For Worship Planners

Year 2
Service 2: Spiritual Practices (Disciplines)

Scriptures
Several of the following texts are commonly used on Ash Wednesday. This day, as well as Lent, is often a time for Christians to examine their lives and renew their commitment to following Christ. Certain discipline—such as prayer, fasting, and giving—are especially emphasized in this season. Consider seeking out other Ash Wednesday and Lenten resources for worship that focuses on the spiritual disciplines.

• Psalm 139:23-24. Because of God’s graceful presence, realized earlier in the psalm, the psalmist is bold to invite God to examine his heart and lead him into everlasting life. Spiritual disciplines are means by which we can experience the same openness to and change from our Lord.
• Joel 2:12-17. All the fasting, weeping, and spiritual disciplines in the world will not mean a thing apart from true heart-repentance in the community of God’s blessed people.
• Matthew 4:1-11 and parallels. By fulfilling the Torah, Jesus both redeems his people and provides a model for spiritual discipline. Note the centrality here of knowing the Word of God.
• Matthew 5:6. This brief Beatitude sums up the point of the spiritual disciplines: hungering and thirsting for righteousness, as well as the blessings of fulfillment from a God who loves to fill his people with good things (Ps. 107:9).
• Matthew 6. Several key disciplines are prominent here: giving to the needy, prayer, fasting. The point? “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
• Luke 14:25-35. Following Jesus is a life-consuming, cross-carrying calling. One had better consider the cost and plan the way. The spiritual disciplines are God's gifts for doing this.
• John 19:38-42. At the precise moment of Jesus’ life-giving sacrifice (for him, for us), a till-then-secret follower of Jesus named Joseph of Arimathea and a come-by-night follower named Nicodemus themselves make a sacrifice of love and giving. How might their devotion and their timing inform the spiritual discipline of giving?
• Philippians 2:1-11. Discipleship happens in union with Christ, in the fellowship of the Spirit, in the community of believers, and in imitation of our Lord's humble attitude.
• Philippians 2:12-13. Salvation is a gift! And that gift is unpacked—worked out—in our daily lives, with God's help and for his purpose. Spiritual disciplines are the “working out” of God's salvation in believers’ lives.
• 1 Peter 1:13-16. Engaging in spiritual disciplines is attuning our mind and body and spirit to the grace of Jesus Christ; it helps us resist evil and it enables us to grow in the holiness of God himself. “So shall no part of day or night from sacredness be free” (PsH 547:3).
• 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27. Spiritual growth and discipleship takes effort and practice. This tough text takes some effort to unfold but it reveals treasures of wisdom. The sports analogy can also be appealing to at large number of people in the congregation, especially the young.

Service Planning

Gathering

Spoken resources
TWS J.1.2.8
TWS N.1.4.13

Sung resources
“We Praise You, O God” PsH 237
“Come, All You People, Praise Our God” PsH 242
“Come and Let Us Worship God” SNC 6
“Gather Us In” SNC 8
“Be Still, for the Presence” SNC 11

Confession and Assurance

Spoken resources
TWS 2.2.12
TWS 2.2.29
TWS K.2.2.4

Sung resources
“Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” PsH 264
“Lead Me, Guide Me” PsH 544
“When We Walk with the Lord” PsH 548
“Create in Me a Clean Heart” SNC 49
“Give Me a Clean Heart” SNC 64

Word

Spoken resources
Psalm 15
TWS 3.1.15
TWS 3.1.32

Sung resources
“Take My Life That It May Be” PsH 289 (288)
“Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak” PsH 528
“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” PsH 573
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” SNC 77
“Cry of My Heart” SNC 81
“God of the Word” SNC 84
“Trust in the Lord” SNC 190

Prayer

Spoken resources
TWS C.4.11
TWS F.9.1.7
TWS J.4.10

Sung resources
“Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” PsH 264
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” PsH 545
“Lord of All Hopefulness” PsH 558
“Lord, Make Us Servants” SNC 204
“Take, O Take Me as I Am” SNC 215

The Lord's Supper

Spoken resources
TWS 8.1.2.3
TWS 8.1.3.6
TWS 8.5.2.3
TWS 8.5.2.5

Sung resources
“According to Thy Gracious Word” PsH 298
“O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts” PsH 307
“You Are Holy / Eres santo” SNC 20
“As We Gather at Your Table” SNC 245

Sending

Spoken resources
Galatians 5:23-25
1 Timothy 6:13-16
TWS 9.1.15
TWS D.9.1.1
TWS I.9.1.2
TWS 9.2.16

Sung resources
“May the Mind of Christ, My Savior” SNC 291
“Thuma mina / Send Me, Lord” SNC 280
“Canto de esperanza / Song of Hope” SNC 282
“My Friends, May You Grow in Grace” SNC 288
“Go to the World” SNC 294