WORSHIP OF GOD
WORSHIP OF GOD
WORSHIP OF GOD
PRELUDE Pietro Yon Pastorale—Gesù Bambino (on Adeste fideles, “O come, all ye faithful”) In dulci jubilo (In sweet rejoicing) Marcel Dupré Silent Night (from Christmas) Dudley Buck
Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
Ring out old shapes of foul disease, Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 6 p.m.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Jack Mitchener, organ
HYMN GREENSLEEVES Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
The Brendan Hollingsworth Family
A Hymn on the Nativity of My Saviour by Ben Jonson
Lynn Handley
I sing the birth was born tonight, the Author both of life and light: the angels so did sound it; and like the ravished shepherds said, who saw the light, and were afraid, yet searched, and true they found it. The Son of God, th’ Eternal King, that did us all salvation bring, and freed the soul from danger, He whom the whole world could not take, the Lord, which heav’n and earth did make, was now laid in a manger. The Father’s wisdom willed it so, the Son’s obedience knew no “No,” both wills were in one stature; and as that wisdom hath decreed, the Word was now made Flesh indeed, and took on Him our nature. What comfort by Him do we win, Who made Himself the price of sin, to make us heirs of glory!
Breath of Heaven
Whitney Anderson, soprano; Joy Callaway, piano
PASTORAL PRAYER HYMN NO. 132 READING
CAROL
Anne Marie Alexander From Ring Out, Wild Bells by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light; The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Brendan and Megan were married earlier this month and before the happy occasion, Megan and Andrew officially joined our church family. Andrew is active in our children's ministry and enjoys playing with his cousins. Brendan has worked at Guffey's Menswear for 8 years and Megan is head of the finance department at Southeast Restoration.
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
WE'RE "PEOPLE PEOPLE" GOD REST YE MERRY
Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. From God our heav'nly Father, a blessed angel came; and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same: how that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name, Refrain "Fear not, then," said the angel, "let nothing you affright; this day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright, to free all those who trust in him from Satan's pow'r and might." Refrain The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind, and left their flocks a-feeding, in tempest, storm, and wind, and went to Bethlehem straightway, the Son of God to find. Refrain
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.
SCRIPTURE
Luke 2:8–20; Isaiah 11:1–10
Dr. Hollingsworth
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SERMON
Waiting for Christ
Dr. Hollingsworth
SHARING PRAYER REQUESTS 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.
SOLO
O Holy Night
Bill Gabbard, tenor; Jack Mitchener, organ
Adam
CANDLE LIGHTING
GRANT Rev. John Uldrick
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Brendan and Megan Hollingsworth and son, Andrew Beall, light our Christ candle tonight. Brendan—who joined Second-ponce in 2014—and his twin sister, Hayley, are the children of our Senior Pastor Dock Hollingsworth and his wife, Melissa.
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day, to save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray;
To see this Babe, all innocence, a martyr born in our defense—can man forget this story? MUSICAL OFFERING
Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be
What Child Is This
WELCOME & INVOCATION
READING
Bill Gabbard
Good people all, this Christmas time, Consider well and bear in mind What our good God for us has done, In sending His beloved Son. With Mary holy we should pray To God with love this Christmas Day; In Bethlehem upon the morn There was a blest Messiah born.
HYMN NO. 148
Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Please tilt your unlit candle to light it.
HYMN NO. 134
Silent Night, Holy Night
STILLE NACHT
Please extinguish your candle at your seat and place it in one of the baskets at the door as you leave. We ask that you reverently refrain from conversation until you have exited the Sanctuary.
BENEDICTION POSTLUDE
Dr. Hollingsworth In the Bleak Mid-Winter Jack Mitchener, organ
arr. Malcolm Archer
GIVING AN OFFERING 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 put your gift in the offering plate.
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 YEAR END GIVING
DEADLINE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 A big thank you to everyone who has given to Second-Ponce this year! As 2023 draws to a close, we're offering a reminder about year-end contributions. Gifts intended for your 2023 record must be turned in either in person to the finance office by 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 29; or postmarked no later than December 31. Due to IRS regulations, no exceptions can be made. You may also give online by Midnight, Sunday, December 31 at www.spdl.org/give. Contact Comfort Ellis, our Financial Controller and Benefits Administrator (404.591.4359/cellis@spdl.org) for more info.
