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Service Outline for February 19
Transfiguration Sunday
In-person or Online Worship
 
We are open for in-person worship in our location at 6025 Stanley Street
and hope to see you there.

 
To participate online, on Sunday morning, just click HERE, and it will take
you directly to the live-stream on our YouTube channel - no account or log-in required.  

You can also watch a recording on  Facebook, available by
Sunday mid-afternoon.
Service Outline for Sunday, February 19, 10:30 AM
 
Below you'll find the service outline. You can also view and print it as a
separate page by clicking
 THIS LINK.
 
 
ORDER OF  WORSHIP
_______________________________________
 
Prelude, "Beautiful Saviour" (V. Kley) by the Handbell Choir

Welcome and Announcements,
     Acknowledgement of the Land
   
Gathering Song:  "Holy Spirit Come To Us" 
             Holy Spirit, come to us, kindle in us the fire of your love.
             Holy Spirit, come to us, Holy Spirit, come to us.
 
Lighting the Candles and Placing the Bible

Opening Hymn,
VU #104:  "We Have Come At Christ's Own Bidding"
          1. We have come at Christ's own bidding
              to this high and holy place,
              where we wait with hope and longing
              for some token of God's grace.
              Here we pray for new assurance
              that our faith is not in vain,
              searching like those first disciples
              for a sign both clear and plain.

          2.
Light breaks in upon our darkness;
              splendour bathes the flesh-joined Word;
              Moses and Elijah marvel
              as the heavenly voice is heard.
              Eyes and hearts behold with wonder
              how the Law and Prophets meet:
              Christ, with garments
              drenched in brightness,
              stands transfigured and complete.

          3.
Strengthened by this glimpse of glory,
               fearful lest our faith decline,
              we like Peter find it tempting
              to remain and build a shrine.
              But true worship gives us courage
              to proclaim what we profess,
              that our daily lives may prove us
              people of the God we bless.

 
The Passing of the Peace
      One: The Peace of Christ be with you all.
      All:    And also with you!

MV #173: "Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands"
            Put peace into each other’s hands
                   and like a treasure hold it,
                 protect it like a candle flame,
                    with tenderness enfold it.


Words of Assurance

Sung Response, MV #59: “Alleluia, Praise to God”
           1.  Alleluia, praise to God.
                Alleluia, praise to God. 
                Praises, high praises,
                we bring you, O God.
                Alleluia, praise to God

          2.  Songs of joy sing out to God.
               Songs of joy sing out to God.
               Dancing and singing, 
               we praise you, O God.
               Songs of joy sing out to God.

          3.  Beat the drums, sing out to God.
               Beat the drums, sing out to God.
               Praises, high praises,
               we bring you, O God.
               Beat the drums, sing out to God.


Opening Prayer

Time With All Ages, Story/Song, VU #585:  "Jesus Bids Us Shine"
          1.  Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light,
               like a little candle burning in the night.
               In this world is darkness, so let us shine,
               you in your small corner, and I in mine.

          2.  Jesus bids us shine first of all for him;
               well he sees and knows it if our light grows dim:
               Jesus walks beside us to help us shine,
               you in your small corner, and I in mine.

          3.  Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around;
               many kinds of darkness in the world are found:
               sin, and want and sorrow; so we must shine,
               you in your small corner, and I in mine.


Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:24-17:8 (Passion prediction, Transfiguration)
     One: Listen to what the Spirit is saying 
     All:   Thanks be to God!


Reflection

Anthem, "Jesus on the Mountain Peak" (Wren/Eggert)
                by the Adult Choir and the Kidz Choir

Responsive Hymn, VU #356: "Seek Ye First the Kingdom" 
          1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and God's righteousness,
              and all these things shall be added unto you.
              Hallelu, hallelujah.
          
         2.  Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you shall find;
              knock and the door shall be opened unto you.
              Hallelu, hallelujah.

          3. We do not live by bread alone,
 but by every word
              that proceeds from the mouth of God.
              Hallelu, hallelujah.

