February 19, 2023
TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

INTRODUCTION
Today's festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain Jesus is revealed as God's beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today's liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
who makes all things new,
whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.

Trusting in God's mercy, let us confess our sin.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy One, source of our renewal,
we confess that we are wrapped up in sin,
and cannot free ourselves.
We have not practiced your righteousness.
Our hearts have turned away from you.
For the sake of the world you so love,
forgive us,
that we may be reconciled to one another
for the glory of your holy name.
Amen.

Thus says our God:
"The former things have come to pass
and new things I now declare."
God's mercy makes us new.
We are forgiven in the name of + Christ our Savior.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God, in the transfiguration of your Son you confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the witness of Moses and Elijah, and in the voice from the bright cloud declaring Jesus your beloved Son, you foreshadowed our adoption as your children. Make us heirs with Christ of your glory, and bring us to enjoy its fullness, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. This is my | Son, my Chosen,* lis- | ten to him! Alleluia. (Luke 9:35)

READINGS AND PSALM
Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2
You are my son; this day have I begotten you. (Ps. 2:7)
Psalm 99 (Alternate)
Proclaim the greatness of the LORD; worship upon God's holy hill. (Ps. 99:9)
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

FIRST READING: Exodus 24:12-18
At Mount Sinai, Moses experienced the presence of God for forty days and forty nights. The "glory of the Lord" settled on the mountain, and on the seventh day God called out to Moses. On the mountain God gave Moses the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments.

12The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction." 13So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them." 15Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

PSALM: Psalm 2
You are my son; this day have I begotten you. (Ps. 2:7)

1Why are the nations | in an uproar?
	Why do the peoples mutter | empty threats?
2Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt,
and the princes | plot together,
	against the LORD and against the | LORD's anointed?
3"Let us break their | yoke," they say;
	"let us cast off their | bonds from us."
4God whose throne is in heav- | en is laughing;
	the LORD holds them | in derision.   R
5Then in wrath God | speaks to them,
	and in rage fills | them with terror.
6"As for me, I have anoint- | ed my king
	upon Zion, my | holy mountain."
7Let me announce the decree | of the LORD,
	who said to me, "You are my son; this day have I be- | gotten you.
8Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for | your inheritance
	and the ends of the earth for | your possession.   R
9You shall crush them with an | iron rod
	and shatter them like a | piece of pottery."
10And now, you | kings, be wise;
	be warned, you rulers | of the earth.
11Submit to the | LORD with fear,
	and with trembling | bow in worship;
12lest the LORD be angry, and you perish in a sudden | blaze of wrath.
	Happy are all who take ref- | uge in God!   R

PSALM (ALTERNATE): Psalm 99
Proclaim the greatness of the LORD; worship upon God's holy hill. (Ps. 99:9)

1The LORD is king; let the | people tremble.
	The LORD is enthroned upon the cherubim; let | the earth shake.
2The LORD, | great in Zion,
	is high a- | bove all peoples.
3Let them confess God's name, which is | great and awesome;
	God is the | Holy One.
4O mighty king, lover of justice, you have es- | tablished equity;
	you have executed justice and righteous- | ness in Jacob.   R
5Proclaim the greatness of the LORD
and fall down be- | fore God's footstool;
	God is the | Holy One.
6Moses and Aaron among your priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon your | name, O LORD,
	they called upon you, and you | answered them,
7you spoke to them out of the pil- | lar of cloud;
	they kept your testimonies and the decree | that you gave them.
8O LORD our God, you answered | them indeed;
	you were a God who forgave them,
	yet punished them for their | evil deeds.
9Proclaim the greatness of the LORD and worship upon God's | holy hill;
	for the LORD our God is the | Holy One.   R

SECOND READING: 2 Peter 1:16-21
At the transfiguration, God's voice was heard declaring Jesus to be the beloved Son. By the activity of Holy Spirit, God's voice continues to be heard through the word of scripture.

16We 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. 17For 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." 18We 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. 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

GOSPEL: Matthew 17:1-9
Shortly before he enters Jerusalem, where he will be crucified, Jesus is revealed to Peter, James, and John in a mountaintop experience of divine glory called the transfiguration.

1Jesus 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. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then 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." 5While 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!" 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As 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."

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.
Called together to follow Jesus, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
Embolden your church as it witnesses to the majesty and mercy of your Son. Equip lay preachers, deacons, and pastors. Move us to share our stories of your faithfulness and forgiveness; may our lives proclaim your greatness. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Dwell with your whole creation, from the tallest mountain peak to the deepest valley. Bless the work of conservation organizations and protect vital habitats (locally threatened waters or lands may be named). Support the work of disaster relief agencies around the world. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Guide and give wisdom to all in authority: our mayor (name) and local leaders, our governor (name) and state legislators, our president (name) and national legislators. Bring freedom and justice to all nations. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Give shelter to those lacking safe homes. Spur communities to work for fair housing for all. Protect our neighbors whose dwellings do not keep out dangerous cold or heat; accompany with your touch those who are homebound, sick, or isolated (especially). Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Make us eager to receive your Word in scripture. Help us recognize Jesus' voice in the needs of our neighbors; make us confident to follow the way of the cross. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Receive our thanksgiving for the holy ones who have guided us in faithfulness and gathered even the unlikely as your people. With our forebears in faith and all who have hoped in you, teach us to wait with courage until the promised day dawns. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
We bring to you our needs and hopes, O God, trusting your wisdom and power revealed in Christ crucified.
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
Liberating God,
you break the bonds of injustice
and let the oppressed go free.
Receive these offerings in thanksgiving
for all your works of merciful power,
and shape us as people of your justice and freedom.
You we magnify and adore, through Jesus our Savior,
Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come and taste the joy of God!

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Holy One,
we thank you for the healing
that springs forth abundantly from this table.
Renew our strength to do justice,
love kindness,
and journey humbly with you.
Amen.

BLESSING
The God who faithfully brings forth justice
and breaks the oppressor's rod
+ bless, strengthen, and uphold you,
today and always.
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Follow the way of Jesus.
Thanks be to God.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Scripture quotations (except psalms) from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.