Transfiguration of Our Lord

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Saint John Lutheran Church

Griffin, Georgia

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14

Sunday, February 14Transfiguration of Our Lord

10:00 am Worship (Online)

12:00pmCoffee Hour via Zoom

5:30pmAA Primary Purpose

Monday, February 15Office Closed

7:00 pm AA Primary Purpose

Tuesday, February 16 7:00pmOnline Devotions-St. John FB page

7:00pm AA Primary Purpose

Wednesday, February 17Ash Wednesday

12:00pmAsh Wednesday Service - Online

Thursday, February 187:00pmOnline Devotions-St. John FB page

Friday, February 197:00pmOnline Friday Fun Night-St. John FB page

Saturday, February 20 5:30pmAA Primary Purpose

Sunday, February 21First Sunday in Lent

10:00 am Worship (Online)

12:00pmCoffee Hour via Zoom

5:30pmAA Primary Purpose

If you need Pastor Mary after hours,

please call her at 309-212-0888.

Office Hours:

Closed Mondays

Tuesday-Friday: by appointment only

GATHERING

Prelude

Welcome

Please stand

Confession and Forgiveness

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose voice is upon the waters, whose mercy is poured out upon all people, whose goodness cascades over all creation. Amen.

Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy God, you search us and know us. You are acquainted with all our ways. We confess that our hearts are burdened by sin— our own sins and the broken systems that bind us. We turn inward, failing to follow your outward way of love. We distrust those who are not like us. We exploit the earth and its resources and fail to consider generations to come. Forgive us, gracious God, for all we have done and left undone. Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them; receive them in your divine mercy. Amen.

How vast is God’s grace! Through the power and promise of ☩ Christ Jesus, our sins are washed away and we are claimed as God’s own beloved. Indeed, we are forgiven. In the wake of God’s forgiveness, we are called to be the beloved community living out Christ’s justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace. Amen.

Our mission here at St. John is…

We trust God and invite you to experience God’s inclusive Love!

Gathering Song Arise, Your Light Has Come! (next page)

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

Hymn of Praise

The Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, the resplendent light of your truth shines from the mountaintop into our hearts. Transfigure us by your beloved Son, and illumine the world with your image, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORD

2 Kings 2:1-12

1Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2Elijah 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. 3The 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.”  4Elijah 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. 5The 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.”  6Then 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. 7Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8Then 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.  9When 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.” 10He 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.” 11As 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. 12Elisha 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.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God

Psalm 50:1-6

 1The mighty one, God the Lord, has spoken;  calling the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty,  God shines forth in glory.  3Our God will come and will not keep silence;  with a consuming flame before, and round about a raging storm. 4God calls the heavens and the earth from above  to witness the judgment of the people. 5“Gather before me my loyal followers,  those who have made a covenant with me and sealed it with sacrifice.” 6The heavens declare the rightness of God’s cause,  for it is God who is judge. 

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

3Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

The Holy Gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.

Mark 9:2-9

2Six 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, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then 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.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus.

  9As 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.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Silence is kept for reflection

Hymn of the Day How Good, Lord, to Be Here!

Apostles’ Creed

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 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

Prayers of Intercession

For creation: sun, moon and stars; life forming in the dark earth and ocean deep; mountains, clouds and storms, and creatures seen and unseen, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our stewardship of God’s creation. Bless the ministry of Agustinian Lutheran School, Guatemala and St. Johannes, Bavaria. We pray for Grace Missions and Chez Moi Orphanage, Haiti, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For those responsible for safety and protection: for emergency responders and security guards, attorneys and advocates, civil servants and leaders of governments, that they witness to mercy and justice throughout the world. Protect those who serve in the military, especially, Sequoya McLendon, Chris Perrault, Chantz Roche, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For all who suffer this day especially, Cathleen Dahl, Charlie Parks, William Panick, Bob Keener, Susan and David Friend, Maureen Caldwell, April Kennedy, Andy and June Harnack, John Bennett, Sarah Lanier, Ken Bell, Catherine Campbell, Micah Stansell, Terry (Terry’s husband) Emlet, Alan Tuffarella and family, Bill Tidwell, Elizabeth Hardin, that Christ our healer transform sickness into health, loneliness into companionship, bereavement into consolation, and suffering into peace, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

For those celebrating birthdays, Ryan Baade, Joe Hurst; those celebrating baptisms, Harper Droegmiller, Martha Dansby; those celebrating anniversaries, John and Rita Bennett; expectant parents, Bobby and Candas Yocum, let us pray.

Have mercy, O God.

