WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 31, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE Finale (from Sonata No. 6) Domenico Gabrieli Marche in C Major from Cantata 207a J. S. Bach (“Arise, blaring tones of high-spirited trumpets”) SPdL Brass Ensemble; Timpani; Jack Mitchener, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN NO. 198 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today LLANFAIR
WELCOME & INVOCATION
RESPONSIVE READING
Leader: This is the Good News—the grave is empty; Christ is risen.
People: Hallelujah!
Rev. John Uldrick
Rev. Allie Osborne
Leader: This is the Good News—the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never put it out.
People: Hallelujah!
Leader: This is the Good News—once we were no people; now we are God’s people.
People: Hallelujah!
Leader: Christ is our peace, the indestructible peace we now share with each other.
People: Hallelujah!
HYMN NO. 207 Low in the Grave He Lay CHRIST AROSE
ANTHEM Fanfare for Easter Day Harlan Sanctuary Choir; SPdL Brass Ensemble
(When directed, we invite you to stand and sing.)
Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
OFFERTORY PRAYER
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 31, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PASTORAL PRAYER
Barbara Brown
OFFERTORY The Holy City Adams Bill Gabbard, tenor; SPdL Brass Ensemble; Jack Mitchener, organ
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.
Rev. Jonathan Hall
SCRIPTURE John 20:1–18 Lynn Handley (p. 882–883 in your pew bible)
HYMN NO. 627 Victory in Jesus HARTFORD
SERMON He Calls Mary by Name Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 497 ASSAM
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT Rev. Uldrick
BENEDICTION Dr. Hollingsworth
POSTLUDE Toccata (from Organ Symphony No. 5) C.-M. Widor Jack Mitchener, organ
(Please remain seated for the Postlude.)
LEADING OUR OFFERTORY PRAYER
Barbara Brown joined Second-Ponce in 1986. Since that time, she has taught Sunday School in several departments and served on a variety of church committees, including Personnel and Missions. Barbara is a retired Judge who served for over 34 years in Georgia's Administrative Court system and still serves in that capacity when needed by the court office. Ordained as a Deacon in 1992, Barbara serves as our current Deacon chair. You’ll often see her on Sundays greeting folks at the Welcome Center.
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 31, 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.
• Church in Conference: Once per quarter (January, April, July and October), our church family gathers after worship for a casual lunch and conversation around important church business like budget information and ministry updates.
• Doxology: The Doxology is a short hymn of praise. We use it as transition music when children leave the Sanctuary for Kids Worship.
• FriYAY: Often, our Kids' Club meets on a Friday evening to have fun as a group and give parents a night out. We call it FriYAY because everyone is excited to participate!
• Invocation: The first prayer of the service invoking the spirit of God to be with us as we worship.
• Prime Timers: Our vibrant senior adult ministry
• 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
The flowers on the Communion Table are given in honor of LUCY WILLARD.
They are given by Betty and Terry DePhillips
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.
TODAY
LEMONADE ON THE LAWN & PICTURES AT THE CROSS
Stay after the service to enjoy fellowship and refreshing lemonade as we continue to celebrate our Risen Savior! The flowering cross makes a stunning backdrop for Easter photos
RSVP FROM YOUR SEAT
Sign up for SPdL events on our website at www.spdl.org/rsvp or scan this code.
SO MUCH GOOD STUFF
SUPPER & SPDLU
Wednesday, April 3 Supper at 5 p.m.; SPdLU at 6 | Fellowship Hall & On Zoom
Meal Cost: $8/adult; $5/child
April is Financial Literacy Month and we're excited to welcome special guest Dr. Joel Snider to lead a four-part Wednesday night adult discipleship series, The Christian, Christ and Money. Dr. Snider will break down financial stewardship and generosity beginning with part one: The Bible Speaks On Money. On the Fellowship Supper menu: Meatballs, spaghetti, garlic bread, salad & dessert. RSVP by Noon, Monday, April 1 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
NOTE: No children's and youth activities on Wednesday, 4/3 (Spring Break).
PRIME TIMERS' LUNCH & LEARN
Tuesday, April 9 | 11:45 a.m. | Fellowship Hall Lunch: $10
Join us for lunch & learn as we host the Atlanta Area Council for the Aging. Their speaker will share about the rise in loneliness among seniors and offer ways we can combat the problem. On the menu: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and red velvet cake. RSVP on or before April 5th by contacting Vicki at vmccaskey@spdl.org or 404.591.4344.
