Sunday, February 15, 2015

P
K
C
H
(U.S.A.)
TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
FEBRUARY 15, 2015
Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are
tons of ups and downs. Itʹs a journey of discovery—there are
moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of
despair.
— Rick Warren
A Christ-centered Community
Called to Deepen Faith, Serve Others and Foster Fellowship
WELCOME TO KIRK IN THE HILLS
Welcome to worship
We are glad to have you with us today for worship. If this is your first visit to the Kirk, please sign the
pew pad. Please introduce yourself to a pastor after worship.
About today’s service
The Transfiguration of Jesus is the church’s last image before entering into Lent. The Greek word,
ʺmetamorpho,ʺ means to transform—literally and figuratively. It means to change into another form. It
also means to change the outside to match the inside. The Transfiguration gives us courage to join the
journey of Lent, in the hope that God’s power to transform will live and grow in each of us.
The following prayer invites us to prepare our hearts for worship and our lives for faithful living:
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts; Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil; Eternal power, be our support; Eternal
Wisdom, sca#er the darkness of our ignorance; Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us, that with all our heart and mind
and strength we may seek your face and be brought by your infinite mercy to your holy presence; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Alcuin of Tours, c. 735-804)
If you have children
Parents concerned about children becoming restless in the sanctuary service are invited to worship in
Cedarholm Chapel where there are crib-and baby-chair stands and where you may view either the 9:00
a.m. or 11:00 a.m. sanctuary service on a large screen. Childcare in the nursery (Abbey 24) is available
for infants and children through age 3 from 9:00 a.m.-noon. Please drop off children in the nursery
before the service.
If you need audio or visual assistance
Hearing assistance units, large-print bulletins and hymnals are available upon request from an usher.
If you are in need of prayer
You may submit prayer requests online at kirkinthehills.org/prayer-request/prayer-request form.
Stephen Ministers are available for personal, confidential prayer in Melrose Chapel after each
worship service. Melrose Chapel is located on the left-hand side of the pulpit.
Join us for fellowship
After the 9:00 a.m. service, we encourage worshippers to greet one another as they leave and assist
visitors in finding their way to the coffee hour and to one of the Christian education classes.
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THE SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Nine o’clock, Sanctuary
And he was transfigured before them. — Mark 9:2b
THE GATHERING
OPENING VOLUNTARIES
Prelude and Fugue in D
Prelude on Nicæa
Dietrich Buxtehude
Eric Thiman
Leo Sowerby
INTROIT
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts,
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal Power, be our support,
Eternal Wisdom, scaCer the darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* The people will stand at the ringing of the tower bell.
* PROCESSIONAL HYMN 138
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Nicæa
* OPENING PRAYER
Loving Lord Jesus, take us up the mountain with you. Bring us to
places we could not have gone on our own. Reveal yourself and
your will to us. Speak to us. And above all, give us the grace to
listen less to ourselves and our thoughts and desires in order that
we might listen to you. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Christianity is a revealed—and revealing—religion. It comes to us
as a gift of God. God has revealed in Jesus Christ the joy of the
kingdom. Let us all lift our voices and share the good news: In
Jesus Christ we all are forgiven! Amen.
Puer nobis
* GLORIA PATRI
To God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
May every tongue and nation raise
An endless song of thankful praise.
WELCOME
* Congregation standing
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THE WORD
SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 9:2-9 (Pew Bible, page 44; The New Adventure Bible, page 1106)
In certain wonderful, mysterious, mystical moments, God speaks to us, reveals to us, and we see and hear that which
we could never see and hear on our own. We call this mysterious gift “revelation.” It transforms us forever.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
WORD WITH THE CHILDREN
Children up through Grade 3 are invited to come forward to the front of the sanctuary for this part of the service. They
will then be dismissed to a brief class in the Abbey.
ANTHEM
Alexander Kopylow
Heavenly Light
(text printed on page 6)
SERMON
Transforming Identity
Rev. R. Sheldon
AFFIRMATION FAITH
Life in Christ is life eternal. The resurrection of Jesus is the sign
that God will consummate the work of creation and reconciliation
beyond death and bring to fulfillment the new life begun in
Christ.
