Epiphany | I Will Let Go (Transfiguration Sunday, February 14, 2021)
Please participate in the following liturgy, reading aloud all the parts in bold italics.
Welcome & Getting to know the Otts
First Movement | Call to Worship
Mark 8:27-35
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ
We Are Not Overcome
Flesh will fail and bones will break
thieves will steal, the earth will shake
Night will fall, the light will fade
The Lord will give and take away
Put no trust in the earth
in the sod you stand upon
Flowers fade into dust
The Lord will make a place for us
Because of His great Love
We are not overcome
Because of His great Love
We are not overcome
Have no fear for your life
Turn your cheek, turn your cheek
Bear the yoke of love and death
The Lord will give all life and breath
Who do you say I am?
Second Movement | Ascent to the Mountaintop
Mark 9:2-8
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.
Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ
Listen to Him!
Nothing I Hold Onto
I lean not on my understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I give it all to You, God
Trusting that You’ll make something beautiful out of me
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
There’s nothing I hold onto
Third Movement | Descent to Death
Follow Him!
Confession: For Love of Jesus, I Will Let Go
The Mystery of Faith, The Great Thanksgiving, The Table
The Lord be with you! And also with you.
Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
On the night he was betrayed, took bread,
and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way he took the cup saying,
“This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.”
Is the Father with us? He is.
Is Christ among us? He is.
Is the Spirit here? He is.
This is our God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We are his people. We are redeemed.
Therefore by taking this bread & drinking this cup,
we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Community Life
Ash Wednesday
This Wednesday (Feb 17) is Ash Wednesday. We’ll engage Ash Wednesday in 2 ways:
- Walk in Prayer & Ashes
- We’ll offer handful of walk-in opportunities for contemplation. You’ll be led through prayer stations, prompts for reflection, and when ready, Jordan will mark you with the ashes and offer you communion.
- We’ll ask you to wear a mask throughout your time inside.
- Online Gathering
- At 8:30pm we’ll gather online only for a special gathering of music, prayer, and guided reflection that will end in Compline prayer.
Spring Gathering Rhythm
- Beginning the 1st Sunday in March (March 7), those comfortable gathering in person will worship in-person/outdoors at Mt. Pisgah’s Upper School Amphitheater.
- We’ll offer a live stream for those who prefer to worship from home.
High School Online Gathering Today
- High Schoolers re-group today at 12:30pm on zoom for the 1st gathering of the Spring season.
- We’ll meet at thepari.sh/zoom
The Cross of Christ
All our problems,
We send to the cross of Christ!
All our difficulties,
We send to the cross of Christ!
All the devil’s works,
We send to the cross of Christ!
And all our hopes,
We set on the Risen Christ!
Blessing & Sending
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
