February 14, AD 2021 Transfiguration of Our Lord

8:15am/10:30am Saint Paul Lutheran Church

250 Trinity Road York, PA 17408

www.saintpaultrinity.org (P=Pastor, AM=Assisting Minister, C=Congregation, *=please stand) (The order of service and several hymns are found in the green book –LBW, purple-W&P or in the blue book-WOV. Please silence all electronic devices as we give our attention to God's presence in this holy place.)

Welcome, Announcements, Prayer Concerns Temple Talk: CYC, Malinda Grube

Prelude: Renew Me, O Eternal Light by Walther

(During the prelude you may use the following prayer: Gracious Lord, you have gathered us as your redeemed people to be renewed by Word and Sacrament, equipping us to tell the Good News to all. As you revealed the full divinity of your Son to Peter, James and John so do we see that glory today. May the light of your countenance be displayed in our lives, as we reflect the radiance of our Savior Jesus. Amen)

*Invocation and Order of Confession and Forgiveness § P: In the name of the Father, and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

P: Let us confess our sins before God Almighty, knowing that he sent forth his Son into the world to reconcile it unto himself.

(You may kneel or stand and observe a moment of silent confession)

P: Merciful God, C: The purity of your Son exposes the darkness of human sin and radiates grace and mercy throughout a fallen world. You have clearly revealed your will for us in the witness of your Word through prophets, apostles and all the faithful witnesses throughout the ages, and most fully through your Son, Jesus. We make no excuse for our sins but humbly seek your forgiveness of them. Amend our lives and transform our actions, for we are sorry for all that we have done which has caused us to fall short of your purpose for us. P: Rejoice for God sent his only Son into the world to grant us forgiveness and give us new life in Him. He died that we might be forgiven and he rose that we might live forever as His children. Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the +Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

*Opening Hymn:

*Apostolic Greeting § P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.

Opening Dialogue+ P: Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14) C: Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8) P: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) C: Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) P: And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

(Colossians 3:14) C: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) P: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) C: So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) P: We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19) *The Prayer of the Day P: Let us pray… O God, at the glorious transfiguration of your only Son, you confirmed the mystery of our faith by the witness of the disciples and by your own voice from the cloud. Mercifully complete our adoption as your children, and give us, with our King, an inheritance of his glory. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. First Lesson: Exodus 34:29-35 (As Moses descended Mount Sinai with the second set of stone tablets, his face was shining like the sun so that all were afraid to approach him. As Moses instructed the leaders of Israel to follow the Lord’s commands that were given on top of the mountain, he covered his face with a veil so they wouldn’t be blinded.)

29When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. 32Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33And when

Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, 35the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him. L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Psalm: 50:1-6 (read responsively) (God shines forth over the whole creation, said the psalmist. It is he alone who judges the people because he is the one who put the sun in the sky and the heavens above the earth. He calls to the faithful to gather before him.)

L:1The Lord, the God of gods, has spoken; he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. C:2Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, God reveals himself in glory. L:3Our God will come and will not keep silence; before him there is a consuming flame, and round about him a raging storm. C:4He calls the heavens and the earth from above to witness the judgment of his people. L:5“Gather before me my loyal followers, those who have made a covenant with me and sealed it with sacrifice.” C:6Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; for God himself is judge. Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 3:12-13, 4:1-6 (Paul told the church in Corinth that in the days of Christ, the veil has been lifted for those who are ministers of the new covenant. The Israelites, he proclaimed, were looking at that which faded away rather than that which in Christ is now permanent. The Gospel is only veiled to those who are perishing.)

12Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 1Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Sermon: Pastor Paul *Alleluia Verse spoken C: Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, Alleluia.

*Gospel Announcement P: The Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark, the 9th chapter. C: Glory to you, O Lord. Gospel: Mark 9:2-9 (Jesus took John, James, and Peter to a high mountain where his face changed to a bright, shining visage. His clothing also changed in appearance, becoming brighter white than any bleach can manage. Elijah and Moses appeared to the four men, which spurred Peter to suggest the idea of building tents on the mountaintop. At that moment, a voice from the heavens reiterated the words from Jesus’ baptism.)

2After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. 9And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. P: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon: Pastor Sally *The Votum

*Hymn of the Day:

*The Apostles’ Creed All: I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius

Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*The Prayers of the Church C: Amen *Passing of the Peace P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: And also with you. (We share the peace with one another from our spots.) Offertory: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise by Pachelbel *Offertory Prayer: P: Let us pray. Merciful Father, C: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us-ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *Great Thanksgiving P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give him thanks and praise

*The Proper Preface § P: It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose great glory was revealed on the Mount of Transfiguration. Having experienced that glory through the faithful witness of the disciples, grant that we confidently share the hope that is ours in Jesus, who is our light and our life. With Moses and Elijah and with all the company of heaven, we praise You evermore: *The Sanctus (spoken): C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of pow’r and might: Heaven 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.