(Confession of 1967, 9.26)
THE THANKSGIVING
OFFERING
Our giving is an offering to God. All offerings, whether made in the worship service or outside of it, are part of our
worship of God and are used to support the Kirk’s ministry here and in other parts of the world.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
ANTHEM
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
T. Frederick H. Candlyn
(text printed on page 6)
Old Hundredth
* DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him, above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
(Following the Doxology, the congregation will remain standing to sing the
last stanza of America in recognition of President’s Day.)
Our fathers’ God, to thee, Author of liberty, to thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light;
Protect us by thy might, great God, our King. Amen.
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
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THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors,
and lead us not unto temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.
Amen.
THE SENDING
* RECESSIONAL HYMN
O Wondrous Type, O Vision Fair
Old Hundredth (Hymn 220)
O wondrous type, 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
The Incarnate Lord holds converse 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.
And faithful hearts are raised on high
By this great vision’s mystery;
For which in joyful strains we raise
The voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.
O Father, with the eternal Son,
And Holy Spirit, ever One,
Vouchsafe to bring us by thy grace
To see thy glory face to face.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
Please take your seats as the pastor gives the congregation a charge to live the life of faith and then speaks words of
Godʹs blessing on all gathered.
CLOSING VOLUNTARY
Carillon-Sortie
Henri Mulet
The service ends with notes of praise and affirmation on the organ.
Please be respectful of those who wish to remain in a worshipful frame of mind.
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MUSIC NOTES
About today’s hymns
“Holy, Holy, Holy,” while wriCen for Trinity Sunday (which occurs eight weeks after Easter), is, because
of its description of the worship of God by saints and angels, also appropriate for Transfiguration
Sunday. Based on Revelation 4: 8-11, it also is connected to the Nicene Creed (page 15 in the hymnal),
particularly its theological interpretation of God.
“Fairest Lord Jesus” has been traced to the Jesuit community in Münster, a town in northwest Germany.
The tune had its origins as a folksong. Both the text and tune, because of their German origins, have
been enjoyed great popularity and regard in the Lutheran tradition.
“O Wondrous Type” dates from the fifteenth century and is specifically for Transfiguration Sunday,
which is the last Sunday after Epiphany and the Sunday before the beginning of the season of Lent. The
Transfiguration story is perhaps to modern ears somewhat of a challenge, with its supernatural vision,
though it directs us to consider deeply both the glory of Christ in the light of heaven as well as what lies
beyond the confines of our earthly and temporal existence. The tune is the familiar Old Hundreth,
which is the tune sung to the Doxology.
Anthem texts and notes
Heavenly Light
Aleksandr Kopylov
The anthem comes from the Russian Orthodox tradition; Kopylov was a member of the Russian Imperial Court
Chapel where he played the violin and was associated with its Chapel Choir.
Sent from heaven, thy rays were given
On great and small to shine, O Light Divine!
May each soul in sorrow’s night see the heavenly light.
Thou blessing to all creation, lead us to our salvation.
All those whose feet may falter, lead unto the sacred altar.
Oh, shine from above, Divine Light of love.
Show us the way unto our God, we pray.
Thou our beacon and guide shalt be.
Light Divine, we pray Thee.
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
T. Frederick H. Candlyn
This text by the great English Methodist hymn writer Charles Wesley if filled with Biblical references: Luke 1:78
(Christ as the Day Star); Malachi 4:2 (“Sun of Righteousness”); Hebrews 1:3 (“Radiancy Divine”); Ma#hew 17: 2
and Mark 9:2-9 (The Transfiguration); Luke 17:24 (Christ’s final return); and 2 Peter 1:19 (the Morning Star
rising in our hearts.) Candlyn was an English born organist and choirmaster whose career unfolded in the United
States during the first part of the twentieth century, culminating at St. Thomas Church, New York City.
Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, and only Light,
Sun of righteousness, arise!
Triumph o’er the shades of night:
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Day star, in my heart appear.
Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the day’s return,
Till Thy mercy’s beams I see;
Till they inward light impart,
Glad my eyes and warm my heart.
