WORSHIP OF GOD
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 11 a.m.
PRELUDE
Savior of the Nations, Come (S. 659)
Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 11 a.m.
J.S. Bach
Jack Mitchener, organ
OFFERTORY
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP HYMN NO. 83 HYMN NO. 256
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
HYFRYDOL
TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM We Are People of God’s Peace
WELCOME & INVOCATION
Rev. John Uldrick
LIGHTING OF THE PEACE CANDLE
Fred and Vivian Williams
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 peace, reflected in me. SCRIPTURE
Luke 1:26–38
Rev. Allie Osborne
People: “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Leader: But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her ... People: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Dr. Karen Harwell Sleepers, Wake! A Voice is Calling (S. 645)
J.S. Bach
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
OLD 100TH
Jack Mitchener, organ
Children K–5 may leave during this time for Kids Worship. Parents, please pick up your children in room C-305 of the Children's Building after the service.
PASTORAL PRAYER HYMN NO. 698 SCRIPTURE
Leader: In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said ...
Rev. Jonathan Hall For the Healing of the Nations
CWM RHONDDA
Isaiah 2:1–5
Rev. Uldrick
(p. 550 in your pew Bible)
SERMON
Waiting for Peace
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 123 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (verses 1, 2 & 6)
CHRISTMAS
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
Rev. Hall
BENEDICTION
Dr. Vestal
POSTLUDE
Savior of the Nations, Come (S. 661) Jack Mitchener, organ
J.S. Bach
Daniel Vestal is currently Distinguished Professor of Baptist Leadership and Director of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Center for Baptist Leadership at Mercer University. He and Earlene are members of Second-Ponce.
People: “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Leader: The angel said to her ... People: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; He will be called Son of God. And now, your relative, Elizabeth, in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Leader: Then Mary said ... People: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Leader: Then the angel departed from her. Ev’ry Valley
Sanctuary Choir; Jack Mitchener, organ; Anneliese Depenthal, conductor
Beck
Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 11 a.m. SHARING HER SPDL STORY
Dr. Karen Harwell, a member since 2007, works on staff doing special projects and supporting ministries of the church. A graduate of the McAfee School of Theology, she is the editor of our annual Advent devotional, creator of various hands-on prayer experiences and serves on our Discipleship Council. She has served previously as a rotating Sunday School teacher, an active Deacon, in Sanctuary Choir member and as team-lead for the Teaching Team, among other things.
The Sanctuary flowers today are given in loving memory of ROBERT & ANN BUFFINGTON by their daughter, Rebecca Shoaf, and granddaughter, Allison.
Dr. Daniel Vestal
WELCOMING DR. DANIEL VESTAL TO THE PULPIT
Leader: Mary said to the angel ...
ANTHEM
MY SPDL STORY
WORSHIP OF GOD
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Fred and Vivian Williams joined Second Ponce in January, 2020. They married in 1968 after meeting three years earlier as freshmen at Morris Brown College in Atlanta. After graduation in 1969, they moved to Boston, Massachusetts where Fred earned his MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, and Vivian worked as a secretary in the Afro-American Studies Department at Harvard College. After moving back to Atlanta in 1971, both held various positions in accounting and banking. Fred recently retired from heading his own accounting firm. Vivian was previously ordained a Deacon in a sister church where Fred sang in the choir and served on the Board of Trustees.
