February 26, 2017

8th Sunday after Epiphany

16548 Ferris Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95032 | (408) 356-5055 | www.faithlosgatos.org

Office Hours: Tues./Thurs. by appointment | Church phone answered 9 AM – 7 PM

For Emergencies: Pastor Anne (408) 406-8749

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GOSPEL MESSAGE

February 26, 2017

EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Transforming Journey

Only a week before today’s gospel reading begins, Jesus tells his disciples that he

must suffer, die, and be raised. Peter is shocked that Jesus would even think

something like that. He rebukes Jesus: “God forbid it, Lord!” Jesus responds to Peter,

“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your

mind not on divine things but on human things” (Matt. 16:22-23).

Six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain where they

encounter God’s voice and Jesus transfigured with God’s glory. Peter moves from

being a stumbling block one week to a witness of Jesus’ transfiguration the next.

Jesus doesn’t write Peter off when he doesn’t understand the depth of Jesus’ mission.

Instead, Jesus gives Peter an experience of moving from denier to witness—from

Good Friday to Easter before it actually happens!

Later in Matthew’s gospel, after Jesus is arrested, Peter three times denies that he

even knows Jesus (Matt. 26:69-75). But Jesus doesn’t write Peter off. After his

resurrection, Jesus will meet Peter and the other disciples in Galilee to entrust his

ministry to them.

Jesus practices what he preaches—forgiveness. Jesus embodies what he preaches as

he takes our sin upon himself on the cross in order to free us and raise us up. He is

God’s beloved Son. We are to listen to him because he is God’s “I love you” in the

flesh.

Jesus doesn’t write you, or anyone else, off either. Jesus still embodies forgiveness in

bread, wine, and the words, “Given and shed for you.” As Jesus took Peter from the

Good Friday of his sin to the mountaintop of Easter forgiveness, may Jesus take you

from death to life in holy communion today.

Copyright © 2016 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies

Annual License #SAS103424.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the

Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Prelude

The Invitation of the Bell

(please stand as you are able)

Gathering song: “Arise Your Light Has Come” #314 (red book)

Greeting & Prayer of the Day:

P: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit be with you all.

C: and also with you.

P: Let us pray…

C: O 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

bright cloud declaring Jesus your beloved Son, you foreshadowed our

adoption as your children. Make us heirs with Christ of your glory, and

GATHERING

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bring us to enjoy its fullness, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and

forever.

Amen.

(please be seated)

Welcome & Praise Reports

Praise Song: “Shine Jesus, Shine” # 671 (red book)

Refrain: Shine, Jesus, Shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory;

Blaze Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light.

1. Lord the light of your love is shining,

in the midst of the darkness shining;

Jesus light of the world shine upon us,

Set us free by the truth you now bring us.

Shine on me; shine on me. Refrain

2. As we gaze on your kingly brightness,

So our faces display your likeness,

ever changing from glory to glory,

may our lives tell your story.

Shine on me. Shine on me. Refrain

Time with God’s Kids Pastor Anne

First Reading: Exodus 24: 15-18

15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16

The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days;

on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the

glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of

the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses

was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

WORD

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AM: Word of God, Word of Life

C: Thanks be to God!

Psalm Reading: Psalm 99 (read responsively)

AM: 1 The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble!

He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

C: 2 The LORD is great in Zion;

he is exalted over all the peoples.

AM: 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name.

Holy is he!

C: 4 Mighty King, lover of justice,

you have established equity;

you have executed justice

and righteousness in Jacob.

AM: 5 Extol the LORD our God;

worship at his footstool.

Holy is he!

C: 6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,

Samuel also was among those who called on his name.

They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.

AM: 7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;

they kept his decrees,

and the statutes that he gave them.

C: 8 O LORD our God, you answered them;

you were a forgiving God to them,

but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

AM: 9 Extol the LORD our God,

and worship at his holy mountain;

for the LORD our God is holy.

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(please stand as you are able)

Gospel Acclamation “Beautiful Savior” #838 (red book)

Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man!

Truly I’d love thee, truly I’d serve thee, light of my soul, my joy, my crown.

Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moon light, bright the sparkling stars on high;

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer than all the angels in the sky.

