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Transfiguration Sunday
- Date: Sunday, February 11, 2024
- Time: 10:30am–11:30am
- Location: Sanctuary
Order of Worship
Service for the Lord’s Day
Gathering around the word
Prelude Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Setting by Ralph Simpson
“This Spiritual may reference the longing of the enslaved to return to Africa. A chariot was a French sled-like vehicle used to transport tobacco in the Carolinas. After Turner’s revolt, slaves wanted a chariot to swing out of the skies from Africa low enough for their souls to mount and be carried many miles from North America. . . slaves felt that the only place of safety was heaven. . . or the North . . . or Africa.” (from In Their Own Words, Eileen Guenther)
† Call to Worship
It is God who gathers us here.
It is not our denomination that gather us,
or our church staff or family,
or our political parties.
It is God who gathers us here.
We find ourselves on the mountain
this Transfiguration Day,
witnessing a last flash of glory
before a forty-day journey.
It is not about us;
it is all about Jesus Christ.
From the river Jordan to this place,
it is all about Jesus Christ.
From Ash Wednesday toward Easter,
it is all about Jesus Christ.
Let us worship God!
† Hymn #666 “O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright”
Prayer of Adoration
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Holy One, the radiance of your grace is poured out in every moment, but we dull its luster by living in the shadows. We indulge in fantasy games and watch shows which claim to be ‘real,’ but we have trouble simply sitting in your presence, in your healing silence.
We can become so infatuated with your love for us, we overlook those who hunger for acceptance and hope.
Revealer of mystery, forgive us.
In silence, may we hear your whispers of grace.
In mercy, may we feel your forgiveness lifting the burden of guilt from us.
In trust, may we go forth to serve your world filling it with the light and love of the One who is the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.
Silent prayer of confession
Assurance of Pardon
The promise is true — God’s Light has come into the world, and into our lives.
We are graced with glimpses of God’s glory, even as we are filled with mercy and forgiveness.
Here we find the peace and quiet we need;
here we are set free from all that keeps us from serving;
here we are given mercy and hope.
Here we give thanks to our God. Amen.
† Response of praise: Hymn #630 (Vv. 1 & 4) “Fairest Lord Jesus”
- Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,
O thou of God to earth come down,
thee will I cherish, thee will I honor,
thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown. - Beautiful Savior, ruler of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine!
† Passing of the Peace
Life in Community
Come in your faith, and in your doubt! If you are joining us for the first time, we invite you to share your information by scanning the QR code. We would love to connect.
Upcoming events and recent announcements are available in the back of the bulletin and on our website at catonsvillepres.org.
Moment for Scouting
We are delighted to be joined by Cub Pack 306 and Scout Troop 306 in worship this morning. Cubmaster Eric Silva and Senior Patrol Leader Braydon McCormick will offer brief remarks about our chartered Cub Pack and Scout Troop.
Proclaiming the Word
Children’s Message
† Prayer for Illumination: Hymn #192 (verses 1 & 3)
Scripture Mark 9:2-9
Meditation “Who is this Jesus?” Dorothy Boulton
Responding to the Word
Call to Offering
Offering of Tithes and Gifts
Offertory Modimo, Traditional Sesothu/isiZulu, Arr. Michael Barrett
Translation: God, we praise you.
Everything is created by you.
He took away my burden.
† Doxology #607 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
† Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the light of love around us and the fire of faith within us. As we go forth from this place, let our lives reflect the One who is the image of your glory: Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Amen.
Prayers of the People
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.
† Hymn #190 “Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory”
† benediction
Postlude Aint-a-That Good News, Setting by Marianne Kim
I got a crown up in-a that kingdom, Aint-a that good news!
I got a robe up in-a that kingdom, Aint-a that good news!
Crowns and robes represent symbols of honor and respect, things which were distinctly lacking in the slave’s life. Beyond that however, they represented the presence of their Savior whom they fervently longed to meet. (from In Their Own Words, Eileen Guenther)
Sources
Image: Latimore, Kelly. Transfiguration. kellylatimoreicons.com
Kimberly Bracken Long, ed., Feasting on the Word, (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015)
Call to Worship: Lectionary Companion Year B (Louisville: Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2023).
Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013).
