The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United Church of Canada
Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS
Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com
Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/
Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca
Ministers: The Whole People of God Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.
Minister of Music: Al Fougere
February 26th, 2017-Transfiguration Sunday
A thought around which to gather as we worship—Peter wants to cling to both the past and to the present, conveniently ignoring the future. Spotting two representatives of the good old days, he wants to build a monument and stay there, tending it. He can’t see the new thing God is doing in and through Jesus, and he won’t until he leaves Moses and Elijah back in the Prophets Hall of Fame, and goes down the mountain into God’s uncertain future. Like Peter, we think we are caretakers of something that happened in the past, rather than eyewitnesses to what God is going to do tomorrow, the next day, and the next, and . . .
Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2016–2017
Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016, p. 191
Announcements The Work of Church and Community
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
Greeting
One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.Introit Listen, God is Calling MV 97
Call to Worship
One: We gather as the faithful of God.We come to listen to what God has to say to us.
All: God has invited us to this place;
may our faces reflect our hopes and our hearts.
One: We gather as the faithful of God,
people of the new covenant of hope and promise.
All: We boldly enter into the presence of God,
hoping to be transformed into new people.
One: We gather as the faithful of God,
our fears melting away in the heart of God.
All: We come to share in the freedom of the Spirit.
We come to praise God’s holy name.
Opening Prayer Response to prayer:
One: And, so, we do not lose heart.All:We do not lose heart as we gather in worship this day. Amen.
*Hymn This Day God Gives Me VU 410
Prayer of Confession
One: God calls us into the presence of glory in these moments, not to judge and condemn us, but to forgive and set us free. Let us bring our prayers to God who longs to embrace us with mercy, as we pray saying,All: We may not actively conspire against you, gracious God, but we do make those conscious choices which draw us away from you. We fear ridicule from neighbours and co-workers, and so do not mention who you are in our lives. We want to walk your path, but find ourselves going down rabbit trails which lead to trouble. We find it so easy to listen to the seductive words of our culture, but have trouble hearing your whispers of hope and healing.
Forgive us, Revealer of mystery and wonder. Call us to that discipleship that is found on mountaintops in your presence, and in the valleys where we serve others in your name. As people of faith, we would not stay here, but follow Jesus the Christ into every place that longs for your glory and your grace, your strength as well as your gentleness. Amen.
Words of Affirmation
One: Listen! You are God’s children, the beloved of God’s heart. God speaks words of healing and hope to you in these moments. Listen!All: It is good to be here in the presence of the One who forgives us. Thanks be to God. Amen.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Exodus 24:12–18 God calls Moses up the mountain
One: Herein is Wisdom. All: Thanks be to God.Psalm 99 God delights in justice. VU 819
* Hymn I Have Called You by Your Name MV 161
Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation
Matthew 17:1–9 Jesus transfigured on the mountain.
One: Herein is Good News. All: Praise be to God.Opening the Word 2 Shhh…Listen!
Ponderings on Matthew 17:1-9: The TransfigurationAnna Murdock / Lay Servant /
Broad Street United Methodist Church / Statesville, NC
“View From the Pew”www.pewponderings.blogspot.com.
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn Holy Ground Printed
Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
* Offering Prayer
There is so much we could do with our abundance, Mountaintop God – building grand cathedrals, installing mighty pipe organs, creating great endowments and investments (and we do).So remind us, as we offer our gifts this morning, of those who need a simple home, who long to hear the songs of hope, who need help with paying for food or medicine or clothes. Transfigure not only our gifts, but our hearts as well, we pray. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Times for silent prayer are offeredWE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn Be Thou My Vision VU 642
*Commissioning and Benediction
One: Tempted to stay here, let us go,All: to carry God’s peace to a broken world.
One: Having heard the call to follow,
All: we will journey into life’s valleys, carrying the hope of Jesus.
One: We will walk with the Spirit who leads us on a journey of humility.
All: We will walk together in the light!
