Notes on the Notes – March 2, 2025
Transfiguration Sunday
This week’s music:
“O Splendour of God’s Glory Bright” (VU #413)
“O splendour of God’s glory bright, from light eternal bringing light;
O light of life, light’s living spring, true day, all days illumining;
Come, Holy Sun of heavenly love, pour down your radiance from above,
And to our inward hearts convey the Holy Spirit’s cloudless ray.
O Christ, with each returning morn your image to our hearts is born;
O may we ever see anew our Saviour and our God in you!“
The text of this hymn comes from “Splendor Paternae Gloriae,” a hymn by Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (374-397 C.E.), who encouraged the development of hymn singing in the Western Church, having heard hymns sung during his travels in Greece. The translation is based on the work of John Chandler in Hymns of the Primitive Church (1837). The words reference both God and Jesus as being sources of divine light. Through the hymn, we are asking to be bathed in the divine light as we live our every day life. The tune, PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, is from a 15th-century Tier manuscript. It may be familiar as the tune for the hymn “A Little Child the Saviour Came” (VU #445).
Hear the tune on the organ at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu-1qlh7YFU
“Behold, Behold, I Make All Things” (MV #115)
“Behold, behold,
I make all things new, beginning with you
and starting from today.
Behold, behold,
I make all things new, my promise is true,
For I am Christ the way.”
Our response to the words of assurance was also written by John L. Bell in 1995 and remind us that, through Jesus, we find new life.
“We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding” (VU #104)
“We have come at Christ’s own bidding to this high and holy place,
Where we wait with hope and longing for some token of God’s grace.
Here we pray for new assurance that our faith is not in vain,
Searching like those first disciples for a sign both clear and plain.
Light breaks in upon our darkness; splendour bathes the flesh-joined Word;
Moses and Elijah marvel as the heavenly voice is heard.
Eyes and hearts behold with wonder how the Law and Prophets meet:
Christ, with garments drenched in brightness, stands transfigured and complete.
Strengthened by this glimpse of glory, fearful lest our faith decline,
We like Peter find it tempting to remain and build a shrine.
But true worship gives us courage to proclaim what we profess,
That our daily lives may prove us people of the God we bless.“
This transfiguration hymn is by Carl P. Daw, Jr. (1988). In his commentary on the text, Daw discusses the “comparison between the attitudes and assumptions of the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration and the expectations of present-day Christians as they gather for worship.” The tune, ABBOT’S LEIGH, was composed by British hymnologist Cyril Vincent Taylor in 1941.
Hear the tune on piano at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNPlsM14Bik
“Transfiguration”
“We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of Jesus.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of the Son.
And oh, how his beauty transforms us,
The wonder of presence abiding.
Transparent hearts give reflection
of Tabor’s light within,
of Tabor’s light within.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of Jesus.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of the Son.
Jesus, Lord of Glory,
Jesus, beloved Son.
Oh, how good to be with you;
How good to share your light,
How good to share your light.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of Jesus.
We behold the splendor of God shining on the face of the Son.”
This week’s anthem by Carey Landry puts us in the place of those witnessing the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. As we open our hearts to see Jesus, we too are transformed and able to share God’s light.
“Grant Us, God, the Grace of Giving” (VU #540)
“Grant Us, God, the grace of giving,
With a spirit large and free,
That ourselves and all our living
We may offer faithfully.”
The text of our offering response for the season of Epiphany comes from the Mennonite hymn book, “Hymnal: a Worship Book.” The tune, STUTTGART, is a familiar one which is also used for the Advent hymn “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (VU #2).
“Open My Eyes” (VU #371)
“Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hand the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wave-notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit Divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!“
Clara H. Scott (1841-1897) provides us with a hymn of consecration that has been sung for over 100 years. The text of “Open My Eyes” was written in 1895 shortly before Scott’s death. Each stanza reveals an increasing receptiveness to the “Spirit divine.” Open eyes lead to “glimpses of truth.” Open ears lead to “voices of truth.” An open mouth leads to sharing the “warm truth everywhere.” An open heart leads to sharing “love to thy children.” On this Transfiguration Sunday, we open ourselves to hearing God’s word and letting it change and challenge us.
Sing along with the Harmony Singers: https://youtu.be/M8QNWznR0k0?list=PLcKv8KzQKS1iSYAuZRuBmzJeEJHHQVrYD
“Lead Me, Lord”
“Lead me, Lord, I will follow.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
You have called me, I will answer.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.”
Our benediction response was written by Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine in 1994. As we come to the end of worship, we renew our commitment to follow Jesus throughout the coming week.
Hear the song sung by the Harmony Singers at: https://youtu.be/RzZCHLXrrPs?list=PLcKv8KzQKS1iSYAuZRuBmzJeEJHHQVrYD
