Ye watchers and ye holy ones, bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones, raise the glad strain, Alleluia! Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers, virtues, archangels, angels' choirs:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O higher than the cherubim, more glorious than the seraphim, lead their praises, Alleluia! Thou bearer of th' eternal Word, most gracious, magnify the Lord:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
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Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
Celebrant: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
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Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray. O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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The First Reading 2 Kings 2:1-12
A Reading from the Second Book of Kings.
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”
Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.”
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 50:1-6 (Read in unison)
The Lord, the God of gods, has spoken; * he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, * God reveals himself in glory.
Our God will come and will not keep silence; * before him there is a consuming flame, and round about him a raging storm.
He calls the heavens and the earth from above * to witness the judgment of his people.
"Gather before me my loyal followers, * those who have made a covenant with me and sealed it with sacrifice."
Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; * for God himself is judge.
The Second Reading 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
A Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians.
Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In 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. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
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SEQUENCE HYMN: “O Wondrous Type, O Vision Fair”
O wondrous sight, O vision fair of glory that the church may share, which Christ upon the mountain shows, where brighter than the sun he glows!
With Moses and Elijah nigh Th’incarnate Lord holds conference high; and from the cloud, the Holy One bears record to the only Son.
With shining face and bright array Christ deigns to manifest today what glory shall be theirs above who joy in God with perfect love.
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The Gospel Mark 9: 2-9
Celebrant/Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Celebrant/Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
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The Homily
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The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
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Prayers of the People Form III p. 387 BCP
Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church; That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you; That your Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons; That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world; That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake; That our works may find favor in your sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to the departed eternal rest; Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy; May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you:” Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
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Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
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Announcements
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OFFERTORY HYMN: ”Alleluia! Sing To Jesus”
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! His the scepter, His the throne; Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone. Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion Thunder like a mighty flood; Jesus out of ev'ry nation Has redeemed us by His blood.
Alleluia! Not as orphans Are we left in sorrow now; Alleluia! He is near us, Faith believes, nor questions how. Though the cloud from sight received Him When the forty days were o'er, Shall our hearts forget His promise, "I am with you evermore?"
Alleluia! Bread of angels, Here on earth our food, our stay! Alleluia! Here the sinful Flee to Thee from day to day. Intercessor, friend of sinners, Earth's redeemer, plead for me, Where the songs of all the sinless Sweep across the crystal sea.
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THE HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every- where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
For by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power 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.
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Therefore, according to his command, O Father,
We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant.
Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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, for ever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, grant us your peace.
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Invitation to Spiritual Communion
Jesus, I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
COMMUNION HYMN ”Lift Him Up”
How to reach the masses, those of every birth, For an answer Jesus gave the key; ”And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, Will draw all men unto Me.”
Lift Him up, lift Him up, Still He speaks from eternity: ”And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, Will draw all men unto Me.”
Oh! the world is hungry for the Living Bread, Lift the Savior up for them to see; Trust Him and do not doubt the words that He said, ”I’ll draw all men unto Me.”
Lift Him up, lift Him up, Still He speaks from eternity: ”And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, Will draw all men unto Me.”
Don’t exalt the preacher, don’t exalt the pew, Preach the gospel simple, full and free; Prove Him and you will find that promise is true, ”I’ll draw all men unto Me.”
Lift Him up, lift Him up, Still He speaks from eternity: ”And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, Will draw all men unto Me.”
Lift Him up by living as a Christian ought, Let the world in you the Savior see; Then all will gladly follow Him who once taught, ”I’ll draw all men unto Me.”
Lift Him up, lift Him up, Still He speaks from eternity: ”And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, Will draw all men unto Me.”
Let us pray.
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his son Jesus Christ our Lord, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
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CLOSING HYMN: ”Christ, When For Us You Were Baptized”
Christ, when for us you were baptized, God's Spirit on you came, as peaceful as a dove, and yet as urgent as a flame.
God called you His beloved Son you are God's servant true, sent you His Kingdom to proclaim, His holy will do to.
Straightway and steadfast until death you then obeyed His call freely as Son of Man to serve and give Your life for all.
Baptize us with your Spirit, Lord; Your cross on us be signed, that, likewise in God's service we may perfect freedom find.
