First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday
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MEDITATION
God who said, “Out of darkness the light shall shine!” is the same God who made
light shine in our hearts to bring us the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face
of Christ.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
A message from Executive Presbyter/ Stated Clerk Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence;
Siblings in Christ:
You have been on my mind and in my prayers as you continue to provide support to
members of the Presbytery who have been impacted by the mass shooting at MSU. The
Presbytery is partnering with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to resource you in all the
ways that are necessary.
The senseless deaths of young people at MSU by gun violence is beyond imagination and
we are all still reeling. May God’s presence of strength, comfort and love surround you.
I’m sure you are aware that many, if not most, students have left for home as MSU has
canceled classes until Monday. Elder Neil Myer, UKirk Director of Ministry/Campus Minister
at MSU, is a member of Eastminster Presbytery Church in East Lansing near the campus.
Campus ministers and members of Eastminster are preparing gift bags to welcome
students back to campus Monday in an effort to provide presence and comfort.
If you would like the students from your congregation, or any students, to receive a gift bag,
please forward the students’ names and addresses to Neil Myer, who is copied on this
email.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call.
Peace, Fran
PRELUDE El Shaddai (Almighty God) Michael Card John Thompson/arr. Hugh S.
Livingston, Jr.
*CALL TO WORSHIP (responsively)
From a cloud or in a crowd of people, God speaks to us.
Calling us to be lovers of justice, to share hope with a broken world.
On mountaintops, and in neighborhoods, Christ calls to us.
With a word, and with wonder, molding us into who we are.
We gather as the faithful of God, we come to listen to what God has to say to us.
We boldly enter into the presence of God, hoping to be transformed into
new people.
Let us worship the Lord!
* HYMN: # 645 vs 1, 3, 4 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
CALL TO CONFESSION:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (Unison)
O God, the radiance of your grace is poured out in every moment,
but we dull its luster by living in the shadows.
We indulge in TV shows, movies, the internet,
but we have trouble simply sitting in your healing presence.
We become so infatuated with your love for us
that we overlook those who hunger for acceptance and hope.
Revealer of mystery, forgive us.
In silence, may we hear your whispers of grace.
In mercy, may we feel your forgiveness lifting the burden of guilt from us.
In trust, may we go forth to serve your world,
filling it with the light and love of the One who is the Light of the world,
Jesus the Christ.
A time of silent confession and personal prayer follows.
Prayerful Response #698
Take, O take me as I am, summon out what I should be’
Set your seal upon my heart and live in me.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
God's Light has come into the world, and into our lives.
We are graced with glimpses of God's glory, even as we are filled with mercy and forgiveness.
Thanks be to God, who accepts us, forgives us, and
uses our very human lives to share light and hope with our world.
*GRATEFUL RESPONSE # #591
Halle, Halle, Halle-luja, Halle, Halle, Halle-luja!
Halle, Halle, Halle-luja, Halle-luja! Halle-luja!
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
The Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Exodus 34: 29-35; Matthew 17:1-9
MESSAGE: Reflecting God’s Glory
HYMN # 193 vs 1, 3, 5 Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY Amazing Grace Virginia Harmony, 1931/Setting by Ann Buys
DOXOLOGY # 607
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER
*HYMN #192 vs 1 & 3 Shine, Jesus, Shine
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Majesty Jack W. Hayford/Setting Douglas E. Wagner
WORSHIP GUIDE:
*Stand if you are able
Congregation participation
Interim Pastor: Rev. Gail E. Monsma Email: revgailfpcpawpaw@gmail.com
Liturgist: Joan Pohl
Music: Theresa Vaughn
Technology: Chuck Williams, Andy Thorburn, Tom Shoemaker, Nathaniel McCloskey
Usher: Laura Wells
CHURCH OFFICE:
120 Pine Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3111 Please feel free to call and leave a message
Office Hours: (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9-3)
Email: firstpres120@gmail.com
Website: www.pawpawpres.org
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