Description
Mark 9:2-9
At the Transfiguration, Jesus conversed with two Old Testament pillars—Moses and Elijah. A voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” and immediately Jesus was left standing alone in front of Peter, James, and John. This pivotal moment displayed Christ as the hope of the world as He would provide a New Covenant through His death and resurrection, bringing light and life to this dark world. As we reflect on the Transfiguration, let’s turn off the voices of this world and tune our ears to listen to Jesus.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Paul Baloche, ©1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)
Chris Tomlin & Ed Cash, ©2009 worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music | Vamos Publishing | Alletrop Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Music Services) Beautiful One
Beautiful One
Tim Hughes, ©2002 Thankyou Music
[Traditional Options]
To Your Temple, Lord, I Come
LSB 981, LW 207
Alleluia, Song of Gladness
EH 122, 123; ELW 318; HS98 819; LSB 417; WOV 654
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
BH 75 32; BH 91 6; CH 33; CHH 66; EH 423; ELW 834; HWC 25; HPW 11; HFG 319; HLC 35; LBW 526; LSB 802; LW 451; NCH 1; PH 263; RH 13; STTL 65; WC 62; UMH 103; WAR 48; WHM 42; WIS 29
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We come together to hear from the Lord, to learn from His Word, and to encourage one
another in love.
ALL Grow our faith, Lord.
Pastor Let’s take a deep breath and focus on Jesus. Let’s tune our ears to hear His voice.
ALL He is the Light in the darkness.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Father, we praise you. Thank you for giving us another day of life. Thank you for giving us breath and a fresh start through your Son, Jesus.
ALL Thank you, Lord. We love you, Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Darkness veils the hearts of unbelievers, yet the light of Christ pierces that darkness.
ALL We walk from darkness and shame into the Light!
Pastor There was a time when we were blind, but by the mercy of the Father and through the
sacrifice of the Son, we were set free from darkness.
ALL We are free indeed!
Pastor Christ forgives us of sin. Let us not walk in the ways of the world, but listen to Him.
ALL We are no longer bound to sin, we are free and forgiven. Hallelujah and Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 2 Kings 2:1-12
Elijah and Elisha knew that the Lord would take Elijah from earth that day. Elisha would not leave Elijah’s presence, for if he saw Elijah go, he would inherit a double portion of his spirit. As the two were together, a fiery chariot and horses divided the two men and Elijah was taken in a whirlwind to heaven.
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.
