Transfiguration of Our Lord February 14, 2021

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

*Opening Hymn: “Arise, Your Light Has Come!” (ELW 314)

The Triune God’s mission in the world is to bring faith, peace, healing, and salvation to all of God’s

people; and God’s mission has this church, First Lutheran—Pine River.

Welcome to First Lutheran Church 309 Second Street North, PO Box 21, Pine River, MN 56474

Church Office: 587-2316

www.1stluth.org

Pastor Jacob Burkman

*Confession and Forgiveness

The assembly stands. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding

minister begins.

Pastor: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, whose voice is upon the waters, whose mercy is

poured out upon all people, whose goodness cascades over all creation.

People: Amen.

Pastor: Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God.

The assembly kneels or stands. Silence is kept for reflection. The following confession is prayed.

Pastor: Holy God,

People: You search us and know us. You are acquainted with all our ways. We confess that

our hearts are burdened by sin – our own sins and the broken systems that bind us.

We turn inward, failing to follow your outward way of love. We distrust those who

are not like us. We exploit the earth and its resources and fail to consider

generations to come. Forgive us, gracious God, for all we have done and left undone.

Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them; receive them in your

divine mercy. Amen.

The presiding minister announces God's forgiveness with these words:

Pastor: How vast is God’s grace! Through the power and promise of + Christ Jesus, our sins are

washed away, and we are claimed as God’s own beloved. Indeed, we are forgiven. In the

wake of God’s forgiveness, we are called to be the beloved community living out Christ’s

justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace.

People: Amen.

*Greeting

Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be

with you all.

People: And also with you.

*Prayer of the Day:

Pastor: Let us pray.

All: Almighty God, the resplendent light of your truth shines from the mountaintop into our

hearts. Transfigure us by your beloved Son, and illumine the world with your image,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and forever.

First Reading: II Kings 2:1-12 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 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.

Psalm 50:1-6

A Psalm of Asaph. 1The mighty one, God the LORD,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God shines forth.

3Our God comes and does not keep silence,

before him is a devouring fire,

and a mighty tempest all around him. 4He 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!’ 6The heavens declare his righteousness,

for God himself is judge.

Selah

Second Reading: II Corinthians 4:3-6 3And even 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.

*Gospel Announcement

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to Mark.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

*Gospel: Mark 9:2-9 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.

Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Rev. Jacob Burkman

Those who wish to have a family conversation in lieu of the Children’s Sermon (which is

suspended temporarily due to space and time concerns) can find conversation prompts on Pastor

Jacob’s sermon manuscript on the church’s website.

Song of the Day: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” (ELW 671)

*Statement of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again 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.

*Prayers of Intercession:

Pastor: Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the

world, and all people in need.

A brief silence.

Pastor: For the gospel proclaimed in word and deed, for communities of faith far and near, and for all

who show the face of Christ throughout the world, let us pray.

People: Have mercy, O God.

Pastor: For creation: sun, moon, and stars; life forming in the dark earth and ocean deep; mountains,

clouds and storms, and creatures seen and unseen, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our

stewardship of God’s creation, let us pray.

People: Have mercy, O God.

Pastor: For those responsible for safety and protection: for emergency responders and security

guards, attorneys and advocates, civil servants and leaders of governments, that they witness

to mercy and justice throughout the world, let us pray.

People: Have mercy, O God.

Pastor: For all who suffer this day, that Christ our healer transform sickness into health, loneliness

into companionship, bereavement into consolation, and suffering into peace, let us pray.

People: Have mercy, O God.

Pastor: For companions on life’s journey in this worshiping community, for loved ones who cannot

be with us this day, and for guidance during struggles we face, that God’s glory is revealed

around and among us, let us pray.

People: Have mercy, O God.

Pastor: In thanksgiving for the faithful departed who now rest from their earthly pilgrimage, that their

lives of service and prayer inspire us in our living, let us pray.

People: Have mercy, O God.

Pastor: 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.

People: Amen.

Installation of Council

Pastor: We give thanks for these people who are continuing in their service on council. I would invite

those people to please stand.

President: Kaye Schroeder Adult Education: Delphine Howard

Vice President: Erik Lindquist Missions: Mary Krecklau

Stewardship: Shirley Schmidt Youth: Jennifer Middendorf

Finance: Sandy Gilbertson Worship & Music: Anne Holm

Children’s Ministry: Kyann Shamp Secretary: Jan Brasel

Council members who are newly elected are invited to stand:

Pastor: We give thanks for these people who have answered the call to serve on the congregation council

and have been elected or appointed to those positions in which they will serve. I would invite them

to please come forward:

Property: Jamie Coventry

Council members who are leaving their positions on council are invited to stand:

Pastor: We give thanks for the service that these people have given to this congregation in the time that

they have served on council. I invite them to stand to be recognized.

