The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated on August 6 in the Church Year. In some traditions, it is also celebrated on the Sunday after August 6 or on the final Sunday in the Epiphany season. White is used for the feast (e.g., a white overlay on the communion table, pulpit, and lectern, and white banners on the walls). The following liturgy is adapted from the Book of Common Prayer.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN While the Ministers enter and the candles are lit, a fitting hymn may be played or sung. E.g., “O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair!“
O wondrous type! O vision fair
of glory that the Church may share,
which Christ upon the mountain shows,
where brighter than the sun he glows!
With Moses and Elijah nigh
the incarnate Lord holds converse high;
and from the cloud, the Holy One
bears record to the only Son.
With shining face and bright array,
Christ deigns to manifest today
what glory shall be theirs above
who joy in God with perfect love.
And faithful hearts are raised on high
by this great vision’s mystery;
for which in joyful strains we raise
the voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.
O Father, with the eternal Son,
and Holy Spirit, ever One,
vouchsafe to bring us by thy grace
to see thy glory face to face.
Alternatively, Christ Upon the Mountain Peak may be played or sung (lyrics are included in the call to worship).
ACCLAMATION The first words spoken are the acclamation.
Blessed be God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
Or,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory forever!
CALL TO WORSHIP Then, the Minister greets the people and issues a call to worship. For example,
Greetings, brothers and sisters! Grace and peace be multiplied to you!
Throughout the church year, we take time to remember and celebrate some of the most significant events in the life of our Lord, and today is one of those days—the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The transfiguration is recorded in each of the Synoptic Gospels— Matthew, Mark, and Luke—and in the Second Epistle of Peter, in which the apostle writes, “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” So great and glorious was this event that it may well have been at the forefront of John’s mind when he wrote, “We beheld his glory” (Jn. 1:14).
On this blessed feast day, we have gathered to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus, and to be transfigured, transformed, into his radiant image.
Jesus on the mountain peak
stands alone in glory blazing.
Let us, if we dare to speak,
join the saints and angels praising.
Hallelujah!
Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the prophets and the law
shout through them their joyful greeting.
Hallelujah!
Swift the cloud of glory came,
God proclaiming in its thunder
Jesus as the Son by Name!
Nations, cry aloud in wonder!
Hallelujah!
This is God’s beloved Son!
Law and prophets sing before him;
first and last and only One.
All creation shall adore him!
Hallelujah!
ALL: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER (COLLECT)
Let us pray.
O God, on the holy mount you revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the anxiety of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Let us attend to the Word of the Lord.
Brothers and sisters, God speaks.
We will be attentive.
FIRST READING A layperson reads the first passage from the lectern Bible.
A reading from the Book of Exodus, Chapter 24, beginning at verse 12:
12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.”
15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst 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. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Alternatively, 2 Kings 2:1–12 or Exodus 34:29–35 may be read.
PSALM Psalm 99 may be sung from the Seedbed Metrical Psalter to the tune of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (see the video embedded at the end of this article). If the Psalm is read, no introduction is given, and the Gloria Patri is said after the Psalm.
1 The Lord God reigns—let nations shake
and tremble before Him;
Let all earth shake—He sits enthroned
between the cherubim.
2 The Lord is great in Zion, and
all nations He does own.
3 Let nations praise Your awesome name;
He’s holy—He alone.
4 The King is mighty, loving right,
And founding equity.
In Jacob, You have done what’s just
and right impeccably.
5 Exalt the Lord, our mighty God,
and worship at His throne.
Come worship at His footstool, for
He’s holy—He alone.
6 Aaron and Moses were His priests,
And Samu’l called aloud;
They called the Lord—He answered them,
7 Spoke to them from the cloud.
They kept His statutes and decrees.
8 O Lord, You gave them heed—
Were a forgiving God to them,
Yet punished their misdeeds.
9 Exalt the Lord, the Lord our God
and worship at His throne.
