South Church in Andover
United Church of Christ

THE WORSHIP OF GOD
ORDER FOR THE SERVICE

February 26, 2006
Last Sunday after Epiphany/Transfiguration

Let the prelude be a curtain of music which brings us into the sanctuary to worship God.
 Let necessary conversation be gentle and the preparation we make together be prayerful.

PRELUDE

WELCOME       

Introduction of Visitors and Guests
Announcements         Nominating Committee Chris Williams

Exchange of Peace

The peace of Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

INTROIT     Christ upon the mountain peak     Wren/Taylor

CALL TO WORSHIP

In the midst of hunger and war

we celebrate the promise of plenty and peace.

In the midst of oppression and tyranny

we celebrate the promise of service and freedom.

In the midst of doubt and despair

we celebrate the promise of faith and hope.

In the midst of fear and betrayal

we celebrate the promise of joy and loyalty.

In the midst of hatred and death

we celebrate the promise of love and life.

In the midst of sin and decay

we celebrate the promise of salvation and renewal.

In the midst of death on every side

we celebrate the promise of the living Christ.

Let us worship God!

* HYMN  Come, Christians, Join to Sing  #150 Red

PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND LORD’S PRAYER

LET THE CHILDREN COME           

Children in grades K-High School may move to their church school classrooms.
Parents of children up to age 7, please go to your child’s classroom after worship.

SCRIPTURE     Mark 9: 2 - 9     (see insert)

* HYMN  Be Thou My Vision  #339 Red

scripture        II Kings 2: 1 - 12 (see insert)

SERMON  To the Mountain and back     Dr. Mutti

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE         

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS IN THANKSGIVING

Invitation

Offertory Anthem               Sing Alleluia Forth     E. Thiman  

* Doxology

* Dedication Prayer             

* HYMN  Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!   #144 Red

* BENEDICTION

  RESPONSE  May the grace of Christ  Rockstro

POSTLUDE  

* Those who are able may stand.

Participating in Today's Service:

Greeters: Buffy, Steve, Molly and Caroline Pritchard

Acolytes: Jason Nawrocki and Kayla Saras
Deacon: Jan Holden

Youth: Christopher Leary

The flowers this morning are given by the

Memorial Flower Fund.

Scriptures For This Day        New Revised Standard Version

Mark 9: 2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

II Kings 2: 1-12

Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.” Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.