| Prelude
Greeting and Welcome
Lighting of the Candles
Hymn of Invocation – Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (LSB 802)
Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might; Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all life Thou givest—to both great and small— In all life Thou livest, the true Life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree And wither and perish—but naught changes Thee.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight; All laud we would render: O help us to see ’Tis only the splendor of light that hides Thee.
+ Preparation +
Invocation P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
Opening Sentences P: Jesus, take us to the mountain, where, with Peter, James, and John, C: we are dazzled by Your glory, light as blinding as the sun. P: There prepare us for the night C: by the vision of that sight. P: What do You want us to hear there, that Your dear disciples heard? C: Once again the Voice from heaven says of the Incarnate Word: P: “Listen, listen, everyone, C: This is My beloved Son!”
Confession and Absolution P: We confess our sin to God our Father. C: God of mercy and forgiveness, God of revelation and promise, we confess that we are burdened with sin—sin that consumes, unravels, deceives, and stifles faith. Enable us by Your Word to increase our willingness to bear our crosses, resist temptation, and follow You alone! In our journey, let us continually wage war against Satan and adversaries who would seek to eclipse Your glory. P: Almighty God, we have seen Your glory in the transfiguration of Jesus, Your only-begotten Son. We join in the lineage of prophets and apostles, believing in the glory and the cross of Jesus. Crucify our sins on that cross. Envelop us in the light of His glory in these words: I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
+ Word +
Salutation and Prayer of the Day P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray. O God, as witnesses of the Transfiguration, C: we see Your glory, along with Moses and Elijah. P: O God, as witnesses of the Transfiguration, C: we want to hold on to that glory, like Peter, James, and John. P: O God, as witnesses of the Transfiguration, C: we hear Your voice, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” P: O God, as witnesses of the Transfiguration, let us with confidence take up our crosses and follow Jesus alone. C: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
First Reading – Deuteronomy 34:1–12 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. And the Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord, and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
Second Reading – Mark 9:2–13 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
Holy Gospel – Luke 6:27-38 P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the sixth chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ.
Apostles' Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen.
Children’s Hymn – I Love You, Lord (AGPS 129)
I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice To worship You, O my soul rejoice. Take joy, my King, in what You hear, May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear. (Repeat)
Children’s Sermon – Ryan Philpot
Hymn of the Day – “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery"
Come, behold the wondrous mystery In the dawning of the king He the theme of Heaven's praises Robed in frail humanity In our longing, in our darkness Now, the light of life has come Look to Christ who condescended Took on flesh to ransom us
Come, behold the wondrous mystery He is the perfect son of man In His living, in His suffering Never trace nor stain of sin See the true and better Adam Come to save the hell-bound man Christ, the great and sure fulfilment Of the law in Him, we stand
Come, behold the wondrous mystery Christ, the Lord upon the tree In the stead of ruined sinners Hangs the lamb in victory See the price of our redemption See the Father's plan unfold Bringing many sons to glory Grace unmeasured, love untold
Come, behold the wondrous mystery Slain by death, the God of life But no grave could ever restrain Him Praise the Lord, He is alive What a foretaste of deliverance How unwavering our hope Christ in power resurrected As we will be when He comes
What a foretaste of deliverance How unwavering our hope Christ in power resurrected As we will be when He comes
Sermon
Offering
Offertory
Prayers + Celebrating birthdays this week: 2 – Sharon Gaal; 3 – Jack Hurley; 8 – Sylvia Bach + Wedding anniversaries: 6 – Jeff & Suk Wille
Special Celebrations and Needs: + Church family members: Cheryl Kight, upon the death of Ken; Julie Atwood-Wise, upon the death of her mother, Twylah Atwood; Carol Froesel, diagnosed with fibrosis of the lungs; Jack Bentzinger, recovering from a fall; Cathie Albers, recovering from hip surgery; Sue DeFosset, recovering from knee surgery; Paul Schultz, in hospice; Sherman Moore + Friends of our congregation: Linda, friend of Roger Lubben, recovering from minor surgery; Karen, extended family member of the Wehmuellers, with cancer; Larry Duncan, extended family of the Wehmuellers, in the hospital with heart issues; Barbara Huggins, recovering at home + Those who are homebound or in nursing facilities: Jules Bush, Frank & Sharon Gaal, Mary Guion, Jane Keathley, Vicki Lucas, Cindy Smith, Shirley Williams
+ Sacrament +
Preface P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give Him thanks and praise. P: It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who at His transfiguration revealed His glory to His disciples that they might be strengthened to proclaim His cross and resurrection and with all the faithful look forward to the glory of life everlasting. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
Sanctus Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow'r and might: Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna, Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Prayer of Thanksgiving P: Blessed are You, O Lord, whose voice rained down from heaven, declaring Jesus Your only Son and bidding all of us to listen to Him. In our frail flesh, wounded by burdensome crosses, known and unknown, make our hearts receptive, our minds keenly focused on Your Words of promise, and our ears opened to hearing divine truths. By Your Holy Spirit, inspire us to treasure the glory of Jesus, transfigured, but also crucified, that we may thoroughly believe by faith the entire redemption narrative. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.
The Words of Our Lord P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Proclamation of Christ P: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. P: O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
Lord’s Prayer 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.
Pax Domini P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: Amen.
Distribution
Distribution Hymn – What a Friend We Have in Jesus (LSB 770)
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Ev’rything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear— All because we do not carry Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged— Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness— Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge— Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer. In His arms He’ll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessing
Post-Communion Collect P: Let us pray. O God the Father, source of divine nourishment, through Your Holy Word, body, and blood, You increase our faith and courage to bear our crosses in the name of Jesus, glorified and crucified. At this Table, You unite us with the myriad of saints who have preceded us. Together, past, present, and future, we are believing heirs of Your eternal promises. We are witnesses of Christ’s life, suffering, death, and resurrection. Prepare us for our eternal glory, where we will reside with You in Jerusalem, our eternal home. C: Amen.
Benediction P: God the Father bless you as chosen sons and daughters—witnesses of Christ’s glory. May the vivid transfiguration of Jesus flood you with light and life. Through His cross, may He grant you endurance and faithfulness in living lives filled with unending grace and mercy. In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
Closing Hymn – Son of God, Eternal Savior (LSB 842)
Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life and truth and grace, Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race, You our Head, who, throned in glory, For Your own will ever plead: Fill us with Your love and pity, Heal our wrongs, and help our need.
As You, Lord, have lived for others, So may we for others live. Freely have Your gifts been granted; Freely may Your servants give. Yours the gold and Yours the silver, Yours the wealth of land and sea; We but stewards of Your bounty Held in solemn trust will be.
Come, O Christ, and reign among us, King of love and Prince of Peace; Hush the storm of strife and passion, Bid its cruel discords cease. By Your patient years of toiling, By Your silent hours of pain, Quench our fevered thirst of pleasure, Stem our selfish greed of gain.
Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life and truth and grace, Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race: By Your praying, by Your willing That Your people should be one, Grant, O grant our hope’s fruition: Here on earth Your will be done.
Postlude
Altar flowers this morning are given by John & Kathy Brugere In memory of their parents, two of whom had March birthdays
+ WORSHIP LEADERS + Preacher – Seminarian Ryan Philpot Liturgist/Celebrant – Pastor Scott Jonas Organist/Pianist – Seth Carruthers Communion – Steve Phelps & Seminary Student Lector – Beth Nicolaus Sound/Video – Paul Barbercheck Ushers – Sandy Barbercheck, Judy George, Ken Clark, Gerry Lucas Greeters – Ken & Jeanne Clark | 
