Welcome to worship. Join in Zoom worship on Sunday at 9:30 am by Zoom (christoncapitolhill.com/worship) or watch here anytime.
Welcome to worship on this February 14th. Our theme this season is Created Anew: celebrating God’s creativity and new beginnings. The Sundays after Epiphany began with Jesus’ baptism and end with three disciples’ vision of his transfiguration. In Mark’s story of Jesus’ baptism, apparently only Jesus sees the Spirit descending and hears the words from heaven. But now Jesus’ three closest friends hear the same words naming him God’s Beloved. In an act of ultimate creativity, Jesus’ identity as the Son of God is revealed to us. And God’s creativity continues, showing not only who God is in that moment on the mountaintop, but today, and always. Welcome.
Prelude—Beatrice by Sam Rivers, performed by the Jazz Ensemble
Welcome
Gathering Song – Arise, Your Light Has Come Worship 314 Jazz Ensemble
1 Arise, your light has come!
The Spirit’s call obey;
show forth the glory of your God
which shines on you today.
2 Arise, your light has come!
Fling wide the prison door;
proclaim the captive’s liberty,
good tidings to the poor.
3 Arise, your light has come!
All you in sorrow born,
bind up the brokenhearted ones
and comfort those who mourn.
4 Arise, your light has come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing,
God’s pow’r will make us strong.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, the resplendent light of your truth shines from the mountaintop into our hearts. Transfigure us by your beloved Son, and illumine the world with your image, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-12
Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” 4Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.” 6Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. 9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
Word of God, Word of life. Thanks be to God.
Children’s Time
Alleluia – Worship 175
Gospel: Mark 9:2-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Message – Pastor Joy
Song – O Wondrous Image, Vision Fair Worship 316
1 Oh, wondrous sight, vision fair
of glory that the church may share,
which Christ upon the mountain shows,
where brighter than the sun he glows!
2 With Moses and Elijah nigh
the incarnate Lord holds converse high,
and from the cloud, the Holy One
says, “”This is my beloved Son.””
3 With shining face and bright array,
Christ deigns to manifest today
what glory shall be theirs above
who joy in God with perfect love.
4 And faithful hearts are raised on high
by this great vision’s mystery;
for which in joyful song we raise
the voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.
5 O Father, with the eternal Son,
and Holy Spirit ever one,
we pray you, bring us by your grace
to see your glory face to face.
Confession and Forgiveness
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose voice is upon the waters,whose mercy is poured out upon all people, whose goodness cascades over all creation. Amen.
Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Holy God, you search us and know us. You are acquainted with all our ways. We confess that our hearts are burdened by sin—our own sins and the broken systems that bind us. We turn inward, failing to follow your outward way of love. We distrust those who are not like us. We exploit the earth and its resources and fail to consider generations to come. Forgive us, gracious God, for all we have done and left undone. Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them; receive them in your divine mercy. Amen.
How vast is God’s grace! Through the power and promise of ☩ Christ Jesus, our sins are washed away and we are claimed as God’s own beloved. Indeed, we are forgiven. In the wake of God’s forgiveness, we are called to be the beloved community living out Christ’s justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace. Amen.
How vast is God’s grace! Through the power and promise of ☩ Christ Jesus, our sins are washed away and we are claimed as God’s own beloved. Indeed, we are forgiven. In the wake of God’s forgiveness, we are called to be the beloved community living out Christ’s justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.
A brief silence.
For the gospel proclaimed in word and deed, for communities of faith far and near, and for all who show the face of Christ throughout the world, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For creation: sun, moon and stars; life forming in the dark earth and ocean deep; mountains, clouds and storms, and creatures seen and unseen, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our stewardship of God’s creation, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For those responsible for safety and protection: for emergency responders and security guards, attorneys and advocates, civil servants and leaders of governments, that they witness to mercy and justice throughout the world, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For all who suffer this day, that Christ our healer transform sickness into health, loneliness into companionship, bereavement into consolation, and suffering into peace, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For companions on life’s journey in this worshiping community, for loved ones who cannot be with us this day, and for guidance during struggles we face, that God’s glory is revealed around and among us, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Sharing Peace
Johm riab sua.
Selam.
The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.
Offering – A Flower is a Lovesome Thing by B. Strayhorn
Offering Prayer
O God, receive these gifts as you receive us: like a mother receives her child, with arms open wide. Nourish us anew in your tender care, and empower us in faithful service to tend to others with this same love, through Jesus Christ, our saving grace. Amen.
Communion
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 our thanks and praise.
Invitation to Communion
Beloved: here is bread; here is wine. Here is Jesus. Come and be fed.
Now, if you are gathered with others, when the music begins, please share with one another first the bread and then the cup with the words,
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, poured out for you.
If you are by yourself, I offer this invitation…
Receive the body of Christ, given for you.
Receive the blood of Christ, poured out for you.
And if for any reason you will not receive Communion bread & cup today, a blessing for you…
May God fill you up with the Holy Spirit and give you all that you need.
Communion Song – Loving Spirit Worship 397 (verses 1-4)
Prayer after Communion
Christ Jesus, at this table we have feasted on your very life and are strengthened for our journey. Send us forth from this banquet nourished in body and in spirit to proclaim your good news and serve others in your name. Amen.
Cambodian Lord’s Prayer
Blessing
God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you; and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace. Amen.
Sending Song – Alleluia, Song of Gladness Worship 318 (vs 1, 2, 4)
1 Alleluia, Song Of Gladness,
Voice Of Joy That Cannot Die;
Alleluia Is The Anthem
Ever Dear To Choirs On High;
In The House Of God Abiding
Thus They Sing Eternally.
2 Alleluia Thou Resoundest,
True Jerusalem And Free;
Alleluia, Joyful Mother,
All Thy Children Sing With Thee;
But By Babylon’s Sad Waters
Mourning Exiles Now Are We.
4 Therefore In Our Hymns We Pray Thee,
Grant Us, Blessèd Trinity,
At The Last To Keep Thine Easter
In Our Home Beyond The Sky;
There To Thee Forever Singing
Alleluia Joyfully.
Dismissal
Go in peace. Be the light of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Postlude – There Is No Greater Love by Isham Jones