WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE Fairest Lord Jesus arr. Kirkland
SPdL Orchestra; Richard Rogers, director
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
In honor of Black History Month, our February Choral Calls to Worship will be verses from Lift Every Voice and Sing. We invite you to stand and join the choir in song.
Lift ev’ry voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty.
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
Facing the rising sun
Of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
HYMN NO. 45 The God of Abraham Praise LEONI
WELCOME & INVOCATION
Rev. Jonathan Hall
CONFESSION OF SIN & Rev. Allie Osborne ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: Merciful God, You pardon all who truly repent and turn to You. We humbly confess our sins and ask Your mercy. We have not loved You with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have not done justice, loved kindness or walked humbly with You, our God. Have mercy on us, O God, in Your loving-kindness. In Your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin.
People: Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Do not cast us from Your presence, or take Your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation and sustain us with Your bountiful Spirit through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
HYMN NO. 645 Faith of Our Fathers ST. CATHERINE
ANTHEM Ain’t Got Time to Die arr. Hall Johnson Sanctuary Choir; Bill Gabbard, tenor; Anneliese Depenthal, conductor
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 11 a.m.
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706)
OLD 100TH Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
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
OFFERTORY PRAYER Bill Gabbard
OFFERTORY Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners arr. Goeller SPdL Orchestra
Rev. John Uldrick
SCRIPTURE Judges 4:1–21 Debbie Dyer (p. 191–192 in your pew Bible)
HYMN NO. 39 God Moves in a Mysterious Way RIDGECREST
SERMON Deborah and Jael’s Hammer Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 412 SWEET HOUR Sweet Hour of Prayer
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT Rev. Hall
BENEDICTION Dr. Hollingsworth
POSTLUDE Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 59, No. 3 Max Regery Jack Mitchener, organ
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, February 25, 2024 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 hesitant 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 Second-Ponce 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.
MORE GOOD STUFF
EVERYONE IS AN "INSIDER" AT SPDL
We're sharing definitions of a few words and visuals you may encounter today.
• Doxology: The Doxology is a short hymn of praise. We use it as transition music when children leave the Sanctuary for Kids Worship.
• Invocation: The first prayer of the service invoking the spirit of God to be with us as we worship.
• Lent/Lenten Season: A period of 40 days beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on the Saturday before Easter. Sundays are not counted because Sunday always celebrates Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
• SPdL: An abbreviation for Second-Ponce de Leon. We pronounce it "Spee-duhl."
• SPdLU: An acronym for Second-Ponce de Leon University, our Wednesday evening time of adult discipleship.
• Vacation Bible School: Vacation Bible School, or VBS, is a fun-filled week for kids with music, games, crafts, Bible stories, snacks and more! Held in the summer during typical "vacation" months, VBS is one of the happiest weeks of the year!
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.
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 one of our ministers after worship and they'll walk you through an alternate plan.
YOUTH PASS THE PLATE SUNDAY LUNCH
Today | After Worship | Fellini's | Cost: Free Meet in the Welcome Center
RSVP FROM YOUR SEAT
Sign up for SPdL events on our website at www.spdl.org/rsvp or scan this code.
DON'T
SUPPER & SPDLU | New Five-Week Series: Hope in Glory
Wednesday, February 28 | Supper at 5 p.m. Discipleship at 6 p.m.
Meal Cost: $8/adult; $5/child
Join us for our mid-week fellowship! On the menu: Roast turkey, stuffing, vegetable, salad and dessert. After supper, Rev. John Uldrick will lead our current discipleship series—“Hope in Glory”—with part two: “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.” In this new series, we'll walk through the seven last words of Christ. RSVP for the meal by Noon, Monday, February 26 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP
Thursday, February 29 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Lynn Klein's House | Dunwoody
Come leap into the next Women's Fellowship and enjoy your bonus day at the home of Lynn Klein (in Dunwoody), and bring your favorite appetizer or salad to share. RSVP by Tuesday, February 27.
YOUNG ADULT DINNER
Tuesday, March 5 | El Azteca (1784 Peachtree Rd)| Cost: Your own meal Young adults, come eat and hang out at El Azteca during our March dinner! The cost is your own meal. RSVP by Monday, March 5 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK HUNGER WALK/RUN
Sunday, March 10 Noon–4 p.m. | Event begins at 2 p.m.
The Missions Council invites you to join the Second-Ponce team! After worship, we'll change into our walk/run clothes and carpool to MARTA. You can purchase lunch at the event or make your own arrangements. Sign up by Friday, March 8.
