Last Sunday after Epiphany
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Luke.
Listen to David speak to this gospel.
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Last Sunday after Epiphany 2025
Take my lips O God and speak through them, take our minds O God and think through them, take our hearts O God and love through them this day. <Amen>
Not too long ago, my wife got on an underground, they call it the MRT, train in Singapore and was happily continuing her journey until she realised - - - she was going the wrong way! Kim realised she had mis-read the signs and the MRT map. It’s true - - - sometimes, we think we know what’s going on, only to realise we’ve been seeing things incorrectly and ended up going the wrong way.
Seeing things the wrong way, that’s what happened to Peter, James, and John. Let’s turn to Luke 9:28-36 and see how Jesus gave them, and us, a new perspective, new directions.
The new perspective starts with “A GLIMPSE OF GLORY” (Verses 28-29) as Jesus took Peter, James, and John up that mountain. As Jesus prays, His appearance changes - His face shines and His clothes become dazzling white. For a moment, the disciples saw Jesus, not just as their teacher and friend, but as the glorious Son of God.
I wonder if this was the moment when those three disciples realised that they had been ‘reading’ the the person of Jesus in the wrong way ?
This also reminds US that Jesus is more than just a wise man or a miracle worker. He is God in the flesh, full of power and majesty. Sometimes, like the disciples, we get so used to our routine with Him that we forget just how amazing Jesus really is.
When has Jesus show up in your life in a glorious and unexpected way ? <PAUSE>
The new perspective continues with “A CONFUSED RESPONSE” (Verses 30-33) as Moses and Elijah appear, talking with Jesus about His mission. Peter, overwhelmed by the experience, blurted out, “Let’s build three shelters!” He wanted to capture the moment and hold onto the experience.
Peter had good intentions, but he missed the point. This Transfiguration isn’t about putting up buildings or making monuments; it is about preparing for is was to come - Jesus’ journey to the cross.
Sometimes, we want to stay in our spiritual ‘comfort zones’, just going along doing what we have always done - but Jesus calls us to follow Him into the hard places, the new places. He calls us to find new, different and exciting ways to proclaim God’s Kingdom - trusting that His plan is bigger than our understanding. <PAUSE>
The new perspective continues with “A CLEAR COMMAND” (Verses 34-36). As Peter was speaking, a cloud enveloped them, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him.” When the cloud lifted, they saw Jesus alone.
God’s message is really simple - Listen to Jesus! In a world full of distractions, opinions, and noise, we need to tune our hearts to Jesus’ voice.
What is Jesus saying to you today? Maybe people need to take time to move away from all that noise. Maybe people need to take the cotton wool out of their ears, put it into their mouths, stop speaking and just take some quiet time to REALLY listen to Jesus.
Christ is calling many people to realise that they have been going in the wrong direction.
Christ is calling people to get off that ‘wrong train’ and step out in faith, to trust Him in difficult situations, or to simply spend more time with Him.
Whatever it is, God’s command remains the same: Listen to Him. <PAUSE>
Now - - - let’s come down the mountain!
What an incredible experience that must have been for Peter, James and John but now, the disciples have to come down from the mountain. They didn’t\couldn’t stay in the glory of the moment - they had to return to real life, carrying what they had learned with them.
I am sure that we all love mountaintop experiences - those moments when God feels so close, and our faith is strong.
However, we’re not meant to stay there. God reveals His glory so that we can live differently when WE come back down from our experiences with Him.
So, this week, let’s ask ourselves: How can we see Jesus more clearly in our everyday lives? How can we listen to Him more closely?
I pray that we may we go forward with our eyes open to His glory, our hearts tuned to His voice, and our lives transformed by His presence … always remembering that when we show and share Christ’s glorious light to others then … to God will be the glory.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te tama me te Wairua tapu. AMINE.
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our plea is, “hear our prayer”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy : Hear our prayer.
Mighty God, your radiance shines upon us and lights our way. It tells us not to be afraid; to use you as our shield. Help us when we face times of darkness, fear, worry, lack of understanding. Constantly remind us, on our earthly journey, of the reward of everlasting life that we can expect through faith in Your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Encouraged by the radiant light of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ, let us pray with boldness and confidence.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Eternal God, we pray for faith communities around the world, that we may gather with reverence in the presence of the Lord and be sent into the world to serve with hearts full of faith and love. We especially raise before you those Christian communities who meet in the face of persecution and danger - Father, let Your light shine upon them and be their strength and shield.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Guiding Father, we offer prayers for the nations and world leaders, that they may serve in humility and be driven by God's mighty hand to act with justice and righteousness on behalf of all people - Father, let Your light shine upon them illuminating peace, justice, freedom, and equality for all.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, we pray for those who are troubled or frightened. We pray that they will dare to venture out and that the forthcoming Lenten and Easter services they may attend will be havens of peace and tolerance - Father, let Your light shine upon the path of preparation that leads to resurrection glory.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, we pray for all for those who long for wholeness and health that they may look to Christ the healer for hope and to us, His people, for daily comfort - Father, let Your light shine upon them bringing relief and freedom from pain in body, mind or spirit.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Remembering all the saints who have reflected God's glory, walked this earth before us and who now spend eternity with the Risen Christ, may we continue to see the hand of God in their lives and one day be re-united with themon the mountain of the Lord, to be bathed in His glorious light.
May all the faithful departed, now spend peaceful eternity gazing upon the face of The Risen Christ as they rest in peace having risen in glory..
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries. Make the things that we choose to do worthy of the life, death, and rising again of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
God of Light and God of Glory, at the conclusion of the Epiphany season, let us see your glorious light break forth among us once again. Let our faces reflect your wondrous grace and beauty. Lift the veil from our eyes and allow us to see Jesus for who he is - in full majesty and glory.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Everlasting God, we ask You to lead us into the coming week, and we place ourselves into Your Hands trusting in the mercy of the one who showed us Your face, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
