In Full Accord

Planning Worship

Focus text: Philippians 2:1-13

How do we press on together? What does it take to live well as a community? In Philippians 2, Paul lays it out clearly: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” Easy to say, but difficult to understand, much less do. Even for Paul. I often wonder if that’s why he chooses a song to explain what he means—because a theological treatise is not nearly as effective as a song at describing what it means to have the same mind as Christ. And not just any song—a hymn, a song sung in community with others. How do we live like Christ? We live in humility and grace together. In full accord.

So, as you plan worship this week, find hymns that reference Philippians 2:1-13, so that your congregation can join their minds and their singing with Christians across the generations. Some hymns that more fully quote the passage include “At the Name of Jesus” (United Methodist Hymnal 168) or “All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine” (United Methodist Hymnal 166). Philippians 2 was also a favorite passage of John and Charles Wesley, and it is referenced in hymns such as “And Can It Be” (United Methodist Hymnal 363) and “Jesus! the Name High over All” (United Methodist Hymnal 193).

Consider, too, how you can model the call for all to live in humility and grace together through worship. For centuries, Philippians 2 was used to keep some people humble at the expense of making others powerful. So, when we pray, sing, and preach about living according to Christ’s example, we must recognize and confess how humility without grace has been used as a spiritual weapon against the vulnerable, and repent that we may receive grace to live in Christ’s humility, marked by just and merciful love. Whether you choose to explain the history of this passage in the sermon or incorporate a prayer of confession, consider using the following breath prayer to either prepare for or respond to the sermon: (Breathe in) Unite us through grace, (breathe out) to love like Jesus. Encourage your congregants to continue praying this prayer throughout the week, paying attention to how our shared journey in grace leads us back to one another to praise, exalt, and set our minds on Christ in full accord.

Dr. Lisa Hancock, Director of Worship Arts Ministries, served as an organist and music minister in United Methodist congregations in the legacy Northwest Texas and North Texas Annual Conferences, as well as the New Day Amani/Upendo house churches in Dallas. After receiving her Master of Sacred Music and Master of Theological Studies from Perkins School of Theology, Lisa earned her PhD in Religious Studies from Southern Methodist University, where she researched and wrote on the doctrine of Christ, disability, and atonement.