YOUTH MISSION MADNESS
Friday, March 15–Sunday, March 17 Cost: $175 | Athens, GA
In Wednesday's edition of the church blog, Rev. Allie Osborne talked about the how and why behind our participation in the ACFB's annual Hunger Walk.
FEEDING THE 5K by Rev. Allie Osborne
Each year, the Atlanta Community Food Bank puts on a massive 5k in downtown Atlanta that provides food to thousands of hungry people in the metro area. In case you were wondering how in the world that works—here’s HOW and here’s WHY you should join the Second-Ponce Hunger Walk Team!
The Atlanta Community Food Bank operates through partnerships with grocery stores and restaurants all over Atlanta. The bread that’s about to expire—the produce that’s being replaced by a fresh shipment—the ready-to-eat sandwiches that have been ready since yesterday—the overstocked cans of soup or beans—all those items that no longer belong on the shelves at the grocery store, instead of finding themselves tossed in the dumpster, make their way to the Food Bank.
The Food Bank then sells these items to food pantries across Atlanta—pantries like Toco Hills Community Alliance. And they sell them for a significantly reduced price. Places like THCA will purchase produce and other items by the pallet and distribute to families and individuals at no cost.
Why is this service so vital for our community?
The Atlanta Community Food Bank reports that in the state of Georgia 1 in 9 people experience food insecurity, 1 in 8 children experience food insecurity and 63% of people experiencing food insecurity are too far above the poverty line to receive federal food assistance. Food insecurity is rapidly becoming one of the biggest burdens on individuals and families in Atlanta.
How does signing up for the Hunger Walk help?
Join SPdL Youth at CBF Georgia’s annual Mission Madness youth gathering as we take part in worship, fellowship, games, and community mission work! CBF students from across the state will join together for this exciting weekend hosted by First Baptist and Milledge Avenue Baptist Churches in Athens, GA. Sign up by Sunday, March 3.
TUFF ENOUGH TO STUFF? | Egg Stuffing Party for the Community Egg Hunt
The Community Council wants to know, "Which came first, the candy or the egg?" Help us answer the age-old questions by joining one of our egg stuffing parties! There are two egg stuffing events, so pick one or come to both:
• Wednesday, March 13 4 p.m. Fellowship Hall Before supper
• Sunday, March 17 | After worship Fellowship Hall | Lunch provided No RSVP required. Come when you can and stay as long as you like. Reach out to the Community Council if you have questions: community@spdl.org.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL | Scuba
Monday–Friday June 3–7 9 a.m.–Noon
For ages 4 (by 9/1/24)–completed 5th grade | $35/child Youth volunteers: Completed 6th–12th grade Dive into the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God! At Scuba VBS, children will be immersed in the Word and discover what living water is really all about. Register by May 10, and invite your friends, too! Learn more at www.spdl.org/vbs.
The Second-Ponce team is registered as a contributor to Toco Hills Community Alliance. This means that every dollar we raise is added to a line of credit that THCA has with the Food Bank. 100% of that money is used by THCA to purchase food from the Food Bank (at a significantly reduced price) that is given directly to hungry people in our community.
Please consider joining our Hunger Walk team. If you don’t want to walk a 5k, you can support this cause by donating to our team. And please know that your contributions will be purposefully spent.
The gospel truth we’ve always known is that there is enough food for everyone. This is the small part we can play in making sure our neighbors are fed.
Sign up and donate at www.spdl.org/rsvp or www.spdl.org/missions.
WEEK AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Noon
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 End
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 9:30
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY
SUNDAY, MARCH 3
Joyful Dynamic Intentional
WORSHIP
DISCIPLESHIP MISSIONS
TODAY'S
They did what suited them and suffered for 20 years. With his 900 chariots fitted with iron, commanding officer, Sisera, mistreated the Hebrews and his ongoing oppression led to his own ruin.
Lent Sermon Series: Judges | February 18–March 17
Each Sunday, Dr. Dock Hollingsworth will preach a message from Judges, each being an illustration of how our selfishness carries consequences.
DR. DOCK HOLLINGSWORTH
Senior Pastor
REV. JOHN ULDRICK
Associate Pastor
JOY CALLAWAY
Pianist
ANNELIESE DEPENTHAL
Music Ministry Intern
BILL GABBARD
Minister of Music
REV. JONATHAN HALL
Minister of Community & Student Discipleship
DR. JACK MITCHENER Organist
REV. ALLIE OSBORNE
Minister of Missions & Children's Discipleship
RICHARD ROGERS
Director of Orchestra