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February 15, 2026: Transfiguration Sunday

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Sunday, February 15, 2026

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February 15, 2026

Transfiguration Sunday

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:
Guest Minister: The Right Rev. Richard Bott
Director of Music: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Worship Leader: Carol Clarke

Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.

We Gather

PRELUDE: A selection of hymns – C. Burton

A Stewardship Second
Sometimes, the vision of what God is up to is so clear it is blinding.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE
In this Season of Epiphany, this season of light, we are reminded of whom we are and to whom we belong by lighting our Christ Candle. As the wick dances into flame, may the spark of God’s love for us, as lived out in the ministry of Jesus, fill our hearts and minds with a sense of deep joy.

(the Christ Candle is lit)

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND
We believe all people are made in the image of God and are entitled to dignity and respect. At Grace United Church we try to offer a safer, inclusive and generous space for all who are seeking a faith community. We offer full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, all races, ages and abilities in the life and work of the ministry.
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. We acknowledge that they are the first stewards of this land and we respect their histories and past and present cultures. We will work to recognize and remove barriers to reconciliation.

CALL to WORSHIP
God said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain,”
and gave him the Torah and the commandment.
Jesus said to Peter, to James, and to John, “Come with me, up on the mountain,”
and there they saw a miracle!
The Holy Spirit says to us, Come with me, to God’s holy places!”
And here we are
to hear the stories of our ancestors,
to experience the wonder of Christ,
to worship God, with all that we are. Alleluia!

OPENING PRAYER
Open the senses of our heart, God. Open the depths of our soul. Open us to the impossible possibilities and miraculous moments.
Open us to Christ’s call. Help us to know your Presence, in this high place, and in all the world; help us to follow where your Spirit leads, as disciples of the One. Help us, loving God. Amen.

*OPENING HYMN: MV#10 –“Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom”
1. Come and seek the ways of Wisdom,
she who danced when earth was new.
Follow closely what she teaches,
for her words are right and true.
Wisdom clears the path to justice,
Showing us what love must do.

2. Listen to the voice of Wisdom,
crying in the market-place.
Hear the Word made flesh among us,
full of glory, truth, and grace.
When the word takes root and ripens,
peace and righteousness embrace.

3. Sister Wisdom, come, assist us;
nurture all who seek rebirth.
Spirit guide and close companion,
bring to light our sacred worth.
Free us to become your people,
holy friends of God and earth.

PASSING the PEACE
You are invited to Pass the Peace in whatever way is comfortable for you–a hug, a handshake, a smile or just a nod of the head, saying to one another:

The Peace of Christ be with you
And also with you!

PRAYER for TRANSFORMATION
Through gathering in prayer and in community, we are called as your followers, to be sources of inspiration and change. We nurture not only our spirits, but the spirits of others so that we may be the people you created us to be: people of hope, peace and love. We carry your call for us out into the world to make it a better place for all. Amen

Theme Time: Transformation

*HYMN: VU#356 – “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”
1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God
and God’s righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, hallelujah.

2. Ask and it shall be given unto you;
seek and you shall find;
knock and the door shall be opened unto you.
Hallelu, hallelujah.

3. We do not live by bread alone,
but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Hallelu, hallelujah.

Lighting the Children’s Lantern

We Listen

SCRIPTURE READINGS
In Scripture God calls us by name…
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of Holy Scripture.

Matthew 17:1-9 (Common English Bible)
Jesus’ transformation
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain.He was transformed in front of them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.Peter reacted to all of this by saying to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good that we’re here. If you want, I’ll make three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, look, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!” Hearing this, the disciples fell on their faces, filled with awe.
But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anybody about the vision until the Human One is raised from the dead.”

RESPONSE
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people.
The divine Word to us today.

ANTHEM: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” - G. Kendrick

Introduction: The Right Rev. Richard Bott

SERMON: What to Make of the Moment - The Right Reverend Richard Bott

*HYMN: MV#12 – “Come Touch Our Hearts”
1. Come touch our hearts that we may know compassion,
from failing embers build a blazing fire;
love strong enough to overturn injustice,
to seek a world more gracious, come touch and bless our hearts.

2. Come touch our souls that we may know and love you,
your quiet presence all our fears dispel;
create a space for spirit to grow in us,
let life and beauty fill us, come touch and bless our souls.

3. Come touch our minds and teach us how to reason,
set free our thoughts to wonder and to dream;
help us to open doors of understanding,
to welcome truth and wisdom, come touch and bless our minds.

4. Come touch us in the moments we are fragile,
and in our weakness your great strength reveal;
that we may rise to follow and to serve,
steady now our nerve, come touch and bless our wills.

5. Come touch us now, this people who are gathered,
to break the bread and share the cup of peace;
that we may love you with our heart, our soul,
our mind, our strength, our all, come touch us with your grace.

We Respond

INVITATION to the OFFERING
Thank you. Every week you are generous. Today, I again invite you to be generous and make a financial gift to this congregation and to our joint Mission and Service. But I also invite you to be generous with your time and your ability and your faith. We never know what God will do with what we offer. Let’s give and find out!

OFFERING RESPONSE: VU#541 –“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures high and low;
give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit, One.

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
God, we are excited to give and see what you will do with these gifts, through the life and ministry of this congregation and the wider United Church. Amaze us! Inspire us! Energize us! Please! Your faithful people ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Donate online: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca, select “Donate”
or contact the office by email: accounting@graceunitedthornbury.ca
or phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer.
Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
or Offering Plate at the back of the sanctuary.

Tap your debit card at the door of the church, or Donate to Grace United Church Thornbury through CanadaHelps.org. Our account is set up with them now and it is easy to register. Tax receipts are given automatically at the time of giving. Care, Prayer, Share

PASTORAL PRAYER &The LORD’S PRAYER (VU 910 - spoken)

Prayer Response
When I say “Bring us to your mountain, God,”
Please respond: Bring us to new life.
Let us pray …
…With hearts that are changed, with hearts that are full, we share the words that Jesus gave to Peter, to James, to John - to all of his disciples, including us, because we pray, each in the language of our hearts:
you are Our Divine Father/Mother/Creator
who art in heaven,
Hallowed be the 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

What’s up at Grace?

We Go Out

*CLOSING HYMN: VU#651 – “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
1. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.

2. Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.

SENDING FORTH
Moses went up the mountain, and then -
he brought the commandments to the people.
The disciples climbed to see Jesus transfigured, but then -
told the story to all who would listen.
We have worshipped together, in this holy place, but now -
we go to the world, at the Holy Spirit’s call.

We go in love, knowing that we are never alone.
The peace of Christ holds all creation.
The love of the Creator enfolds all creation.
The wings of the Holy Spirit carry all creation -
now and forever. Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Amen.
Amen!

POSTLUDE
“Prelude No. 1” - G. Gershwin

*****