Thom M. Shuman, Where the Broken Gather: RCL Year B (CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2014)
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-734388; CCLI Copyright License B 20481088 + Streaming License B 481071
Worship Participants
Dorothy Boulton
Associate Pastor
Keith and Kathy Glennan
A/V Production
Wendy Johnston
Organist and Assistant Director of Music
Greg Knauf
Director of Music
Vickie Lord
Social media support
Cynthia Schwanz
Liturgist
Learning & Growing
Access the articles for Adult Education at catonsvillepres.org/belonging
CEA: Welcome Caitlin Kirby
Sunday, February 18 | Led by Caitlin Kirby | 9:00 a.m. in the Library
Join us in welcoming Caitlin Kirby, the new executive director of Catonsville Emergency Assistance (CEA). Caitlin has been a Catonsville resident for over 16 years. She was a Communications Consultant to local businesses and non-profits, specializing in social media marketing and events, and former Assistant to the executive director of the Catonsville Chamber of Commerce. CPC has been a long and faithful partner with CEA’s vital ministry to the community, serving greater Catonsville residents with emergency food, utility turn-off intervention, and eviction prevention. Come and hear how the work of CEA is having a positive impact in Catonsville.
Thursday Morning Bible Study: A Theology of Death
Beginning February 22 | Led by Ken Kovacs | 10:30 a.m. in the Library
Thursday Morning Bible Study resumes in Lent for a special series that explores the Bible’s understanding of death. The Bible does not speak with one voice on this subject. What we find in Judaism is a gradual unfolding of insights into the nature of death, God’s relationship to death (and the dying), and speculations about life after death. Many of these ideas are present in the Old Testament but take on new and deeper meanings after the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. Each week we’ll study a different passage of scripture, supported by additional articles and reflection pieces to inform our discussions. We plan to look at the following texts: Genesis 3, Psalm 23 and Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel 37, John 11, and 1 Corinthians 15.
Announcements
Souper Bowl of Caring and Scout Sunday
After worship, join us for a Souper Bowl of Caring luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national effort across the nation to tackle hunger in local communities through volunteering, fundraising, education, and advocacy. The Scouts and middle/high school youth are hosting a free soup and sandwich luncheon today, and all financial contributions will fund supplemental food assistance at Westside Men’s Shelter. Financial contributions can be made via cash or check payable to Catonsville Presbyterian Church with the memo “Souper Bowl of Caring” or online at catonsvillepres.org/give.
Children’s Books
Parents of children ages 4-10 can pick up a free copy of ‘Twas the Season of Lent: Devotions and Stories for the Lenten Easter Seasons by Glenys Nellist in the Fellowship Hall today. Please connect with Dorothy Boulton to receive your copy.
Lenten Calendar
Copies of Tread Lightly for Lent, a calendar with daily sustainable practices from the Presbyterian Hunger Program, is available in the rear and front of the sanctuary. An online version is available for download at tinyurl.com/tread-light.
Dismantling Racism
The Presbytery of Baltimore is facilitating a presbytery-wide book study on The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays between April 8 and May 13, there will be weekly small group discussions. Special guests will provide insight on the book’s major themes. Online registration for these Zoom meetings is now open at baltimorepresbytery.org/dismantling-racism.
Ash Wednesday
Our joint service of worship with Dickey Memorial, Hope, and Hunting Ridge Presbyterian churches will be held at Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church (4640 Edmonson Ave, Baltimore) on February 14 at 7 p.m. For those who would like to stream via Zoom, please contact the CPC church office.
Grace AME (67 1/2 Winters Ln, Catonsville) also extends an invitation to their Ash Wednesday service at noon.
Children and Youth Choir
The children and youth choir resumes after worship this week. New singers are enthusiastically welcomed, and there is no commitment beyond the short weekly rehearsals and Palm Sunday worship. While the Souper Bowl of Caring luncheon is set up, children and youth should meet with Wendy for a few minutes in the choir room. Wendy will listen to each child sing “Happy Birthday” to get a sense of their voice. Children and youth are free to leave immediately after.
Beginning February 18, regular rehearsals will be held every week leading up to Palm Sunday, when the children and youth choir will sing during worship. Children and youth should gather in the choir room after worship for a roughly thirty-minute rehearsal.
For more information, contact Wendy Johnston (wjohnston@catonsvillepres.org), Organist and Assistant Director of Music.
Staff Schedules
Ken Kovacs will return from his studies on Sunday, February 18. Dorothy Boulton will be out of the office from February 19-28.