Shine Jesus Shine!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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. Amen.

[Silence is kept after each response to allow the congregation to offer

intercessions. ]

In peace, let us pray to the Lord, saying,

Loving God, hear our prayer.

For your church in all the world,

Loving God, hear our prayer.

Make your church secure upon the foundation of Christ, end the

divisions that rend our communion and bring us to unity of mission for

the sake of the gospel. For our pastors, teachers, and ministers,

Loving God, hear our prayer.

Bless the servants of your church, especially our bishop Escobedo-

Frank., our Superintendent Rev. Olewine., our pastor Rev. Dodge.

Give them wisdom to lead according to your Word and drive from

them all self-serving desire. For the world and for its leaders,

Loving God, hear our prayer.

Uphold the leaders of governments for the work of peace, especially

our President, our governor, and our city council]. Provoke their

hearts to compassion, and make them agents of reconciling justice

among the people. For our planet Earth,

Loving God, hear our prayer.

Sustain the earth, our home, for the flourishing of all who live upon it,

increase our knowledge of its ecology, and make us good stewards of

Earth’s abundance. For the poor and the alien,

Loving God, hear our prayer. Assist the poor in their need, protect aliens in their sojourn, and make

your church a refuge for those in want. For the sick and those in

distress,

Loving God, hear our prayer.

Heal those who are sick in body, mind or spirit, comfort them in their

pain, and restore them to wholeness of life. For our neighbors,

Loving God, hear our prayer.

Bless those who live in our local community, strengthen our good will,

and let us dwell in harmony. For our enemies,

Loving God, hear our prayer.

Bless those who hate us, give us courage to refuse retaliation, and

make us instruments of your reconciling love. These prayers we offer

through Christ by the power of your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Lord, by the power of your Spirit reveal to us your Word. Let us be a holy temple built on Christ, our sure foundation Amen.

Matthew 17:1-9 ¹ Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³ Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. ⁴ Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁵ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” ⁸ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. ⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 2 Peter 1:16-¹⁶ 21For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰ First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Questions for Reflection: Kelly Frankiewicz M.Div.

How and when do you listen to Jesus?

What would you want to say to Jesus or Moses or Elijah if you saw

them in the flesh?

Since each of us is called to be a light shining in the darkness, how

does your life reflect this calling?

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Phyllis Spencer

Let us give as God has so abundantly given to us.

Almighty God, by your grace, accept our offering. Make us joyful in giving that we may grow in likeness to your supreme gift, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

May Christ, the sure foundation, uphold you. May the Spirit, holy wisdom, guide you. May God, perfect love, convict you to go in the name of Jesus to love friend and enemy, neighbor and stranger, the righteous and the lost. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.