P: The Good News of Jesus according to: Matthew 17: 1-9

C: Glory to You, O Lord

17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led

them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and

his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there

appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus,

“Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one

for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a

bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son,

the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard

this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched

them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up, they saw no

one except Jesus himself alone.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about

the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

P: The good news of Jesus

C: Thanks be to you, O Christ

(please be seated)

Message Pastor Anne (Usher will come by and pick up your Prayer cards)

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(please stand as you are able)

Song of the Day: “Christ Be Our Light” #715 (red book)

Apostles Creed

P: With the whole Church, let us affirm our faith:

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C: I believe in God, the Father almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son our Lord,

who was conceived by the power of 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,

He is seated at the right hand of the Father,

And He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen

(please be seated)

Prayers of the People

AM: Called to be a light to the nations, let us pray for God’s justice, peace, and

healing.

A brief silence.

AM: God of Moses, you revealed your glory on Mount Sinai. Reveal your glory

through missionaries and campus ministries. Shine your light through their acts

of caring, justice, and mercy. Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

AM: God of Eve, you create humankind in your image. Cultivate in us a passion for

your good creation. Transform our daily routines so that our stewardship

reveals your image. Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

AM: God of David, you equip shepherds to care for your people. Where leaders rule

by fear, transform their hearts with compassion and mercy. Send advocates for

peace. We pray for your justice in every land (especially). Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

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AM: We pray for guidance for Bishop Eaton and Bishop Holmerud. Lord, in your

mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

AM: We pray for the world. This week from the Cycle of World Prayer we

especially lift up Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands. May they live in

your peace and protection. Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

AM: God of Naomi, you care for the widow. Be with all who mourn. Connect

children in foster care with loving families. Protect refugees. Heal the sick and

strengthen caretakers (especially those we name here silently or aloud. . .).

C: hear our prayer.

AM: God of Zechariah, you invite us to worship. Teach us to sing your praise in all

places and in all circumstances. Embolden us to proclaim the joy of your

faithfulness with our whole being. Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

AM: Bless the ministry of Epiphany Lutheran/Episcopal, Marina, our sister

congregation in our El Camino Real Conference as we lift them up in prayer.

C: hear our prayer.

AM: God of Lazarus, you resurrect the dead. Deepen our trust in the resurrection

promise. Grant us peace as we grapple with what it means to die and live in

you. Lord, in your mercy,

C: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Receive these prayers in the name of Christ, the light of the world, who is

one with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

C: Amen.

Reconciliation & Peace

P: As you have been reconciled with God, so now reach out to those just around

you and share the reconciliation of God with others.

P: The peace of Christ be with you.

C: and also with you.

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P: God be with you

C: And also with you

P: Lift up your hearts!

C: We lift them to the Lord

P: Let us give thanks to God.

C: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

P: God of all time and space, you touch us with your Light in this time of Epiphany,

reminding us of your wisdom and love made human among us. You set us alight with

your Spirit, calling us to be the hope and joy you promise to all creation – to nurture

your realm of peace, already alive – around, among, and between us. So we join our

voices with the peoples of all times and places as we sing:

“What Feast of Love” #487 vs 1, 3 (red book)

What feast of love is offered here. What banquet come from heaven?

What food of everlasting life, what gracious gift is given?

This, this is Christ the King, the bread come down from heaven.

Oh, taste and see and sing! How sweet the mana given?

What wine of love is offered here, what crimson drink from heaven?

What stream of everlasting life, what wondrous love is given?

This, this is Crist the King, the sweetest wine of heaven.

Oh, taste and see and sing! The Son of God is given!

Text: Delores Dufner. Music: English ballad, 16th century. Text © 1993 Delores Dufner,

admin. OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-726427.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread,

gave thanks, broke it,

and gave it to his followers saying:

Take and eat; this is my life, given for you.

Do this to re-member me.

Later, during the meal, he took the cup,

gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant given to you and to all people

for the forgiveness of sin.

Whenever you do this, re-member me.

MEAL

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So let this moment be held in the brightness of your being.

Let this bread, wine, and all of us be blessed

by the breath of your Spirit.

With your people in every time and place,

we praise and glorify you forever. Amen.

P: Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus, a prayer of hope for a new creation.

The Lord’s Prayer

C: 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 trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen

P: All are invited and welcome at this table. We come together and kneel or not as

we desire. There is gluten-free unleavened bread, red wine or white grape

juice in the individual cups. If you chose not to receive the bread and wine

you are invited to come for a blessing, or stay in your seat in silent prayer.

(For those who cannot come to the table, we will come to you.)

Invitation to the table

P: Come to the banquet, for nothing and no one can take your place. This is

God’s table, and Jesus is the host of this meal. It is a table of grace and it is all

we will ever need.

