Songs, Hymns & Music for Transfiguration C (February 27 2022)

For suggestions for Transfiguration 2024, click here.

 

Exodus 34:29-35
Moses comes down from the mountain. His face shines whenever he meets with God; need for a veil.
Most of the suggestions I would make for this passage are listed for the Gospel reading below.

• TiS 143 / AHB 80 / NCH1 / CH132 / UMH103 / VU264 / A&M676 / LBW526 / ELW834 / HPP37 / GtG012 / PH263 / GC507 / CP(E) 474 / W&R48 / Cha066 / ZSS4 / Srce296 / 82Hml-423 / Lau725 / StF055 / MP327 Immortal invisible God only wise (Walter Chalmers Smith) "In light inaccessible hid from our eyes". Lyrics & sheet music. Words are mostly inclusive for God's gender, but for the last verse which our congregation usually sings as "Great Father of glory, pure Mother of light", except for the last time we sang it. Oldy-but-a-goody.

Psalm 99
God of justice, God is holy, worship at the mountain. 
This Psalm has lots of concepts in it, so I've only chosen a couple of particularly pertinent songs; you may wish to include a Sanctus.

• TiS 753 / StS034 / ATFG558 / ELW525 / SP&P082 You are holy you are whole (Per Harling) A fun and joyous latin-rhythmed song; can also be sung with two parts at the same time. Lyrics and sheet music. Good for kids.
• GtG596 You are holy you are whole (Per Harling) An adaptation of the above song - the last few lines have been changed to say "Sing Hosanna in the highest, sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna to our God"; makes it much more like a Sanctus.Good for kids.  
• TiS 58 Be exalted O God, above the heavens! Let your glory over all the earth be found (Jane Marshall) An excellent refrain to the Psalm for this week. The cantor line is not totally inclusive so will need some attention.
• TiS 723 / AoV2-092 / ATOK 381 / Iona (M&G, Common Ground) / CH769 / UMH65 / VU944, VU951 / StJ / GtG594 / ELW473 / SFFS 2007 / G(II)395 / GC563 / W&R737 / Cha111 / ZSS48 / Lau723 / StF779 Holy holy holy / Santo santo santo (Argentinian folk song) Better in Spanish. A nice quiet devotional song. If you are singing in Spanish, and would prefer not to sing the masculine "Santo eres Senor" some versions have "Santo eres Dios" or "Santo eres tu", which makes it more of a personal approach to God. Good for kids. Sheet music samples.  
• Emergent Psalter O mighty God lover of justice (Isaac Everett) A catchy refrain, that got stuck in my head for days after I ran through it. Can be sung with the Psalm read over instrumentation. Sample sheet music (click on "downloads"). Good for kids.
• Cha751 To God all people give thanks (Jack Fox) Joyful Latin-rhythmed sung response and responsively read Psalm. I think it would be fun to do a responsive Psalm with a sung response. 
• Iona (Love From Below) / CP424 Sing praise to God on mountain tops (John Bell / Graham Maule) A song of praise to God for the beauty of creation to a traditional English tune (THE VICAR OF BRAY). Sheet music sample.   New words to old tunes.
• MV 60 / Cha026 / STB112 God, we give you heartfelt praise / Chú goán kámsia oló Lí (Timothy Tan) A lively round from Taiwan. “God we give you heartfelt praise, mercy and love you show us daily, blessed always be your name”. While based on Taiwanese harmonic modes, it is not too hard for Western singers to pick up. Would work well to receive the offering. Good for kids.
• TiS 132 / AHB 65 / NCH277 / CH651 / UMH64 / VU315 / LBW165 / ELW413 / A&M276 / HPP243 / GtG001 / PH138 / G(II)332 / GC475 / GC(II)483 / CP001 / CP(E) 202 / W&R136 / Cha004 / Srce243 / 82Hml-362 / Lau468 / StF011 / MP237 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (Walter Chalmers Smith) Old other-worldly language, but a surprisingly inclusive (in most hymnals) classic, and a great rousing hymn tune. Different resources have slightly altered lyrics. A surprisingly non-inclusive sample can be found here. Oldy-but-a-goody.

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2  

Boldness, no veil anymore; Where the Spirit is, there’s freedom; Unveiling – seeing Christ in each other

