Sunday, March 6, 2011
Transfiguration of Our Lord

Prayer of the Day (ELW)

Let us pray.  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.

Gospel Acclamation (ELW)

Alleluia. This is my | Son, my Chosen,*
	lis- | ten to him! Alleluia. (Luke 9:35)

Verse (LBW)

Alleluia. You are the fairest of men; grace flows from your lips. Alleluia. (Ps. 45:2)

Readings

Exodus 24:12–18
Psalm 2
2 Peter 1:16–21
Saint Matthew 17:1–9

First Reading: Exodus 24:12–18

12The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction."  13So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.  14To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them."
	 15Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.  16The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud.  17Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.  18Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Psalm (ELW): Psalm 2

You are my son; this day have I begotten you. (Ps. 2:7)

1Why are the nations | in an uproar?
	Why do the peoples mutter | empty threats?
2Why 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."
4God whose throne is in heav- | en is laughing;
	the LORD holds them | in derision.   R
5Then 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."
7Let me announce the decree | of the LORD,
	who said to me, "You are my son; this day have I be- | gotten you.
8Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for | your inheritance
	and the ends of the earth for | your possession.   R
9You shall crush them with an | iron rod
	and shatter them like a | piece of pottery."
10And now, you | kings, be wise;
	be warned, you rulers | of the earth.
11Submit to the | LORD with fear,
	and with trembling | bow in worship;
12lest 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

16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.  17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."  18We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
	 19So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.  20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,  21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Gospel: Matthew 17:1–9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.  2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.  3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.  4Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."  5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"  6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.  7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."  8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
	 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

030611 Prayers of THE PEOPLE

Let us pray.

A brief silence.

Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in Jesus Christ.  Transform us into the likeness of the love of Christ and renew the Church, the city and the world.

Creative God, challenge your church, to be an instrument of transformation in the world, that your timeless gospel might be proclaimed to all with freshness and vitality.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the churches and peoples of Myanmar and Thailand.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For the faith communities of this city, for the Lutheran communion in New York and throughout the world, and especially for our partners in mission in Bukoba and Ramallah. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For Mark our presiding bishop, Robert, our bishop and for our synod staff; for Benedict and Timothy, Bartholomew and Demetrios, Rowan, Katherine, Mark and all who lead the church.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For peace in all its fullness.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Uniting God, bind together the nations of the earth that they join together in their care for creation. May clean air and healthful water be made available for all.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Give balance and perspective to your people, sovereign God, that we may enjoy the good gifts of this world while working for justice and peace.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For all who live, serve or work in harms’ way, especially — . Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Nurturing God, grant hope to those who are troubled, that all who are despondent, anxious, or lonely might find strength for their trials. ____ (silence) Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Amazing God, show your transfiguring power through us and through our partnership ministries on behalf of the homeless and hungry, those living with HIV/AIDS, the elderly and  thorugh all our ministries that, in the midst of conflicts and stresses, your message of love may prevail.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

For every victim of war, and particularly for those known who have died this week:,
Those unreported and all who mourn. (silence) Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God our companion, as we continue the journey of life, remind us that you are present wherever our paths lead and that you surround us with a great cloud of witnesses led by Mary, Mother of God.. We praise you for the witness of those whose life journey has ended and who now rest in your eternal glory, especially Moses and Elijah; the apostles Peter, James and John; Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs; Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, renewers of society; Gergory the Great, Bishop; Philip, and our other dear ones whom we remember now with thanksgiving. (silence).  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2010 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26185.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Monday, March 7, 2011
Perpetua and Felicity and companions, martyrs at Carthage, died 202

Vibia Perpetua was a noblewoman, and Felicity her slave, who were catechumens at Carthage, northern Africa. They, with four other catechumens, had defied the Roman emperor who had forbidden conversions to Christianity, and were put to death in the amphitheater.

Thursday, March 10
Harriet Tubman, died 1913; Sojourner Truth, died 1883; renewers of society

Harriet Tubman, born into slavery, helped about 300 others to escape slavery until the institution was abolished. Sojourner Truth, whose birth name was Isabella, was freed after slavery was abolished, and discerned a call to be a preacher. Taking the name Sojourner Truth, she set out on an evangelistic journey, where people found her testimony to be deeply moving.

Saturday, March 12
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, died 604

Born into wealth and power, Gregory was for a time the chief administrator of the city of Rome. Giving this up for a life in the church, he was elected pope in 590. He influenced public worship through the establishment of a lectionary and prayers to correlate with the readings. Gregorian chant is named in his honor.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2010 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26185.