10/02/2026
4 NEW HYMNS FOR THE TRANSFIGURATION - FEBRUARY 15
Lord Jesus, What a Wonder!
ANGEL'S STORY ("O Jesus, I Have Promised")
Lord Jesus, what a wonder and what a glorious sight,
as present, past and future together came to light.
There, James and John and Peter saw in a whole new way
your holiness and splendor, and God’s new coming day.
We wonder at your glory; God’s radiance shone in you!
Yet part of this great story is what God said to do.
A voice came down from heaven. “Here’s my beloved Son.
I’m pleased with him. So listen!”— yet, Christ, what have we done?
We build great halls and churches In honor of your name.
We sing your joyful praises, again, to do the same.
Yet we have trouble listening to words of love you taught.
So now your world is suffering and people are distraught.
O Jesus, may we listen and hear your call once more
to love and care and welcome, to serve the lost and poor.
May we speak up for justice and show compassion, too.
When love becomes our practice, that’s how we’ll honor you.
Biblical Reference: Matthew 17:1-21; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36— and all the teachings of Jesus about loving neighbors, caring for people who are poor, welcoming the stranger, etc.
Tune: Arthur Henry Mann, 1888
Text: Copyright © [February] 2026 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: [email protected] New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
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One Day Jesus Climbed a Mountain
W ZLOBIE LEZY ("Infant Holy, Infant Lowly")
One day Jesus climbed a mountain to a place of prayer and rest.
Peter, James and John went with him to that lonely wilderness.
In a moment so amazing, Jesus shone with brightness blazing,
wrapped in glory, heaven-blessed.
Words could not contain the wonder of that most amazing sight.
Jesus' face was bright with splendor and his clothes were dazzling white.
There appeared two others with him; Moses and Elijah met him
on that lonely mountain height.
Jesus talked there with the prophet and the bearer of the Law.
When his three disciples saw it, they were filled with joy and awe.
Peter told him, "Let us stay here. We can worship God and pray here."
Then a cloud came over all.
From that cloud a voice was saying, "This is my beloved son."
And the voice said, "Listen to him!" — to God's faithful chosen one.
While their plans were filled with glory, Christ was living out the story
of his prayer, "Thy will be done."
Jesus took them down the mountain to a world of pain and loss.
For he knew what lay before him; he must journey to the cross.
In his serving, in his healing, God was there, by grace revealing
wondrous love comes at a cost.
Biblical References: Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18
Tune: Polish melody ("Infant Holy, Infant Lowly")
Text: Copyright © 2015 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Included in I Sing to My Savior: New Hymns from the Stories in the Gospel of Luke (2022).
Email: [email protected]. New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com.
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O Lord, As You Were On Your Way
REPTON ("How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord")
O Lord, as you were on your way to where you'd one day die,
You wanted time to rest and pray, to hear God's word to you that day.
You climbed a mountain high with three good friends close by.
So soon, the three became aware of such a wondrous sight.
Your face shone bright beyond compare, just like a glimpse of heaven there!
Your clothes were dazzling white; your glory came to light.
The Law, the Prophets guided you as you discerned God's will.
With Moses and Elijah, too, you spoke of God's great plan for you,
God's promise to fulfill one Friday on a hill.
Why could you not remain with them and there in glory stay?
God said, "This is my own dear Son! Now listen to him, everyone!"
And so you turned to say you'd go the harder way.
O Lord, how often we pursue success at any cost,
And yet we hear God's word anew, that we are called to follow you,
Who served the poor and lost and journeyed to the cross.
Biblical References: Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18
Tune: Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 1888 ("How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord")
Text: Copyright © 2002 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Included in Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor (Upper Room Books, 2009).
Email: [email protected] New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
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God, The Mountains Tell Your Glory
AUSTRIAN HYMN ("Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken") or
ABBOT'S LEIGH ("God Is Here!"). A hymn celebrating biblical stories involving mountains, including the Transfiguration;
https://www.carolynshymns.com/god_the_mountains_tell_your_glory.html
"Christ is Not as We Are (Matt. 17:1-9)" is a Christian Century article by Fred B. Craddock who was a professor of preaching and New Testament at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.
https://www.religion-online.org/article/christ-is-not-as-we-are-matt-171-9/?highlight=transfiguration
THANK YOU! I am very grateful for your prayers for my hymn writing, for your use of my hymns throughout the year, and for those who were able to make financial contributions for hymn use.
If you would like to send a beginning of the year financial gift, you may give through PayPal, referencing my email address of [email protected] or by sending a check (Carolyn W. Gillette, P.O. Box 577, Owego, NY 13827).
I continue to give permission for free use of my hymns if your church is struggling or has a limited music/worship budget. It’s up to you to decide what works best for your congregation. I want all churches to be able to use my hymns in worship.
We always welcome prayers for my hymn writing, and we encourage you to PLEASE SHARE these hymns and my hymn web site with pastors, church musicians, worship planners and hymn lovers who might like to use them as possible worship resources.
Thank you for your support in a variety of ways.
Please drop me an email at [email protected] if you would like a copy of a hymn in MS Word and/or a PDF of a hymn with music or simply to be in touch. Thank you.
Grace and Peace,
Carolyn