• AoV2-057 / ATOoV2-057 / ATOK 383 May we see Christ's loving face / Icon of Grace (Monica O'Brien / Trisha Watts) This simple chant would be excellent this week, and could be used for a slower passing of the peace; it also works extremely well wiregation bowing to each other in a circle dance but that may only work with smaller congregations. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids (but you may need to explain an Icon to them).
• ATOK 414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 / A&M788 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 / SP311 / StF513 / Lau850 Take this moment, sign and space (John Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics (includes a very skinny picture of Jesus).
• HPP28 / GtG023 / PH285 / W&R24 / URW083 God You Spin the Whirling Planets (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to a very familiar tune (TiS 772). Really good for the final hymn or response to the sermon. Lyrics. New words to old tunes 
• BUC Song Project I will sing of love / Celebrate (Dave Brown) A joyful celebration "And praise the Spririt for the joy of living" (BUC only so far).
• SP&P108 Send your Spirit to set us free (Barbara Hamm) A groovy little song. It could also work as a round, sung unaccompanied.  Good for kids. Sheet music and lyrics.   
• TiS 326 / Iona (HSNW) Pull back the veil on the dawn of creation / Love's the secret (John Bell / Graham Maule) The tune is really pretty tricky, but if it is familiar to your congregation, it's a good song to sing. Can skip a few verses if it seems too long and it will still make sense. Lyrics (Powerpoint)
• TiS 506 / AHB 430 / A&M424 / CP064 / CP(E) 281 / StF572 Author of life divine (Charles Wesley) Good inclusive words and a simple traditional tune; mystery of communion and seeing God's face. There is also a more modern tune from Carlton Young available from GIA music. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody. 
• TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom (Per Harling) Fun and good. Lyrics.
• CH484 / UMH579 / WoV666 / ELW358 / A&M169 / PH353 / CP442 / CP(E) 133 / W&R55 / SP57 / URW087 / StF499 Great God Your Love Has Called Us Here (Brian Wren) Good words to a standard hymn tune (MELITA). Gathering, confession, response, communion, and sending out all in one hymn. This is a good all-rounder. Lyrics & sheet music.
• TiS 516 / AHB 438 / NCH336 / CH664 / UMH623 / VU459 / LBW211 / A&M447 / HPP521 / GtG517 / PH520 / GtG029 / CP(E) 304 / Cha416 / 82Hml-318 / MP230 Here O my Lord I see thee face to face / Here gracious Lord, we see you face to face (Horatio Bonar) I prefer the more chant-like setting of this (Adoro to Devote), but I know the hymn-like tune (ST AGNES) is probably more familiar. Some translations are more inclusive than others. Best if you are serving communion during your service. Oldy-but-a-goody.Lyrics & sheet music
• Srce2-660 Where the Spirit is there is liberty (Kirk Franklin) Gospel song of healing, wholeness and liberty for the captive.  Lyrics. 
• TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / A&M721 / LBW315 / ELW631 / A&M721 / GA463 / HPP48 / GtG366 / PH376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / G(3)641 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 / 82Hml-657 / Lau801 / StF503 / MP449 Love divine all loves excelling (Charles Wesley) I cannot possibly sing this song too often. A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB! "Pure unbounded love thou art" *sigh*.  Lyrics and sheet music.You may also like to give Rend Collective Experiment's version a listen (hard to sing, but nice for listening). Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 414 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / PH433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 / Cha257 / StF398 There's a Spirit in the Air (Brian Wren) A good song of getting the business of following Christ done. Speaking out, caring for others, being changed. Good, joyful tune too. Lyrics and sheet music. 
• SiS327 / SFFS 2119 / HPP236 / W&R396 / Cha264 Where the Spirit of the Lord Is (Stephen Adams) A sentimental favourite chorus for some, I suspect; a nice simple chorus. Lyrics and chords.

Luke 9:28-36, (37-43) 
Transfiguration story

• ATFG555 / NCYC03 Open your eyes / See Yourself (Robin Mann) “see yourself in the one who’s shining on the hill”. Puts the transfiguration in the context of a whole lot of other New Testament stories. Excellent newer song; verses are a little tricky. Lyrics.Good for kids.
• STB298 You are full of Light Lord Jesus (Syriac Liturgy) transfiguration A simple song from South India. It's very beautiful - the tune will need to be taught. Probably simplest to sing it in English. 
• SFFS 2153 / GC(II)770 / G(3)878 / Cha182 Transform Us as you, transfigured (Sylia Dunstan) Good words to the familiar and quite meditative hymn tune  PICARDY (TiS 497). New words to old tunes Lyrics, videos and sheet music sample.
  
• TiS474 / AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / A&M363 / GtG401 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / G(3)848  / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 / Lau475 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Marty Haugen). Excellent words, very well known. “Nourish us well and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true”. Lyrics and sheet music samples. 
• ACS954 / CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GtG274 / GC(II)525 / G(3)628 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Sylvia Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Sound samples, videos, and sheet music samples. New words to old tunes.
• NCH182 / VU104 / SFFS 2103 / HPP147 / GtG191 / CP166 / W&R245 We have come at Christ's own bidding (Carl P Daw Jr) Excellent lyrics that bring the images of the transfiguration to the faith of today. Sung to the familiar and very lovely tune HYFRYDOL (TiS 517). Lyrics. Tune sample. New words to old tunes
• AoV2-103 / AoVK-115 / G(II)514 / GC712 / GC(II)715 Holy Ground (Brenda Pena) I love the energy and passion in this song and the vision of the heavens embracing the earth. I especially like the “Do you believe in freedom? Yes we do Lord! Do you believe in justice? Justice for all!” call in the middle. Bilingual English/Spanish song. Good for kids. Sound sample. 
• Online Resource / ATFG 541 What is this scene? (David Froemming / Leigh Newton) A good story telling song. Not too difficult for the congregation to sing on a first attempt, but it will need a brief “teaching time” for the melody. You could also ask the musicians to present as part of the offering. The words are great. Sheet music.
  
