MOBILE-FRIENDLY BULLETIN
Prelude "Prelude and Fugue in G major" (BWV 541) J. S. Bach
Charles Raasch, organ
Weekly Church News
Welcome Pastor Tim Klinkenberg
Ringing of the Bell
Invocation
Liturgist: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19b)
People: Amen.
Opening Sentences Psalm 99:2–3, 5, 9
Liturgist: Exalt the LORD our God; worship at His footstool!
People: Holy is He!
Liturgist: The LORD is great in Zion;
People: He is exalted over all the peoples.
Liturgist: Let them praise Your great and awesome name!
People: Holy is He!
Liturgist: Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy mountain;
People: for the LORD our God is holy!
Medley of God’s Majesty and Glory
“O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright”
verse 1
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 395.
O Morning Star, how fair and bright!
You shine with God’s own truth and light,
Aglow with grace and mercy!
Of Jacob’s race, King David’s son,
Our Lord and master, You have won
Our hearts to serve You only!
Lowly, holy!
Great and glorious,
All victorious,
Rich in blessing!
Rule and might o’er all possessing!
“Crown Him with Many Crowns”
verse 1
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 525.
Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless king
Through all eternity.
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
verse 1
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 700.
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heav’n, to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter ev’ry trembling heart.
“Glory Be to God the Father”
verse 1
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 506.
Glory be to God the Father,
Glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit:
Great Jehovah, Three in One!
Glory, glory
While eternal ages run!
Confession and Absolution
Liturgist: Loving God, You desire a relationship with all people that is grounded in Your love, nurtured by truthfulness, and experienced as freedom living under Your gracious reign.
People: We admit that we are turned away from Your love, we are at home in dishonesty, and we are enslaved by ways of sin and death. Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for us, we ask that You go on forgiving us, transforming us, and healing us according to Your steadfast love, which endures forever.
Liturgist: God is gracious and merciful and has come in the person of Jesus giving His life to demonstrate how much He loves you and all people. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Liturgist: Take comfort in your future: in His grace, God has promised you everlasting life!
People: Amen.
Hymn of Praise “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
verse 4
Finish then Thy new creation,
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee,
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!
Choral Hymn of Praise
“Blessing, Glory and Wisdom and Thanks” Georg Gottfried Wagner
Cathedral Singers
Blessing, glory and wisdom and thanks,
Power and might be unto the Lord our God forevermore.
Amen. (Revelation 7:12)
Old Testament Reading Exodus 24:8–18 NIV
8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.
12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”
13 Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them.”
15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, 16 and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Epistle Reading 2 Peter 1:16–21 NIV
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Holy Gospel Matthew 17:1–9 NIV
17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Lector: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Hymn of the Day “Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory”
Sung to the tune “Hymn to Joy”.
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 eyes.
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 following 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 Calv’ry’s hill
And our living and our dying
And our rising by Your will.
Message Rev. Dr. Jon S. Bruss
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 His 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;
who for us men and for our salvation 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 will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And 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.
And I believe in one holy Christian 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.
Prayers of the Church
Each petition concludes with:
Liturgist: Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Gathering of Our Tithes and Offerings
Music at the Offering “How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place” Johannes Brahms
Cathedral Singers
How lovely is Thy dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts!
For my soul longeth, yea, fainteth for the courts of the Lord;
My soul and body crieth out for the living God.
Blessed are they that dwell within Thy house;
They praise Thy name evermore. (Psalm 84:1-2,4)
Communion Prayer
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and out of perfect love sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. We thank You for all the work of Your hands and for all the words You have spoken and kept, as You come to us still now with Your healing grace through Christ’s body and blood given and shed for us.
People: Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Pastor: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
People: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy 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
Words of Institution
Pax Domini
Liturgist: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: Amen.
Agnus Dei
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 180.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace.
Hymns During Communion
“Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain”
Sung to the tune “Regent Square”.
Jesus, take us to the mountain, where, with Peter, James and John,
We are dazzled by Your glory, light as blinding as the sun.
There prepare us for the night by the vision of that sight.
What do You want us to see there, that Your close companions saw?
Your divinity revealed there fills us with the selfsame awe.
Clothed in flesh like ours You go matched to meet our deadliest Foe.
What do You want us to hear there, that Your dear disciples heard?
Once again the Voice from heaven says of the Incarnate Word:
“Listen, listen, everyone, This is My beloved Son!”
Take us to that other mountain where we see You glorified,
Where You shouted “It is finished!” where for all the world You died.
Hear the stunned centurion: “Truly this was God’s own Son!”
We who have beheld Your glory, risen and ascended Lord,
Cannot help but tell the story, all that we have seen and heard;
Say with Peter, James and John: “You are God’s beloved Son!”
“Alleluia, Song of Gladness”
verses 1 and 2
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 417.
Alleluia, song of gladness,
Voice of joy that cannot die;
Alleluia is the anthem
Ever raised by choirs on high;
In the house of God abiding
Thus they sing eternally.
