Transfiguration of our Lord - A

Texts:  Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 99; 2nd Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9

Call to Worship
L:   On glory's mountaintops
      of wonder and delight, we wait:
P:    for God's amazing grace
       to transform our shadowed lives.
L:    In the valleys of everyday life,
       where noise overwhelms us, we wait:
P:    willing to waste time
       simply being in God's presence.
L:    In the devouring fires of fear,
       in the mist of misguided living, we wait,
P:     for the One who comes in majesty,
       to lead us down the paths of humility.

Prayer of the Day
When you could stay
hidden behind your glory,
you send Jesus,
to show us your heart.
When you could
remain silent for all time,
you whisper your hopes
to us in every moment.
When you could remain
on the pinnacle of our praises,
you enter the depths
of our shadowed lives.
Splendor's glory:
You are holy!

When we bump along
over the potholes of impatience,
you smooth out our lives
with your wisdom.
When we live in
the hollows of hopelessness,
you would transfigure us
with your joy.
When we wander the lone
valleys of grief and death,
you are beside us,
holding our hearts.
Humility's Lover -
You are holy!

You transform every day events
into miracles of awe;
you text message joy
onto the emptiness of our souls;
you enter the fog
of our feeble, fear-filled faith,
to reveal to us
the morning star of hope.
Glory's Mystery -
You are holy!

God in Community, Holy in One,
you are the glory of our mountaintops
and the comfort of our valleys,
even as we pray, saying,
Our Father...

Call to Reconciliation
Sometimes it seems that we wait for God to
astound us with mighty wonders, while God
knows that what we need is grace.  God waits
to forgive us, so let us hold nothing back, but
trust in the One who listens to our prayers and
answers us with mercy,

Unison Prayer of Confession
   God of mountaintops, the din of the world can
harden our hearts to your Word.  We watch news,
reality TV, silly sitcoms, yet have trouble bearing
witness to your presence in our lives.  Our faith is
placed in those who fail us, our trust is given to
those who misplace it.
   Forgive us, Revealer of Mystery.  You offer mercy
to us, that we might hear your call to discipleship.
You whisper our names, that we might know how
loved we are.  Caught by the surprise of your never
ending love for us, how can we not follow our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ, onto the mountaintops of
worship and into the valleys of sacrifice and service.

Silent Prayers of Confession

Assurance of Pardon
L:    On mountaintops and in the valleys, in our homes
       and in our hearts, God knows us better than we
       know ourselves, and God forgives us when we
       cannot forgive ourselves.
P:    By God's mercy, we are forgiven.
       By God's mercy, we are made whole.
       By God's mercy, we are equipped to serve others.
       Thanks be to God.  Amen.

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
L:    The Lord of the dawning day be with you.
P:    And also with you.
L:    People of God, open your hearts to the One
        who feeds you with grace.
P:    Our hearts tremble with delight for the feast
        which awaits us.
L:    People of God, give thanks to the One
       who meets us on the mountaintops of glory
       and in the valleys of service.
P:    We praise God's great and holy name.

Shaper of mountains
and Carver of rivers:
it is our greatest joy to offer you
our praise and thanksgiving in these moments.
All things in every place
were created by you
to rejoice in your radiant splendor.
Created by you to live in your garden
of hope and joy,
we believed in the shrewd schemes of the world,
and wandered into the valleys of death and sin.
But you did not forsake us,
but became one of us
that we might be transformed
into new life.

You gave us the Breath of life
and the Word of grace
so all the living could find voice
to sing your glory.
Therefore, we join with those
of every time and place
singing the ancient hymn of majesty and glory:

P:  Holy, holy, holy are you, Lover of justice.
     You are exalted over all creation.
     Hosanna in the highest!

     Blessed is the One who comes to touch us,
        whispering, 'do not be afraid.'
     Hosanna in the highest!

Mighty God, shelter of all who love you,
you are seated upon the praises of your people.
On the mountain of holiness
 you proclaimed Jesus Christ as your Beloved,
the hope of all your children.
He descended the mountain of glory
to climb up a garbage heap called Calvary.
When he could have stayed with Moses and Elijah,
he chose to be crucified between two thieves.
When he could have taken shelter
within your love and hope,
he endured the corss of pain and suffering.
And so, we proclaim our faith
as we come to your Table:

P:  Christ died, defeating the power of sin;
     Christ rose, God's love overshadowing death;
     Christ will come again, for all who have waited for him.

Descend upon us, Holy Spirit,
and on these gifts of the Bread and the Cup.
As we share them with one another,
may we be restored to wholeness.
Strengthened by the broken bread,
may we greet each dawn with the resolve
to be such lovers of justice,
that none will remain oppressed.
Nourished by the overflowing cup of grace,
may we work through the long hours of night
to feed the hungry, to shelter the homeless
until, together, we welcome the Morning Star
into our hearts.

And when all our waiting is done,
when the stars of creation join in song,
we will get up from the Table of the Lamb,
joining our hands with our sisters and brothers
from every time and from every place,
forever dancing in joy with you,
God in Community, Holy in One.  Amen.

© 2011 Thom M. Shuman