On this Transfiguration Sunday, we meditate upon Christ's revelation of the Light that shines within us all. A Light to be shared — with everyone.

A service of celebration and hope will be offered as we transition away from the Epiphany season of Light to the Lenten wilderness journey. The Plymouth Ringers usher in worship with a call to "New Life," a joyful lullaby celebrating the birth of the composer Matt Johnson's son into the world. Cellist Aaron Dunigan-AtLee joins in. Kids Will Sing! share the Argentinian hymn "Santo, Santo, Santo (Holy, Holy, Holy)" with accompanist Lucy Moudy, flutist Desmond Jolly and violinist Nate Jolly assisting director Liz McGrew and the group. The organ elaborates upon the closing Transfiguration Sunday hymn "O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair" in a majestic setting of the hymn tune "Deo Gracias" by Healey Willan.   

During our time at the table, the Chancel Choir sings the beautiful "Where the Light Begins" by composer Susan LaBarr. The text by renowned author Jan Richardson was originally intended as a Christmas blessing. Ms. Richardson writes: "though we cannot see or feel or know all the ways that God is radiantly illuminating us, may we open ourselves toward that light. May we open our eyes, our hands, our hearts to meet it. May we lean into the light that begins in the deepest dark, bearing itself into this world for us." 

"Where the Light Begins" by Jan Richardson*

Perhaps it does not begin. Perhaps it is always.

Perhaps it takes a lifetime to open our eyes,
to learn to see what has forever
shimmered in front of us--

the luminous line of the map in the dark
the vigil flame in the house of the heart

the love so searing we cannot keep from singing, 
from crying out in testimony and praise.

Perhaps this day will be the mountain
over which the dawn breaks.

Perhaps we will turn our face toward it,
toward what has been always.

Perhaps our eyes will finally open
in ancient recognition, willingly dazzled,
illuminated at last.

Perhaps this day the light begins in us.

Mark

*Permission to print and podcast/stream music is through
OneLicense #A-709014 and Christian Copyright Solutions #11133

The world waits for a miracle, the heart longs for a little bit of hope,
O come, o come, Emmanuel.
A child prays for peace on earth, and she's callin’ out from a sea of hurt,
O come, O come, Emmanuel.
And can you hear the angels singing: "Glory to the light of the world...is here."

- from "Light of the World"
by Lauren Daigle, Paul Duncan and Paul Maybury

Songs of community, longing, and light this First Sunday of Advent.

The song "Light of the World" by Christian artist Lauren Daigle becomes a unifying refrain week to week as we journey through this fleeting season of Advent together. The organ offers two contemporary settings of Advent carols from centuries past: "Savior of the Nations, Come" by Kevin Hildebrand based on the 15th century German tune composed by Martin Luther, and "Christ Shall Come When Morning Dawns" by David Johnson based on an anonymous 19th century English folk tune. The Chancel Choir sings a paraphrase of the well-known Christmas story passage from Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 in "The People Who in Darkness Walked," a playful musical setting by David Music using the Swedish melody "Bereden Väg för Herran." The tune is also commonly associated with the Advent hymn "Prepare the Way, O Zion." 

At 9:00 a.m., songs by Pete Seeger and Jesse Colin Young are offered by guitarist/vocalist Bill DeMarco. Bassist Peter Strening and cantor Lucas Jackson also contribute their talents to the morning's songs of community, praise and healing.

At 11:00 a.m., a contemporary setting of the hymn "Beautiful Savior" by Gerre Hancock begins the worship hour. The Chancel Choir sings the spiritual "Hold Out Your Light" in an elegant arrangement by Rollo Dilworth. A grand setting of the Welsh hymn tune "Hyfrydol" (the melody of our opening hymn "Alleluia! Gracious Jesus!") by Ralph Vaughan Williams closes the worship hour.

We are invited to heed the call of the divine this Sunday as we continue the  journey through the Epiphany season — the season of Light.

At the 9:00 a.m. service, an eclectic blend of musical genres will be presented including gospel, jazz, rock, a selection from the organ, and a Celtic tune played by violinist Harmony Tucker.

At the 11:00 a.m. service, worship begins with a chorale prelude in the Neo-Baroque style by 20th century composer Helmut Walcha. The Chancel Choir sings "Let in the Light" in an Epiphany anthem by Alfred Fedak. The service concludes with the jaunty and aptly titled "Postlude in G" by Edward Wetherill.  

At 9:00 a.m., songs of light and transformation greet you on this Epiphany Sunday morning. Cantor Lucas Jackson and bassist Peter Strening join us in the chancel.

