Crandall United Methodist Church

Worship Guide

March 2, 2025

Transfiguration Sunday

Creating Disciples of Jesus who Transform the World

ENTRANCE WITH PRAISE

Greetings:

Minister: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

People: And also with you!

Special Music: Charles

Centering Words:

God is our refuge and strength, our companion and guide. Leaning into this truth helps us find our way through difficult seasons of our lives.

*Call to Worship:

Leader:    Welcome home, beloved children of God!

People:   Gathered in God’s arms, we come to worship.

Leader:    Sheltered in God’s love, we come to grow in love.

People:   Abiding in God, we seek solace and comfort.

Leader:    Even as God sends us on wilderness journeys,

People:   we trust that God is with us, guiding and protecting our days.

Leader:    Let us pray.

ALL: Merciful God, your ways lead to life; your light shines in our darkness. The promises you made to our ancestors continue to this day. We too share the bounty of your blessings, and the grace of eternal life in your name. May we be worthy of our calling and help others find their way. Amen.

Hymn: “As the Deer”

As the deer pants for the water,

so my soul longs after you.

You alone are my heart's desire,

and I long to worship you.

You alone are my strength, my shield;

to you alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart's desire,

and I long to worship you.

As the deer pants for the water,

so my soul longs after you.

You alone are my heart's desire,

and I long to worship you.

You alone are my strength, my shield;

to you alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart's desire,

and I long to worship you.

PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

Words of Assurance

All who call on God’s name are saved.

We can rest assured in this promise.

Amen and amen.

*Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

¹      You who live in the shelter of the Most High,

who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,

²      will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;

my God, in whom I trust.”

⁹      Because you have made the Lord your refuge,

the Most High your dwelling place,

¹⁰     no evil shall befall you,

no scourge come near your tent.

¹¹     For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

¹²     On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.

¹³     You will tread on the lion and the adder,

the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

¹⁴     Those who love me, I will deliver;

I will protect those who know my name.

¹⁵     When they call to me, I will answer them;

I will be with them in trouble,

I will rescue them and honor them.

¹⁶     With long life I will satisfy them,

and show them my salvation.

Leader:    This is the Word of God for the people of God

People:   Thanks be to God.

WORD AND RESPONSE

Time with Young Friends: “Jesus Loves Me”

Children’s Message: “Tempted in the Desert”

Hymn: “Precious Name”

Take the name of Jesus with you,

child of sorrow and of woe,

it will joy and comfort give you;

take it then, where’er you go.

Precious name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Precious name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Take the name of Jesus ever,

as a shield from every snare;

if temptations round you gather,

breathe that holy name in prayer.

Precious name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Precious name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

O the precious name of Jesus!

How it thrills our souls with joy,

when his loving arms receive us,

and his songs our tongues employ!

Precious name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Precious name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

At the name of Jesus bowing,

falling prostrate at his feet,

King of kings in heaven we’ll crown him,

when our journey is complete.

Precious name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Precious name, O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Sermon: “Rescue Me” Luke 4:1-13

¹ Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. ³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”

⁵ Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶ And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. ⁷ If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” ⁸ Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,

and serve only him.’ ”

⁹ Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, ¹⁰ for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’

¹¹     and

‘On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

¹² Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” ¹³ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

RESPONSE TO THE WORD 

Hymn: “Seek Ye First ”

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

and his righteousness

and all these things shall be added unto you.

Allelu, alleluia

Ask and it shall be given unto you

seek and ye shall find

knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.

Allelu, allleluia

Psalter: The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

   creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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,

   is seated at the right hand of the Father,

   and will come again 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.

Gloria Patri

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.

Prayers of the People:  Joys and concerns

   Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer     

SENDING FORTH

Hymn: “Since Jesus Came into My Heart”

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought

since Jesus came into my heart!

I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,

since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart,

since Jesus came into my heart,

floods of joy o’er my soul

like the sea billows roll,

since Jesus came into my heart.

I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,

since Jesus came into my heart!

And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,

since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart,

since Jesus came into my heart,

floods of joy o’er my soul

like the sea billows roll,

since Jesus came into my heart.

I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,

since Jesus came into my heart!

And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,

since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart,

since Jesus came into my heart,

floods of joy o’er my soul

like the sea billows roll,

since Jesus came into my heart.

There’s a light in the valley of death now for me,

since Jesus came into my heart!

And the gates of the City beyond I can see,

since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart,

since Jesus came into my heart,

floods of joy o’er my soul

like the sea billows roll,

since Jesus came into my heart.

I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know,

since Jesus came into my heart!

And I’m happy, so happy, as onward I go,

since Jesus came into my heart!

Since Jesus came into my heart,

since Jesus came into my heart,

floods of joy o’er my soul

like the sea billows roll,

since Jesus came into my heart.

Benediction

Hymn: “May You Run and Not Be Weary”

May you run and not be weary.

May your heart be filled with song.

And may the love of God continue

to give you hope and keep you strong.

And may you run and not be weary.

May your life be filled with joy!

And may the road you travel

always lead you home.