*Eucharistic Prayer P: Holy are You, O God. With thanksgiving and praise, we bless You for having sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, to give Himself as a perfect sacrifice for us so that our lives would know that true peace and joy is ours to share. We bless You for the vision of eyewitnesses to Your glory, which inspires and encourages us on our journeys of faith. Invited by Your grace, we come to Your Table with thankful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ’s body and blood that we live lives of confident hope, awaiting the eternal

feast with all the saints in glory everlasting.. C: Amen. Come Lord Jesus. *The Words of Institution

*The Lord’s Prayer *P: Lord remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray… All: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Agnus Dei (sung)

Distribution of Holy Communion (Carol plays special music)

*Blessing

*Post Communion Canticle: (sung)

*Post Communion Prayer: § P: Let us pray… C: Gracious God, you have fed us at this holy meal with the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Enlighten our hearts with your grace and peace as you continue to strengthen us with your Word and Sacrament through Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Benediction: P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

*Recessional Hymn:

Dismissal: P: Go in peace. Serve the Lord! C: Thanks be to God. Postlude: Lord Jesus Christ, My Life, My Light by Bach + Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress License 7654-L. §Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish Series A Pt 2.^<Sola Publishing 2015

WELCOME! Thank you for joining us for worship! In the name of Jesus Christ, Saint Paul Lutheran Church is committed to praising, praying, and proclaiming the Word of God. All baptized Christians who have received their first communion are invited to join us for Holy Communion believing as we do that Christ is truly present in this holy meal. Please follow the usher’s instruction for when to leave your pew. Receive the wafer with open hands and then take a communion glass from the tray. If you have trouble coming forward, please inform the usher and communion will be brought to your pew. Please join us again

SPONSORSHIPS to the Glory of God: ALTAR FLOWERS in memory Charles & Esther Kilburn and Earl & Hazel Mann by the family BULLETIN in honor of the 88th birthday of Bernice Eash by her family BREAD & WINE in honor of my children by Gloria Witmer MAILING: in memory of William H. & Lucille Becker by the Keech Family PARISH MESSENGER: in loving memory of Charles & Esther Kilburn by the Family / in memory of Cpl. Luke Runyan Smyser wo was killed Feb. 17, 2008 in Iraq sponsored by the Family SANCTUARY LAMP: in memory of Delores, by Carl Smyser

SAINT PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH 250 Trinity Road York, PA 17408 792-1650

PASTORS Rev. Sara “Sally” Gausmann e-mail: pastorsally@saintpaultrinity.org Cell phone – 717-487-1790

Rev. Paul Gausmann e-mail: pastorpaul@saintpaultrinity.org

Cell phone -717-495-6582 PARISH ADMINISTRATOR Kate Frye church office: 792-1650 e-mail: parishadmin@saintpaultrinity.org Website:www.saintpaultrinity.org WIFI: John3:16 OFFICE HOURS Mon.-Fri. 8:00am-2:00pm MUSIC DIRECTOR: Carol Moscony -musicdirector@saintpaultrinity.org FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Carol Frey -financialsecretary@saintpaultrinity.org MINI SEXTON: Jack Hall -minisexton@saintpaultrinity.org Missionaries: Andy Stump in Haiti, Luke & Ruth in the Philippians *Don’t forget~ you can access the newsletter and other announcements on our website!

Lord’s Helpers: 8:15 Head Usher: Ed Dunklebarger Lay Reader: Connie Dunklebarger Sound: Thomas Smyser Acolyte: Wyatt Myers Greeter: Joe & Jill Jones Family Altar Guild: Jack & Joyce Hall

Lord’s Helpers: 10:30 Head Usher: Cindy Roth Lay Reader: Eva Phillips Sound: Fred Hostetler Greeters: Jack & Joyce Hall Altar Guild: Cindy Roth

Activities for the week of February 14, 2021 Sun. 2/14 Transfiguration of Our Lord 8:15am Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30am Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion Tues. 2/16 9:00am Social Ministry Committee Meeting 7:00pm Hilltop AA Wed. 2/17 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Worship Service Thurs. 2/18 10:00am Bible Study at the Church 11:15am Bingo and Bag Lunch 1:30pm Book Club 7:00pm Bible Study on Zoom Fri. 2/19 9:00am Our Daily Bread Snack due at Church 7:00pm Hilltop AA Sat. 2/20 9:00am Quiet Communion Worship Service Sun. 2/21 First Sunday in Lent 8:15am Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30am Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion

