VERSION: 9 April 2002
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD, YEAR C
In 2004: 22 Feb
In 2007: 18 Feb
In 2010: 14 Feb
In 2013: 10 Feb
In 2016: 7 Feb
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Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Epiphany season and time after' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
LITURGY
SENTENCE
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.
Now the Lord is the Spirit,
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
(2 Cor 3:17 NRSV)
OR
Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness,
so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NRSV)
OR, use the standard Epiphany Sentence in the document 'Epiphany season and time after', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
LORD, HAVE MERCY
The following variation of the 'Lord, have mercy' may be used.
Lord Jesus Christ, God's beloved Son, hear our prayer and save us.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, God's chosen one, hear our prayer and save us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, God's anointed one, hear our prayer and give us peace.
Lord, have mercy.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Traditional
Lord God, heavenly Father,
as you glorified your Son from the heavens:
Give us grace to receive in faith
this revelation of his glory
and willingly to follow him,
that through his suffering and death
we may come to the glory of the resurrection;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, modernised traditional
Lord God, heavenly Father,
you glorified your Son from the heavens.
Give us faith to perceive his glory
and willingly follow him.
Bring us, through his suffering and death,
to the glory of the resurrection.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, new (revised alternative)
(Let us pray that we become like Christ. [silence])
Almighty and loving God,
we thank you for revealing your Son Jesus in glory
before he suffered and died.
Give us faith to recognise him
as your dear Son,
and strengthen us to suffer with him,
until we come to share his glory.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING
Exodus 34:29-35 The shining face of Moses
PSALM
Psalm 99
Antiphon:
The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
(Ps 99:2 NRSV)
SECOND READING
2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2 We reflect the glory of the Lord
(In verse 12, the words 'of glory that lasts forever' could be inserted after 'hope' to make clear the context of what Paul is saying.)
ALLELUIA VERSE (Luke 9:35 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
From the cloud came a voice that said,
'This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!'
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 9:28-36 (37-43) The transfiguration of Jesus
(Begin: 'Jesus took . . . ')
The words ‘Light of the world’ could be added to the gospel acclamations, giving:
Glory to you, O Lord, Light of the world.
Praise to you, O Christ, Light of the world.
PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ (, Light of the world).
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ,
for revealing your glory as God's Son.
Lead us to follow you in faith.
Amen.
OFFERING PRAYER
Great and glorious God,
thank you for revealing your Son,
and for showing the light of his glory.
Let us always reflect his glory.
And as Jesus was willing to die for us,
may we give of ourselves to others.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the beloved Son of God, the chosen one. So, let us pray in his name with boldness, knowing that the Father will hear us for his Son's sake.
The regular response, OR:
Lord, it is good for us to be here.
Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus.
Suggested intercessions
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that the church would see Christ where he is present
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that the church may show Christ to all who have no faith
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that Christ would reveal his gracious presence to all who suffer
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that in all the distractions of life we would set our sights on Jesus only.
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Concluding prayer
Lord God, hear the prayers we offer, and let your grace and mercy flow to us, and to all those for whom we pray. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SEASONAL PREFACE
It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You have sent your only Son
to appear among us as a human being,
and through him
you have fully revealed
the light of your presence to us.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:
COMMUNION INVITATION
The following invitation may be used before communion.
The Word became flesh and lived among us,
and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
See the seasonal notes for Epiphany for a post-communion prayer. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.
Almighty and loving God,
we thank you for revealing your Son Jesus in glory
before he suffered and died.
Give us faith to recognise his presence with us
in this sacrament,
and strengthen us to suffer with him,
until we come to share his glory.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
BLESSING
The following Epiphany seasonal blessing may be used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.
God the Father
show you the light of his glory
in the face of his Son,
so that you may be a light to the world . . .
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. May you reflect the glory of the Lord.
Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.
HYMNS AND SONGS
FOR THE READINGS
Please note: * = Modernised version available
G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .
GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading: Exodus 34:29-35
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Second reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2
LHS
124
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O Holy Spirit, enter Thou* G3
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164
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Love divine, all loves excelling G3
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358
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Renew me, O eternal light* G3
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500
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Blessed Jesus, at Thy word* G5
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505
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Father, who the light this day G4
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805
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We are heirs with the Father GS
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822
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God has spoken by his prophets G6
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842
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Praise the Lord, rise up rejoicing G3
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AT
264
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Spirit of God, you're with me
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TIS
115
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Behold the amazing gift of love
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143
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Immortal, invisible, God only wise
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158
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God has spoken by his prophets
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217
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Love divine, all loves excelling
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305
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Let earth and heaven combine
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400
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O Holy Spirit, enter in
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421
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Where the Spirit is, there's freedom
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437
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Blessed Jesus, at your word
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475
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If we have died to ourselves in Jesus (vv 1-4)
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500
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Here we adore you, hidden Saviour, Lord
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575
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O Jesus, Saviour, grow in me
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718
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Glory to the King of kings
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Gospel: Luke 9:28-36(37-43)
LHS
37
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O wondrous type, O vision fair* G7
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39
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O Christ, Thou Lord eternal* G7
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41
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O Jesus, King of glory* G4
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43
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Gentiles, rise to greet the morning G7
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147
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O Morning Star, so bright and fair* G3
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152
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Fairest Lord Jesus G7
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181
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Abide, O dearest Jesus* G5
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185
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Sun of righteousness divine* G3
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217
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O Christ, our true and only light* G5
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222
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Thou whose almighty word G6
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527
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Dayspring of eternity
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528
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Christ, whose glory fills the skies G5
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747
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How good, Lord, to be here G7
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889
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Each morning with its newborn light
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AT
TIS
199
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Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star
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212
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Christ, whose glory fills the skies
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234
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How good, Lord, to be here
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243
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Christ upon the mountain peak
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447
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Lord, your almighty word
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551
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O stay with us, Lord Jesus
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HYMN OF ADORATION
Instead of 'Glory to God in the highest' or another hymn of adoration, the song 'Hymn of glory' (All Together Again 163) may be used.
