WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE J. S. Bach
All Humankind Must Bemoan Its Most Grievous Sin, S. 622 from Orgelbüchlein Jack Mitchener, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
BAPTISM OF MARK SKINNER
Reading of Mark Skinner's Testimony Dr. Daniel Vestal Baptism Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
HYMN NO. 443 Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know HENDON
WELCOME & INVOCATION
Rev. Allie Osborne
CONFESSION OF SIN & Rev. Jonathan Hall ASSURANCE OF PARDON
All: Eternal and merciful God, You have loved us with a love beyond our understanding, and You have set us on paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake. Yet we have strayed from Your way; we have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, through what we have done and what we have left undone. As we remember the lavish gift of Your grace symbolized in baptism, O God, we praise You and give You thanks that You forgive us yet again. Grant us now, we pray, the grace to die daily to sin, and to rise daily to new life in Christ, who lives and reigns with You, and in whose strong name we pray. Amen.
HYMN NO. 438 O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus EBENEZER
ANTHEM Beneath the Cross of Jesus arr. McIntyre Sanctuary Choir; Jack Mitchener, organ; Joy Callaway, piano
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Robert Hubble
OFFERTORY How Deep the Father’s Love for Us Townend, arr. Sanborn Joy Callaway, piano
You are invited to meditate on the words of this beloved worship song.
How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure, That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss—the Father turns His face away, As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished; His dying breath has brought me life—I know that it is finished.
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 11 a.m.
I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; But this I know with all my heart— His wounds have paid my ransom.
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706)
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
OLD 100TH
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 Dr. Hollingsworth
SCRIPTURE Judges 6:1–6, 12–16, 36–40; 7:4, 19–21 Rev. John Uldrick (p. 194–196 in your pew Bible)
SERMON Midianites, Mischief and Masks Rev. Uldrick
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 642 NEAR THE CROSS Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT Rev. Hall
BENEDICTION Rev. Uldrick
POSTLUDE Allegro moderato maestoso in C Major (1845) Felix Mendelssohn Jack Mitchener, organ
LEADING OUR OFFERTORY PRAYER
Robert Hubble, an active Deacon, faithfully serves Second-Ponce as a member of the Facilities and Planned Gifts Committees, and the Discipleship Council. He and his wife, Heather, joined our church family in 2010, and their children, Alaina and Nathan, are precious participants in SPdL Youth and The Kids' Club respectively. Robert is an architect who enjoys traveling, camping, hiking and rock climbing.
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 3, 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 pulling back the curtain on some experiences and words you'll encounter today.
• Baptism: Baptism is a beautiful symbol of commitment that follows someone's public profession of faith in Christ. At Second Ponce, we baptize by immersion—submerging one's entire body in water. The powerful experience of passing through the waters, just like Christ in the Jordan River, serves as an outward image of dying to an old self and committing to follow Christ in all things. While under the water, a person’s spirit aligns with Christ’s command to baptism in His Name. As the body emerges, one is raised to walk in a new life of faith and commitment to Christ.
• Doxology: The Doxology is a short hymn of praise. We use it as transition music when children leave the Sanctuary for Kids 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.
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
The flowers on the Communion Table are given in loving memory of
MRS. BYFORD E. WAGSTAFF, SR.
They are given by Byford Wagstaff.
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.
DR. JACK MITCHENER IN CONCERT
Today 3 p.m. | Spivey Hall at Clayton State University
SPdL organist Jack Mitchener will be a featured performer in a concert—Atlanta's Organists in Recital—at Clayton State University's Spivey Hall. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.spdl.org/concert.
RSVP FROM YOUR SEAT
Sign up for SPdL events on our website at www.spdl.org/rsvp or scan this code.
DON'T MISS OUT
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 4 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
SUPPER & SPDLU | Five-Week Series: Hope in Glory
Wednesday, March 6 | 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: Spaghetti, meat sauce, garlic bread, salad and dessert. After supper, Rev. John Uldrick will lead our current discipleship series—“Hope in Glory”—with part three: "'Woman, behold thy Son!' 'Behold thy mother!'” In this series, we'll walk through the seven last words of Christ. RSVP for the meal by Noon, Monday, March 4 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.
PRIME TIMERS' MARCH LUNCH
Tuesday, March 12 | 11:30 a.m. | Paschal’s Restaurant Cost: Your own meal Seniors, let's try this again! We hope the third time's the charm for lunch at Paschal’s on Northside Drive. The bus will depart SPdL’s parking lot at 11:30 a.m. and return no later than 2 p.m. Catch a ride from SPdL or meet us there. RSVP by Friday March 8, at www.spdl.org/rsvp or by calling Vicki McCaskey in the church office at 404.591.4344.
YOUTH MISSION MADNESS
Friday, March 15–Sunday, March 17 Cost: $175 | Athens, GA
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 question 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.
LENTEN SEASON AT SECOND-PONCE
Below is a Lenten season reflection on the importance of involving our children and youth in our church's liturgical rituals.
OUR FUTURE IS IN GOOD HANDS by Rev. Jonathan Hall
On a Sunday morning in early February, The Kids' Club and SPdL Youth gathered for a Burning of the Palm Branches service. This experience was an opportunity for the younger members of our church family to become involved in the behind-the-scenes work of Second-Ponce. Appropriately, many of the same children and youth who waved those palm branches last April took part in this year’s burning.
An important aspect of faith development in a church community is understanding how and why certain rituals take place. The more we can expose and involve our young ones in the oft-mysterious happenings of our church calendar, the brighter the future becomes for SPdL and our Christian faith.
As I began researching this service, I realized that preparing ashes for Ash Wednesday is a holy practice observed by our Christian siblings in other denominations including the Catholic and Episcopal liturgical faith traditions. This ritual, sometimes called the Burning of Blessed Palms, burns the previous year’s Palm Sunday branches to create ashes that will be used in the current year’s Ash Wednesday service. As Lent begins and we turn our eyes toward the cross once more, this connection physically links the joy of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem with the somber reckoning of our own mortality.
While the service was a success, we also learned a valuable lesson for next year: Do not burn the palms directly next to the church’s air conditioning intake, especially when the wind is blowing the smoke right in! For those who were alarmed and ready to stop, drop and roll–do not fear! Next year, we will host this event in a different outdoor space as our children and youth continue to lead us in this small but significant element of our faith tradition. Our future is in good hands.
EASTER LILIES FOR LOVED ONES
$25/each Deadline: Sunday, March 24
Sponsor an Easter lily in recognition (honor or memory) of loved ones. Use the hard copy forms (available in the Welcome Center) or contact Vicki McCaskey in the church office (vmccaskey@spdl.org or 404.591.4344). The deadline for purchase is Sunday, March 24. A commemorative list of honorees will be included with the Easter worship bulletin.
WEEK AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, MARCH 3
3 p.m. Atlanta Organists in Recital featuring Dr. Jack Mitchener
MONDAY, MARCH 4 Noon Fellowship Supper RSVP Due
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
Women's Retreat (March 8–10)
SUNDAY, MARCH 10
12:30 p.m. Hunger Walk/Run
*This
Joyful Dynamic Intentional
WORSHIP
DISCIPLESHIP MISSIONS
Rev.
They did what suited them. Cowardice and postponement ruled. Gideon, who was the least of his weak clan, has been called upon to lead an uprising. He ducks, dodges and postpones, but God persists. God prevails against the Midianites while Gideon and his small army hold clay pots and torches.
Lent Sermon Series: Judges | February 18–March 17
Each Sunday, our pastoral staff will preach a message from Judges, each being an illustration of how our selfishness carries consequences.
Second-Ponce Worship Team
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