• TiS 255 / CH135 / VU434 / CP018 O laughing Light O first-born of creation (Sylvia Dunstan) A slightly more modern version of the Phos Hilaron. Words are good but the tune in TiS (ADRIAN) is a little tricky. Sound samples.
  
• Online Resource / URW432 Radiant light divine (Rufino Zaragoza) This is pretty lovely. A nice chant based on the Phos Hilaron. Sound sample. Sheet music samples, and purchasing options. 
• Online Resource Seeing Jesus (Bruce Harding) A simple chant, needs at least 2 of the parts. Free sheet music.
  
• NCH183 / GtG193 Jesus take us to the mountain (Jaroslav Vajda) A very positive transfiguration hymn that asks good questions and provides some good challenges and clearly looks onward to Good Friday. Lyrics.
• TiS 268 / AHB 224 / AoV1-170 / NCH132 / CH320 / UMH246 / VU59 / LBW039 / ELW267 / GA295 / HPP107 / PH040 / GtG134 / GC343 / GC(II)353 / G(3)437 / CP154 / CP(E) 57 / W&R179 / Cha143 / Srce399 / 82Hml-100 / Lau156 / StF330 / MP393 Joy to the world The Lord is come (Isaac Watts) So, this was not actually written as a Christmas carol (read the lyrics: no baby Jesus), and I think it would work well for Christ the King Sunday and Transfiguration, so maybe it's worth a go! History. Oldy-but-a-goody. 
• TiS 234 / AHB 390 / A&M281 / GC778 / GC(II)771 / G(3)877 / CP167 / CP(E)248 / VU103 / LBW89 / ELW315 / Lau209 How good Lord to be here / Tis Good Lord to Be Here (Joseph Robinson) Good solid words and a good solid tune (I like CARSLISLE best). I like the ending “But since you bid us leave the mount, come with us to the plain”. Lyrics, sheet music and sound samples. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• NCYC07 You shine (Kent Crawford) A good song, with an excellent chorus "You shine over us, you shine through us, so let your light shine on around the world". Definitely for the more youthful congregation. It would also work to play the CD from NCYC07 if you don't have a band of musicians. Good for teenagers.
• ATW 447 Thank you Jesus for ordinary miracles (Robin Mann) Fun and joyful. "Up in a cloud in the air"! Lyrics. Good for kids.
• Recorded Song Little Lights (Punch Brothers) This track from a recent Punch Brothers album sings of the desire of remaining in a transcendent place, but needing to return to reality - it made me think of the transfiguration, even though it's not written about it... I particularly like the line "guide us back to where we are from where we wanna be"... Lyrics. Sound.
• Recorded Song Transfiguration (Sufjan Stevens) I love this song. Lyrics. Here’s a video of him performing it live here on youtube, which is a bit more eclectic than the studio recording. Note: if playing recorded songs in worship, it's a really good idea to provide lyrics to the congregation either in a handout or using projection. Last year Daniel Broadstock sang it at our church. It was amazing...
• Liturgy for the Whole Church (p69) The transfiguration (Susan Bock) A narrated skit. If you have this book, or access to it, this would be good to do.
• Lau215 / Online Resource Transfigure us O Lord (Bob Hurd) Really excellent words. Maybe better for a soloist. Thanks to the anonymous reader who suggested this. Sound sample & purchase options. Lyrics. 
• Online Resource Transfigure me (Christopher Grundy) I particularly like the chorus of this, that could be used as a sung response. The verses are also good. Youtube recording (rough, but gives you an idea). Sheet music. Free Bulletin Insert. 
• Online Resource Transfiguration (Black Hatted) This song picks up on the disciples' desire for Christ to stay. Lyrics and sound sample. Instructional video for guitarists.  Thanks to Tim Larson for this suggestion.  
• ELW561 / G(II)552 / GC762 / PfAS1040 / Lau12a Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory (Marty Haugen) Excellent words of light and darkness, sung to a simple hymn tune. Thanks to Jean Webb for this suggestion. Sheet music samples.
  
• Recorded Song Transfiguration (Hillsong) A challenging song for a congregation, unless they already know it. A good song that expresses holy wonder. It's got a bit of Kingly language in it. Here's a video. Lyrics. Thanks to LACO96 for this suggestion. 
• Online resource We went up the mountain with Jesus / Transfigured (Jay C. Treat) A storytelling song, set to an original easy-to-sing tune. It speaks from the experience of Jesus' disciples, and ends with their/our own transformation. Lyrics and sheet music. Thank you Jay for sending this to me.
  

What will you be singing? Add a comment, especially if it's something I haven't thought of!