Thought of the day: As Moses and then Jesus ascended the mountain, their faces shone brightly in the presence of God. The disciples of Jesus, just like the Israelites at the bottom of Mount Sinai, experienced a theophany that left them frightened and confused. Paul interpreted the two events as one where hardness of heart was the issue, and the other where the veil of mystery was finally revealed in the salvation of Christ.

Book Club will meet on February 18 at 1:30 and we will discuss: A Quiet Strength:

The Life and Legacy of Jeannette M. Cathy by Trudy Cathy White. This easy to read account of the life of Mrs. Cathy wife of the founder of Chick Fil A will provide a great discussion of her Christian approach to life.

Copies of our Lenten Prayer calendar are available on the shelves in the library. These are for all people. The families with children are being distributed.

SPECIAL APPEAL FOR February: Voice of the Martyrs Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

-1 Timothy 3:12

In some 40 plus countries around the world Christians face severe persecution. Saint Paul wants to help them and the premiere organization that helps in that process is Voice of the Martyrs VOM’s Mission Statement Serving persecuted Christians through practical and spiritual assistance and leading other members of the Body of Christ into fellowship with them. VOM’s Five Main Purposes

1. To encourage and empower Christians to fulfill the Great Commission in areas of the world where they are persecuted for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To provide practical relief and spiritual support to the families of Christian martyrs.

3. To equip persecuted Christians to love and win to Christ those who are opposed to the gospel in their part of the world.

4. To undertake projects of encouragement, helping believers rebuild their lives and Christian witness in countries where they have formerly suffered oppression.

5. To promote the fellowship of all believers by informing the world of the faith and courage of persecuted Christians, thereby inspiring believers to a deeper level of commitment to Christ and involvement in His Great Commission.

Please use the special envelope in your offering envelope packet or a green envelope from the pews to contribute. Funds to date for MIVO: $1,920.00 Funds to date for VOM: $295.00

Women of the Word Women of the Word will not be meeting in February due to the rise in Covid 19. We invite all ladies to join us in our time of study and fellowship once we start meeting again. The Men’s group is not meeting in January. We will resume meetings when the

community spread of COVID 19 starts to decline.

**To help ‘sweeten’ your day and bring a smile to your face, stop by Connie’s Calorie Tray on your way out and pick up a mouthful of fun!!! Each piece is individually served for your peace of mind and safety!

1Peter 4:10..God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.

Bible Study for February

One of the enriching features of church life is our common desire to delve further into the Holy Scriptures. This winter/spring we will be looking at the books of First and Second Peter. God’s word has great inspiration for our times of suffering and reminds us always to be compassionate to others in their times of need. There is great encouragement in these books to maintain faithfulness in the face of temptations and to look for Christ’s coming again. So, join us in person or by Zoom on Thursdays, the morning session is held here at the church in the Parlor at 10AM, the evening Zoom session is held at 7PM, the invitation to which will be included in the Wednesday and Thursday daily prayer e-mail for that week. The Bible Sessions will be held on February 18, and 25.

Third Thursday – Now we have 4 B’s – Bible Study, Bingo, Bag lunch and Book Club!

Friends in Christ (our group for widows, widowers and friends) has a substitute activity until we can hit the road again. On February 18. we will meet at 11:15 (right after Bible study). We will be meeting in Fellowship Hall and have plenty of room for social distancing. We will use paper bingo papers and stamps. Small prizes will be given out. We will have a socially distanced lunch as well. Hopefully, Covid will end soon and we can go back to some of our fun outings, but in the meantime, we can have fun together in our nice big building! Pass the word around.

We are not having our regular Sunday School classes at this time. We will hopefully start back up soon. We will be monitoring the

Covid situation and will respond as advised.

OUR DAILY BREAD

Our dessert for February is blueberry muffins. We need 30 dozen by 9 am on Friday, Feb.19th. If you can contribute some muffins, please contact Kate Frye at 792-1650. Thank you!

Beginning Ash Wednesday February 17

at 7:00 pm (touch free imposition of Ashes) and Holy Communion

Explore the Life of Peter

each Wednesday through March 31 and see how pride, complacency, discipleship, cleansing, death and new life are

dealt with in our spiritual journeys.