Visit then this soul of mine!
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief!
Fill me, Radiancy Divine;
ScaCer all my unbelief;
More and more Thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day. Amen.
(continued on page 11)
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THE SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Eleven o’clock, Sanctuary
And he was transfigured before them. — Mark 9:2b
THE GATHERING
OPENING VOLUNTARIES
Prelude and Fugue in D
Prelude on Nicæa
Dietrich Buxtehude
Eric Thiman
Leo Sowerby
INTROIT
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts,
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal Power, be our support,
Eternal Wisdom, scaCer the darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* The people will stand as the organ introduces the hymn.
* PROCESSIONAL HYMN 138
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Nicæa
* PRAYER OF ADORATION
Great God of dazzling beauty and overshadowing majesty, in
Jesus Christ, your beloved, we glimpse the image of your glory.
Teach us to listen to him so that we may hear your voice and
follow your holy way.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
The Lord, our God, is great indeed, clothed in majesty and splendor,
wrapped in light as with a robe. Let us pray:
Holy 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 cloud, you foreshadowed our adoption as your
children. Make us, with Christ, heirs of your glory, and let your
love shine in all we do and say that the world may see the radiant
light of God guiding all creation. Amen.
The Holy Spirit gives us strength to serve God faithfully. For the
times when we fail to live for Christ as he lived, and to love others as
he loved them, we seek God’s forgiveness that through our lives the
world may see the radiant light of God. Let us pray:
Lord of glory, in Jesus Christ you reveal the full light of your glory;
but we look away from him, distracted by our own desires and
ambitions. We speak too quickly, and act too rashly, intent only
upon achieving our chosen ends. Forgive us for turning away from
your holy glory. Grant us the wisdom, and empower us by your
Holy Spirit, to live in your light, following in the way of your
beloved Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
* Congregation standing
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Herbert Sumsion
KYRIE ELEISON
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; God’s greatness is
unsearchable. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and
God’s compassion is over all that God has made. In the name of
Jesus Christ, we all are forgiven. Glory be to God!
Puer nobis
* GLORIA PATRI
To God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
May every tongue and nation raise
An endless song of thankful praise.
WELCOME
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Sophia Elle Nixon, Grace Frances Haylie Shapiro
Liebster Jesu
CHORAL ORISON
Dearest Jesus, we are here,
Gladly Your command obeying.
With this child we now draw near
In response to Your own saying
That to You it shall be given
As a child and heir of heaven.
PRESENTATION
Elder, Katherine Adams
PROFESSION OF FAITH: THE APOSTLES’ CREED
Do you believe in God the Father almighty?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
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,
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he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We give you thanks, Eternal God….now and forever. Amen.
THE BAPTISM
WELCOME
With joy and thanksgiving
we welcome you into Christ’s church
to share with us in his ministry,
for we are all one in Christ.
THE WORD
Tallis’ Ordinal
CHORAL PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Now let our darkness comprehend
The Light that shines so clear;
Now the revealing Spirit send
And give us ears to hear.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (Pew Bible, New Testament, page 180)
Paul speaks of the glorious “light of the gospel” as he encourages and comforts the church at Corinth.
Mark 9:2-9 (Pew Bible, New Testament, page 44)
In certain wonderful, mysterious, mystical moments, God speaks to us, reveals to us, and we see and hear that
which we could never see and hear on our own. We call this mysterious gift “revelation.” It transforms us
forever.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM
Te Deum in C
Benjamin Bri#en
Transforming Identity
Rev. R. Sheldon
(text printed on page 11)
SERMON
* HYMN 306
Fairest Lord Jesus
Crusaders’ Hymn
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THE THANKSGIVING
PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Our giving is an offering to God. All offerings, whether made in the worship service or outside of it, are part of our
worship of God and are used to support the Kirk’s ministry here and in other parts of the world.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
ANTHEM
T. Frederick H. Candlyn
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
(text printed on page 6)
Old Hundredth
* DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him, above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
(Following the Doxology, the congregation will remain standing to sing the
last stanza of America in recognition of President’s Day.)
