The Transfiguration of Our Lord – Worship and Announcements – 3/02/2025
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Women’s History Month
94th ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S
03-02-2025 10:00AM Hybrid Worship
+ GATHERING +
THE OPENING RITE:
L Gathered in this place, even from a great distance, let us humble ourselves before God’s power…
C and wonder with awe at God’s mercy and grace!
L Brought together for this hour, let us bow our hearts in confession and weakness…
C and accept God’s forgiving, empowering love!
L God lifts our lives with hope and anticipation…
C and changes us into the likeness of Christ.
L May the people of God shine bright with the glory of God in Christ…
C looking like Jesus in the way that we live and love. HALLELUJAH!
OPENING SONG: “MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY” Brown #297
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
God of both the mountains and the valleys, take us high and grant us a vision, refresh our souls and transform us with the shining presence of Jesus. Then give us the courage and conviction to be led by Jesus on the way to the cross as we follow Him in service. Let the world see Jesus shining through our lives! Lord, keep me thirsty in my heart and busy in my witness. So be it, Amen!
+ THE HOLY WORD +
FIRST READING: Exodus 34:29-35 [The face of Moses glows after his exchange with God. Let us also shine!]
PSALM: Psalm 99 (responsive reading) [Holy, holy, holy! God is Lord and Master over the world! Let all the people tremble, let this little earth quake!]
SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 3:12 — 4:2 [Face to face with God through Jesus, our lives are transformed to reflect God’s glory. Let your light shine!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
GOSPEL VERSE: “Always remember Jesus, Jesus. Always remember Jesus, Jesus. Always keep Him on your mind.”
THE GOSPEL: Luke 9:28-43a [The transfiguration of Jesus helps empower the slow transformation of his disciples into agents of God’s love, mercy, and justice. Keep following, keep trying, keep shining, make a difference!]
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “HOLY, HOLY” Brown #289
THE PRAYERS… We pray that we may see, accept, and bear THE LIGHT OF CHRIST in our lives!
+ THE HOLY MEAL +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
Transformed by the presence and power of Jesus in our own lives, let us be courageous and willing to touch and change the lives of many. The mission is not impossible if we will live with hope and act with boldness. Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate to share their gratitude and their generosity in response to Christ’s love. Those farther away can: mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138… or contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions to register and record your contribution.
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE”
(1) This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
(2) Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
(3) Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
OFFERING PRAYER by the Communion Assistant:
O Lord our God, You have anointed us to bring good news and to proclaim liberty, to bind up the brokenhearted and to liberate the oppressed. Help us to shine forth always and in all ways with the bright glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C AND ALSO WITH YOU!
L Lift up your hearts! C WE LIFT THEM UP IN LOVE FOR GOD!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God! C IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE GOD THANKS AND PRAISE!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous distribution” with wafers and either wine or grape juice. CHRIST COMES TO US IN BREAD AND WINE AND BLESSING, BRINGING US PEACE, UNITY, STRENGTH, AND HOPE!
COMMUNION SONGS: “WE WILL GLORIFY” Brown #281
“OH, WHEN THE SAINTS” Brown #180
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ SENDING +
BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God sends us TO SHINE with the Light of Jesus Christ in a shadowy world!
CLOSING SONG: “THE LORD IS MY LIGHT” Brown #61
After worship and brief announcements, we will have our
94th ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S…
no quorum is required to officially meet on this announced alternate date.
May the St. Peter’s Church always seek to actively love – friends, strangers, family, neighbors, and even enemies.
TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD 03-02-2025
Today’s worship is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas–Epiphany cycle and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in a few days with Ash Wednesday. UP ON THE MOUNTAINTOP JESUS IS TRANSFIGURED – dazzling light, glowing face, bright cloud, special guests and private conversation, thundering voice offering divine proclamation, mystery and awe and maybe even a sense of foreboding. DOWN THE MOUNTAINTOP JESUS COMES – perhaps better prepared to go to Jerusalem to suffer and die. The three disciples who were with Jesus – Peter, James, and John – and all the disciples of every time and place – you and I – need that vision of glory, that glow of a promise, and a glimmer of hope in order to follow Jesus on the way to the cross. LISTEN TO JESUS! It is a fearful thing to be with Jesus sometimes. But to those of us who have followed him, it is more fearful to be without him.