PSALM 99
For musical settings of Psalm 99, see Music Packages 1, 3 and 7. TIS 58, The Lord reigns, is a version of Psalm 99:1-7,9.
The following metrical paraphrase of Psalm 99 by David Sch¸tz could be used on this day. It is sung to the tune of the song 'God is so good', ATN 54. If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
The Lord is King! Fear and tremble!
He is enthroned in his temple!
Let the earth shake in the fear of God.
The Lord is great in his city!
He is above all the nations!
Let them all praise his great awesome name.
Holy is he - loving justice!
Our mighty King - giving fairness!
He acts with justice and righteousness.
All praise the Lord! Alleluia!
Worship his name! He is holy!
Come, bow before the Lord God, our King!
His priests are Aaron and Moses,
Samuel himself called on his name.
They cried to God, and he answered them.
They heard his voice speaking to them;
they kept the laws that he gave them;
he spoke to them from the fire and cloud.
O Lord our God, when you answered
you were forgiving toward them,
but you avenged all the wrong they did.
Extol the Lord - he is our God;
bow down on his holy mountain;
for the Lord God is the Holy One.
OFFERTORY
Consider using the following hymn verses for the offertory. The entire song may be used for the offering hymn.
LHS 747, verses 1, 5
How good, Lord, to be here!
Your glory fills the night;
your face and garments, like the sun,
shine with unborrowed light.
How good, Lord, to be here!
Yet we may not remain;
but since you bid us leave the mount,
come with us to the plain.
LHS 358, verses 1, 3, 4, modernised
Renew me, O eternal Light,
and let my heart and soul be bright,
illumined with the light of grace
that shines out from your holy face.
Create in me a new heart, Lord,
that gladly I obey your word,
and only what you will, desire:
with such new life my soul inspire.
Lord, grant that you alone I love,
and seek those things that are above,
until I see you face to face,
O Light eternal, through your grace.
POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE
The hymn verses listed under 'Offertory' above may be used as a post-communion canticle instead.
AN IONA SONG
The song, 'Jesus is Lord', by John L Bell & Graham Maule, may be appropriate for today. It is found in Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1 Heaven Shall Not Wait, page 120.
NOTES ON THE READINGS
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
EXODUS 34:29-35: God's dealings with Moses on Mount Sinai revealed a dispensation and revelation of his will previously unknown among his people. Stipulations and conditions for Israel's future covenant relationship with the Lord were involved. When Moses descended from the mountain his face still reflected his concourse with God, but also the importance of the occasion for God's people. When he addressed the people with the word of the Lord, he permitted this radiance to be seen. When normal human contact was needed he veiled his face in deference to the fear of the people. The apostle Paul draws some comparisons from this narrative in today's second reading.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:12 - 4:2: Paul mentions that the people of Israel could not cope with the reflected glory of the Lord shining from Moses' face. Their fear came from their natural disposition towards sin. Paul says that the same resistance to the Lord's approaches through his word still showed out among Jews, as if their hearts were veiled. For anyone who has come to know Christ as Saviour, this resistance is overcome in their new-found freedom from the law, sin and death, which is by the work of the Spirit. With the veil withdrawn, Christians, though seeing God's glory imperfectly, grow progressively into the restored image of God until their final glorification. That is why Paul says that he does not grow discouraged, despite his human limitations, as he proclaims the word of God. It is the clear and plain word of God, not Paul himself, which reaches into human consciences.
LUKE 9:28-36: This reading stresses the importance of Jesus' divine person and mission in the light of his coming suffering and death in the Father's plans through: 1. the change in Jesus' physical appearance from the earthly to the heavenly; 2. the heavenly visitors, whose interest lay in Jesus' departure (Greek: exodus); 3. the presence of the cloud, which in the Old Testament was a visible sign of God's own presence; and 4. the voice of the Father attesting Jesus' absolute authority, not in spite of his coming death and resurrection, but because of it. The transfiguration has served the Christian church as further demonstration of our Lord's divine nature.
VISUAL
VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings.
COLOUR
The colour for Transfiguration is white, which may also be used in decorations, such as with flowers.
SYMBOLS
Symbols for the transfiguration include:
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a mountain top, with a cloud above it and rays of light shining down - eg see the illustration in the TEV Bible for Exodus 19:19
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the two tablets of the covenant
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Jesus in glory - a stylised white-robed figure with a halo around the head and an oval-shaped aureole of small flames around the whole figure.
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ICONS
The Transfiguration has been a popular scene in iconography. An icon (or other painting) of the Transfiguration may be displayed prominently on this day.
DRAMA
'MEGA DRAMA'
See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.
DRAMATISING THE READINGS
The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the gospel could be read by three (or five) readers: narrator (the pastor), Peter, voice from the cloud (and, if reading verses 37-43, also: man from crowd, Jesus).
CHILDREN
HALOS
As part of a talk with the children, they could make or be given cardboard or paper halos to wear, and be told what they mean (show them a picture of Jesus with a halo).
'COME AND SEE JESUS'
The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.
This week's story is: 'Moses' shining face (Exod 34:29–35)' (new story, to be found in the RCL edition, Transfiguration, year C).
OTHER
ENROLMENTS FOR BAPTISM/CONFIRMATION
See the documents 'Enrolment of an adult baptismal candidate' and 'Enrolment of confirmation candidates' in the 'Rites and services' folder. Candidates may be enrolled on Transfiguration Sunday or on Ash Wednesday.
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