Alleluia, thou resoundest,
True Jerusalem and free;
Alleluia, joyful mother,
All thy children sing with thee,
But by Babylon’s sad waters
Mourning exiles now are we.
Dismissal
Benediction
Liturgist: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24–26)
People: Amen.
Farewell to Alleluia
Liturgist: Shortly after His transfiguration, our Lord Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem, where He would spend the last days of His life prior to His crucifixion. This day marks the end of the Epiphany season for us, and on Wednesday we begin the season of Lent. The Lenten season is a time of reflection, meditation, repentance, and prayer. Part of our observance of Lent includes giving up the word “Alleluia” in our worship life until the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Therefore, we bid farewell to “Alleluia” and set our faces also toward Jerusalem.
Closing Hymn “Alleluia, Song of Gladness”
verses 3 and 4
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 417.
Alleluia cannot always
Be our song while here below;
Alleluia, our transgressions
Make us for a while forgo;
For the solemn time is coming
When our tears for sin must flow.
Therefore in our hymns we pray Thee,
Grant us, blessèd Trinity,
At the last to keep Thine Easter
With Thy faithful saints on high;
There to Thee forever singing
Alleluia joyfully.
Worship Service Participants
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Jon S. Bruss
Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Klinkenberg
Organ: Charles Raasch
Piano: Alex Guebert
Choir: Jubilate Choir
Choir Director: Alex Guebert
Audio/Visual: Blaine Currer, Hector Cerda, and Mark Todd
Thanks for joining us today!
February 15, 2026
Prayers of the Church
February 15, 2026
O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son,
You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah.
In the voice that came from the bright cloud,
You wonderfully foreshadowed our adoption by grace.
Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory,
and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven. Lord, in Your mercy,
We praise You, O God, for baptismal waters, where by grace,
we are numbered with God’s sons and daughters.
We thank You for the Baptism of Lana Danae Duke.
Bless her and us in our baptismal calling, to share in the royal priesthood of Jesus.
Sustain the good work that You have begun in Lana,
and bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, in Your mercy,
We thank You, O God, for Your unfailing love;
our hearts rejoice in Your salvation.
We thank You for 25 years of marriage for Sugganth and Esther Pillei.
Open their hearts always to receive more of Your love, that their love for each other
may never grow weary but deepen and grow through every joy and sorrow shared.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord Jesus, head of the Church, You tell Your disciples,
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field.”
Hear us now as we ask - and approach Your throne of grace with confidence.
Bless the ministry of our church body, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod,
her congregations and schools, and all her faithful servants, that together we may walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.
Build up our seminaries in Fort Wayne and St. Louis, and give wisdom to our seminary presidents, President Bruss and President Egger, and our synodical president, President Harrison, that together we may set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
Raise up pastors. Raise up teachers and musicians.
Raise up DCEs, global and local missionaries, deaconesses, and ministry volunteers.
Send laborers into Your harvest and sustain those whom You send. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord God, You sent Your Son, Jesus, as the Great Physician of body and soul.
By His touch, He banished the fear of His disciples. Bless all those in need of His comfort and healing, especially Jennifer Coulson, Katie Dupuis, Andrea Green, Joan Shulmistras, Margaret Snyder, Jay Thompson, Kim Thompson, for those who grieve, those named in our printed prayer lists, and those names we lift in our silent prayers… that they may have peace amid fear and wholeness of body and soul. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord of hosts, as You reign over all peoples,
You entrust earthly authority to the rulers of this world.
Instill in our president, our governor, our mayor, and all who make, administer and judge our laws a right fear of You, that they would establish equity in this land. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord God, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember on this day
the glorious revelation of Your Son’s divinity on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Teach us to listen to Jesus and ever fix our eyes on Him
and His innocent suffering and death for our forgiveness.
By Your grace and mercy, strengthen us to remain faithful
in all circumstances of trial, temptation and persecution.
Preserve us to the end, that we may die a blessed death believing in Your beloved Son, with whom You are well pleased; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Every Sunday, 9:45 AM
An in-depth teaching Bible Study between services on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:25 - held in Walker Hall Dining Room. Grab coffee and a donut, grow in God's Word, and connect with your church...
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Dinner: 5pm // Worship: 12:15pm, Sanctuary - 6:30pm, Sanctuary & Walker Hall // Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of LENT // Holy Communion, Imposition of Ashes
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - Monday, March 23, 2026
Donate Lilies to decorate our Worship Centers for Easter Sunday
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 4:00 PM
Orange Lutheran High School
Small Ensemble and Solo Concert
Sunday, February 224:00pm
The Orange Lutheran High School Instrumental Program is proud to present a Small...
Every Sunday, from 01/25/2026 to 03/22/2026, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Our seven-session Membership Class is intended for those that are new to St. John's, either as a new member, transfer member, or anyone who is interested!
