher,
His life, death, and resurrection giving meaning to our existence.
Christ’s faithfulness tethers us to holy mystery.
Our trust is in the Holy Spirit.
Blowing over and through creation, unexpected and untamed,
The Spirit stirs forgiveness, fruitfulness, and creates families.
The Spirit’s faithfulness ties together past, present, and future.
Holy Trinity, One God, we believe you transfigure our faith. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Julia Seymour, Lutheran Church of Hope, Anchorage, AK
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