At 11:00 a.m., the organ begins worship with a chorale fantasia on the German hymn "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" (How lovely shines the Morningstar) by Baroque composer Dietrich Buxtehude. The Chancel Choir offers "Lighting the Way" by Will Todd. The text, also written by the composer, expresses the wonder of God's light in all creation and our role in sharing it with the world. The organ concludes worship with a cheerful setting of the Epiphany carol "In Thee Is Gladness" by Paul Manz. 

The works of the revered Lutheran composer Johann Sebastian Bach will be offered in celebration of Reformation Sunday this week. A jazzy take on the well-known "Bourée," based on the 1969 arrangement by rock band Jethro Tull, will be heard at the 9:00 a.m. service. Bassist Con Woodall and guitarist Bill DeMarco join in. From the organ, we hear a jubilant setting of the Martin Luther hymn of faith "Wir glauben all an einen Gott" (We all believe in one true God) and the dramatic masterpiece "Fantasia in G Minor." As an expression of his faithful intent, Bach signed his compositions with the Latin phrase "Soli Deo Gloria" (Glory to God alone). May it be so!

The Chancel Choir sings the beautiful "Where the Light Begins" by Susan Labarr at the 11:00 a.m. service. The text by Jan Richardson speaks to the power of change—of reform—that begins within each of us. She writes:

At 9:00, we celebrate the light of Christ this Transfiguration Sunday with the music of U2 and a song of hope by guest guitarist Alan Skowron. Come join us as we together walk into the Light on an early Sunday morning.

At 11:00, the Plymouth Ringers invoke the Spirit with a Baroque-inspired setting of the J.S. Bach hymn "How Good, Lord, to Be Here" by Lauran Delancy. The Chancel Choir offers the rousing Gospel anthem "Standing in the Need of Prayer" by the inimitable Moses Hogan. The organ closes worship and the Epiphany season with the ecstatic "Litanies" by French organ composer Jehan Alain. The work mirrors one's desperate vocal pleas to God via a frenetic chant-like motive. As the composer related: "When, in its distress, the Christian soul can find no more words to invoke God's mercy, it repeats endlessly the same litany....for reason has reached its limit - only faith can take one further... "  

At 9:00 a.m., a Celtic breeze informs worship with eclectic sounds from the gospel, folk and 20th century Neo-Baroque idioms as well. Ukulelist Stuart Yoshida joins us in songs of light and fellowship.

At 11:00 a.m., the organ greets you with a Neo-Baroque setting of the late 16th century Epiphany carol "How Brightly Shines the Morning Star" by Helmut Walcha. The Chancel Choir then shares an anthem by prolific composer Alfred Fedak declaring to "Let in the Light." As you depart worship, a "Pasticcio" reminiscent of Medieval era musical themes by French organ composer Jean Langlais resounds from the organ.

The gift of sight bestowed upon us by the Risen Christ – lighting the Way.

The lovely "Meditation from 'Thais'" by Jules Massenet warmly greets morning worshipers at the 9:00 service with violinist Harmony Tucker joining. Songs from the Celtic and Iona traditions lead to John Lennon's classic tune of unity and new vision in "Imagine."   

The 11:00 service begins with the ringing of bells in the classic hymn of praise and light "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" arranged by Hal Hopson. The Chancel Choir sings Will Todd's "Lighting the Way," a musical theater-inspired work subtitled by the composer as a "A Song for Pilgrims." At service's end, the great Lutheran hymn of praise "Lobe den Herren" (the tune paired with the text "Sing Praise to God, Who Has Shaped" in The New Century Hymnal) is offered in a glorious chorale prelude setting by Baroque composer Johann Gottfried Walther.

A well-lit path to new beginnings: the message of this fleeting Epiphany season. Marching into the Light of God.

Two venerable chorales of Light reinterpreted by 20th century composers for this Transfiguration Sunday:

17th century German hymn "O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht" (O Jesus Christ, True Light) is set in a Neo-Baroque style for manuals by Helmut Walcha. The cantus firmus plays distinctly in the right hand with contemporary flourishes dancing in the left hand throughout. The original text was essentially a prayer for those who are lost—a poem for enlightenment.

The 15th century tune "Deo Gracias" (Thanks to God) is commonly associated with the Transfiguration Sunday text "O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair!" Also known as the "Agincourt Hymn," the original folk song recounted the English army victory over the French in the 1415 Battle of Agincourt.

Lastly, the idiosyncratic flair of composer Daniel Pinkham's "Festive March" sends you out into the world with a spring in your step.

Selections from the chorale partita "Jesu, meine freude" (Jesus, my joy) by Baroque composer Johann Walther will be heard at next week's 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Zoom service. Please join us as we walk together into this season of Lent.