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Sample Liturgy for the Transfiguration of Jesus

Special Instructions

  • The transfiguration of Jesus is celebrated twice in the Christian year. Transfiguration Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday of Epiphany—the Sunday before Ash Wednesday (movable calendar). The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated on August 6 (fixed calendar).
  • This liturgy is designed for the last Sunday of Epiphany.
  • White is generally used for the feast (e.g., a white overlay on the communion table, pulpit, and lectern, and white banners on the walls), though some continue to use green (the color of Epiphany).

General Instructions

The Liturgy

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

While the Ministers enter and the candles are lit, Christ Upon the Mountain Peak is played or sung.

Christ, upon the mountain peak
stands alone in glory blazing;
Let us if we dare to speak,
with the saints and angels praise him. Alleluia!

Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the prophets and the law
shout through them their joyful greeting. Alleluia!

Swift the cloud of glory came,
God proclaiming in its thunder
Jesus as his Son by name!
Nations, cry aloud in wonder. Alleluia!

This is God’s beloved Son!
Law and prophets fade before him;
First and last and only one,
Let creation now adore him. Alleluia!

ACCLAMATION

Blessed be God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Good morning, brothers and sisters, and grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Throughout this season of Epiphany, we have been proclaiming the earthly life of Jesus and how it reveals the glory of God. But in just a few days, we will be transitioning to the season of Lent, in which we journey with Christ towards the cross.

That’s why it’s fitting on this final Sunday of Epiphany to focus on one of the most important moments when Jesus revealed his glory before going to the cross. Luke 9:31 records that Jesus went up on a mountain, spoke with Moses and Elijah “about his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem,” and was gloriously transfigured before his disciples Peter, James, and John. Jesus knew that his disciples would see him suffer and die, and so he gave them an unparalleled glimpse of his glory to sustain them through the days ahead. Peter later wrote that on the mount, “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty,” and this event was so great that it may have been at the forefront of John’s mind when he wrote, “We beheld his glory” (Jn. 1:14).

On this Transfiguration Sunday, we have gathered to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus, and to be transfigured into his radiant image. Let us pray.

Opening Prayer

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.

Gloria Patri

Then the Gloria Patri is sung or said.

Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost,
as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Hymn

  • Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (7)

Collect

O God, before the passion of your only-begotten Son you 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, forever and ever. Amen.

Let’s listen attentively as God speaks to us through his Word.

First Reading: Exodus 24:12–18

A reading from the Book of Exodus, Chapter 24, at the 12th verse:

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.

The Gradual: Psalm 99

Sing Psalm 99 from the Seedbed Metrical Psalter to the tune St. Anne (“O God, Our Help in Ages Past”). See the video at the end of this article.

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.

Second Reading: 2 Peter 1:16–21

A reading from the Second Epistle of Peter, Chapter 1, at the 16th verse:

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.

HYMNS

  • Fairest Lord Jesus (113)
  • Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (670)

The Gospel: Matthew 17:1–9

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew, Chapter 17, at the first verse:

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, Lord Christ.

THE SERMON

The Minister expounds and exhorts from the Scripture lessons. Recommended sermon length: 20 minutes.

HYMN

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
th’ 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 and eternal Son,
and Holy Spirit, ever One,
vouchsafe to bring us by thy grace
to see thy glory face to face.

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.

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

Brothers and sisters, let us lift up our hearts to the Lord and give thanks to our great God.

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

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

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:

Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Let us 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 invite the people to come forward to partake. When delivering the bread to each person, one of the following may be said:

  • The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you.
  • The body of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
  • The body of Christ; take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you.
  • The body of Christ; feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
  • The body of Christ, the bread of heaven.

When delivering the cup to each person, one of the following may be said:

  • The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you.
  • The blood of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
  • The blood of Christ; drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
  • The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.

During the distribution, “Transfigure Us, O Lord” may be played.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

O Lord, we thank you for nourishing us with these sacred gifts. Give us grace to always listen to your only beloved Son, that we may be your children in name and in truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DOXOLOGY

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 AND SENDING

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.

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