Order of Service – 19th February 2023

The Order of Service follows below.

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Kardlayirdi Karnungga
A light on the hill

Transfiguration of Jesus
February 19, 2023

We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional carers of the land on which our church is built.

Prelude

Welcome

Lighting of the Candles and Introit

Christ upon the Mountain Peak – Sydney Nicholson

Call to Worship

God of love, in the light of the sunrise,
we behold your glory.
In the light of that stars at night,
we behold your mystery.
In the light in each other’s eyes,
we behold your presence.
In the light of Christ,
we behold your love.
Light of God, shine upon us.
Light of Christ, shine within us.
Holy Spirit, radiate your goodness through us. Amen.

Prayer

We Sing: God of Creation

God of Creation, gentle life-giver,
present at birth and all through our days;
author of sunrise, song in the night sky
here in this place, we offer our praise.
Jesus, companion, teacher and healer,
friend of the grieving, suffering, the poor
stand with your people, whisper among us
promise of mercy, goodness for all.
Spirit of comfort, blow through creation,
stir up new life, breathe peace through our world.
Healer of hearts, and hope for tomorrow,
weave all our sorrows into new dawn.
Here we give thanks for life in its fullness,
blessings received, your gifts to us all.
Make us a people filled by compassion,
selflessly giving, serving your world.

Prayer of Confession

Words of Assurance

God in Christ embraces the fullness of each of us with tender love and forgiveness. Jesus reaches out to us, saying, ‛Get up and do not be afraid.’ Your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

Passing of the Peace

The peace of our God be with you.
And also with you.

Community News and Notices

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Children’s Time

Children may go downstairs for Sunday School. Parents, you are welcome to join your child in Sunday School if you feel your child may need your assistance. Alternatively, you may wish for your child to remain with you for the duration of worship. Activity packs are available at the entrances.

Choral Anthem

Come Down, O Love Divine – Hilary Tadman Robins

Scripture Readings:

Exodus 24:12-18

The 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.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To 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.”

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The 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. Now 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. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Matthew 17:1–9

The Transfiguration
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then 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.” While 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!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As 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.”

The Gospel of Christ, Light of the world.
Thanks be to God.

Sermon – Emelia Haskey

We Sing: How Good Lord to be Here

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,
your beauty to behold,
where Moses and Elijah stand,
your messengers of old.
Fulfiller of the past,
promise of things to be:
we hail your body glorified,
and our redemption see.
Before we taste of death,
we see your Kingdom come;
we still would hold the vision bright,
and make this hill our home.
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.

Offering

To give electronically please go to bpuc.org/give

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer

…And now with the confidence of the children of God, let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us saying:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

We Sing: Christ Be Our Light

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

Sending Forth and Benediction

Choral Blessing

The Lord Bless You and Keep You – Peter Lutkin

Postlude

Please come and share morning tea in the basement. There are stairs behind the organ and a ramp between the church and the car park leading to the basement.