LOVELY LANE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY, YEAR A
FEBRUARY 15, 2026
† Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit “O Worship the Lord” McCutcheon
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
serve Him with gladness, all the earth. Amen.
†Call to Worship
We come to the mountaintop with questions in our hearts.
We come to behold God’s glory revealed.
We come to listen—beyond the noise, beyond the fear.
We come to follow Jesus, the Beloved.
And when worship ends, we will go back down the mountain—changed.
Let us worship God.
†Opening Hymn “Christ Upon The Mountain Peak” UMH 260
Prayer of Illumination
Holy Spirit, breath of the living God, open our ears to hear what is good, and open our hearts to receive what is true. Where we have made faith a performance, teach us worship that becomes justice. Where we have settled for easy answers, give us the wisdom of the cross. Where we have grown weary or afraid, speak the blessing of your kingdom again: Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the peacemakers. Illuminate your Word within us, that we may do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you—not only in this sanctuary, but in the world you so love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Reading from the Prophets Exodus 24:12-18 NRSV
The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there; I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up onto the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come back to you. Look, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 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. 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 Israelites. Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
Radiant God, you reveal your glory not to impress us, but to transform us. Speak through your Word until we hear again the command we most need: “Listen to him.” When our faith grows tired, strengthen it. When our love grows cold, rekindle it. When we cling to the mountaintop because the valley feels heavy, remind us that your presence goes with us—before us and behind us. Make us a people who reflect Christ: steady in suffering, humble in witness, and courageous in hope, until your light is seen in our life together. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Choral Response “Holy Spirit, Come to Us” TFWS 2118
†A Reading from the Gospel Matthew 17:1-9 NRSV
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 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.”
The Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ.
Sermon Reverend Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “When, Dearest Lord, When Shall It Be” Marshall/Wesley
When, dearest Lord, when shall it be
That I shall find my all in Thee;
The fullness of Thy promise prove,
The seal of Thy eternal love.
Ah! wherefore did I ever doubt?
Thou wilt in no wise cast me out,
A helpless soul that comes to Thee
With only sin and misery.
Lord, I am sick: my sickness cure;
I want: do thou enrich the poor;
Under Thy mighty hand I stoop,
O lift the abject sinner up.
Lord, I am blind: be Thou my sight;
Lord, I am weak: be Thou my might;
A helper of the helpless be,
And let me find my all in Thee.
Offering Prayer
God of glory, receive these offerings as our yes to your transforming love. Use them to extend your hope into every valley. Amen.
†Closing Hymn “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” UMH 103
†Benediction
Come down from the mountain with faith and courage. Go to listen, to love, and to shine with Christ’s light. Amen
†Benediction Response New Testament Benediction Gregor
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude