Unveiled Glory

Sunday, March 2, 2025
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

Google Calendar ICS

This last Sunday in the Epiphany season we turn to a traditional story, but one that is filled with mystery and strangeness. Jesus goes up a mountaintop with three of his disciples, and there he is transformed—transfigured—before their eyes, and ends upon in a conversation with none other but Moses and Elijah. What does it all mean?

The mystery continues as we gather around the table for the Lord’s Supper. You can join us for worship in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are invited! You are always welcome!

Last Epiphany/Transfiguration Sunday

Unveiled Glory

Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 9:28-36

Union Presbyterian Church

March 2, 2025

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Liturgist: Doug Moore Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

Announcements Doug Moore

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“Morning Has Broken,” Lee Dengler

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

* Call to Worship

Sometimes, our God calls us to come, and follow,

and we don’t know why.

God, help us to hear your voice when you call to us.

Sometimes, our God shows us what glory is,

and we can hardly believe our eyes.

God, help us to see the things you want to show us.

Sometimes, our God asks us to stop: to stop and watch in wonder.

To be still and know that God is God.

God, help us to be still.

Let your glory overshadow us.

Let us worship you.

* Hymn # 91 W & R

“Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”

(Public Domain)

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o’er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Day-star, in my heart appear.

Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the day’s return
Till Thy mercy’s beams I see,
Till they inward light impart,
Cheer my eyes and warm my heart.

Visit then this soul of mine;
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, Radiancy divine;
Scatter all my unbelief;
More and more Thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.

Call to New Life

Jesus said, Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed. Sometimes, before we can reveal what troubles us to God, we need to reveal it to ourselves. In Jesus, the shadows are no more. In him is light and life. Let us bring our truth to the one who is both justice and grace.

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

God of compassion, in Jesus Christ you reveal the light of your own glory, but we turn away, distracted by our own plans. We so often speak when we should listen, and act when we should wait. Redirect our aimless enthusiasms, O Lord. Grant us wisdom to live in your light, and to follow in the way of your beloved son, Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. Amen.

Words of Assurance

The one who calls light out of darkness

now shines in our hearts to reveal the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ.

By virtue of our baptism

we have been invited to share the light of Christ.

We are forgiven and made whole. Thanks be to God!

* Sharing of the Peace

Like the disciples, we want to stay where God is.

Let us open our hearts to God’s presence and peace.

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Exodus 34:29-35 (NRSVUE)

A reading from the Book of Exodus, beginning at chapter 34, verse 29.

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.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” Graham Kendrick

Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847

Anthem Choir

“This Is My Beloved Son,” Pepper Choplin

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Long, long ago, the prophets spoke

To ancient generations.

But in these days, God shows His ways

And through the Son He’s spoken.

The Son is in God’s likeness,

In glory and in brightness,

In high authority.

You are my Son, beloved one,

You are my first begotten.

The heavens you made, your hand has laid

The very earth’s foundation.

The Son is in God’s likeness,

In glory and in brightness,

In high authority.

The Son, your sins has lightened,

He sits upon the right hand of power and majesty.

The first begotten One, this is my high and holy Son.

On earth one day, John, Peter, James

Followed Him up a mountain.

Before their eyes, His face would shine

With light as bright as morning.

His garment shone and brightened.

The disciples were so frightened,

Their faces on the ground.

A bright cloud overwhelmed them,

A voice came forth to tell them,

“Now listen to this one,

For this is my beloved Son!”

You are my Son, beloved one,

You are my first begotten.

The heavens you made, your hand has laid

The very earth’s foundation.

The Son is in God’s likeness,

In glory and in brightness,

In high authority.

The Son, your sins has lightened,

He sits upon the right hand of power and majesty.

For this is my Son, for this is my beloved Son.

This is my Son.

Scripture Luke 9:28-36 (NRSVUE)

Now about eight days after these sayings 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 as bright as a flash of lightning. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke 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 set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying. 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.

Pastor: Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.

Congregation: Thanks be to God!