We lift up all others we name in our hearts or on our lips….. (Pause), let us pray. Have mercy, O God.

Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

MEAL

We Share the Peace of the Lord

Music

Offering

Offering Prayer

O God, receive these gifts as you receive us: like a mother receives her child, with arms open wide. Nourish us anew in your tender care, and empower us in faithful service to tend to others with this same love, through Jesus Christ, our saving grace. Amen.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:

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

SENDING

Announcements

Blessing

God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you; and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace.

Amen.

Sending Hymn Shine, Jesus, Shine (next page)

Dismissal

As we go on our way, let us remember…

Through Jesus Christ, we are an equipping and responding church

that continues to grow, impact, and transform lives.

Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Postlude

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION – February 14, 2021

Cathleen Dahl, Charlie Parks, William Panick, Bob Keener, Susan and David Friend, Maureen Caldwell, April Kennedy, Andy and June Harnack, John Bennett, Micah Stansell, Sarah Lanier, Ken Bell, Catherine Campbell, Cherie Tidwell, Terry Emlet (Terry’s husband), Alan Tuffarella and Family, the Sakmar and McDaniel Families, Bill Tidwell, Elizabeth Hardin.

birthdaysBAPTISMS

2/15 Ryan Baade2/18 Harper Droegmiller

2/18 Joe Hurst2/19 Martha Dansby

EXPECTANT PARENTSANNIVERSARIES

Bobby and Candas Yocum2/14 John and Rita Bennett

MILITARY

Sequoya McLendon, Chantz Roche,Chris Perrault

Family and Friends: Teresa Gibson (Daughter of Pr. Barb Gibson); Liz and Bob Sherliza, Deb Tutson, Kathy Connor (Friends of Saint John); Ruby Reid (family of Gwen Flowers-Taylor); Sheryl Weldon, Darlene Kelly (friends of Julie Gates); Charles Harper, Tim Kennedy (family and friends of April Kennedy); Erin Reichelt, Rick Schnaible, Lynne Reichelt, Phyllis Kesler (family of Lyle and Cheryl Kesler); Mary Locke (mother of Janet Kindred); Kim Lothrop, (family of Connie Klopfenstein); Brian, Susan St. John, Deborah Lanier (family and friends of Sarah Lanier); Isaac Russell (family of Marcus Loner); Richard and Sue Tomsovic, (Uncle & Aunt of Tish Martin); Pam Walk & Son, Jareth (Family of Heather McVey), Sara, Merline and family (Friends and family of Gwen and Charlie Parks), Melissa Roy, Mary Donna Harris (family of Jill Roy); Doug Maxwell, Max Maxwell (Brother and Father of Debbie Sakmar); Anne Heilig, (Sister in law of Peggy Thomas), Jeanie Tidwell (mother of Bill, Tidwell); Ron Ballek (brother of Sharon Willard).

“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rest secure. For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the pit. You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:7-11

As I write this, I’m listening to Tony Bennett sing a recent recording of “Just the way you look tonight.” Like many of you, I heard the news last night of his having Alzheimer’s. I am thankful that music still connects him to the world, and blesses all of us with his beautiful singing. Please lift a prayer for him, his family, and all who deal with Alzheimer’s, and their loved ones who help them through every day. I also pray for a cure for this insidious disease!

We come into this month of February, and I am asking myself, what did we think January 2021 would bring, at least health wise, that was so different from 2020? Much has changed this past month. Babies have been born, and friends and family have died. Lives have been celebrated, and vaccinations have been given to some but Covid still has us keeping our distance, praying that we or our loved ones won’t get it.

Our political atmosphere has been in a freefall but hopefully we are getting on solid ground again. No matter who is the leader or in power, God is still with us, and showing us the way.

This month we can celebrate many things: Black History month, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday (a zoom party on Tuesday, February 16th at 7 p.m. for celebration, and burying the Alleluia’s. Please join us!), and then we get down to Ash Wednesday.

This year will not be like last year. Last year, we observed Shrove Tuesday with pancakes and merriment at church, and then we walked into Ash Wednesday in the sanctuary. This year, both events will be online. A packet of items for Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Easter will be coming to you soon. We hope that you will still gather with us online to celebrate, and then prepare our hearts for this 40-day journey that is before us.

I always say that you can take is as an opportunity to grow closer to God. Maybe you can decide to read a portion of the Bible every day, or give up something that draws you away from God. (like chocolate, wine, being on your phone too much, etc.) but it is also an opportunity to take on something.

