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Transfiguration Sunday

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, February 15, 2026

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Prelude

Be thou My Vision SLANE arranged by Eleanor Whitsett

Welcome & Announcements

*Confession & Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Word who spoke life into being, the Wind stirring the waters. Amen.

Let us turn in confession to the one who knows us completely.

Mighty God, lover of justice, you call us to life in community, but we have served our own interests at the expense of our neighbors. We have sown deceit where honesty was needed. We say the right words, but our hearts are far from you. Turn us to seek your face. Knit us together and give us the mind of Christ, that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

The former things have passed away, and new things God now declares: Like a spring of water that never fails, God covers you in the righteousness of Christ, and forgives your sin in Jesus’ name.

May the Spirit give you strength to live for others, and bless you with the gift of peace. Amen.

*Gathering Hymn Shine, Jesus, Shine

*Prayer of the Day

O God, 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 bright cloud declaring Jesus your beloved Son, you foreshadowed our adoption as your children. Make us heirs with Christ of your glory, and bring us to enjoy its fullness, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Old Testament Reading Exodus 24:12-18

12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there; I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up onto the mountain of God. 14 To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come back to you. Look, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.”

15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the Israelites. 18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 2 spoken responsively

1 Why are the nations in an uproar? Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?

2 Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt, and the princes plot together, against the Lord and against the Lord’s anointed?

3 “Let us break their yoke,” they say; “let us cast off their bonds from us.”

4 God whose throne is in heaven is laughing; the Lord holds them in derision.

5 Then in wrath God speaks to them, and in rage fills them with terror.

6 “As for me, I have anointed my king upon Zion, my holy mountain.”

7 Let me announce the decree of the Lord, who said to me, “You are my son; this day have I begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.

9 You shall crush them with an iron rod and shatter them like a piece of pottery.”

10 And now, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11 Submit to the Lord with fear, and with trembling bow in worship;

12 lest the Lord be angry, and you perish in a sudden blaze of wrath. Happy are all who take refuge in God!

The Epistle Lesson 2 Peter 1:16-21

16 We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel Acclamation From “This Far By Faith”

*Gospel Matthew 17:1-9 Glory to you O Lord

1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon Pastor Kurt Christenson

*Hymn of the Day How Good Lord to Be Here

*Prayers of Intercession

Response to each petition: Merciful God, receive our prayer.

*Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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.

*Exchange of Peace

The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.

Offering

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Offering Music

Jesus on the Mountain Peak BETHOLD setting Mark Sedio

Offering Prayer

God of majesty, no eye has seen, no ear has heard what you have prepared for those who love you, yet in this meal you reveal the wideness of your mercy. Use what we have gathered to feed us with the reign of God come near, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

*The Great Thanksgiving

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. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

*Preface

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. By the leading of a star he was shown forth to all nations; in the waters of the Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son; and in the miracle of water turned to wine he revealed your glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

*Sanctus from “This Far By Faith”

*Eucharistic Prayer

On the night our Lord Jesus was betrayed, …

Remembering, then, his death and resurrection, we take this bread and cup, giving you thanks that you have made us worthy to stand before you and to serve you as your priestly people. Send your Spirit upon these gifts of your church; gather into one all who share this bread and wine; fill us with your Holy Spirit to establish our faith in truth, that we may praise and glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ; through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now and forever.

Amen.

*The Lord’s Prayer

Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Agnus Dei from “This Far By Faith”

Communion Distribution

Communion Hymn Jesus, Jesus, Light from Light Choir

Jesus, Jesus, Light from Light,

come to bring the nations sight,

Light, Light, Sight, Sight,

Jesus is the Light,

nothing hidden, all is Light.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the holy name,

cross and crown the only fame,

Name, Name, Fame, Fame,

Jesus is the name;

nothing else will be the same.

Anna, Anna, prophesy,

see all nations laugh and cry,

Laugh, Cry, Why? Why?

Jesus Christ is why,

all salvation now is nigh.

Joseph take the turtle-dove,

Mary, take the Lord of love,

Dove, Dove, Love, Love,

Jesus Christ is love,

all is wonder, all is love.

Simeon, your eyes are old,

love the One your eyes behold,

Old, Old, Hold, Hold,

Jesus Christ of old,

whom the prophets once foretold.

Holy, Holy, Holy Spirit, give us sight,

keep us looking for the light,

Sight, Sight, Light, Light,

Jesus in the night,

God is present, all is bright.

Text: Herbert Brokering, 1926–2009 Music: Carl F. Schalk, 1929–2021

*Communion Blessing and Prayer

Radiant God, we have seen your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. In the sacrament of his body and blood you have drawn us to your heart. Send us from this table with delight, that our lives may reflect the beauty of your love, and bear witness to all we have seen and heard, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

*Sending Hymn We Are Marching in the Light of God