WORSHIP HELPERS: Reader– Melinda Ewing, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber
Transfiguration of Our Lord Sunday, February 19, 2023
Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today
and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today’s liturgy. This word of
joy will be omitted during the penitential season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter.
PRELUDE
(*) Please stand as you are able
(-) Please be seated
GATHERING
-WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
L Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God, who makes all things new, whose mercy endures forever.
C Amen.
L Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection
L Holy One, source of our renewal,
C we confess that we are wrapped up in sin, and cannot free ourselves. We have not
practiced your righteousness. Our hearts have turned away from you. For the sake of
the world you so love, forgive us, that we may be reconciled to one another for the glory
of your holy name. Amen.
L Thus says our God: “The former things have come to pass and new things I now declare.” God’s
mercy makes us new. We are forgiven in the name of ☩ Christ our Savior.
C Amen.
*GATHERING SONG Light Dawns on a Weary World ELW 726
*GREETING
L The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
C And also with you.
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
C O God, in the transfiguration of your Son you confirmed the mysteries of the faith by
the witness of Moses and Elijah, and in the voice from the bright cloud declaring Jesus
your beloved Son, you foreshadowed our adoption as your children. Make us heirs
with Christ of your glory, and bring us to enjoy its fullness, through Jesus Christ, our
Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen.
WORD
-FIRST READING: Exodus 24:12-18.
L A reading from Exodus
(after the reading)
L Word of God. Word of Life. C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 2
1 Why are the nations |
in an uproar? Why do the peoples mutter |
empty threats?
2 Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt, and the princes |
plot together,
against the Lord and against the | Lord’s anointed?
3 “Let us break their |
yoke,” they say; “let us cast off their |
bonds from us.”
4 God whose throne is in heav-|en is laughing; the Lord holds them |
in derision. R
5 Then in wrath God |speaks to them, and in rage fills |
them with terror.
6 “As for me, I have anoint-|ed my king upon Zion, my |
holy mountain.”
7 Let me announce the decree |of the Lord,
who said to me, “You are my son; this day have I be-|gotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for |
your inheritance and the ends of the earth for |
your possession. R
9 You shall crush them with an |iron rod and shatter them like a |
piece of pottery.”
10 And now, you |kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers |
of the earth.
11 Submit to the | Lord with fear, and with trembling |
bow in worship;
12 lest the Lord be angry, and you perish in a sudden |
blaze of wrath. Happy are all who take ref-|uge in God! R
-SECOND READING: 2 Peter 1:16-21.
L A reading from 2 Peter
(after the reading)
L Word of God. Word of Life. C Thanks be to God.
-LET THE CHILDREN COME (Please pass worship cards to the center aisle)
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia. Lord, to Whom Shall We Go? ELW Pg 188
*GOSPEL: Matthew 17:1-9
L The holy gospel according to Matthew C Glory to you , O Lord.
(after the reading)
L The gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ
-MESSAGE Pastor Megan Morrow 3
*HYMN OF THE DAY Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (vs1-3) ELW 712
*APOSTLES’ CREED ELW pg 235
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
each petition ends with
L Merciful God, C receive our prayer.
*SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE
L The peace of Christ be with you always.
C And also with you. (Please share a sign of God’s peace with one another.)
-Offering Plate Is Brought Forward As We Sing:
-OFFERING SONG We Are an Offering ELW 692
-OFFERTORY PRAYER
L Liberating God, you break the bonds of injustice and let the oppressed go free. Receive these offer
ings in thanksgiving for all your works of merciful power, and shape us as people of your justice and
freedom. You we magnify and adore, through Jesus our Savior,
C Amen
MEAL
*GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOG
*PRAYER & WORDS OF INSTITUTION
*LORD’S PRAYER
L We invite you to join as we pray the prayer our Savior taught us:
C 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.
*HOLY COMMUNION
*COMMUNION HYMNS How Good, Lord, to Be Here! ELW 315
Shine, Jesus, Shine ELW 671
*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
L Holy One, we thank you for the healing that springs forth abundantly from this table. Renew
our strength to do justice, love kindness, and journey humbly with you.
C Amen.
SENDING
*BLESSING
L The God who faithfully brings forth justice and breaks the oppressor’s rod ☩ bless,
strengthen, and uphold you, today and always.
C Amen.
*DISMISSAL
L Go in peace. Follow the way of Jesus.
C Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
ADDITIONAL WORSHIP SCHEDULES
‘ONLINE WORSHIP’ – VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: Alliancestjohns.org
OR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AT: Alliance NE St Johns Lutheran
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF FEBRUARY 26th- Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7, Psalm 32,
Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11.
COMMUNITY TABLE – Monday, February 20th & 27th at 10:30am. Are you able to help
serve? Please contact the church office at 762-1883.
WORSHIP HELPERS – Feb 22-12:15 Reader-Patricia Jones, Lay Assistant-Melinda Ewing,
6:30-Mary Crawford, Lay Assistant-Luayne Weisgerber, February 26– Reader– Kevin Horn, Lay
Assistant– Maurine Roller, March 5-Reader-Patricia Jones, Lay Assistant-Earl Jones.
MINI-REVOLUTION – Join the faith-filled fun by signing up to lead or assist. Sign-up is in the
Fellowship Room on the oak table.
HEAD START BACKPACKS – We are collecting individually packaged items for 31 children
this year! We provide one bag per child each week with ten items in each bag. At times it is hard to find
enough items in the grocery stores to fill this need, so please be on the look out for prepackaged items.
Thank you for all your generous donations!
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY– 1st & 2nd Corinthians; lead by Jody Mischnick @ 9:30 AM.
CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION CLASSES– Please let the church office or
Pastor Megan know ASAP if you have a youth to participate in either class. The information meeting for
Confirmation is scheduled for FEBRUARY 26TH AFTER WORSHIP! First Communion group will
have a workshop APRIL 1ST FROM 9AM-12PM!
“Ashes To Go” station at our carport — Ash Wednesday, February 22nd,11:00am to 3:45pm,
for those who would appreciate a brief ‘ashen cross and a prayer’ provided for everyone who
shows up in their car. Ash Wednesday Worship Services at 12:15pm and 6:30pm,
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 2/12/2023 $16,125.47
Giving thru 2/12/2023 $16,896.00
Giving over actual expenses $770.53
(6 WEEKS BUDGETED EXPENSES $22,895.34)
Giving under budgeted expenses (5,999.34)
Email: stjohnsalliancene@gmail.com or contact@alliancestjohns.org
Contact us: 308-762-1883 Pastor Megan Morrow Cell: 402-580-7222
Pat Runkle, PMA Maurine Roller, PMA
