First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
March 2, 2025
Rev. Brian Copeland
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE Liturgist
OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
God of the mountaintop,
you call us to journey with you.
Shine upon us; grant us sacred illumination;
dazzle us with your beauty and glory.
In the midst of our weary souls
and exhausted bodies,
Transfigure our imaginations
and reveal to us what is possible.
In the face of unceasing violence and endless wars,
Transfigure our imaginations
and reveal to us what is possible.
In the midst of crushing disasters,
natural and human-made,
Transfigure our imaginations
and reveal to us what is possible.
Move us from scarcity and cynicism
and transfigure our lowly visions
to reveal the abundant life of your realm.
Help us to keep watch
so that we might leave the mountaintop
inspired to do your work of transformation
in the valley below. Amen.
HYMN #73 Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
We all fall short of our call
as beloved children of God.
Yet, in hope and with boldness
we confess our sin together,
trusting that we will be heard in God’s great mercy.
Holy Lord,
we confess that we do not always seek
the light of your way.
We are satisfied to dwell in darkness,
holding fast to the comforts of material fortune.
We ignore the needs of others,
and selfishly look the other way
when our neighbors are oppressed.
In your merciful way,
help us to establish your equity in the world.
Move us to protect creation and ensure equality,
that all of our siblings
may have a share of your abundance
and the safety of your peace,
and that the light of your face
may shine upon all creation.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
The Lord our God answers our prayers.
The Holy One forgives us of our sin.
Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
God of shining splendor,
your voice makes the earth tremble in wonder.
Overshadow us with your Spirit
so that we may hear your Word
and live as faithful disciples
and covenant people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Exodus 34:29-35 Liturgist
29Moses 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. 30When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. 31But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. 32Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; 34but 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, 35the 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.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 9:28-36 Rev. Brian Copeland
28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now 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. 33Just 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. 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36When 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.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN # 505 Be Known To Us in Breaking Bread
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.08
In Jesus of Nazareth,
true humanity was realized once for all.
Jesus, a Palestinian Jew,
lived among his own people
and shared their needs, temptations,
joys, and sorrows.
He expressed the love of God
in word and deed
and became a brother
to all kinds of sinful men and women.
But his complete obedience
led him into conflict with his people.
His life and teaching judged their goodness,
religious aspirations, and national hopes.
Many rejected him and demanded his death.
In giving himself freely for them,
he took upon himself the judgment
under which everyone stands convicted.
God raised him from the dead,
vindicating him as Messiah and Lord.
The victim of sin became victor,
and won the victory
over sin and death for all.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Joining our hearts and minds in prayer,
let us call on the name of the Lord,
saying: O God of grace, bless us with peace.
INVITATION TO OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering plates are on the front and back tables.)
Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
We praise and thank you, Lord God,
for the majesty of your work,
the wisdom of your word,
and the generosity of your grace.
Let the gifts of our lives bear witness
to your goodness and mercy,
your faithfulness and justice,
and your steadfast love for all. Amen.
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.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
At Mount Sinai you spoke to your servant Moses,
giving the law to guide your people
in the way of life that you intend for all.
PRAYER
HYMN #126 (Found in small blue supplement)
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE
Reminders:
March 5 – Ash Wednesday
March 9 – Ash Sunday, Session and Committee meetings following worship
March 30 – joint worship with Marcellus FPC here
April 13 – Palm Sunday April 18 – Good Friday
April 20 – Easter Sunday (One Great Hour of Sharing banks returned.)
