WORSHIP OF GOD Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 11 a.m.
PRELUDE
Où s’en vont ces gais bergers “Where Are the Cheerful Shepherds Going”
Claude Balbastre
Jack Mitchener, organ
Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 11 a.m.
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 125 Angels We Have Heard on High
GLORIA
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP HYMN NO. 79
WORSHIP OF GOD
VENI EMMANUEL
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
WELCOME & INVOCATION
Rev. John Uldrick
LIGHTING OF THE LOVE CANDLE
The Anderson Family
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
Rev. Jonathan Hall
BENEDICTION
Dr. Hollingsworth
POSTLUDE
Toccata on Veni Emmanuel Based on Hymn 79, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Andrew Carter
Jack Mitchener, organ
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 love, reflected in me. LIGHTING THE LOVE CANDLE HYMN NO. 103 SCRIPTURE
O Come, All Ye Faithful
ADESTE FIDELES
Matthew 1:18–25
Rev. Allie Osborne
(p. 783 in your pew Bible)
ANTHEM
arr. Young
Who Is He in Yonder Stall?
Sanctuary Choir; Jack Mitchener, organ
OFFERTORY PRAYER OFFERTORY
Jennifer Uldrick
Noël Polonais Alexandre Guilmant Variations on the Polish carol, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Jack Mitchener, organ
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow PASTORAL PRAYER HYMN NO. 139 SCRIPTURE SERMON
Andy and Kelly Anderson joined Second-Ponce in 1997. A member of the Worship Council, Andy also serves as an active Deacon and on the Executive and Finance Committees. A part of the Second-Ponce video production team, he led the task force related to communications during the pandemic. Both Andy and Kelly enjoy Bible study with the Bridge Builders Sunday School class. Their two children, Nate and Avery, were raised here and baptized in December 2020. Nate is a senior at Kennesaw State where he is a student-athlete on the baseball team and Avery is a freshman at Oklahoma State.
OLD 100TH
Dr. Dock Hollingsworth Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
W ZLOBIE LEZY
Isaiah 7:10–16
Bill Gabbard
Waiting for Love
Dr. Hollingsworth
(p. 554 in your pew Bible)
LEADING OUR OFFERTORY PRAYER Jennifer Uldrick and her husband, John, joined Second-Ponce in Spring 2022, when John was called as our Associate Pastor. She is active with the Bridge Builders Sunday School class and serves as an elementary school principal in Rome, GA. Married for 26 years, Jennifer and John have two grown children, Charlie and Annalise.
SEE YOU SOON!
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Tonight, Sunday, December 24 | 6 p.m. | Sanctuary
Anticipate the Christ Child by candlelight at our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. This beloved Second-Ponce tradition is a meaningful time to gather with family and friends. We encourage you to invite everyone on your Christmas list!
WORSHIP OF GOD Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 11 a.m. WE'RE "PEOPLE PEOPLE" FOR GUESTS WE HAVEN'T MET YET Welcome to church! Make yourself at home here! Settle in for a transformative and joyful hour of worship. We'd love to be helpful in your faith journey. There's a green card in the pew rack—I'm New Here. Use it to share as much information as you like and drop it in the offering plate. We understand that some people are hesistant to fill out church cards. It's true—a member of our pastoral staff will reach out, but you won't be flooded with calls, emails or requests. Engagement with us will be at your own pace; we just want to know who you are and how we can pray for you. FOR GUESTS WE KNOW & CHURCH MEMBERS Welcome back to church! Your presence is part of what makes Sundays at SecondPonce so wonderful. If you're a guest who's ready to take the next step or a church member who wants to deepen your involvement, fill out the red pew card—I'm a Regular—and drop it in the offering plate. Let us know how we can help.
ADDITIONAL SUNDAY INFORMATION SHARING PRAYER REQUESTS At Second-Ponce, you have a church family who welcomes the opportunity to join you in prayer. Let us know your prayer needs by filling out the prayer request portion of either the green card (for guests we don't know yet) or the red card (for guests we know and church members) and drop it in the offering plate. GIVING AN OFFERING Your financial support of Second-Ponce allows us to carry out the mission God has for our church. There are Virtual Offering Plate cards in the pew racks that utilize a QR code and Text to Give options for making gifts online. You may also drop your offering in the offering plate. HOW TO JOIN Second-Ponce enthusiastically welcomes you to make a commitment to Christ and our community of faith. At any time during the Hymn of Response, simply walk to the front of the Sanctuary where a member of our ministry team will greet you with warmth and joy. If you're uncomfortable being "in the spotlight," but still want to join–that's ok! Speak with of one our ministers after worship and they'll walk you through an alternate plan.
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 SPECIAL SCHEDULES
IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH COMING UP PRIME TIMERS' JANUARY LUNCH Tuesday, January 9 | 11:20 a.m.–2 p.m. | Paschal’s | Cost: Your Own Meal Our senior adults are heading out to lunch for their January gathering! The bus will leave SPdL at 11:30 a.m. for Paschal's on Northside Drive and will return to our parking lot at 2 p.m. RSVP to Vicki (vmccaskey@spdl.org or 404.591.4344) by Friday, 1/5.