Invitation to the Offering,
              Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
                Praise God, all creatures high and low;
              Give thanks to God in love made known:
                      Creator, Word and Spirit One.


We Bless our Offerings
     Caring One, we find you on mountaintops and in the valley of death.
     We find you in
 community. May others find you in the offering we
     present here today. Amen.

 
Communion Liturgy 

Sung Invitation to Communion, MV#192:
          We come now to your table Lord, you are the Living Bread.
          We come now to your table Lord, let ev’ry soul be fed.
          You are the Living Bread, let ev’ry soul be fed;
          and now may ev’ry soul be fed with Living Bread.

 
One:   The Lord is here.
All:     God's Spirit is with us.
One:   Lift up your hearts!
All:     We lift them to the Lord.
One:   Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All:     It is right to offer thanks and praise.

One:   Holy One, you made us,
            and the world and everything in it.
            All the good we see comes from you.
            You have always loved us
            but people have not always loved you.
            You sent Jesus to show us how to live
            and to bring us back to you again.
            He died for us on the cross
            so that through your Spirit
            we can all be your people.
            And so with thanks we praise you, saying:

All:      Holy, holy, holy
            God of power and might,
            heaven and earth are full of your glory.
            Hosanna in the highest.
            Blessed is the One who comes in God’s name.
            Hosanna in the highest.


One:   We are here because on the night before he died
            Jesus shared a last meal with his friends.
            There he took some bread
            and gave thanks to you, God.
            He broke it into pieces, and gave it to them.‘This is my body,’ he said,
            ‘Do this, and know that I am with you.”
             Later, he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to you.
            he shared it with them, and said
            ‘This is my blood, which brings new life.
            Do this, and know that I am with you.’

            And so, remembering Jesus, who died,
            was raised to new life by you, and is alive forever,
            we are glad to share that life and live in him
            and proclaim the mystery of our faith:

All:      Christ has died,
            Christ is risen,
            Christ will come again.


One:   Send your Holy Spirit
            so that this bread and wine
            can be for us the body and blood of Jesus,
            and through this food
            give us strength to live as your people.
            Help us to care for your world and for each other,
            whether on mountaintops or in valleys death and devastation.
            Until Jesus comes again,
            with all your people in every time and every land
            we worship you in songs of everlasting praise.
All:      Amen!

            SHARING OF THE BREAD AND THE CUP

 Prayer after Communion: 
 All:     Thank you, Lord Jesus, 
            for coming to us once again
            through this simple meal of bread and wine;
            for nourishing our bodies and our souls,
           
and for filling us with hope for the journey.
            Amen. 


Sending Hymn, "Shine, Jesus, Shine"
            1. Lord, the light of your love is shining
                In the midst of the darkness, shining
               Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
               Set us free by the truth you now bring us
               Shine on me, shine on me.

Refrain:  Shine, Jesus, shine
               Fill this land with God’s loving glory
               Blaze, Spirit, blaze
               Set our hearts on fire
               Flow, river, flow
               Flood the nations with grace and mercy
               Send forth your word
               Lord, and let there be light.

          2.  Lord, I come to your awesome presence
               From the shadows into your radiance
               By your grace I may enter your brightness
               Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
               Shine on me, shine on me.  Refrain.

          3.  As we gaze on your kingly brightness

               So our faces display your likeness
               Ever changing from glory to glory
               Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
               Shine on me, shine on me.  Refrain.


Sending and Closing Blessing 
One:  Go with the love of God the Creator,
          the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
          and the friendship of the Holy Spirit
          - today and always.            
All:    Amen!

 
Choral Blessing
           The peace of the earth be with you,
           The peace of the heavens too;
           The peace of the rivers be with you,
           The peace of the oceans too.
           Deep peace falling over you,
           God’s peace growing in you.

 
Quote of the week:

There’s no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have 
to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again 
before we reach the mountaintop of our desires
 

~ Nelson Mandela, South African Anti-Apartheid activist and politician
(1918-2013)
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St. John's United Church · 6025 Stanley Street · Halifax, NS B3K 2G5 · Canada

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