Transfiguration - Last Epiphany A
February 3, 2008

With thanks to page sponsor:
Presbyterian Welcome
Inclusive Churches Working Together
New York, NY
(Nov 07-08)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources for each individual pericope:

Exodus 24:12-18

Psalm 2 or Psalm 99
United Methodist reading: Psalm 99

2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings (NCCB/USCC) from the New American Bible.
  • The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA Edition). At Felix Just S.J.'s The Roman Catholic Lectionary For Mass - a site featuring comprehensive tables of editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
  • Lutheran lectionary calendar, Year A, from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings.
  • Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year A.
  • Free Church version for Baptist, Reformed, and Congregational use Revised Common Lectionary Readings.
  • ELCIC Worship Planning Calendar, lectionary citations with and without hymn suggestions, text and pdf formats.
  • Lutheran RCL CEV readings - .doc files. Lutheran Bible Ministries.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Transfiguration
    • Moses
  • Movies Listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Transformation
    • Passing on the Tradition
    • Seeing/Seeing in New Ways
    • Alternate Realities/Illusion-Reality Dialectic
• Special Day Resources:
  • Transfiguration of Jesus, Wikipedia.
  • Transfiguration and Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ from the Catholic Encyclopedia.
  • Tabor: The Mountain of Glory (The Transfiguration of Jesus) - Fransiscan Cyberspot.
  • "Transfiguration" at the Russian Orthodox Church page. Includes short commentary and icon images.
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Last Epiphany, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary. Commentaries on lectionary readings by Frank M. Yamada, Dwight Peterson, and Audrey West.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Transfiguration, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Last Epiphany, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Transfiguration Sunday, 2008). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Jesus Now, Last Epiphany. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Transfiguration, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Sermon Nuggets, Transfiguration, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, February 3, 2008, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Stories & Anecdotes, Transfiguration, collected by Jack Lohr, Presbyterian Church at Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
  • Readings, Analysis of Text and Preaching Paths, Transfiguration, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • Text Studies, Transfiguration/Last Epiphany, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Transfiguration Sunday, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • SAMUEL, Transfiguration, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
• Lists of recommended articles available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Exodus 24:12-18
  • Psalm 2 / Psalm 99
  • 2 Peter 1:16-21
  • Matthew 17:1-9
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "On Height, Torah, Time & Glory," Blogging toward Sunday, Edwin Searcy, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
  • "The Transfiguration of Jesus: 'The Real Truth' or a 'Pernicious Superstition?'" The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "See and Listen," Laurel A. Dykstra, "A Season of Repentance," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • From Transfiguration to Lent, Rev. Dr. Keith A. Russell, Reflections on the Lectionary for February, 2008, The Living Pulpit.
  • "Encounter on the Mountain," Angela Bauer-Levesque, Mary Foulke, Randall C. Bailey, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • Transfiguration, poetry by Ann Fontaine, what the tide brings in.
  • Lectionary Haikus: Transfigured, among the hills.
  • "Mistaken Faith," Larry Patten. And Yet: "Faithful & Foolish Reflections Served Weekly."
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Last Epiphany. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2005.
  • "Conversion of Light," Michael Battle, "Proclaiming Gospel Justice," The Witness, 2005.
  • "Cleverly Invented Tales?" The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2005.
  • "Memory Sites," Patricia Farris, The Christian Century, 2002.
  • Living the Word by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary based scripture commentary from Sojourners OnLine, 1996.
  • "Remembering Who We Are," by Kari Jo Verhulst. Living the Word lectionary-based scripture commentary from Sojourners Online, 2002.
  • "A New Light: The Last Sunday in Epiphany," Merechristian.org, an online journal by the Rev. J. Barry Vaughn, Ph.D.
  • Environmental & earth-centered reflections from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Environmental Stewardship Commission.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
  • Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels, Year A. Prepared by the Reverend Michael Pollesel, Stewardship Education Coordinator, Diocese of Ontario.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • "Keeping It Real," The Rev. Dr. Catherine Taylor, Day 1, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Last Sunday after the Epiphany / World Mission Sunday (RCL), by the Rev. Martha P. Sterne, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • "Transfiguration Sunday," Doug Wysockey-Johnson, Seeker's Church, 2005.
  • "The Mythical Bible," Madeleine L'Engle, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1991.
  • "Mountain Top Experiences," John Jewell, 2002.
  • "Mountains, Valley and Plains," "Jesus Christ and Superman," "Visions on a Mountaintop," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "God Comes to Us," the Rev. Dr. Wiley Stephens, Day 1, 2005.
  • Transfiguration, the Rev. Dr. A.K.M. Adam, Flesh and Bones, 2001. (Entire book of sermons is one long pdf file. Slow connections will require long download times.)
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Transfiguration, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Writer's Strike Could Complicate Oscars Ceremony," Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2008.
  • "Following God's Beloved," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Epiphany, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders guide and participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings.
• A list of links to on-line Bibles and general Bible study resources.
• A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion groups and their homepages.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