All services will be in person at 7:00 p.m. and will also be Live streamed.

Also, pick up or have hand delivered a Lenten family devotional bag with fun items for all ages.

Come grow your faith life with us this Lent!

Sermon Notes for Transfiguration Sunday 2021 “For God, who said, “let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 4:6 Problems with seeing in the dark…. The thing about darkness, or any situation where you can’t see is that you can’t tell good

from evil, in the dark you can’t tell if you are petting a friendly puppy or a ferocious dog.

You can’t tell the difference between a snake and a rope. That’s why darkness in the

Bible is associated with evil, because in the dark people can be deceived, they can be

fooled into believing or doing something that they wouldn’t do in the light. So light

therefore represents not only the ability to see, but it represents goodness and truth.

That’s why St. John says; God is light and in him there is no darkness at all (I John1:5)

Today God is making it crystal clear that he has come among us in Jesus Christ, this is

God in human flesh.

This light of Christ provides clarity for walking through a confusing world.

This light of Christ is actually transformative because God brings his truth to bear on our

lives and that truth drives away the darkness of sin and clarifies our beliefs in the midst

of the devil’s deceptions.

Christ’s transfiguration leads to our transformation. St. Paul says in 2 Cor. 3:18: “And we

all who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his

image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Instead

of hiding from the world and its ever-growing confusion the light of Christ compels us to

shine light in the midst of the darkness. Good News is meant to be seen and heard, not

hidden under a bushel basket.

This is how we do not lose heart – by staying close to the light of Christ in worship and

prayer and by sharing good news in word and deed. As we are enlightened and

encouraged, that light shines forth from our lives to bring hope to our neighbors in need

of inspiration and truth.

†

TAKING FAITH HOME – February 14, 2021 AD These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday. We invite you to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage. Sunday Mark 9:2-9 The transfiguration of Jesus Monday Exodus 19:7-25 Moses meets God Tuesday Job 19:23-27 Job will see God Wednesday Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 The practice of faith Thursday Isaiah 58:1-12 True fasting Friday 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:10 Living as Christ’s ambassadors Saturday Psalm 51:1-17 Have mercy on me, God Sunday Mark 1:9-15 The temptation of Jesus

SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK From the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, and I love him. Listen to what he says!” Mark 9:7 (CEV) SAY, PRAY AND BLESS: A Prayer for the Week: Jesus, Son of God, open our ears and our hearts so that we listen to you. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: For every cup and every plateful, to you, O God, we’re very grateful. Amen. A Blessing to Give: May God’s light shine in your heart so that you know and listen to Jesus. Amen. CARING CONVERSATION: Discuss in your household or small group:

• Share about a time when you were scared. What did you do? • In Mark 9:2-9 we hear about an amazing experience that Peter, James and John had one day. How do you think you would have reacted? • God spoke from the cloud and told Jesus’ disciples to listen to Jesus. How does listening to Jesus help us when we are scared or fearful?

DEVOTIONS: If your congregation does not have a worship service, you can observe Ash Wednesday (February 17) in your home. Mark one another with ashes made by burning some paper and crushing it into fine ashes. Then, mix the ashes with a small amount of olive oil. Make the sign of the cross on one another’s foreheads as you say these words: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn back to God and believe in Jesus, your Savior. SERVICE: Make this week “secret service” week in your home. Put your household member’s names in a hat and have each person draw out someone else’s name. They are to do some form of “secret service” for that person during the week. RITUALS AND TRADITIONS: This week, Lent begins! Begin your household preparations by observing Shrove Tuesday (February 16). The name “shrove” comes from the practice of being “shriven” – going to church, confessing your sins and being forgiven – before the start of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is also sometimes known as Pancake Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, because households used up their remaining eggs and fats before Lent by making pancakes on this day. Here are some ideas for Shrove Tuesday:

• Have a pancake breakfast or dinner. As you eat, talk about what Jesus gave up for our sake, and what you might wish to give up for Lent to help you prepare spiritually for Holy Week.

• Have a household party with special dessert foods, party hats and an “Alleluia” sign. Prepare a box, covered with purple paper and a foil cross on top. Eat your meal, sing a party song, and welcome in Lent with noisemakers. At the end of the meal, “bury” the noisemakers and the “Alleluia” sign in the box. Open the box again on Easter Sunday. People and issues to pray for in your devotions this week: For the spiritual growth of Christian people throughout the world as they join in the observance of the season of Lent, for the protection of all emergency responders and emergency room staff and for those mentioned today including__________________ and _____________.