Take it as a challenge. Lots of people to pray for? Connect with one person a day to say you are praying for and thinking of them. Lots of stuff to go through? Put a box or a bag together and pick a book a day, or pick clothes or other items to give away. At the end, you will have more than 40 items to give to charity. Want to make a difference in other’s lives but don’t have a lot of extra cash? Pray for that group, and have a soup meal once a week, and use the extra funds to put in a bowl. Give it away at the end of Lent to that charity.

Maybe considering fasting from gossip, fear mongering, or name calling and instead make a conscious effort to take on compassion, humbleness, and love as a way of living every day. All of us, like the Psalmist writes, can recognize that God shows us the path of life. February is an opportunity, so I want to encourage all of us to take this journey of Lent, and draw once again closer to the God who loves us so.

Blessings, Pastor Mary Armstrong-Reiner

Shrove Tuesday

Tuesday, February 16th at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Join us for celebration, and burying the Alleluia’s.

ASH WEDNESDAY: February 17, Noon-Online

The service for Ash Wednesday will be broadcast on Facebook at noon on February 17th with the service available the rest of the day on our Saint John page. We also hope to share it on You Tube that day as well.

A bag of ashes, oil, a Lenten devotion, and an Ash Wednesday bulletin will be available for pick up as soon as the ashes are received. These bags can be delivered if needed. More information will be forthcoming in the next week.

Pastor Mary will share a video online about putting the ashes on yourself or someone else.

Covid-19 Task Force update

At our most recent task force update, we looked at counties close by and district 4 numbers (which includes Spalding, Henry, Carroll, Pike, Upson, Coweta, Lamar, Meriweather, Monroe, and Butts), and the positivity rate is 20%, which is double what is recommended for gatherings by the synod guidelines. Due to the high number of hospitalizations, and deaths in our community, the task force recommends that we continue with online worship only, and no drive through Communion for February.

The task force will meet again in early February to look at the numbers, the synod recommendations, and will make a decision about whether we can go back to drive through Communion for March. If the numbers have improved to being below the recommended levels, we will discuss with council about returning to drive by Communion later in February, but that is only if the numbers are at or below the recommended guidelines. While we miss being together, we want to continue to listen to our synod, and our scientists to know what is safe for us.

With many people getting their first dose of the vaccination, we are hopeful for the future. We are grateful for so many of you having patience and hanging in there in what has been a difficult 10 months.

Bible Study beginning Sunday, February 21, (time to be determined)

Jill Roy will be leading a Bible study online (Zoom) using the book, The Walk by Pastor Adam Hamilton. You can call in or be on the video for this meeting.

You can find the book on cokesbury.com on sale right now. You are encouraged to go ahead and order the participant's book now. 

If you are interested in joining the Bible Study, please contact Jill at Jwteach62@comcast.net

Office Hours Please call if you need something or want to drop something off. Pastor Mary will work from home and will be available by text, phone, and email. She plans to do pastoral care visits via phone calls and online.

Saint John Lutheran Church

1689 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway

Griffin, GA 30224

Church Phone: 770-228-0662

Email: stjohnelca@bellsouth.net

Website: www.stjohngriffin.org

Facebook: Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church

Pastor Mary Armstrong-Reiner

Pastor_st.john@yahoo.com

Cell 309-212-0888

Support Staff

Lynn Jones, Administrative AssistantAmy Droegmiller, Youth Leader

Marilyn Droegmiller, OrganistGayle Harvil, Praise Team Director

Joan Thomas, Choir DirectorHeather Loner, Nursery Attendant

Jennifer Durham, Choir Accompanist

Congregation Council

Don Taylor, PresidentTodd DroegmillerEnid Mswia

Bailey Harvil, Vice-President Phyllis HutchingsRuss Rines

Catherine Park, SecretaryRita JohnsonSarah Sanders

Butch Armistead, Financial Secretary Donna Milam

Tish Martin, TreasurerMark Miller

Ministry Contacts

Altar Guild: Sandra Harwood Member Care: Sarah Lanier, Cherie Tidwell

Education: Phyllis Hutchings Property: John Sanders, Matt Baade

Fellowship: Laura Miller, Martha Dansby Social Ministry: Jill Gates, Don Taylor

Finance: Tish Martin, Butch Armistead Stewardship: Mark Miller

Gifts and Memorials: Tish Martin Worship: Sandra Harwood

Glocal Mission: Larry Schultz Youth/Children’s Ministry: Amy Droegmiller

All liturgies, prayers, Bible passages and music are reprinted with permission from the following resources.

Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License 23384;

OneLicense.net. License #A-701923; CCLI License # 2725291.

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