• The Text This Week's Epiphany Resources Page includes Transfiguration images.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Transfiguration Sunday, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Transfiguration/Last Epiphany, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Transfiguration A, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Finding God," Transfiguration, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Liturgies Online, Transfiguration, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Liturgy for the Transfiguration of our Lord, Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  • Resources for Black History Month at Bass Mitchell's Special Days and Services site.
  • Liturgical Resources for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord on Mount Tabor from the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada:
    • "Spiritual Realities"
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday, William R.G. Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Transfiguration, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • The Billabong, Transfiguration, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Prayers of the People, Year A - Last Epiphany. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Outside the Box, Transfiguration Sunday, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker.
  • Calls to Worship, Barbara Jamieson, Flint Hill UMC, Virginia.
  • Creative Closing, Transfiguration, George Hartwell, at Richard J. Fairchild's Sermon & Lectionary Resources.
  • Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Last Epiphany. Chris Haslam, Diocese of Montreal.
  • "A Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday," Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • "Show Us Your Glory: A Pastoral Prayer for Transfiguration," Worship Ways, 2008.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Transfiguration Sunday, Ciona D. Rouse, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Prayers of the People, Epiphany 3, 2008, Lowell Grisham, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  • Prayer of the Church, Transfiguration, 2008, Let Us Pray, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
  • Offertory Prayers for February, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics & Multimedia:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 17:1-9, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Transfiguration at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Finding God," Transfiguration, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL, Transfiguration, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Transfiguration Sunday, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "O Lord, As You Were On Your Way," Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, REPTON 8.6.8.8.6.6.
    • "Transfigured," Jay C. Treat, The Christian Church in Pennsylvania.
    • "Resurrection Light," a hymn for Transfiguration Sunday, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Christ Upon the Mountain Peak," Brian Wren, alternate tune LIEBSTER JESU, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "In Our Ordinary Lives" and "Go Figure": Sheet music and bulletin versions of original songs for youth and for congregation singing by Leigh Newton.
    • "The Mountain," Brenton Prigge, New Hymn.
    • "I Believe," original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Tune:  AUSTRIAN HYMN 8.7.8.7D "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken" 
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Transfiguration, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Transfiguration, 2008, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
    • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
    • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
    • Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts.
    • Together to Celebrate, February 3, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Music and Worship Resources for Transfiguration Sunday, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • Sing for Joy, Last Epiphany A, 2008. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Transfiguration. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
  • Transfiguration Maze Puzzle, Transfiguration Word Search, Transfiguration Word Jumble, sermons4kids.com.
  • Gospel Puzzles for the Lectionary, Transfiguration Sunday, Mark Ryman, edoxy.com.
• With Children (see also listings "With Children" at individual scripture pages, linked above):
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Younger Children & Older Children, Epiphany, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • "We are Witnesses," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
• Drama (see listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.