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Welcome to virtual worship at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

The outline of the service is printed in this bulletin. Song numbers refer to the red worship book. Congregation

responses are printed in bold type. We pray that this time of worship will be a blessing to you.

We’re happy you’re here!

Transfiguration of the Lord - February 14, 2021

Fifth Sunday After

GATHERING WELCOME It is good to join our hearts together in worship even though we are physically apart. INVOCATION We begin in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS God, it is so easy to forget you and ignore my dependence on you. Forgive me all my sins, especially when I do not allow you to direct my life. Set me free from my selfishness that I may follow you and experience the real joy of life today. Silence for Reflection and Self Examination Words of Assurance GATHERING SONG Arise Your Light has Come #314

WORD

FIRST READING: 2 Kings 2:1-12 A reading from 2 Kings. 1Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” 4Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.” 6Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8Then Elijah took his mantle

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and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. 9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM 50:1-6 1 The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 A reading from 2 Corinthians. 3Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’

sake. 6For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL: Mark 9:2-9 The holy gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. 2Six 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, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then 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.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus. 9As 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.

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

MESSAGE PASTOR ANN MURPHY

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PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Holy God, our vision is often limited, and we do not see your glory and love for us and the world. Forgive us and open our eyes. Teach us to see through the renewed vision of your love. Amen. HOME BIBLE STUDY

The story of the Transfiguration of Jesus is the closing “book-end” to the season of Epiphany. Just as the season begins with the heavens opening and a voice proclaiming Jesus as God’s Beloved at his baptism, this season of revelation – Epiphany – concludes with a similar divine revelation and the heavenly voice again revealing Jesus as God’s Son, the Beloved. The location of the story is significant. Jesus and three of his disciples go up a high mountain apart, by themselves (vs. 2). In the cosmology of ancient Israel, the mountains stood as pillars holding up the dome of the sky. The mountain was symbolically the place of God’s revelation. Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34). It is the place where God’s voice is heard. As they are on the mountaintop, Jesus is transfigured; his appearance becomes dazzling white. Clearly, the disciples are experiencing a mountaintop moment!

1. Have you ever had a “mountaintop moment?” Describe it. The disciples then see two other figures – Moses and Elijah. Both were expected to return as a sign of the coming Messiah. Both represent the key elements of the Old Testament: Moses, the giver of the Law, the author of the first five books of Scripture; and Elijah, the great prophet taken by a whirlwind into heaven. And here they are, both are talking with Jesus. The law and the prophets are being fulfilled in Jesus. What is a person to do in the midst of such terrifying splendor? Peter had an idea: build three dwellings for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Dear Peter! He always wants to do something. One could almost imagine Peter if he were here today wanting to take a photo of the event to remember it. The writer of Mark is almost apologetic for Peter’s words: “he did not know what to say, for they were terrified” (vs. 6).

2. How do we try to “capture” mountaintop moments? A voice is then heard. The words echo the words spoken at Jesus’ baptism; but there are two differences. The words spoken at the baptism were directed to Jesus: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well-pleased.” (Mark 1:11 NRSV) In contrast, on the mountain of the Transfiguration, the words are spoken to the disciples: “This is my Son, the Beloved” (Mark 9:7 NRSV). And then another phrase is added, “Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7) What are the disciples to do in the presence of Jesus, God’s Beloved? Listen! The verb tense of the word is a present imperative, implying a continuing action: “Keep on listening to him.” It is a word to be heard by disciples of every place and time. Keep on listening to Jesus! The heavenly voice speaks to us now just as it did on the Mount of Transfiguration: “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”

3. What are some ways to listen to Jesus?

Prayer Holy and gracious Lord, help us, in all of life’s moments, to listen to you. Amen.

Adapted from: Daily Discipleship; written by John and Robin McCullough-Bade

Copyright © 2005 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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SONG OF THE DAY How Good, Lord, to be Here! #315

Let us confess our faith

APOSTLE’S CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

SHARING THE PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING During this time, please remember to send your offering in by mail or electronically.

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OFFERING PRAYER Generous God, you have created all that is, and you provide for us in every season. Bless all that we offer, that through these gifts the world will receive your blessing. In the name of Jesus, the Word made flesh. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.

[Prayer list is located on the last page of your bulletin.]

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. We pray as Jesus taught his disciples 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.

SENDING BLESSING God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you;

And the Holy Spirit ☩ keep you in courage and peace Amen. ANNOUNCEMENTS

• If you have announcements to share, please email the office and we will do our best to include them

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SENDING SONG Shine, Jesus, Shine #671

DISMISSAL Go in peace. Shine with Christ’s Light! Thanks be to God.

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Next Sunday Readings Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15

Arise Your Light Has Come Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947, Music: William H. Walter, 1825-1893, Text © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc.

All Rights reserved. Reprinted under One License #A-725164

How Good, Lord, To Be Here Text: Joseph A. Robinson, 1858-1933, alt. Music: W. Mercer, The Church Psalter and Hymn Book, 1854

All Rights reserved. Reprinted under One License #A-725164

Shine, Jesus Shine Text: Graham Kendrick, b.1950; tr. by Luis Alfredo Díaz and Lori Black Mathis Tune: SHINE, 9 9 10 10 33 with refrain; Graham Kendrick, b.1950,

arr. by Tom Fettke © 1988, 1989, Make Way Music, admin. Music Services. All Rights reserved. Reprinted under One License #A-725164

Liturgy and certain service music reprinted with permission from sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Permission to Podcast/Stream granted by One License #A-725164

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In Our Prayers We especially pray for: For healing: Esther Klettke; Kerry Tillman (Jan Berg); Mark Wanke, Jerry Boyd (June Norris); Betty Wallschlaeger; Rick Hager (Jan Berg); Tom Kuster, Bethany and family (Erik Lampi); Norma Watson (Billie Watson); Debra Dinkelmann; Brian Norris (June

Norris); Kyle Zeigler; Naomi Serles (Gary & Sherry Joski); Harriet Grimstead; Helen Gorden (Leah Bustamante); Colleen MacLennan (Judy Schock); Heather Ivarsen (Russ & Sue Ivarsen); Kevin Davis (Roberta Davis); Rick Frerks.

Dealing with chronic illness: Marilyn Banks (Kathy Plummer); Lois Bailey.

For the Homebound or in a long-term facility: Clara Heagy.

Our Prayer List: The prayer list will be refreshed at the start of each month. If you would like a person listed, please notify the

office any time during the month. Public prayers require the consent of the person prayed for.

Check us out @ holytrinitylutheranchurchephrata.weebly.com