TONIGHT We will not have childcare or activities in the Kids' Club during the Candlelight Service. Families are encouraged to worship together in "big church." There will be extra activities in the worship bags to keep them engaged. NEW YEAR'S EVE We will follow the holiday schedule for Sunday, December 31. Please note we will not have childcare or activities for children & youth before or during worship. • 9:30 a.m. Churchwide Breakfast (Fellowship Hall) • 10 a.m. Combined Adult Sunday School (Fellowship Hall) • 11 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) Let Jonathan know if you're free to pass the offering plate if needed (jhall@spdl.org).
SAVE THE DATE: MEDIAN ADULT DINNER Saturday, January 20 | 5:30–8 p.m. | Location: TBD | Cost: Your Own Meal If you're somewhere between the young adults and Prime Timers, then this dinner is for you! Join us for a fun night out with childcare provided. The only cost is your own meal. Stay tuned for location details! RSVP by Friday, 1/12. SAVE THE DATE: WOMEN'S RETREAT Friday–Sunday, March 8–10 | Pinnacle Retreat Center | Clayton, GA Cost: $170/person (double occupancy) Join us for fellowship, study and fun in the North GA mountains! Our special guest, Rev. Heather Webb, will lead us in exploring how we can apply Jesus' "I Am" statements from John's gospel to our daily lives. Registration opens Sunday, 1/7. In the meantime, if you have questions or want to see the weekend's agenda, reach out to the retreat team at womensministry@spdl.org.
DON'T FORGET 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 finish buying supplies for BCM's Budget for Life kits. Simply add your donation and Christmas cards in the corresponding slots. Be sure to stop by on your way out and see if you have a card.
COMING UP
Sign up for SPdL events on our website at www.spdl.org/rsvp or scan this code SUPPER & COMMUNITY SERVICE NIGHT Wednesday, January 3 | Beginning at 5 p.m. | Fellowship Hall Supper Cost: $8/adult; $5/child Wednesday activities are back January 3 and we're celebrating with a Community Service Night! On the menu: BBQ pork, baked beans, coleslaw, salad and dessert. After dinner, we'll all put together Budget for Life kits to share with our friends at Buckhead Christian Ministry. RSVP by Noon, Monday, January 1.
MISSIONS NEWS SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR GHES UPDATE Our church family shared $5,891.27—through special collections—with the families of Garden Hills Elementary School who were affected by recent fires. These funds will go toward immediate and ongoing needs as these families navigate life after loss. BUDGET FOR LIFE Our friends at Buckhead Christian Ministry offer a program called Budget for Life, a 12-month virtual financial education course helping working individuals and families build the skills, knowledge and habits to become financially stable. 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 and, if you're able, add a few to your Amazon cart while you're shopping for holiday gifts.
YOUNG ADULT JANUARY DINNER Tuesday, January 9 | 7:15 p.m. | Taqueria del Sol | Cost: Your Own Meal Young adults, join us for our first monthly dinner of 2024! We'll meet at Taqueria del Sol on Cheshire Bridge. RSVP to Jonathan by Monday, 1/8 at jhall@spdl.org. POTLUCK WELCOME BACK BREAKFAST FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH Sunday, January 7 | 10 a.m. | Fellowship Hall | Cost is Free, but Meal is Potluck Children, youth and families are invited to a potluck Welcome Back Breakfast to celebrate the new year together! Let Allie or Jonathan know what you're bringing! BSF WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY Wednesday, January 10 | 9:30 a.m. | Chapel Bible Study Fellowship will resume their Wednesday morning study of John— beginning with chaper 10—on January 10 in the Chapel. The first two weeks are the perfect time to try out BSF for our next “mini study," Is Jesus God? Discover the truth about Jesus’s identity and the source of His power. All women and preschool-aged children are invited to join us! Email Anne Parker for more information (abparker7@icloud.com). SUPPER & SPDLU Wednesday, January 10 | Supper at 5 p.m. | Discipleship at 6 p.m. | Fellowship Hall and on Zoom | Supper Cost: $8/adult; $5/child Join us to kick-off a new adult discipleship series with supper & SPdLU Wednesday, 1/10. On the menu: Spaghetti & meatballs, garlic bread, salad and dessert. After the meal, Rev. John Uldrick will lead us in The Lord's Prayer Part 1: Introductions & Our Father, Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name. RSVP by Noon, Monday, 1/8.
Growing in Christ and community– sharing God's love in the world.
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
December 24, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Advent TODAY'S MESSAGE
Waiting for Love
A DEEPER PARTNERSHIP Second-Ponce has been named a Sustaining Church Partner of the Toco Hills Community Alliance. We are excited to see how God will continue to use us together in sharing Christ and community across Atlanta.
WEEK AT A GLANCE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 6 p.m. Candlelight Service MONDAY, DECEMBER 25
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
All Day
Church Office Closed
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26 All Day Church Office Closed FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 Noon Church Office Closes
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 9:30 a.m. Churchwide Breakfast 10 a.m. Combined Class Adult Sunday School/Bible Study* 11 a.m. Worship* MONDAY, JANUARY 1
Isaiah 7:10–16
Dr. Dock Hollingsworth Senior Pastor
Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church 2715 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404.266.8111 | www.spdl.org
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
All Day
Church Office Closed
*This event is available in person and online (via Zoom, YouTube or Facebook; check event details)
Facebook & Instagram: @secondponce