Every Wednesday from 02/25/2026 to 03/25/2026
Dinner 5pm // Worship 6:30pm // Lenten Season
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
One donation can save 3 lives. Please register online before the event.
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 4:00 PM
A Worship Service focused on healing the physical, spiritual, emotional and financial afflictions we are encountering. Participants will have the opportunity to come forward and be prayed over if...
Thursday, April 02, 2026
Worship Services at 12:15pm and 7pm - Holy Communion - St. John's Sanctuary - Dinner at 5:30pm - St. John's Walker Hall Dining Room
Welcome Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Invocation
Worship Set
“Open The Eyes Of My Heart”
“Look To The Son”
Confession and Absolution
“Revelation Song”
Scripture Readings
Message Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Apostles’ Creed
Prayers of the Church/ The Lord's Prayer
“Still"
Holy Communion
Communion Prayer
Words of Institution
“Who You Are To Me”
Dismissal
Benediction
Preacher: Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Director of Contemporary Worship: Stephan Nosrat
Thanks for joining us today!
February 15, 2026
Prayers of the Church
February 15, 2026
O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son,
You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah.
In the voice that came from the bright cloud,
You wonderfully foreshadowed our adoption by grace.
Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory,
and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven. Lord, in Your mercy,
We praise You, O God, for baptismal waters, where by grace,
we are numbered with God’s sons and daughters.
We thank You for the Baptism of Lana Danae Duke.
Bless her and us in our baptismal calling, to share in the royal priesthood of Jesus.
Sustain the good work that You have begun in Lana,
and bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, in Your mercy,
We thank You, O God, for Your unfailing love;
our hearts rejoice in Your salvation.
We thank You for 25 years of marriage for Sugganth and Esther Pillei.
Open their hearts always to receive more of Your love, that their love for each other
may never grow weary but deepen and grow through every joy and sorrow shared.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord Jesus, head of the Church, You tell Your disciples,
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field.”
Hear us now as we ask - and approach Your throne of grace with confidence.
Bless the ministry of our church body, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod,
her congregations and schools, and all her faithful servants, that together we may walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.
Build up our seminaries in Fort Wayne and St. Louis, and give wisdom to our seminary presidents, President Bruss and President Egger, and our synodical president, President Harrison, that together we may set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
Raise up pastors. Raise up teachers and musicians.
Raise up DCEs, global and local missionaries, deaconesses, and ministry volunteers.
Send laborers into Your harvest and sustain those whom You send. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord God, You sent Your Son, Jesus, as the Great Physician of body and soul.
By His touch, He banished the fear of His disciples. Bless all those in need of His comfort and healing, especially Jennifer Coulson, Katie Dupuis, Andrea Green, Joan Shulmistras, Margaret Snyder, Jay Thompson, Kim Thompson, for those who grieve, those named in our printed prayer lists, and those names we lift in our silent prayers… that they may have peace amid fear and wholeness of body and soul. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord of hosts, as You reign over all peoples,
You entrust earthly authority to the rulers of this world.
Instill in our president, our governor, our mayor, and all who make, administer and judge our laws a right fear of You, that they would establish equity in this land. Lord, in Your mercy,
Lord God, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember on this day
the glorious revelation of Your Son’s divinity on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Teach us to listen to Jesus and ever fix our eyes on Him
and His innocent suffering and death for our forgiveness.
By Your grace and mercy, strengthen us to remain faithful
in all circumstances of trial, temptation and persecution.
Preserve us to the end, that we may die a blessed death believing in Your beloved Son, with whom You are well pleased; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Every Sunday, 9:45 AM
An in-depth teaching Bible Study between services on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:25 - held in Walker Hall Dining Room. Grab coffee and a donut, grow in God's Word, and connect with your church...
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Dinner: 5pm // Worship: 12:15pm, Sanctuary - 6:30pm, Sanctuary & Walker Hall // Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of LENT // Holy Communion, Imposition of Ashes
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - Monday, March 23, 2026
Donate Lilies to decorate our Worship Centers for Easter Sunday
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 4:00 PM
Orange Lutheran High School
Small Ensemble and Solo Concert
Sunday, February 224:00pm
The Orange Lutheran High School Instrumental Program is proud to present a Small...
Every Sunday, from 01/25/2026 to 03/22/2026, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Our seven-session Membership Class is intended for those that are new to St. John's, either as a new member, transfer member, or anyone who is interested!
Every Wednesday from 02/25/2026 to 03/25/2026
Dinner 5pm // Worship 6:30pm // Lenten Season
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
One donation can save 3 lives. Please register online before the event.
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 4:00 PM
A Worship Service focused on healing the physical, spiritual, emotional and financial afflictions we are encountering. Participants will have the opportunity to come forward and be prayed over if...
Thursday, April 02, 2026
Worship Services at 12:15pm and 7pm - Holy Communion - St. John's Sanctuary - Dinner at 5:30pm - St. John's Walker Hall Dining Room