WORSHIP OF GOD Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 11 a.m.
PRELUDE
Mary, Did You Know?
WORSHIP OF GOD Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 11 a.m.
Hark, the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies, With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark, the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
PICARDY
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
WELCOME & INVOCATION
Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
LIGHTING OF THE HOPE CANDLE
The Harle Family
Response Hymn | Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love | BAUGH Hope, peace, joy and love! These are gifts You bring from above. Jesus, Emmanuel, come to be light of Your hope, reflected in me.
Hail, the heav’nborn Prince of Peace, hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark, the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ Is Born This Holy Night
The Glory of Christmas
Guide Us to the Perfect Light
A Cantata for Christmas
Presented by The Sanctuary Choir (Bill Gabbard, director), SPdL Orchestra, (Richard Rogers, director), Whitney Anderson, soloist and narrators Rob Suggs and Jennifer Uldrick From Cantata Composer Lloyd Larson: “... the message of Christmas is not solely for a people who lived long ago. It is a message that our world needs to hear today. It is for young and old alike, for people of every tribe and nation regardless of one’s station in life. The Christmas story is filled with hope, promise, wonder, majesty and mystery. It is a perpetual reminder that in the darkest moments of life, the brilliance of the eternal Light of Christ has entered our world to guide us on the journey of life and faith.” (When directed, we invite you to sing with us using the lyrics included in your bulletin.) The Glory of Christmas! (Come and Worship the Newborn King)
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning
Child of Promise, Child of Love Whitney Anderson, soloist Duncan Harle
R. Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves (“What Child Is This?”) Jack Mitchener, organ
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
Dr. Hollingsworth
BENEDICTION
Dr. Hollingsworth O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste fideles) Jack Mitchener, organ
SANCTUARY CHOIR | Bill Gabbard, director Soprano Alto Kiley Carpenter Whitney Anderson Anneliese Depenthal Terri Bunch Debbie Dyer Mary Lynn Gabbard Lynn Handley Milligan Hall Sharon Harle Betsy Perkins Melissa Hollingsworth Meg Rooney Allie Osborne Becky Smith Gayle Suggs Angelyn Turner Jeanne Williams
Tenor Eddie Applegate Jake McWhorter John Roma Jim Weldon
Bass David Anderson Charles Claiborne Jonathan Hall Earle Moore Ponzi Pennington George Trusler Carson Turner John Uldrick James Wooten
Eric H. Thiman
Andrew Beall Nathan Hubble Clara Payne
Emily Payne Andrew McDonald John McDonald
Erin McDonald Gia Santillo Americo Santillo
SPDL ORCHESTRA | Richard Rogers, director Bass David Goodwin Cello Alexandria Haines Clarinet Melony Manus Bolden Ivy Anderson Flute Kathy Farmer Wendy Cuevas-Espelid
Horn Steve Alperin Amy Black
Trumpet John Strauss Alex McDonald
Oboe Kimberly Lorch Perrins
Viola Barbara Robinson Katerina Rakestraw
Percussion Scott Jones Paige Huff Barber Dakota Reeves Trombone Doug Whitehead Mike Wilson Richard Rogers
Violin Virginia Sloan Linda Cherniavsky Rosie Riquelme Antunez Adele Wang
LIGHTING THE HOPE CANDLE
Prepare the Way of the Lord!
OFFERTORY
(You are invited to applaud after the Finale.)
(Please join us in the Fellowship Hall for a festive lunch reception.)
Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
OFFERTORY PRAYER
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him, born the King of angels, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord! Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation! O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest! O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
POSTLUDE
OUR TALENTED MUSICIANS
CHILDREN'S CHOIR | Rev. Allie Osborne and Angelyn Turner, directors
The Glory of Christmas! (Finale)
Words and Music by Lloyd Larson | Orchestration by Ed Hogan
Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 11 a.m.
Jesus Is Born Tonight!
Lowry/Greene, arr. Tornquist
Joy Callaway, piano
HYMN NO. 81
WORSHIP OF GOD
The Harle Family—Duncan, Sharon and Maria—are active members at Second-Ponce. Duncan has served as Chair of the Board of Deacons and was a member of the lay leadership Reorganization Task Force. He and Sharon lead the Bridge Builders Sunday School class. Sharon is a Deacon and sings in the Sanctuary Choir. Maria is a senior at the Atlanta Classical Academy and is an active member of SPdL Youth. Duncan is a personal injury attorney and Sharon serves as Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement & University Special Events at Mercer University.
SECOND-PONCE WORSHIP STAFF Dr. Dock Hollingsworth, Senior Pastor
Joy Callaway, Pianist Anneliese Depenthal, Music Ministry Intern Bill Gabbard, Minister of Music Rev. Jonathan Hall, Minister of Community and Student Discipleship
Dr. Jack Mitchener, Organist Rev. Allie Osborne, Minister of Missions and Children's Discipleship Richard Rogers, Director of Orchestra Rev. John Uldrick, Associate Pastor
IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH WELCOME! WE'RE GLAD YOU CAME TO CHURCH Make yourself at home and worship God with us! We hope you leave today feeling warmly welcomed and spiritually fed. We also hope; however, that our time with you continues beyond today. And if you're open to it, we'd love to be friends. The connect cards in the pew racks open the door to a conversation about how SPdL can meet you where you are in life and walk with you as you move forward. We understand the hesitation some feel about about sharing information with a new church, so here are a few common concerns and how our church responds. If I fill out a visitor card, I'll be flooded with emails, calls and requests. Not here. Yes, someone on our pastoral staff will reach out, but you won't be spammed with emails or surprised by unplanned visits. I have to fill out the entire card even if I don't know all my the responses. We disagree. We hope you'll complete the card at your comfort level—disclosing as much or as little as you want—and drop it in the offering plate. Consider sharing just your name and a prayer request if that's what you'd prefer. Feel free to add comments in the margins about your experience today or feedback about the card itself. Filling out the connect card means I'm somehow committing to Second-Ponce. Not true. We hope someday you'll want to join our church family, but connection does not equal commitment. Ultimately, we want to get to know you ... to hear your story and to share ours and offer an authentic community of celebration and care.
