Hymn [Blue#381 , GTG#416] O Come Unto the Lord 

CALL TO REPENTANCE

Prayer of the Confession:

Merciful Creator,

Hymn [Blue#93 , GTG#218] Ah, Holy Jesus

PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Homily “More Than an Organ” Elder Briana Mayfield

Response Hymn [Blue#81 , GTG#166] Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days

Journey to the Cross

*The Colors of the Sanctuary are Changed for the Season 

Invitation to Observe a HOLY LENT

Beloved people of God: 

Every year at the time of the Christian Passover we celebrate our redemption through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lent is a time to prepare for that celebration and to renew our life in the paschal mystery.  We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance, and for the mercy and forgiveness  proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We begin our journey to Easter with the sign of the ashes. This ancient sign speaks of the frailty and uncertainty of human life, and marks the penitence of this community. I invite you therefore, in the name of Christ, to observe a holy Lent by self examination and penitence, by prayer and fasting, by works of love, and by meditating on God’s word.

Meditation and Private Prayer. 

Music will be played softly in the background. It is recommended that you read Psalm 51 during this time of reflection and soul searching.

LITANY OF PENITENCE 

IMPOSITION of ASHES

One:  Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and penitence, for it is only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

People are invited to come forward to receive the imposition of ashes. A worship leader marks the forehead of each person with the ashes, using the following words: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19)”

After all who desire ashes have received them, the confession concludes with the following words:

One: Accomplish in us, O God, the work of your salvation,

Many: that we may show forth your glory in the world.

One: By the cross and the passion of our Savior,

Many: bring us with all your saints to the joy of Christ’s resurrection. 

Hymn [Blue#298 , GTG#435] There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

Responsive Prayer      2 Corinthians 5:20-21; 6:1-2

One: So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 

Many: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

One: As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 

Many: For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

CHARGE and BENEDICTION

Those assembled are invited to leave in contemplative silence. 

Service Leader: Elder Briana Mayfield

Pianist/Organist: Randy Martono-Chai

in the transfiguration of your Son you confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the witness of Moses and Elijah; and in the voice from the cloud you foreshadowed our adoption as your children. Make us, with Christ, heirs of your glory, and bring us to enjoy its fullness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

HYMN [Blue#280][GTG#649] Amazing Grace 

1 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, 

but now I see.

2 ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that  grace appear

the hour I first believed!

3 Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

and grace will lead me home.

4 The Lord has promised good to me; his word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be

as long as life endures.

5 When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days  to sing God’s praise

than when we’d first begun.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of compassion,

in Jesus Christ you reveal the light of your glory, but we turn away, distracted by our own plans. We confess that we speak when we should listen, and act when we should wait. Forgive our aimless enthusiasms. Grant us wisdom to live in your light and to follow in the way of your beloved Son,

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]     

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE Exodus 34: 29-35

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.

2nd  SCRIPTURE     Luke 9:28-36    

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 dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, 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 make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” —not knowing what he said. 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.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON  “Bright Shining as the Sun”  CP Ford Dieth

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY 

DOXOLOGY [GTG#609]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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.

HYMN [Blue #411][GTG#744] Arise, Your Light is Come

1 Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey;

show forth the glory of your God, which shines on you today.

2 Arise, your light is come! Fling wide the prison door;

proclaim the captives’ liberty, good tidings to the poor.

3 Arise, your light is come!All you in sorrow born,

bind up the brokenhearted ones and comfort those who mourn.

4 Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song!

Rise up like eagles on the wing; God’s power will make us strong

PARTING PRAYER   

Holy One, as you are well pleased with Christ,

help us to live in a way that will be pleasing to you.

As you have called us to listen to Christ, help us to always heed his word and seek his will. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy church; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [Blue#75][GTG#189] O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair

4. With shining face and bright array

Christ deigns to manifest today

what glory shall be theirs above

POSTLUDE                                   

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.