ADDITIONAL SUNDAY INFORMATION CHILDCARE DURING WORSHIP We love to see children at Second-Ponce, and we have a Kids’ Club area just for them! It's one floor up from the Sanctuary, and our greeters will be happy to show you the way. In the Kids' Club, there’s a nursery and Kids Worship for babies–5th grade. You may take your children to the Kids' Club before the service or, if you prefer, they can stay with you in the Sanctuary for the entire hour or until the Doxology (when kids leave with children's ministry leaders). After worship, pick them up in the Kids’ Club. 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 a request card located on the back of the pew rack. You can drop it in the offering plate or give it to a member of the Second-Ponce ministerial staff after worship. 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 ON THE CALENDAR All SPdL events requiring an RSVP along with info and links are online at www.spdl.org/rsvp. FELLOWSHIP SUPPER & CHRISTMAS MEMORIES Wednesday, December 6 | Beginning at 5 p.m. | Meal Cost: $8/adult; $5/child Join us for a yummy dinner and a time of fellowship Wednesday, December 6! After a meal of chicken enchiladas, rice, black beans, chips & dip, salad and dessert, we'll share Christmas stories and memories around the table. RSVP is required for supper by Noon, Monday, December 4 at www.spdl.org/rsvp. We will not offer Zoom on this night. CHRISTMAS CANTATA & RECEPTION Sunday, December 10 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | Sanctuary | Reception to Follow Join the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra for The Glory of Christmas, a musical celebration of Christ’s birth. After the Cantata, everyone is invited to mingle and fellowship at a lunch reception. Don't miss this joyful Second-Ponce tradition, and invite someone to join you! WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS FELLOWSHIP TUESDAY, December 12 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Betsy Perkins' Home Please join us on TUESDAY, December 12 at the home of Betsy Perkins (in Vinings), and bring your favorite appetizer or salad to share. In the spirit of the season, we're asking everyone to bring a new, warm blanket for SPdL's benevolence ministry. RSVP by Friday, December 8 at www.spdl.org/rsvp. Address will be sent to those who sign up. PRIME TIMERS' CHRISTMAS LUNCH Tuesday, December 12 | 11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Cost: $10 | Fellowship Hall Let's celebrate the Christmas season with a delicious lunch and fun surprises! Sign up by December 8 through Realm or by emailing Vicki McCaskey at vmccaskey@spdl.org. 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.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING & SUPPORTING MISSIONS 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.
IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH SPDL CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS O HOLY NIGHT: REJOICING IN A WEARY WORLD The 2023 Advent Devotional is here! This meaningful collection of daily devotions, written by members of the SPdL family, is a wonderful way to ponder and pray through the Christmas season. This year, we have asked our writers to reflect on the carol O Holy Night and the artwork was a joyful collaboration between the Kids' Club and Rev. Jonathan Hall. Hard copies are available in the Welcome Center and the interactive PDF can be viewed and downloaded at www.spdl.org/advent. If you didn't receive your daily devotional email this morning and want to be added to the list, contact Candice Young at cyoung@spdl.org. HONOR LOVED ONES THIS SEASON Deadline: Sunday, December 17 | $30/each Poinsettias are available for purchase in recognition (honor or memory) of loved ones. Use the hard copy forms (available in the Welcome Center) to pay by cash or check. Visit www.spdl.org/advent to complete the form and payment online The deadline for purchase is Sunday, December 17. A commemorative list of honorees will be included with the Christmas Eve candlelight service bulletin. Contact Vicki McCaskey with questions (vmccaskey@spdl.org). 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. CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE Sunday, December 24 9:30 a.m. Churchwide Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall 9:55 a.m. Children & youth go to their Sunday School/Bible study while adults remain in the Fellowship Hall for a combined adult class session (begins at 10 a.m.). At this time, the conference call and Zoom lines will open for adults who participate in Sunday School remotely. 11 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 6 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve service (Sanctuary)
COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Monday, December 4 | 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Stop by any time and celebrate the joys of the season during the CWC's Holiday Open House! We will serve a light breakfast from 7–9 a.m., a taco bar lunch from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and dinner will be served from 5-7 p.m. All guest fees will be waived, so please feel free to bring a friend (or two)! SUMMERHILL GIVING TREE Monday, December 4, Summerhill Ministry will set up their annual angel tree in the CWC atrium with names of kids from Martin Street Housing Community, Parkside Elementary School and a local shelter. Simply pick a name card from the tree and return it, attached to the new, wrapped gift. If you wish to donate gift cards, please bring the activation receipt for each gift card.
WEEK AT A GLANCE MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 7 a.m. CWC Holiday Open House Noon Fellowship Supper RSVP due
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 8:30 p.m. Parents Connect Zoom
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 9:30 a.m. BSF Women's Study 5 p.m. Fellowship Supper 6 p.m. SPdLU Adult Discipleship 7:05 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10
9:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 11 a.m.
Coffee & Fellowship Sunday School/Bible Study* Worship*
*This event is available in person and online (via Zoom, Livestream or Facebook; check event details)
Growing in Christ and community– sharing God's love in the world.
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
December 3, 2023
First Sunday of Advent TODAY'S MESSAGE
Waiting for Peace Isaiah 2:1–5
Dr. Daniel Vestal Guest Preacher
Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church 2715 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404.266.8111 | www.spdl.org Facebook & Instagram: @secondponce