AFTER WORSHIP
FESTIVE LUNCH RECEPTION After worship, everyone's invited to a free, festive lunch reception in the Fellowship Hall.
DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP All SPdL events requiring an RSVP along with info and links are online at www.spdl.org/rsvp. YOUNG ADULT DECEMBER DINNER Tuesday, December 12 | 7:15 p.m. | Politan Row Food Hall at Colony Square Young adults, come eat, drink and be merry during dinner at the Politan Row Food Hall! Parking will be validated at the Colony Square Parking Garage. RSVP not required. FELLOWSHIP SUPPER & COMMUNITY NIGHT Wednesday, December 13 | Beginning at 5 p.m. | Meal Cost: $8/adult; $5/child Join us for the last Wednesday night gathering of 2023! We’ll have a delicious dinner followed by hot chocolate, cookies and decorating gingerbread houses! On the menu: roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad, rolls and dessert. RSVP is required for Fellowship Supper by Noon, Monday, December 11 at www.spdl.org/rsvp. Note: We will not offer Zoom on this night. YOUTH CHRISTMAS LOCK-IN Friday and Saturday, December 15–16 | Friday at 6 p.m.-Saturday at 9 a.m. It's almost time for our annual Christmas Party & Lock-In! Bring a friend and join us for an exciting evening/night/morning filled with all kinds of fun! More details to come soon. RSVP by December 10. KIDS' CLUB CHRISTMAS PAJAMA PARTY Saturday, December 16 | 5:30–9:30 p.m. | $15/child | 0-5th grade The Kids' Club Christmas Pajama Party is going to be a fun night for children aged 0-5th grade. We’ll have friends, pizza, snacks, music, games, crafts, a Bible story and a movie. And don't forget to wear your pajamas! RSVP by Wednesday, December 13 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH CARING FOR GOD'S PEOPLE
BEADED BIRD ORNAMENT SALE Sunday, December 17 | After Worship | By the Library | Cost: $20/each "Birds of Color" ornaments, crafted by Juan, an artisan from Guatemala, will be for sale near the library. 100% of the proceeds go to support the education of Juan and his wife, Maria's, three children. Cash (exact change), checks and credit accepted. KIDS' CLUB CHRISTMAS MISSIONS POST OFFICE Operational through Sunday, December 24 | In the Welcome Center Send Christmas cards to your church family using the Children’s Missions Post Office located in the Welcome Center. The service is free, but we do ask for donations (suggested: 50 cents/card) all of which go to SPdL missions. Simply add your donation and Christmas cards in the corresponding slots. BUDGET FOR LIFE Our friends at Buckhead Christian Ministry offer a program called Budget for Life which helps to build the skills, knowledge and habits for financial stability. To help BCM prepare for their 2024 Budget for Life class, we're gathering supplies from their Amazon wish list. Check out their needs at www.spdl.org/missions.
SPDL CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS HONOR LOVED ONES THIS SEASON Deadline: Sunday, December 17 | $30/each Poinsettias are available to sponsor in honor or memory of loved ones. Use the hard copy forms (available in the Welcome Center) to pay by cash or check or pay online at www.spdl.org/advent. O HOLY NIGHT: REJOICING IN A WEARY WORLD Today begins the second week of stories and prayers from the 2023 SPdL Advent Devotional, O Holy Night: Rejoicing in a Weary World. Last week, we heard from Bill & Mary Lynn Gabbard, Dr. Earle Moore, Dr. Susan Sweat Gunby, Candice Young, SPdL Youth and Sara Ann Reed. This week, even more members of our church family are sharing wonderful words of Advent joy and anticipation. Don't miss them! CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE 9:30 a.m. Churchwide Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall 10 a.m. Combined Class Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall. The conference call and Zoom lines will open at 9:55 a.m. for those who wish to participate remotely. For connection info, reach out to Rev. John Uldrick (juldrick@spdl.org). 11 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 6 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary)
Growing in Christ and community– sharing God's love in the world.
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
December 10, 2023
The Glory of Christmas
Presented by the Second-Ponce Music Ministry
Note: We will not have childcare for the above Christmas Eve activities (this includes worship).
WEEK AT A GLANCE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 Noon Festive Lunch Reception End of Day Youth Lock-In RSVP Due MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 Noon Fellowship Supper RSVP Due TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 6:30 p.m. Women's Christmas Fellowship 7:15 p.m. Young Adult December Dinner WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 5 p.m. Fellowship Supper 6 p.m. Community Night 7:05 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal End of Day Kids' Club FriYAY RSVP Due *This event is available in person and online (via Zoom, Livestream or Facebook; check event details)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 8:30 p.m. Parents Connect Zoom FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 6 p.m. Youth Lock-In Begins SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 9 a.m. Youth Lock-In Ends 5:30 p.m. Kids' Club FriYAY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9:15 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School/Bible Study* 11 a.m. Worship* Noon Bird Ornament Sale End of Day Christmas Decor Deadline
Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church 2715 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404.266.8111 | www.spdl.org Facebook & Instagram: @secondponce