Communion Music: Catherine Ellacer

Post-Communion Blessing & Prayer

P: We thank you, O God, that you have strengthened our hearts through this feast

of life and love. Be light for our path, that we may do justice, love kindness, and

walk humbly with you, now and forever.

C: Amen

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The Offering is Received

Offering Song: “We Are An Offering” #146 (purple book)

(please sing during the gathering of the offering)

We life our voices, we life our hands

We lift our lives up to you; we are an offering.

Lord use our voices, Lord use our hands,

Lord use our lives, they are yours: we are an offering.

All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be,

We give to you, we give to you.

We lift our voices, we lift our hands,

We lift our lives up to you:

We are an offering, we are an offering.

Words and Music by Dwight Liles. CCLI Song # 16220. © 1984 Word Music, LLC.

For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. ccli.com

CCLI License # 11396410

Offering prayer

C: Gracious God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, you call us from

darkness to light, from indifference to justice, from hatred and violence to peace

and reconciliation. With these gifts we offer ourselves to you, our hands for your

work. Amen.

Time of Testimony & Invitation

Blessing: (please stand as you are able)

P: As you go, make a joyful noise to God with all the earth.

Sing joyous songs of praise,

Let the trumpets ring, the seas roar, and the mountains sing,

For God has come among us and love is born within us – Hallelujah!

Go in the peace of Christ.

C: Amen.

SENDING

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Sending Song: “We Are March in the Light of God” # 866 (red book)

1. We are marching in the light of God; we are marching in the light of God.

We are marching in the light of God; we are marching in the light of God.

We are marching, marching; we are marching, marching

We are marching in the light of, the light of God

We are marching, marching; we are marching, marching

We are marching in the light of, the light of God.

2. We are praying…

3. We are singing…

4. We are dancing…

Dismissal

P: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, go and be God’s disciples in the world

C: Thanks be to God. We will!

Those in Service today

Pastor: Pastor Anne Carlson

Organist: Catherine Ellacer

Ushers: Bob Balcomb/Les Grundy

Acolytes: Tristen Fabris/ Damian

Hernandez/Donovan Plummer

Reader/Lector:

Altar Care: Linda Perez

Refreshments:

Flowers: Jodi Sorenson in memory of husband

Dr. Lowell Sorenson

Prayer List

Mimi Shilov Mario Chissesi

Marie Hughes

**Please let us know the names of those you would like included on the prayer list.

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle—This week

Feb. 26, 2017

Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pray for: cultural, linguistic and political barriers and suspicions that remain; the haunting legacies of colonization and quests for economic gain.

immigrants who are alienated or marginalized in these societies; greater tolerance and solidarity with all in these societies and around the world.

Financials/Attendance for Feb. 19:

Attendance: 0

Offering: $0.00

Social Concern: $0.00

Lord’s Pantry: $0.00

Social Concern of the Month

Next Door Solutions To Domestic Violence

February Social Concern of the Month is Next Door Solutions To Domestic Violence,

which seeks to end Domestic Violence in the moment…and for all time.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday, Feb 26 FAT SUNDAY

Pancake Breakfast to recognize Pastor Anne’s & Pastor Carol’s

time with us immediately following our service.

Heifer Project – Remember to start bringing your change for your

donations to the Heifer Project starting next Sunday, March 5th.

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Faith Lutheran’s Hospitality Credo Mission: By the Power of God: Caring, Sharing, Praying, Growing

Caring & Growing 1. All are welcome

We are inclusive

We value you being here

Caring & Praying 2. We expect to meet Jesus

Every Sunday when we gather Communion/ Lord’s Supper is open to everyone without restrictions

Praying & Sharing 3. Service

Worship on Sunday is when we gather to receive God’s service to us,

and to thank and praise God.

Serving our neighbor and the stranger is what we are sent out to do.

4. Grateful and Thankful

We know all of life is a gift and blessing from God.

We are sent out to be a blessing to everyone we meet.

Sharing 5. Sharing our resources

Financial: One of God’s many blessings is our financial gifts

FLC shares 15% of all our offerings, plus the social concern of

the month offerings with:

The broader Lutheran church

The world

Our neighbors

Energy: We give our time and passion to 6 local community charities

Praying & Growing 6. We are human

We struggle with our lack of faith & human condition

We confess our sins

We repent – that is turn around to Jesus

We accept forgiveness, sometimes

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We are blessed with God’s love and forgiveness

As Lutherans, we live daily as both saint and forgiven sinner.

Which means we are human.