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.