Worship on the Web STARTERS FOR SUNDAY Date: Sunday 14th February 2010 Transfiguration Sunday/Last Epiphany Readings Old Testament Reading Exodus 34:29-35 Moses returns from Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant. His face shines in a way that frightens the people, so he begins to wear a veil when he instructs the people, but takes it off when offering worship in the tabernacle. Psalm 99 Psalm 99 is a wonderful declaration of the kingship of the LORD. It exalts his holiness, justice, and mercy and his people respond appropriately with heartfelt worship. New Testament / Epistle reading 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2 Paul uses the "veiling" motif from the first reading, and possibly also used in some Jewish liturgical practices at the reading of the Law, to speak of the church's ongoing access to the glory of God in the face of Jesus and to describe the authenticity and integrity with which he approaches his own mission. Gospel Reading Luke 9:28-36, (37-43) While Jesus was praying on a mountain, his face and clothing changed to dazzling white, Moses and Elijah appeared, and a voice from a cloud says, "This is my Son! My chosen. Listen to him!" Shining faces, veils, dazzlingly white clothing, and a "pillar of cloud" (Psalm 99) from which the Divine Voice speaks are some of the images that run through today's texts. Choose carefully which of these you may wish to emphasize in worship. A focus on the shining faces and veils may be appropriate if you want to emphasize what happens to us when we experience the presence of God intensely. We may at once find our faces shining with God's glory, and yet sense a need for a veil — either for our own sake, or for the sake of others. This use of imagery would work well when focusing on the experience of God's glory and using primarily Exodus and the Psalm as texts. If you are wanting to focus on the Epistle, consider leaving the other readings "unadorned" and using images of veils and mirrors. Paul uses the veil imagery from Exodus rather differently from the way Exodus itself does, and to make a rather different point. Paul is offering more of a commentary on then-contemporary Jewish liturgical practice in some quarters (using a veil during the reading of the Law) than he is on the reading from Exodus per se, so comparing the "veil" in Exodus directly to the teaching in 2 Corinthians could lead to missing Paul's point. Paul is arguing that Christians neither veil their faces, nor their minds, when they encounter Scripture because in it they see the Lord; and in the Lord, they see the glory of God reflected, a glory that transforms us as we continue to encounter it. Yet even that is only subsidiary to Paul's main point in this section of this letter. in 4:1-4. It is because we can all now face God with unveiled faces, in and because of Christ, that the veil is lifted not only from our reading and worship, but from how we live our lives as Christ's disciples. Paul, in particular, and Christians, in general, are able to live as "unveiled" representatives of Christ in the world, with nothing to hide. If you are focusing on Luke's story of the Transfiguration, however, you may want to play the imagery rather differently than anything above. Indeed, you might consider using the "pillar of cloud" image (probably more of a thunderhead than a fluffy cumulus cloud) in conjunction with the Psalm and the reading from Luke, and leave the other texts (if you use all four) simply to be heard. This is because, especially in Luke, the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus is something that happened TO Jesus for the purpose of teaching his disciples. The dramatic imagery is intended to call attention to the teaching, and not to itself. Luke makes the teaching connection the most explicit. He pins this story directly to a time "eight days after these sayings" (Luke 9:28) and indeed, it appears that when the voice from the cloud says "Listen to him," (Luke 9:35) it is referring primarily to the same sayings. "These sayings" are what Jesus taught in response to Peter's confession and rebuke — that the Son of Man will suffer, be executed and raised on the third day, and that followers of Jesus must deny themselves or expect to lose their souls (Luke 9:21-27). That the representatives of the Law and the Prophets are revealed as speaking to Jesus in connection with these hard sayings is ratification that what Jesus has just taught them is the Law and the Prophets, the very word of God from the Chosen one of God. Prayers Collect (Common Order p659) God of light and truth, open our eyes to the glory of your presence in the world around us, but chiefly in the face of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord; that we may grow into his likeness, and attain the happy fulfilment of our hope when the splendour of the Saviour will be revealed; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Call to Prayer Let’s go up the mountain. Let’s go up to the place where the land meets the sky where the earth touches the heavens, to the place of meeting, to the place of mists, to the place of voices and conversations, to the place of listening. Prayer of Approach O God, We open our eyes and we see Jesus, the months of ministry transfigured to a beam of light, the light of the world, your light. May your light shine upon us. We open our eyes and we see Moses and Elijah, your word restoring us, showing us the way, telling a story, your story, his story, our story. May your word speak to us. We open our eyes and we see mist, the cloud of your presence which assures us of all we do not know and that we do not need to fear that. Teach us to trust. We open our eyes and we see Peter’s constructions, his best plans, our best plans, our missing the point, our missing the way. Forgive our foolishness and sin We open our eyes and we see Jesus, not casting us off, but leading us down, leading us out - to ministry, to people. Your love endures forever. We open our ears and we hear your voice, ‘This is my beloved Son, listen to him!’ And we give you thanks. Amen Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession (invite congregation to respond with bold print) It would be so easy to stay up on the mountain and never again to descend to the hungering valley below. But Jesus has work for us to do. We are called to receive the blessing, not for ourselves alone, but to give it to others; to offer healing, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, hope and peace. These are difficult things to do in the face of the anger and hostilities that seem to abound in the world. We are not alone. God is with us. So let us come together now in prayer: Mysterious and gracious God, you have created all things and fill them with your glory; bring your light into our darkness, that all creation may be transfigured into a reflection of your majesty, as we pray:  Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God; for the Lord our God is the Holy One. Grant to your church, O God, eyes to see your wonderful manifestation and ears to hear your voice of grace, that we may be witnesses of your glory and servants of your compassion. Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God; for the Lord our God is the Holy One Guide our nation and all in authority with a vision of your gracious purpose for all people, that we may be a light of justice and peace for all the world. Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God; for the Lord our God is the Holy One Look upon the suffering of your creation and let your touch remove all fear, that out of the cloud of despair your presence may bring healing and hope. Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God;  for the Lord our God is the Holy One Hear our prayers for this parish family on behalf of our community and all for whom we intercede, especially (name those in your parish/congregation).  Embrace into the heights of your heavenly dwelling those who have died.  Multiply our gladness for the abundance of your goodness as we present our thanksgiving and praise, especially for(name any situations you wish to give thanks for).  Lift our hearts to your presence where we may behold your face. Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God;  for the Lord our God is the Holy One As our ancestors witnessed your glory in the cloud and upon the mountain, O God, so open our eyes that we may see your presence manifest in all creation; that following the example of Moses and Elijah, we may faithfully obey your will and proclaim your glory, until all the world is transfigured with the light of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen. Hymns and songs Unless otherwise indicated hymn references are from Church Hymnary: Fourth Edition, denoted as CH4, followed by the hymn number. Hymn Suggestions: O Jesus I Have Promised CH4, number 644 Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation CH4, number200 How lovely is thy dwelling place CH4 number 52 Take this moment, sign and space number CH4 number 501 Great God Your Love Has Called Us Here CH4 number 484 Here O my Lord I see thee face to face CH4 number 664 There's a Spirit in the Air CH4 number 616 Gather us in, thou love that fillest all CH4 number 714 The Mountain (see below) CCLI license holders are permitted to use and reproduce these lyrics below. Words: Brenton Prigge © 2006 Suggested Tune LONDONDERRY AIR (Irregular) Traditional Melody 1. How bitter-sweet to be here on this mountain, high up above the troubles of this world; to leave behind the clamour of the needy crowd; to be at last alone with our dear Lord! And God's true light expunges every shadow – there is no doubt up here in this high place – we see the glory of our God in Jesus; see now that holy, holy light upon His face. 2. We long to stay up here upon this mountain; How good it is to be here with our Lord. To bask here in the light of God's great beauty, kneel at His feet and soak up every word. O, hear His call: “Come, gather all my faithful!” Come, let His word shine in your hearts unveiled. Oh! to go now to heaven like Elijah! Oh that this holy, holy vision would not pale! 3. How bitter-sweet to be here on this mountain, for well we know the valley waits below; Our fellow trav'lers wait for news from mountain tops, to share with us the joy that we now know. They need to know that Jesus is the Saviour, He is the light that shines for all the world. and we will serve Him in the darkest valley We will proclaim, proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord!. Something for the Children You will need: a blindfold and 3 packets of different flavoured crisps (you may wish to choose obscure flavours). Ask for a volunteer who is not afraid of the dark. Blindfold said volunteer, and explain that you are going to ask them to do a taste challenge. Present volunteer with first packet of crisps; allow them to taste; and ask them if they can identify what flavour of crisps they are eating. Do this with the other 2 packets of crisps also. Untie the blindfold and allow the volunteer to see how well they did with the taste challenge. Explain the difficulties – without seeing the packet, it is very difficult to identify the correct flavour. In today’s reading, the disciples see something incredible. Not only do they see something amazing, but they hear the voice of God. I think it is safe to say that they had probably never felt so close to God. It was as if the blindfold had been taken away from their eyes. You could invite the congregation to discuss those mountain top experiences they have had when God seems to be very close. Additional resources Call to Worship L: It is easy to stand here in the valley of our comfort. P: We know what to expect and what is expected of us.  L: But Christ calls us to the mountain top to receive a new vision. P: We are not sure we are ready for that. L: Place your hope and trust in Christ, for He is your guide. P: Let us open our hearts to Christ, ready for the vision he places before us. AMEN. A sermon illustration Fred Craddock tells a wonderful story about a young minister, newly graduated from university, serving his very first church. He gets a call telling him that a church member, an elderly woman who has given her life to the church, is in the hospital. She is so weak she cannot even get up out of bed, and the doctors do not hold much hope for her recovery. Would he go up and visit? Well, of course he will and he does. All the way to the hospital he is thinking about what he will say to this Christian lady; what words of comfort he can give her to prepare her for her eminent death. He arrives at the hospital, and goes up to her room for the visit. He sits and talks with her a few minutes, just small talk really, nothing earth shattering. When he makes ready to leave, he asks if she would like him to pray with her. She answers, "Yes, of course. That is why I wanted you to come." He then asks politely, "And what exactly would you like me to pray for?" "Why, I want you to pray that God will heal me," she answers in a surprised tone of voice. Haltingly, fumbling over the words, he prays just as she wanted, that God will heal her, even though he’s not really sure that can happen. When he says the "Amen" at the end of the prayer, the woman says, "You know, I think it worked! I think I’m healed!" And she gets out of the bed and begins to run up and down the hallway of the hospital, shouting, "Praise God! I’m healed! Praise God! I’m healed!" Meanwhile, the young minister, in a stupor, stumbles to the stairwell, walks down five flights of stairs, makes his way to the car park and somehow manages to find his car. As he fumbles to get his keys out of his pocket, he looks heavenward and says, "Do not you ever do that to me again!" He had a mountaintop moment, but he did not know what to do with it! Benediction Mountaintop experiences are wonderful. There is so much to see, but you are called now to go to the valley where there is much to be done. You are not alone; God goes with you, bringing healing, hope and peace. Go now in God’s peace and let it flood through you to others. AMEN. A word about the author Rev Alan Gibson is the Minister of The United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction. He has been there for 18 months, prior to which he was at Avendale in Strathaven.