It’s Sunday, 14th February, an important day for lovers with the feast of
St Valentine.
The theme today is the pivotal event of the
Transfiguration. Jesus takes three of his disciples to the top of a
mountain, and there some strange things happen. What does it all
mean? And particularly what does it mean for us 21st century
Christians?
In the meantime, we listen to the bells of the Old Parish Church calling
us to worship, wherever we may be. And when they end, we will hear
sung “All people that on earth do dwell” to the arrangement by Vaughan
Williams.
The Transfiguration of Christ
HYMN: All people that on earth do dwell
PRAYER
Holy God, mighty and immortal,
you are beyond our knowing,
yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ,
whose compassion illumines the world.
Transform us into the likeness of the love of Christ,
who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity,
the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
Righteous and merciful One.
cleanse our minds and free our consciences
from the things that divide us from you.
We have shut our eyes to your glory,
our minds to your truth
and our hearts to your spirit.
And yet we want to love you. Lord.
All your paths are loving and sure
guide us in the way we should go
and lead us to live everlasting. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
LESSON
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.
REFLECTION
HYMN: Dear Lord and Father of mankind
PRAYER
O God, as your Son drew apart to be in prayer with you,
we offer our prayers for the transformation of the world and the church.
Lord God we pray for all who work for peace and unity, and for all world
leaders that they will continue to seek for an end to the suffering caused
by war and violence, injustice and inequality, disease, prejudice, poverty
and hopelessness and bring healing to the world. Lord Jesus – as a child
you were a refugee and were kept safe in another country – help us to
hold that example, as we pray for all those forced to seek hope and life far
from home.
Gracious God we pray for the work and service of all care homes and day
centres for elderly and sick people, and for those carers who look after
family and friends in their own home. We pray for those in the covid
wards and intensive care units of our hospitals. Patients and staff alike.
In this time of enormous challenge. These Covid days have made heroes
out of the seemingly ordinary. And thank you for the many charity
organisations who raise money and provide supportive services to help.
We pray for all finding their life painful, lonely or uncertain, especially
those who are ill or vulnerable. Help them to sense your comfort in times
of need and bless their families and carers. We pray for all those who are
struggling in their lives. Bring them hope of an end to their sufferings, and
a resolution of their difficulties.
You revealed your glory and presence in your beloved Son, Jesus the Christ.
In receiving our prayers,
reveal the glory and presence of your Spirit alive in the world today,
free us from all doubts,
and empower us to act as a transfigured people.
Holy God,
you have revealed the glory of your love in Jesus Christ,
and have given us a share in your Spirit.
May we who listen to Christ follow faithfully,
and, in the dark places where you send us,
reveal the light of your gospel. Amen.
HYMN: Glory be to God the Father
THE BLESSING and BENEDICTION
May your day be blessed by moments of quietness,
light in your darkness, strength in your weakness,
grace in your meekness, joy in your gladness,
peace in your stillness.
May your day be blessed
And may the blessing of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Be with you this day and in all the days to come. Amen.
Voluntary
Header image courtesy of Ross Duncan
Please have a look HERE for information on Rev John Smith's Lenten Study group