YOUTH SUNDAY
Sunday, April 14 Special Worship: 11 a.m. Youth Lunch at Fellini's to Follow
On Sunday, April 14, we'll encourage and celebrate our amazing students during Youth Sunday! Rev. Jonathan Hall will preach and our youth will pass the offering plate in worship. After the service, students will head to Fellini's for (a free!) lunch.
WOMEN'S SPRING FLING
Thursday, April 18 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Karen Carter's Home
It’s a Spring Fling at the April Women's Fellowship! We’ll gather at the home of Karen Carter (Lenox area), and enjoy a fun night together. Bring your favorite appetizer or salad to share. RSVP by Tuesday, April 16 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
KIDS' CLUB FRIYAY GOD'S CREATION IS GOOD!
Friday, April 19 | 5:30–9:30 p.m. | Ages 0–5th Grade Cost: $20/child
Get ready for a fun-filled evening for kids that includes a meal, a Bible story, games, and crafts while parents can enjoy some time together! Children ages 0-5th grade are welcome. Cost is $20/child and space is limited. Sign up by Wednesday, 4/17 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
CHURCH IN CONFERENCE
Sunday, April 21 | After Worship Fellowship Hall & Zoom
Lunch Cost: $8/adult; $5/child
It’s time for our spring Church in Conference. We'll enjoy a yummy sandwich lunch (turkey club or chicken salad with chips and cookies) then have a family meeting about important church business. We need your voice! Don't miss it. RSVP by Thursday, April 18 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
PRAYER FOR OUR CITY
Our senior pastor Dr. Dock Hollingsworth was asked to offer a prayer for Atlanta during Mayor Andre Dickens State of the City address. Read his words below and remember our beloved community in your own times of prayer.
Holy God, Who has carried us from the days of the Phoenix to this good day, we offer back our gratitude. We give thanks that in March of 2024 we live in this city, under the leadership of this mayor and in the bustle and vibrancy of all that Atlanta offers. It is a good day to live and work and play in Atlanta … we gather in gratitude and celebration.
And yet, we confess that we have work to do. In a city once billed as a City Too Busy to Hate, we’ve seen some ugly signs of new growth. Racial tensions simmer. Some of Your children still sleep under bridges because we have not cared enough. Political partisans are plotting new ways to smear and hurt neighbors who vote differently. Antisemitic hate is growing more frequent and more intense. Too many kids are hungry when they get on the school bus. Forgive us for failing to repair what is ours to do. We have not lived into the fullness of Your hope for us. So, impress on us new ways that we can come together to heal, in Your Name, what hurts us. We don’t need to be too busy to hate, we need to be healed of our selfishness and bound in community. We need to be redeemed of our hate. May it be so.
On this day, gathered in this one room, is all the answer we need if only we might hear and heed Your call to care and to do. In this room, we represent corporate wealth, city decision makers and leadership that has changed the Atlanta skyline. In Your grace and guidance, we can change things again. Call our diversity together to bigger dreams, more compassionate systems and a unified citizenry.
We offer thanks for our mayor and pray You will continue to bless him with wise judgement, strength for the task and compassionate vision. We give thanks that he has led us to not only build technology but also At-Promise Youth Centers ... That he doesn’t just repair potholes, but is trying to repair a housing crisis. Bless his compassionate vision for our city and give us the courage to join him in all efforts that build us up.
Bless this city with healing and hope. Bless Atlanta with a moral clarity that is as tall as her skyline. Bless us with generosity and compassion. Our Atlanta ancestors envisioned a beloved community. So, bless us with vibrancy and vision. Bless us with unified diversity. Bless the City of Atlanta with abundant measures of Your grace so that we might soon realize that beloved community that our ancestors prayed for us.
Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.
SUNDAY, MARCH 31
MONDAY, APRIL 1 Noon
TUESDAY, APRIL 2 8:30
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
9:30
WEEK
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 6
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
End
SUNDAY, APRIL
*This
Growing
Christ the Lord is risen today. Hallelujah!
DR.
Senior Pastor
REV. JOHN ULDRICK
Associate Pastor
JOY CALLAWAY
Pianist
ANNELIESE DEPENTHAL
Music Ministry Intern
BILL GABBARD
Minister of Music
REV. JONATHAN HALL
Minister
DR. JACK MITCHENER
Organist
REV. ALLIE OSBORNE
Minister of Missions & Children's Discipleship
RICHARD ROGERS
Director of Orchestra