Come worship at His holy hill;
He’s holy—He alone.
This verse may also be sung:
Glory be to the Father and
Glory be to the Son,
Glory be to the Holy Ghost,
The blessed three in one.
Alternatively, Psalm 2 or Psalm 50:1–6 may be said or sung.
SECOND READING
A reading from the Second Epistle of Peter, Chapter 1, beginning at verse 16:
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Alternatively, 2 Corinthians 4:3–6 or 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2 may be read.
HYMN E.g.,
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
3 To all life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish but naught changeth thee.
4 Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
GOSPEL READING A Minister reads the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew, Chapter 17, beginning at verse 1:
17 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, 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 white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Alternatively, Mark 9:2–9 or Luke 9:28–36 (37–43a) may be read.
THE SERMON The Minister expounds one or more of the Scripture lessons (recommended length of 1200–1500 words.)
THE CREED
God has given witness to his beloved Son. Let us believe in him, and confess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER Prayer is offered for the local and universal Church, the nations of the world, their rulers, Christian ministers, the spread of the gospel, the work of the great commission, and all who are in trouble, sorrow, need, or sickness.
THE INVITATION
If you truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from this point forward in his holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God.
THE CONFESSION
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; we acknowledge and lament our many sins, which we have, from time to time, most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty. We earnestly repent, and are sincerely sorry for our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous to us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. For the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ABSOLUTION
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in your great mercy you have promised forgiveness to all who turn to you with sincere repentance and true faith. Have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Our Savior speaks comforting words to all who truly turn to him: “Come unto me, all you that are burdened and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins.
THE SURSUM CORDA AND THE SANCTUS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our God.
It is fitting and right to do so.
O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, it is very fitting, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, who gave honor and glory to your well-beloved Son upon the mountain. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you, and saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Amen.
HYMN E.g.,
Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory (may be sung to Ode to Joy, the tune of Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee)
Swiftly pass the clouds of glory,
Heaven’s voice, the dazzling light;
Moses and Elijah vanish;
Christ alone commands the height.
Peter, James, and John fall silent,
Turning from the summit’s rise
Downward toward the shadowed valley
Where their Lord has fixed His eye.
Glimpsed and gone the revelation,
They shall gain and keep its truth,
Not by building on the mountain
Any shrine or sacred booth,
But by foll-ow-ing the Savior
Through the valley to the cross
And by testing faith’s resilience
Through betrayal, pain, and loss.
Lord, transfigure our perception
With the purest light that shines
And recast our life’s intentions
To the shape of Your designs,
Till we seek no other glory
Than what lies past Calvary’s hill
And our living and our dying
And our rising by Your will.
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION The congregation may be reminded to keep their eyes open for this prayer, which contains the words of institution that must never be omitted.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father; of your tender mercy, you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. By once offering himself there, he made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.
So now, most merciful Father, we humbly ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine; and grant that we may receive them according to the holy institution of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, in remembrance of his death and passion, and be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.
In the same night that he was betrayed, he took* bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake* it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this* is my Body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise after Supper he took* the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink you all of this; for this* is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
ALL: Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Therefore we are bold to pray,
Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE MINISTRATION
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
Have mercy on us, and grant us your peace.
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
The Ministers receive the Bread and Cup, and then immediately deliver it to the people, saying,
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was given for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.]
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.]
Or, the Minister may say,
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
During the distribution, a fitting hymn such as Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! may be played.
If the consecrated bread or wine is consumed before all have communed, the Minister consecrates more, repeating the Prayer of Consecration. When all have communed, the Minister covers what remains of the consecrated elements with a fair linen cloth.
CHORUS A chorus such as “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” may be sung during or after the distribution.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER Then, a prayer of thanksgiving may be offered.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
DOXOLOGY “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” is sung.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
THE BLESSING & SENDING The benediction below from Jude 1:24–25 or another fitting benediction may be used.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with joy, to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.