Description
(Mark 9:2-9)
In this awesome encounter on a mountain and in the presence of John, James, and Peter, Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Jesus who was dazzling white. Frightened and at a loss, Peter offered to build three shelters, but the Lord’s voice spoke saying, “This is my Son…Listen to him!” Suddenly, only Jesus stood there as the new temple who brings the grace and glory of God to the people who follow Him. Jesus, God’s glory veiled in humble flesh, did not just make a way- He is the way.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
Way Maker
Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, © 2016 Integrity Music Europe (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Light of the World
Lauren Daigle, Paul Duncan, & Paul Mabury, © 2014 CentricSongs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Flychild Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Annie and Clyde Music
Victor’s Crown
Darlene Zschech, Israel Houghton, & Kari Jobe, © Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sound Of The New Breed (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) EWI (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
You Are the Way, To You Alone
ELW 758; LBW 464; LSB 526; LW 283; NCH 40
Alleluia, Song of Gladness
EH 122, 123; ELW 318; HS98 819; LSB 417; WOV 654
Christ, Whose Glory Fills The Skies
EH 6/7; ELW 553; HFG 293; LBW 265; LSB 873; LW 480; PH 462/463; UMH 173; WC 562; WAR 91
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Praise the Lord!
Worshipers
Praise the Lord!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Behold, the Lord makes all things new.
Worshipers
He makes us new!
Pastor / Worship Leader
The old things have passed away, and the new things have come in Jesus Christ.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord God in Heaven, we set aside this time to bring You the honor and glory due Your name. We marvel in Your magnificence; we sing with all of our hearts and make music. May our praises arise like incense to the heavens and may You be pleased with our willing and obedient hearts. Boldly, we pray before You, for You have torn the curtain in two and removed the veil in our hearts through Your Son Jesus.
Worshipers
Accept our worship, Lord. We honor You and glorify Your holy name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
There are times we open our lips and sing, but our hearts are far from the Lord.
Worshipers
We admit it-it’s true. The Lord does not like lukewarm living, nor does He accept meaningless praise. Forgive us, Father, for our false worship.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord commands us to love Him wholeheartedly, with all of our minds and strength. We cannot do this without the help of His own Spirit.
Worshipers
Fill us, Holy Spirit! Make us right before You. Stir in us and wake up the sleepers! Draw our hearts to You so that our worship may be genuine and true.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, Lord.
Worshipers
Yes, forgive us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In Christ’s name we ask, amen.
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 2 Kings 2:1-12
Elisha knew that Elijah would soon be taken from him, so he refused to leave his side. Before Elijah was raptured, Elisha asked for a double portion of his anointing.
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.” 4 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. 5 The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on. 7 Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.
