Sunday School, August 6, 2023 The Transfiguration

  Sunday School, August 6, 2023     The Transfiguration

Metamorphosis

What if a caterpillar saw a butterfly and thought:  “Someday I am going to look like you.  I won’t have to crawl on the ground.  I will be able to grow wings and fly.”

Transfiguration means metamorphosis

It means we are always changing.  We change in cycles.  Why cycles?  Because we repeat things that we done in the past but when we repeat things they are different and we are different.

The meeting of Jesus, Peter, James,John, Moses and Elijah on a cloudy mountain top with a dazzling light show seen on the face of Jesus was a way of showing the disciple about the past and the future.

Moses and Elijah represented the past.  They were present to show how the great people of the past supported the appearance of Jesus and his ministry.  The shining appearance of Jesus gave his disciples a vision of the future.  Jesus would have to go through a “cocoon-like” time in his life.  Jesus would be arrested, he would die on the cross and he would be placed in a tomb.  But after Jesus was place in the tomb, he rose again.  Before Jesus died and rose again, Jesus gave his disciples a special vision.  This vision would help them keep their hope even when Jesus died and was buried.

As a pretend caterpillar seeing a butterfly might think, “Someday I’ll be a butterfly,” so when the disciple saw the shiny Jesus on the Mountain, they thought, “Someday Jesus and us will be all shiny with the wings of the resurrection.”

Metamorphosis means that change happens.  But there is a shiny spiritual light within us that lets us know that even when things changes God’s Holy Spirit is always going to be the life of the resurrection within us.

Sermon:

  When it dark at night and you can’t see, what do you do?  You turn on the light, right?  And suddenly everything that once was a big black cloud of darkness becomes colorful and you can see the shape of everything.   Aren’t you glad that we have lights at night?

  Light is very important to the life of our world.  What is the name of the big light that we see in the sky each morning?  And what do we call those lights in the sky at night?

  Light is so important because we could not see if we didn’t have light.  Light is so important, it was used by the friends of Jesus to talk about the importance of his life.

  Jesus said that he was the light of the world.  Today, we’ve read in the Gospel about how the disciples saw the face of Jesus shine when they went up a mountain with him.  In this vision that they had, Jesus appeared to them as a bright light.

  Did you know that education and learning is like light?  When we don’t know how to do something; it is like living in darkness.  But when someone shows us how to do something suddenly it's like a light that comes on.  Your parents and your teachers and grandparents are like lights in your life, because they show you and teach to do some things that you didn’t know how to do.  And your life becomes better when you learn how to do new things.

  Jesus is the light of the world.  He came to show us how to live better lives.  He showed us that the best way to live is by loving each other, caring for one another and forgiving one another.

  And he also said to his friends:  You too are lights in this world, because you have to live in such a way to show people God’s love.  You are a light in this world if you help people to live better lives.

  So that is why we sang the song, “This little light of mine.”  To remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world because he showed how to live better lives.  And we too are supposed to be lights in this world, to show people how to live better lives.

  Today is the feast of the transfiguration when the disciples of Jesus saw that his face shone with a bright light.  They knew that Jesus was the light of the world.

  Today is a day that we remind ourselves that we are to be lights in this world to help people live better lives and to help people know that God loves them.

  Okay let turn on our lights today and let our lives shine with God’s love. Amen.

Family Service with Holy Eucharist

August 6, 2023: The Feast of the Transfiguration

Gathering Songs: This Little Light, Awesome God, Climb Up Sunshine Mountain, Shine, Jesus Shine

Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever.  Amen.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Song: This Little Light of Mine (Christian Children’s Songbook, # 234)

1-This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

2-Hide it under a bushel, No!  I’m going to let it shine.  Hide it under a bushel, No!  I’m going let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

3-Don’t let anyone, blow it out.  I’m going to let it shine.  Don’t let anyone blow it out.  I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

4-Shine all over my neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.  Shine all over my neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People:            And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany of Praise: Chant: Alleluia

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

A reading from the Book of Exodus

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Let us read together from Psalm 99

Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; * he is the Holy One.

"O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; * you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

People:            Glory to you, Lord Christ.

About eight days after Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:            Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and

     resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is

     welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy.

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Youth Liturgist:          The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:                        And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Song: Our God is An Awesome God (Renew!  # 245)

Our God is an Awesome God, He reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love.  Our God is an awesome God.

Sing three times

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

All may gather around the altar

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

  the bread and drink the wine, we can  know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as  

  this food and drink  that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Bless and sanctify us by your Holy that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:       Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion Hymn: Climb Up Sunshine Mountain (The Christian Children’s Songbook,  # 30)

Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, heavenly breezes blow.  Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, faces all aglow.  Turn, turn from sin and doubting, look to God on high; Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, you and I.

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

    and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: Shine, Jesus, Shine  (Renew!, # 247)

Refrain: Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s 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.

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

2-Lord, I come to your awesome presence from the shadows into your radiance; By the blood I may enter your brightness, search me, try me, consume all my darkness.  Shine on me, shine on me.  Refrain.

Dismissal:   

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ. 

People: Thanks be to God!