Whistling in the Dark—Introduction A Four-week Series on Philippians 2

This article is part of the worship series
Whistling in the Dark

Series Introduction 
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 

Introduction

Joy. If the circumstances are right—if everything, or at least almost everything, is going our way—then we can feel joy. That's what most people in our culture believe. But since we live in a world that is full of difficult and puzzling circumstances and events, most of us seldom experience that kind of joy.

Paul talks about a different kind of joy—a joy that lets us whistle even during our darkest moments. In his letter to the believers at Philippi (located in what is now the northeast corner of modern-day Greece), the apostle describes a joy far more powerful than the elusive feeling many in our world seek. And the amazing thing is that he is writing from prison!

Christianity proclaims a joy that transcends circumstances. Joy, says Paul, is something much deeper than the mere massaging of our surroundings or a superficial smile that pretends it is light even when the darkness is obvious. Following Jesus Christ in a fallen world—in the darkness of unpredictable and often painful circumstances—enables us to "whistle in the dark," to know joy even in the midst of hardship.

In the first chapter of Philippians, Paul reveals that a pathway to joy is found in living a life that passionately revolves around Jesus Christ. The third chapter focuses on a life of relating with Christ, and chapter 4 explains that true joy involves relying on Christ. In this series (part of a larger series we planned for our congregation), we want to focus on the second chapter. Here Paul teaches that if we want to learn to "whistle in the dark," we must learn to live a life that reflects Christ, especially in our attitudes toward and relationships with others.

Series Outline

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Worship Planning at Sunshine Community Church

At Sunshine Community Church the Director of Fine Arts is responsible for programming the worship services. Generally I receive the message title, text, and theme from the speaker and then begin to work with the various elements of worship centered around a theme. Normally I try to include both hymns and Praise & Worship music in each service. Congregational singing usually begins with an upbeat hymn or chorus and then tapers off to a more meditative mood. I also try to include one of the various performing groups each Sunday, representing other arts such as drama and media.

The instrumentation used for accompaniment varies each week from a small orchestra to perhaps just piano and organ or maybe piano and a rhythm section, or sometimes a combination of these. I also look for various creeds, catechism, unison prayers and/or litanies to include in the services each Sunday. Rarely do we include elements specifically for children in the morning worship services because they have their own worship gatherings. After I have completely worked out the programs for the morning services, I normally discuss them with the senior pastor and gain his approval or make changes accordingly. The services are programmed to be seventy-five minutes long. My main goal is to make sure that the congregation has the opportunity to meet God in a special and celebrative way and to enhance the teaching of God's Word.
—Randy Umfleet

Revised Common Lectionary

Year A - Season after Pentecost - Proper 21 (26)