Property: Bill Schroeder

Pastor: In Holy Baptism our Lord Jesus Christ liberated you from sin and death and made you members of

his church. Through Word and Sacrament you have been nurtured in faith.

St. Paul writes: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There

are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform

service, but the same God gives to everyone ability for particular service. The Spirit’s presence is

shown in some way in each person, for the good of all.

You have been elected to positions of leadership and trust in this congregation. You are to see that

the words and deeds of this household of faith reflect God, in whose name we gather. You are to

work together with other members to see that the worship and work of Christ are done in this

congregation, and that God’s will is done in this community and in the whole world. You are to be

diligent in your specific area of serving, that the one Lord who empowers you is glorified. You are

to be examples of faith active in love, to help maintain the life and harmony of this congregation.

On behalf of your sisters and brothers in Christ, I ask you: Are you ready to accept and faithfully to

carry out the duties of the offices to which you have been elected—if so, answer, “Yes, by the help

of God.”

2021 Council Members: Yes, by the help of God.

Congregation stands.

Pastor: People of God, I ask you: Will you support these, your elected leaders, and will you share in the

mutual ministry that Christ has given to all who are baptized? If so, answer, “Yes, by the help of

God.”

People: Yes, by the help of God.

Pastor: I now declare you to be installed as officers and council members of this congregation. May God

bless you with the Holy Spirit, that you may prove faithful servants of Christ.

People: Amen.

*Offertory Prayer

All: O God, receive these gifts as you receive us; like a mother receives her child, with arms

open wide. Nourish us anew in your tender care, and empower us in faithful service to

tend to others with this same love, through Jesus Christ, our saving grace. Amen.

*Words of Institution

*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;

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.

*Blessing:

Pastor: God the creator strengthen you;

Jesus the beloved fill you;

and the Holy Spirit the comforter + keep you in peace.

People: Amen.

*Dismissal:

Pastor: Go in peace. Be the light of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God.

† Communion †

All who believe in the death and resurrection as given in this bread and wine are welcome to the table today.

Please follow usher’s instructions for dismissal and communion.

Communion will be distributed as you are leaving. Please follow the blue arrows and X’s toward the door

you entered, maintaining physical distance.

The elements are in combined, sealed packaging. Remove the outer cellophane to access the wafer (not

gluten free) and the inner seal for the grape juice. If you are gluten free, remember that Lutheran tradition

teaches that Christ is fully present in each element.

Please dispose of the cup in the wastebasket provided as you exit or take it with you.

Closing Hymn Worship Team

Postlude

Liturgies from Evangelical Worship copyright @2006

All rights reserved. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress under License: #SBL14848

Hymns are printed and streamed online by permission of OneLicense.net, #A-715536

Greeters:

Reader:

Acolytes:

Communion Server:

Music: Delphine Howard; Worship Team

Video: Denice Smith

Sound:

Head Usher: Matt Shamp

Altar Guild: Jan Brasel; Leigh Metcalf

Counter: Holly Knutson

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

Announcements

**UPDATE**

Beginning January 31, First Lutheran resumed some in-person activities at the church, while some activities

will continue via Zoom. These will be noted in the “Week Ahead” section of the bulletin.

We will also record the worship service, and it will be available online

Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. Thank you!

Singing & Responses – You are asked to please not sing the hymns, but to silently meditate on them as the

Worship Team sings. You may quietly whisper the congregational spoken responses.

Worship Volunteers -- As we begin to gather once again for worship, volunteers will be needed (and

welcomed!) to help things go smoothly. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex, or you can call the office

at 587-2316 to sign up. Thank you!

THE BULLETIN is online on First Lutheran’s website and is available for reading, downloading, and printing

so you are able to follow along and participate with the worship service as the video plays.

Bulletins can be sponsored for $25.00 per week. The sign-up sheet is on the Called to Serve bulletin board

in the Narthex, or you can call the office at 587-2316 to sign up.

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION is OPEN: It’s never too early to think about Summer Camp!

This coming summer we will be soaking in God’s WILD GRACE as we gather around the campfire at Camp

Hiawatha and Camp Vermilion. With new COVID protocols in place, all of the usual summer camp

programs are scheduled, but capacity will be reduced which means space is limited – Sign up today!

You can register at http://www.VLMcamps.org or by calling the camp office at 800-331-5148.

EarlyEarly Bird registration and discount till February 15. Early Bird discounts are available till April 1.

First Lutheran Church will pay camp costs after the deposit. (If deposit is a challenge, contact Denice

Smith at 218-820-4522.) Transportation to and from camp is the responsibility of the camper’s family.

