Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Transfiguration of Our Lord / Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year C

Epiphany Theme

The Light of Christ brings Hope and Life

Theme Write-up written by Matthew Reece, Director of Music Ministries

The worship theme “The Light of Christ Brings Hope and Life” for the season of Epiphany 2025 invites us to reflect on how the light of Jesus illuminates our lives and the world with renewed hope and abundant life. During Epiphany, a season celebrating the manifestation of Christ to the nations, this theme draws from Scripture’s rich imagery of light breaking through darkness. From the star that guided the Magi to the prophetic declarations of Jesus as the “Light of the World,” we are reminded that Christ’s presence reveals God’s love, guidance, and salvation for all people. Through worship, we are called to celebrate this radiant hope, even amid life’s uncertainties, and to embrace the life-giving promise of Christ’s grace.

This theme also challenges us to embody the light of Christ in our daily lives. As we receive His hope and life, we are sent out as bearers of His light, reflecting His love and justice to a world yearning for healing and restoration. Through acts of kindness, reconciliation, and witness, we become part of God’s mission to dispel darkness and bring hope to those around us. The season of Epiphany is thus a time not only of celebration but also of transformation, as we are invited to live as Christ’s light in a world hungry for the hope and life only He can bring.

Call to Worship

Throughout the season of Epiphany, the worship service has begun with a sung Call to Worship. Have you stopped to think about the words that you have been singing each week and how they help center ourselves for worship? Below is the song we have used for the season.

Arise, Your Light Has Come!

ELW #314 | Text: Ruth Duck, b. 1947 | Text © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc.,

Arise, your light has come! The Spirit’s call obey; show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.

Arise, your light has come! Fling wide the prison door; proclaim the captive’s liberty, good tidings to the poor.

Arise, your light has come!  All you in sorrow born, bind up the brokenhearted ones and comfort those who mourn.

Arise, your light has come! The mountains burst in song! Rise up like eagles on the wing, God’s pow’r will make us strong.

Ardor (Worship Musicians)

The musicians rehearse from 9:00 – 9:45 am every Sunday morning. All are welcome! The musicians for worship can find the service orders and music in the crate on the back pew in the sanctuary for each week of the month. Contact the office if you plan to help lead worship.

Sunday School

The Sunday class will be taking a break for the foreseeable future. Keep checking the publications for when the class will return.

Worship Information

Join us in-person for the weekly Worship Service at 10:00 am in-person or via Facebook Live if you are unable to attend in person (https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsdavenport/). The service will later be uploaded to YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@allsaintslutheranchurchdav1987) for your viewing. We will receive new members during worship.

If you would like the words for the worship service, contact the office (office@allsaintsdavenport.org) to request the information.

Introduction

Witnesses to the glory of God in the face of Jesus reflect that glory in the world. It was true for Moses. It was doubtless true for Peter, James, and John. We pray that it will be true of all of us who see God’s glory in the word and in the supper and who are being “transformed into the same image” by God’s Spirit.

Prayer of the Day

Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Transform us into the likeness of your Son, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Scripture

Exodus 34:29-35 Coming down from Mount Sinai, Moses’ face shone

Moses’ face shone with the reflected glory of God after he received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The sight caused the Israelites to be afraid, so Moses wore a veil to mask the radiance of God’s glory, taking it off when he spoke directly with God.

Psalm 99 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord; worship upon God’s holy hill. (Ps. 99:9)

2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2 With unveiled faces we see the Lord’s glory as we are transformed

In his debates with the Corinthians, Paul contrasts the glory of Moses with the glory of Christ. The Israelites could not see Moses’ face because of the veil. But in Christ we see the unveiled glory of God and are transformed into Christ’s likeness.

Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a] Jesus is transfigured on the mountain

The conversation about Jesus’ suffering and death is enclosed in a dazzling foreshadowing of the resurrection. God affirms Jesus’ identity, the disciples are stunned speechless, and Jesus resumes his mission with a demonstration of his power over evil.

Fellowship Time

You are invited to stay after worship for refreshments and fellowship time in the gathering space.