St Stephen Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Holy Communion on the Sunday of the Transfiguration, 10:30 a.m.

February 27, 2022

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

During the season of Epiphany we have seen Jesus, in word and sign, proclaiming the present kingdom of God. In Lent we will follow him to the Cross. Jesus’ admonition to the apostles not to tell anyone about the vision on the mountain until he has been raised from the dead was mysterious to the disciples. However, none of us can fully understand the mystery of Jesus’ identity as Messiah without traveling with him on the way of the Cross.

Much like Moses when he went up Mount Sinai, Jesus shines with the glory of the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration. However, the difference is this: while Moses shone with the reflected glory of God, Jesus himself is the source of God's glory which illumines the disciples.

Moses, who wrote down God's Law and proclaimed it in the midst of the people, and Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, are witnesses to the transfiguration, giving honor to Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies of Scripture. The three discuss Jesus' departure, which he will accomplish at Jerusalem; however, the word in Greek is exodus. Like the first exodus, the second exodus that Jesus will accomplish in the cross and resurrection will be a victory, liberating God's people not from slavery in Egypt but from bondage to sin, death, and the devil.

Jesus' glory is veiled as he comes down the mountain. From now until the cross his splendor is hidden. It is revealed in the Resurrection and as we apprehend Jesus' glory in the work of the Spirit. His glory will be openly shown to all when he comes again.

At the end of the service, we sing ‘Alleluia, Song of Gladness’ (WOV 654) as a farewell to the alleluia until the Easter Vigil. We fast from the alleluia in worship, just as we fast from the visual signs of our faith, as a way of marking the forty days of the penitential Lenten season.

OPENING MUSIC

How Good, Lord, to Be Here — Flor Peeters

Oh, Wondrous Type! Oh, Vision Fair — Healey Willan

WHYMN Oh, Wondrous Type! Oh, Vision Fair Green LBW 80

APOSTOLIC GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

WHYMN OF PRAISE Gloria in excelsis Deo

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Father in heaven,
whose Son Jesus Christ was wonderfully transfigured
before chosen witnesses upon the holy mountain,
and spoke of the exodus he would accomplish at Jerusalem:
give us strength so to hear his voice and bear our cross
that in the world to come we may see him as he is;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Amen

God spoke to his people out of the pillar of cloud;

they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them. Psalm 99:7

Let us hear the Word of the Lord.

Sit

FIRST READING Exodus 34:29-35

²⁹Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. ³⁰When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. ³¹But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. ³²Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. ³³When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; ³⁴but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, ³⁵the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 99

Proclaim the greatness of the Lord;

worship upon God’s holy hill. (vs. 9)

¹ The Lord is King; let the | people tremble.*

He is enthroned upon the cherubim; let | the earth shake.

² The Lord is | great in Zion;*

he is high | above all peoples.

³ Let them confess his name, which is | great and awesome;*

he is the | Holy One.

⁴ "O mighty King, lover of justice, you have | established equity;*

you have executed justice and righteous- | ness in Jacob."

⁵ Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God

and fall down be- | fore his footstool;*

he is the | Holy One.

⁶ Moses and Aaron among his priests,

and Samuel among those who call up- | on his name,*

they called upon the Lord, and he | answered them.

⁷ He spoke to them out of the pil- | lar of cloud;*

they kept his testimonies

and the decree | that he gave them.

⁸ O Lord our God, you answered | them indeed;*

you were a God who forgave them,

yet punished them for their | evil deeds.

⁹ Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God

and worship him upon his | holy hill;*

for the Lord our God is the | Holy One. R

SECOND READING 2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2

¹²Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, ¹³not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. ¹⁴But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. ¹⁵Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; ¹⁶but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. ¹⁷Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
^4:1Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. ²We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Stand

VERSE Psalm 45:2 Setting by Henry V. Gerike

Alleluia. You are the fairest of the sons of earth; grace is poured upon your lips. Alleluia.

Gospel Luke 9:28-36

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord.

²⁸Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³⁰Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³²Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. ³⁴While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” ³⁶When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sit

Choir Anthem O Raise Your Eyes on High and See

Text/ Ralph Wright, OSB; Music/ Kentucky Harmony,

harm. by C. Winfred Douglas; arr. J. M. Strobel

O raise your eyes on high and see: there stands our sovereign Lord.

His glory is this day revealed, His word a two-edged sword.

We glimpse the splendor and the power of him who conquered death;

The Christ in whom the universe knows God’s creating breath.

Of every creed and nation King, in him all strife is stilled;

The promise made to Abraham in him has been fulfilled.

The prophets stand and with great joy give witness as they gaze;

The Father with a sign has sealed our trust, our hope, our praise.

This glory that today our eyes have glimpsed of God’s own Son

Will help us ever sing with love of Three who are but One.

Sermon Pastor Frontz

Stand

W Hymn of the DaY

How Good, Lord, to Be Here! Green LBW 89

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Nicene Creed.

X At the words ‘For us and for our salvation,’ and continuing through ‘and was made man,’ a solemn bow is appropriate to praise the incarnation of our Lord.

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

X For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. X

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Illumined by the light of Christ, and rejoicing in the freedom of the Spirit, we pray to the Father in confidence and hope.

Silence is kept.

Lord of glory, it is good that we are here.

In peace we make our prayer to you.

In trust we confirm our faith in you.

Help us to set our faces

towards where you would have us go.

Lord, look with favor.

Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, look with favor on your Church,

proclaiming your beloved Son to the world

and listening to the promptings of his Spirit.