Carpooling has been a yearly tradition. Camp registration information is available online or on the

Youth bulletin board.

Synod Assembly voting member (male) needed. Have you ever thought of attending the Synod Assembly

but haven’t been able to because of schedule or housing? This year may be your opportunity! Assembly

will be over Zoom on Friday, April 30 (evening), and May 1 (day). See Pastor Jacob or Kaye Schroeder

if you’re interested.

A Pop-Up Food Pantry for any in need will be taking place at the Cass County Fairgrounds here in Pine

River on Wednesday, February 17, at 11:30 a.m. Thank you! to Second Harvest of Grand Rapids!

First Lutheran Youth are still collecting aluminum cans. Donated cans are collected in the church garage.

Please leave donations by the garage door. The sale of these cans helps fund Youth activities.

Youth Mission Trip: Any youth, Grades 7 – 12, who is interested in going on a Summer 2021 Mission

Trip, talk to Pastor Jacob and help him gauge if there is interest in organizing a trip for this summer.

The First Lutheran Church Prayer Chain continues its ministry of prayer for others. There is a telephone

chain and an email chain. If you would like to join or leave the prayer chain, please contact Denice Smith,

218-820-422. If you have a prayer request, contact the church office at 218-587-2316.

BIBLE STUDIES are being done online via Zoom. Go to www.zoom.us and select the blue "Join a

Meeting” link at the top center of your screen. (You won't need to create an account.)

Just type in the Meeting ID number and click the blue “Join” button.

-- Sunday mornings, 10:00 – The Meeting ID is 896-8376-0688. Password is 315495.

-- Wednesday mornings, 10:00 – The Meeting ID is 827-0687-7616. Password is 723263.

Community Events

Gustavus Adolphus College is offering a leadership development resource called STEP UP. It is offered

for youth who are in grades 9, 10, or 11. It is a three-part series held via Zoom that introduces youth to

college-level concepts of leadership and offers practical tips for developing a stronger personal plan to grow

as a leader. The series is three active seminars for which participants receive a certificate of completion and

become eligible for a scholarship for Gustavus Adolphus. Seminars are 3:00-4:30 on March 7, 14, and 21.

Cost is $40. Register by March 1 at https://gustavus.edu/churchrelations/stepup/ or call 507-933-701.

Back to Basics is the premier sustainable living event of north-central Minnesota. This year, B2B is going

virtual from February 20 – 28. Register at https://www.happydancingturtle.org/copy-of-back-to-basics-

workshop-par for $30 and have access to over 30 YouTube presentations about raising poultry, beekeeping,

gardening, hydroponics, Dutch oven cooking, native vegetation, planning a Boundary Waters trip, making

your own cleaning products, and many more subjects.

Energy Assistance: The Energy Assistance Program serving Beltrami and Cass Counties, BI-CAP,

is preparing for the 2021 heating season. They are reaching out in an effort to share information about our

program and inform households that may need help with their home heating/electric costs. Please see the

Social Ministry bulletin board for more details or go to www.bicap.org/projects/assistance

The Week Ahead

Sunday, February 14, 2021 Transfiguration of Our Lord

Worship Service (in-person) 9:00 AM

Adult Bible Study (in-person & Zoom) 10:00 AM

If you do not wish to attend the Worship Service in person, you will still be able to listen to the sermon or

watch video of the service online. You can also read a transcript of Pastor Burkman’s sermon on the First

Lutheran website. Links will be on First Lutheran’s website and on our Facebook page by Monday

morning.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Text Study (via Zoom) 10:00 AM

Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 PM

Sunday, February 21, 2021 1st Sunday in Lent

Worship Service (in-person) 9:00 AM

Adult Bible Study (in-person & Zoom) 10:00 AM

If you do not wish to attend the Worship Service in person, you will still be able to listen to the sermon or

watch video of the service online. You can also read a transcript of Pastor Burkman’s sermon on the First

Lutheran website. Links will be on First Lutheran’s website and on our Facebook page by Monday

morning.

For those who choose to attend in-person worship:

• If you are symptomatic, please stay home and participate in online worship.

(Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea)

• Wearing a mask is required.

• Use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the building.

• Do not congregate in the narthex, hallways, or bathroom.

• Do not go upstairs or downstairs. These areas are not open. There will not be

fellowship time, nor will any food or coffee be served until further notice.

• As you enter, proceed directly to ushers who will seat you in the sanctuary.

Be aware of others and proper spacing.

• Communion will take place at the end of worship. You will be dismissed

by an usher.

Our online worship will be a recording of the in-person worship service. By coming to

in-person worship you are giving consent to be included in the recorded version to be

posted on our website, YouTube, and Facebook.

If you prefer not to be recorded, please request to sit toward the back of the church.