ENTRANCE

ABBREVIATIONS
AH = The Africana Hymnal

BOW = United Methodist Book of Worship

CCLI = Christian Copyright Licensing International, SongSelect

TFWS = The Faith We Sing (2000)

UMH = United Methodist Hymnal

W&S = Worship & Song (2011)

SOZ = Songs of Zion

The service begins with lights on low — not darkness. Think cloudy day, parallel to the fog atop the mountain where Jesus was transfigured. If you have a haze machine, this is a good time to use it. Choir or ensemble (unseen) sing “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” (UMH 418, st 1, 2, 5). After stanza 1:

Reader 1 (unseen): Mark 9:2b, NRSV
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves.

After stanza 5, lights full on, music for Shine (CCLI #4831485) or “O Wondrous Sight” (UMH 258 or https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/o-wondrous-sight-o-vision-fair-henry) begins, as reader (unseen) reads:

Reader 2: (unseen) Mark 9:2c-9:3 (NRSV, alt)
And Jesus was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no one on earth could bleach them.

Song:
Shine CCLI #4831435
OR
O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair UMH 258 or https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/o-wondrous-sight-o-vision-fair-henry

Reader 3: (unseen) Mark 9:7-8 (NRSV)
Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice,

Reader 4: (unseen)
"This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"

Reader 3: (unseen)
Suddenly when they looked around,
they saw no one with them any more,
but only Jesus.

Song and Prayer for Illumination

Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus UMH 349
Prayer for Illumination UMH 6
Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus UMH 349

WORD AND RESPONSE

Scripture 2 Kings 2:1-12

Sermon “God Is Speaking”

Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed, UMH 882

Prayers of the People

Deacon or Prayer Leader:
Let us pray, offering our intercessions with the church and the world in the words of the Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy.”
Lord Jesus Christ, you reveal yourself to your disciples, and to us, in all your glory. We are left speechless. Send us the Holy Spirit to pray in and through us for the church and the world with sighs too deep for words:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy.

For the leaders and members of your church throughout the world, that we may not seek to build shrines, but listen to you in simple obedience:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy.

For the leaders of nations, corporations, states, cities, and other seats of influence and power, that their hearts and actions may be turned toward justice, peace, and the common good of all people:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy.

For the earth-- the land, the rivers, the seas, the skies — and for all that live with us upon it, that we may sustain it and one another in this life:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy.

For all who are sick, hurting, or dying, and for all who accompany them on journeys toward healing or release, especially (names of persons known to your local community):
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy.

For all who are abused or oppressed, and all who suffer because of war, or famine, or disaster, or imprisonment, that justice and deliverance may come:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy.

For ourselves, for the forgiveness of our sin, and for the courage of Elisha to dare to ask for a double portion of your Spirit that we may boldly follow where Jesus leads:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us, sinners in your sight.

Silence

Pastor:
In the name of Christ, you are forgiven.

People:
In the name of Christ, you are forgiven.

All: Glory to God. Amen.

Pastor: The peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.

Pastor: Live in love, and Christ loved us, and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2, NRSV)

The peace of Christ is exchanged in the congregation. The offering is collected.

Music during the Offering
Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory TFWS 2102 (Suggested Tune: NETTLETON, UMH 400)

THANKSGIVING

Let It Rise Africana Hymnal 4017 OR CCLI #22405
My Tribute Africana Hymnal 4080

SENDING FORTH

Spoken Word (Taylor Burton-Edwards)
You’re speaking, God,
but am I ready for this,
to lis- to go where Jesus leads?

That’s a cross, all loss,
the dross of the earth,
no worth, go there. And that’s
where Jesus leads?

Where he bleeds,
you need me to go?

Whoa!

Just get me ready, Lord.
I want to be ready.

“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” UMH 206

Dismissal with Blessing

Jesus shines with glory.
We are his body.
God speaks the sober truth.
We must listen to Jesus, and follow where he leads.
You who shine now with Christ’s glory,
go now from the mountain into the valley,
from rejoicing to suffering,
from fellowship to persecution,
from a vision of eternal life to the realities of mortality,
from Transfiguration to Lent.
God has work for us to do.
Let’s start getting ourselves
and the seekers in our midst
ready to do it:
in the name of God,
Holy Three, Holy One. Amen.

Postlude God Has Work for Us to Do (Daw/Miller)