May she be renewed in holiness that she may reflect your glory.

Lord, look with favor.

Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, look with favor on the nations of the world,

scarred by hatred, strife and war.

May they be healed by the touch of your hand.

The pastor names the nations and peoples in special need.

Lord, look with favor.

Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, look with favor on those in need and distress,

suffering as your Son has suffered.

and waiting for the salvation you promise.

May the day break and Christ the Morning Star

bring them the light of his presence.

Hear our prayers for those we name before you.

The pastor reads the names and situations submitted for prayer.

The people may offer spoken or silent intercessions.

Lord, look with favor.

Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, it is good if we suffer with you

so that we shall be glorified with you.

According to your promise bring all Christ’s brothers and sisters

to see him with their own eyes in majesty

and to be changed into his likeness from glory to glory.

Lord, transfigure and heal.

The pastor concludes the prayers:

To Christ the Lord be praise, dominion and worship
now and for all eternity;

for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.
Amen

Peace

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

Stand

OFFERTORY

Spoken in unison by the congregation.

1 John 3:2-3

Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this; when he is revealed we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Holy God,

receive all we bring before you this day,

and bring us also to that radiant glory

which we see in the transfigured face

of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord: He revealed his glory before chosen witnesses, and filled with splendor that human form in which he is one with us. In this way he prepared the disciples to bear the scandal of the cross and showed that in the Church, his body, that same glory would be fulfilled that shone forth from him, its head. And so, with Moses and Elijah, and with Peter, James and John; with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

Hosanna in the highest!

(Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:

Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign.

You have filled all creation with light and life;

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Through Abraham you promised to bless all nations.

You rescued Israel, your chosen people.

Through the prophets you renewed your promise;

and, at this end of all the ages, you sent your Son,

who in words and deeds proclaimed your kingdom

and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup

we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup

we remember the life our Lord offered for us.

And, believing the witness of his resurrection,

we await his coming in power

to share with us the great and promised feast.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit,

the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection,

that we who receive the Lord's body and blood

may live to the praise of your glory

and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

Join our prayers with those of your servants

of every time and every place,

and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest

until he comes as victorious Lord of all.

Through him, with him, in him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honor and glory is yours,

almighty Father, now and forever. Amen

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

Christ is in our midst.

By the power of the Spirit,

we pray to his Father, saying:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen Matthew 6:9-15

Arise, shine, for your light has come.

The glory of the LORD has risen upon us. Isaiah 60:1

We adore Christ, present in bread and wine.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

Sit

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated.

When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine. Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated.

WDISTRIBUTION HYMNS

Choir We Are Marching in the Light of God

Text and Music/ South African

Please follow the text at BLUE WOV 650 as the choir sings.

Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior Green LBW 199

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Amen

Holy God,

we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

May we who have feasted at his table

reflect his life in word and deed,

that all the world may know his power to restore and save.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Sit

FAREWELL to alleluia

Brothers and sisters in Christ, on Ash Wednesday we will begin our solemn Lenten journey to the Savior’s cross. The joy of faith remains undiminished throughout the year, but our rejoicing during Lent is tempered by our reflection upon our Lord’s suffering. Therefore, we omit our most jubilant songs during this season, including the song Alleluia, which means, ‘Praise the Lord.’ Now for a time we shall say farewell to Alleluia. May the observance of Lent edify your soul, and prepare you to sing Alleluia once again with renewed gladness at the Easter celebration.

Stand

We are an Easter people.
And Alleluia is our song.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The author of Ecclesiastes writes:
For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted.

A time to break down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh.

A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to keep silence and a time to speak.

Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!

BENEDICTION

Almighty God, Father, X Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless you now and forever.

Amen

WCLOSING HYMN Alleluia, Song of Gladness Blue WOV 654

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

THIS WEEK FOR THE FAITH FAMILY

Sun/ Feb 27 Choir rehearsal 9:30 AM

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

Pre-Lenten Potluck Dinner, after worship

Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM

Mon/ Feb 28 Morning Prayer (livestream) 8:30 AM

Wed/ Mar 2 Ash Wednesday Worship, 12:30 PM & 7:00 PM

Thu/Mar 3 ZOOM Bible Study, 7:00 PM

Fri/ Mar 4 Morning Prayer (livestream) 8:30 AM

Sat/ Mar 5 NA Meeting 11 AM

Food Bank

WORSHIP 6:30 PM

Sun/ Mar 6 Choir rehearsal 9:30 AM

Food Bank

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

Prayer at the Close of the Day (livestream) 9:30 PM

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Anonymous. Transfiguration, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=58833 [retrieved February 21, 2022]. Original source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/anthonylibrarian/2665222854/in/photolist-54vXUb-Gast7i-pibA31-nMPLFp-DiYbvY-7GRRnF-9F94G-7WzSMB-3Hbtvf-Gvcg2B-b5E7Ep-eMMjqD-7ytjdu-5X6jJ5-e826Cp-2dQDQh4-2aq5JCn-7Ujm4n-2b87HTG-yTMDCi-9MbhF4-c1DP6q-21pybAu-pz6yLj-84jv2e-26vvkjL-q6Ln1-21rFuTa-56DMRo-Nq7YYE-DGKvLC-ZEcpHw-E263Bm-EU52A7-ZkJBWf-96X1i3-cZHVJm-dLkAPY-8mgMdp-ZEcoWS-AwdWn3-eAWtec-fxmadC-6RGkTR-8n7MFZ-dzpGg-e76zfu-uR52G-5fHgNe-ZkJBMC.

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org