TODAY
9:00AM All Saints Choir warm-up for worship.
10:00AM + EPIPHANY SEASON WORSHIP + (in person and
online).
11:30AM 94th ANNUAL MEETING OF ST. PETER’S (in person + online).
God’s great grace attitude of gratitude generosity!
Beyond support of our 2025 Budget (which we will approve today) are various special opportunities
for giving on behalf of others. They include: ELCA World Hunger Appeal (meeting international, national, and local hunger and poverty needs). We have received $245 in January – February.
Lutheran Charities Appeal (assisting three local social ministry organizations – KenCrest Services, Lutheran Settlement House, and Gemma Services – that serve thousands of neighbors with various needs). We have received $290 in January – February.
Mission Offering (For January 1 – June 30 it is Steven’s Wings Global Youth Adventures, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to empowering underserved youth to discover the joys and learn the how of travel.
We have received $391 in January – February. Lutheran World Relief (responding to various disasters and tragedies all over the face of this earth). We have received $25 in January – February. Hard times for so many struggling and suffering in our world are an opportunity for heart times of compassion, affirmation, and support from those of us who are willing to care and share. Jesus, in a parable/story, once
suggested that simply congratulating yourself for your accumulations and erecting bigger barns to hold them does not always end as favorably as expected. How many of the world’s wealthiest people still don’t know this?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO “PETE”! On February 9, 1930 thirty-five persons officially organized themselves as Saint Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in a storeroom at 7609 Ogontz Avenue. Today we continue as a faith community bearing the name, the spirit, and the
mission of Jesus Christ. GIVE GOD THE PRAISE, GRATITUDE, AND GLORY FOR THE PAST! GIVE GOD YOUR HUMILITY, COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT FOR THE FUTURE!
Month of March… Women’s History Month. Discover. Celebrate. Commit to the future. Don’t allow regression and repression to destroy progress into the future! Go, sisters, go!
ThiS week At st. peTer’s
Wednesday, 10:30AM Senior Ministry “Games and Social Activity” in Rhoda Hall. Join the fellowship!
March 5… ASH WEDNESDAY, FIRST DAY OF LENT. Repent and Renew!
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
12:00 noon Worship in person in the Sanctuary with ashes and Holy Communion.
6:30 – 7:00PM “online” Prayers related to Women’s History Month.
7:00PM Worship in person and online with ashes and Holy Communion (Sanctuary).
Thursday, 7:30PM AL-ANON STEP GROUP. Find encouragement to end your own codependence!
Friday, 8:30AM Senior Food Box distribution ministry.
Friday, 6:30PM Girl Scouts troops.
Saturday, 11AM – 2PM Women’s Ministry “Gathering” in person and online.
What’s Happening…
March 9… FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
March 10… CHURCH COUNCIL meeting on Zoom, 7:00PM.
March 11… 95th Anniversary Planning Team (Zoom meeting), 7:00PM.
March 12… Deadline for Easter Plant orders ($15 lily; $12 hyacinth; $12 tulip).
March 12… Whole Foods fresh produce distribution, 10:30AM.
March 12… Online Prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30 – 7:00PM.
March 15… Girl Scout program in Rhoda Hall, 9AM – 2PM.
March 16… SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
March 17… Online Prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30 – 7:00PM
March 23… THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
Rental event in Rhoda Hall, 4-8PM.
March 26… Online prayers related to Women’s History Month, 6:30 – 7:00PM.
March 29… “Jazz Luncheon” presented by our Scholarship Committee, 11AM – 2PM, $30 donation. Please contact Jerona Jackson Rice, Veronica Britto, or any Scholarship Committee member.
March 30… FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Hybrid Worship in person and online at 10:00AM.
+4 important questions during Lent: 1) Do you believe that God loves you?
2) Do you believe that you are a sinner?
3) Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins?
4) Will you now trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord?
Join in our new life together which is being shaped by the good news of Jesus Christ crucified and now risen among us! Please speak to our Pastors about Holy Baptism, affirming your Baptism vows, or joining St. Peter’s.