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).
COMING UP
Sign up for SPdL events on our website at www.spdl.org/rsvp. 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. 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! 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 at 2 p.m. RSVP to Vicki (vmccaskey@spdl.org or 404.591.4344) by Friday, 1/5. 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.
WEEK AT A GLANCE 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
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
All Day
Church Office Closed
*This event is available in person and online (via Zoom, YouTube or Facebook; check event details)
IN HONOR & MEMORY Our Christmas poinsettias were sponsored in honor and memory of dear loved ones.
IN HONOR OF
BY
Judy Acuff Debbie Branch Joy Callaway Kathy Dukes Bill & Mary Lynn Gabbard Ben, Mike, Avery, Bobby & Patrick (Our Children) Reis, Blair, Maddox, Henry, Rhett, Claire, Georgia & Wesley (Our Grandchildren) Jonathan & Milligan Hall Jonathan & Milligan Hall Dock & Melissa Hollingsworth Jack Mitchener Open Door Sunday School Teachers Rick Rogers & the SPdL Orchestra Jennifer & John Uldrick Lucy Willard
Her family June Keller The Sanctuary Choir Open Door Sunday School Class The Sanctuary Choir Bill & Mary Lynn Gabbard Bill & Mary Lynn Gabbard
IN MEMORY OF
BY
Lindsay Acuff Richard & Valda Anderson Joe & Lou Anderson Bill Angevine (My Brother) Marie & Lavelle Beene James & Elizabeth Blanton (Our Parents) Alton & Mary Lou Bryant Douglas Bryant Judy Burge Willard & Eunice Byrd Bill Dukes Bill Dukes Eunice Elliott Ben & Agnes Gabbard (Our Parents) Benny Gabbard (Bill’s Brother) Joann Gerhardt John & Marie Grantham Tom W. Gunby Carolyn Cooledge Harber Hank & Delores Harle Jerry Head Lorinne & Clayton Hodges Florence Richardson James (My Mother) C. Robert Keller & the Ambrose Tucker Family Virginia & Homer Kerr Heng Hoo & Doris Lim James T. McAfee, Jr. William J. "Jack" & Pauline D. Mosteller Bob & Mildred Nelson Gloria Patino Frank "Pat" and Eugenia "Genie" Patterson Jenny Price Bill Reed G.H. & Brownie Richardson (My Grandparents) Elliott Calhoun Rountree Ouida & Everett Sara (My Parents) Ann Sweat Sutter Annette McLean Sweat Lomis Paige Sweat Ricky Paige Sweat Jim & Dot Trusler Charles & Grace Tuggle Lucille Turner Helen White Margaret K. Wright
Judy Acuff & Family David, Ivy, Whitney & Clay Anderson Susan Still & Family Sally Angevine Patti & Jim George Bill & Mary Lynn Gabbard Their family His family Becky Shoaf Their family Kathy Dukes Open Door Sunday School Class Alison & Phil Kosnett Bill & Mary Lynn Gabbard Bill & Mary Lynn Gabbard Luis & Christine Patino David, Ivy, Whitney & Clay Anderson Susan Sweat Gunby Her family Duncan, Sharon & Maria Harle Marcine Head & Family Patricia & John Kerr Sally Angevine June Keller Patricia & John Kerr Duncan, Sharon & Maria Harle Duncan, Sharon & Maria Harle Rosemary Mosteller Drew Kelly & Family Luis & Christine Patino Duncan, Sharon & Maria Harle Barbara Haig His friends Sally Angevine His family Gay Sara Susan Sweat Gunby Susan Sweat Gunby Susan Sweat Gunby Susan Sweat Gunby George Trusler Noel & Angelyn Turner Noel & Angelyn Turner Her family Paul Wright & Family
Sally Angevine Laurie Entrekin George Trusler The Sanctuary Choir Kathy Dukes The Sanctuary Choir George Trusler Betty & Terry DePhillips
Growing in Christ and community– sharing God's love in the world.
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
December 24, 2023
Candlelight Christmas Eve TONIGHT'S MESSAGE
Waiting for Christ Dr. Dock Hollingsworth | Senior Pastor
Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church 2715 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404.266.8111 | www.spdl.org Facebook & Instagram: @secondponce