Sermon

* Statement of Faith From the Confession of 1967 (Section 9.15)

God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind. Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness. But God reveals God’s love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant, wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinful humanity. The power of God’s love in Christ to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of his love.

* Hymn # 246 W & R

“Jesus on the Mountain Peak,” Brian Wren, Cyril V. Taylor

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Jesus on the mountain peak
Stands alone in glory blazing;
Let us, if we dare to speak,
Join the saints and angels praising.
Hallelujah!

Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the prophets and the law
Shout through them their joyful greeting:
Hallelujah!

Swift the cloud of glory came,
God proclaiming, in its thunder,
Jesus as the Son by name!
Nations, cry aloud in wonder:
Hallelujah!

This is God's beloved Son!
Law and prophets sing before him,
First and last and only One.
All creation shall adore him!
Hallelujah!

Prayers of the People   

The Lord’s Prayer   

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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 

Prayer Response # 489 W & R

“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying,” Ken Medema

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Lord, listen to your children praying,

Lord, send your Spirit in this place;

Lord, listen to your children praying,

Send us love, send us power, send us grace.

Call for Offering

* Doxology # 48 W & R (verse 1)

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

(Public Domain)

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

* Prayer of Dedication

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Invitation

Jesus said, “Behold. I stand at the door and knock.
Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,

and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is truly right and our greatest joy

to give you thanks and praise, Eternal God.,

You set the sun to brighten the day

and the moon and the stars to illumine the night.

You lead us by the light of your truth

into the way of righteousness and peace.

Sanctus

“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Holy, holy, holy Lord, 

God of power, God of might, 

Heaven and earth are filled with 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. 

You are holy, O God of majesty;

and blessed is Jesus Christ your son.

In his face we glimpse your glory.

In his life we see your love.

In his rising from the grave

we behold the promise of eternal light.

When Jesus was at table with his disciples,

he took bread, blessed and broke it,

and gave it to them, saying: Take, eat.

Whenever you do this, remember me.

In the same way he took and poured the cup,

saying: Take and drink.

Whenever you do this, remember me.

Now, whenever we eat and drink at this table,

we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection until he comes again.

Remembering your gracious acts in Jesus Christ,

we take from your creation this bread and fruit of the vine

and joyfully celebrate his dying and rising

as we await the day of his coming.

With thanksgiving we offer ourselves to you

to be a living and holy sacrifice,

dedicated to your service.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Dying you destroyed our death.

Rising you restored our life.

Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us

and upon these your gifts of bread and cup,

that the bread we break and the cup we bless

may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.

By your Spirit make us one with Christ,

that we may be one with all who share this feast,

united in ministry in every place.

As this bread is Christ’s body for us,

send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.

Illumine our lives, O God,

with the radiance of Christ’s love,

that we may live for you

and love as he loved.

Give us strength to serve you faithfully

until the promised day of resurrection,

when with the redeemed of all the ages

we will feast with you at your table in glory.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,

now and forever. Amen.

Music during Communion:

"We Meet as Friends at Table,” Hal H. Hopson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Unison)

We give you thanks, Lord Jesus Christ,

for the gifts of grace we have received from your hand.

Now send us forth to reflect your light,

living out your reign of love, justice, and peace. Amen.

* Hymn # 248 W & R

“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light,” Kathleen Thomerson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE,

I want to walk as a child of the light;

I want to follow Jesus.

God set the stars to give light to the world;

The star of my life is Jesus.

In him there is no darkness at all;

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God:

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God;

I want to look at Jesus.

Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path,

And show me the way to the Father.

In him there is no darkness at all;

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God:

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I’m looking for the coming of Christ;

I want to be with Jesus.

When we have run with patience the race,

We shall know the joy of Jesus.

In him there is no darkness at all;

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God:

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

* Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Sunshine in My Soul,” Mark Hayes

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal

“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal

Call to New Life, Prayer for Wholeness and Peace, Words of Assurance, and Communion prayers adapted or taken from the Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA), 2018.

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Unveiled Glory