Our fathers’ God, to thee, Author of liberty, to thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light;
Protect us by thy might, great God, our King. Amen.
OUR LIFE TOGETHEER
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(text printed on page 5)
THE SENDING
* RECESSIONAL HYMN
O Wondrous Type, O Vision Fair
Old Hundredth (Hymn 220)
(text printed on page 5)
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
Please take your seats as the pastor gives the congregation a charge to live the life of faith and then speaks words of
Godʹs blessing on all gathered.
CLOSING VOLUNTARY
Carillon-Sortie
The service ends with notes of praise and affirmation on the organ.
Please be respectful of those who wish to remain in a worshipful frame of mind.
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Henri Mulet
(Continued from page 6)
MUSIC NOTES
Te Deum in C
Benjamin Bri#en
The Te Deum is an early Christian hymn of praise of immensely comprehensive proportions. Traditionally it is
sung on the great festival days in the Church, with composers from ancient times to the present inspired by the
depth of its meaning all the while challenged to reflect what amounts to be a theological Mount Everest. Today
being the Sunday when we recount the story of Christ’s transfiguration, dwelling with this great hymn takes on a
particular significance. The hymn follows the outline of the Apostlesʹ Creed (page 14 in the hymnal), mixing a
poetic vision of the heavenly liturgy with its declaration of faith. Naming God immediately, the hymn proceeds to
name all those who praise and venerate God, from the hierarchy of heavenly creatures to those Christian faithful
already in heaven to the Church spread throughout the world. The hymn then returns to its credal formula,
naming Christ and recalling his birth, suffering, and glorification. At this point the hymn turns to the subjects
declaiming the praise, both the Church in general and the singer in particular, asking for mercy on past sins,
protection from future sin, and the hoped-for reunification with the elect. Benjamin Bri#en is regarded as one of
the greatest English composers of the twentieth century.
We praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim : continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man :
thou didst not abhor the Virginʹs womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou siCest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people : and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.
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Flowers on the sanctuary altar are presented to the glory of God in loving memory of Robert
Gustafson, her wonderful husband, by his loving wife, Sheri Gustafson.
Acolytes scheduled to serve at the 9:00 a.m. service are:
Emma Fickel, Sr. Captain; Caitlin Emerson, Jr. Captain; Ursula Fuller, Jamie Green, Joel Fickel, Cameron
Hay, Cate Hay, CJ Hay, Andrew Emerson.
Acolytes scheduled to serve at the 11:00 a.m. service are:
Katie Weicel, Sr. Captain; Caroline Manning, Jr. Captain, CharloCe Beggs, Brynn Elder, Charlie Eriksen,
Will Eriksen, Lawrence Jia, Thomas Libcke.
Ushers scheduled to serve at the 9:00 a.m. service are:
Robert F. OCaway, Captain, D. David Pippel, Co-captain, Laurence C. Biehl, Kevin E. Brinks, William
Clements, Ralph Collins, Kirk D. Falvay, Michael Gerych, Marshall C. Murdough, David L. Nast,
Randall L. Pappal, Dennis E. Scheiber, Jeffrey D. Sigelko, Patrick J. Smith.
Ushers scheduled to serve at the 11:00 a.m. service are:
Howard H. Crumit, Jr., Captain, David H. Owen, Co-captain, Thomas W. Bustance, Brian E. Coburn, Jay
L. Cooke, Larry D. Lipa, Steve McCollum, Donald Quinn, Thomas L. Stewart, James W. Wells, Thomas
H. Young.
KRST RU VWX HRYYZ
1340 WXZV L[U\ L]TX R[]^
BY[[_`RXY^ HRYYZ, MRaWR\]U 48302
(248) 626-2515 ● kirkinthehills.org
Office Hours
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Open Door Hours
Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Stay connected with Kirk in the Hills
Robert L. Sheldon, Interim Pastor
William L. Adams III, Associate Pastor
Troy Hauser Brydon, Associate Pastor
Carol A. Tate, Associate Pastor
James F. Anderson, Pastor Emeritus
Glenn A. Miller, Director of Music & Organist
Dennis N. Curry, Associate Director of Music & Carillonneur
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