Today Is: Last Sunday after Epiphany

Collect for: Last Sunday after Epiphany
O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son 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, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament
Exodus 34:29-35

29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses' hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. 35 And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

1 Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm
Psalm 99

1 The LORD reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved! 2 The LORD is great in Zion, And He is high above all the peoples.
The Glory of the LORD was hidden, but now He has been revealed.

3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name -- He is holy. 4 The King's strength also loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
The Glory of the LORD was hidden, but now He has been revealed.

5 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His footstool -- He is holy. 6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.
The Glory of the LORD was hidden, but now He has been revealed.

7 He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them. 8 You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, Though You took vengeance on their deeds.
The Glory of the LORD was hidden, but now He has been revealed.

9 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy.
The Glory of the LORD was hidden, but now He has been revealed.

*At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

New Testament
2 Corinthians 3:12-18

12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech -- 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel
Luke 9:28-36

Introduction to the Gospel:
Deacon:The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Luke's Gospel chapter 9, beginning at verse 28.

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. 33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, 'Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah' -- not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!' 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

After the Gospel reading, the deacon elevates the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, Lord Christ.

Prayers of the People

Prayers of the People for: Last Sunday after Epiphany

Brothers and sisters, God the Father has made a covenant of love with us through His Son Jesus Christ. Therefore, we may approach Him with great confidence for all our needs and those of the whole world.

That Christians everywhere will humble themselves and seek unity with all believers of the Christian faith on essential matters and respect each other's differences on non-essential matters.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That the Christian Church throughout the world, especially in third world countries, will have access to the resources they need to further God's Kingdom and meet the needs of their people.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That government leaders will work tirelessly to overcome corruption, poverty, injustice, and violence in society.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That the Holy Spirit will pour out His Gifts abundantly upon His people.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That we will glorify God in all that we say and do.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That those who defend us at home and abroad will be protected by the mercy of God.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

That the poor, the hungry and the homeless will find help from God's people and see God as their provider.
Lord in Your mercy,            Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, there is no god in heaven above nor on the earth below like You. Hear our prayer and give us the grace do Your Holy Will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN