WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE Ordner Seg (I’ll Be Alright) Øystein Baadsvik
Adam Frey, euphonium; Joy Callaway, piano
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 11 a.m.
PASTORAL PRAYER Jonathan Hall
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 11 a.m.
WE LOVE MEETING NEW PEOPLE
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN NO. 262 I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord ST. THOMAS
WELCOME & INVOCATION Jonathan Hall
SCRIPTURE Psalm 145:8–14 Bill Gabbard
Leader: The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
People: The Lord is good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made.
Leader: All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and all Your faithful shall bless You.
People: They shall speak of the glory of Your Kingdom, and tell of Your power, to make known to all people Your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of Your Kingdom.
Leader: Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all His words, and gracious in all His deeds.
People: The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
HYMN NO. 577 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say KINGSFOLD
ANTHEM The New 23rd Carmichael Sanctuary Choir; Joy Callaway, piano
A PRAYER FOR THE MIAMI MISSION TRIP Debbie Dyer
OFFERTORY As the Deer Nystrom, arr. Fletch Wiley
Adam Frey, euphonium; Joy Callaway, piano
Please use this time to reflect on your gifts and service opportunities. Note that the offering plates are now located at the front and back entrances to the Sanctuary.
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.
SCRIPTURE Luke 15 Bill Gabbard (p. 850–51 in your pew Bible)
HYMN NO. 383 Near to the Heart of God MCAFEE
SERMON A Love That Will Not Let You Go Rev. Jody Long
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 384 HOLCOMB Speak to My Heart
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
BENEDICTION
Bill GabbardRev. Long
POSTLUDE Allegro Handel Verleen Baerg, organ
OFFERING A PRAYER FOR THE MIAMI MISSION TRIP
Debbie Dyer was a member of Second-Ponce previously and rejoined our church family, along with her husband, Carl, in 2021. Active in the Sanctuary Choir, Debbie works as a nurse in the advanced lung disease program at Piedmont Hospital. She enjoyed going on mission trips during her high school years with a group called God's Minority. Debbie has been married to Carl for 30 years.
Welcome to worship at Second-Ponce! We hope you find this hour to be joyful and transformative. Our church has something for everyone, and not just on Sundays. During the week, we have special dinners, small groups and Bible studies. Wednesday evenings, we share Fellowship Supper followed by adult discipleship and ageappropriate activities for children and teens. We hope you'll join us! And now that you know a little about us, help us get to know you better by completing the blue or green card located in the pew rack and hand it to a minister or drop it in the offering plate.
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 alternative plan.
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.
GIVING AN OFFERING
WELCOME GUEST PREAC HER JODY LONG
Jody Long is from Lizella (outside of Macon) and has lived his entire life in Georgia. He has worked in rural, urban, and suburban churches through a ministerial career of more than two decades. A “Triple Bear,” he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christianity from the College of Liberal Arts, a Master of Divinity from the James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the Tift College of Education, all of Mercer University.
He is most proud, however, of being married to Rev. Julie Whidden Long, a certified empowerment coach and ministry consultant, and being the father of two amazing children.
Your financial support of Second-Ponce allows us to carry out the mission God has for our church. There are giving cards in the pew racks that utilize a QR code for making gifts online. You may also drop your offering in the offering plate.
SECOND-PONCE WORSHIP STAFF
Dr. Dock Hollingsworth, Senior Pastor
Verleen Baerg, Organist
Joy Callaway, Pianist
Anneliese Depenthal, Music Ministry Intern
Bill Gabbard, Minister of Music
Jonathan Hall, Minister of Community and Student Discipleship
Rev. Allie Osborne, Minister of Missions and Children's Discipleship
Richard Rogers, Director of Orchestra
Rev. John Uldrick, Associate Pastor
HAPPENING THIS MONTH
All SPdL events requiring an RSVP along with info and links are online at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Tuesday, July 11 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Fellowship Hall Appointments Encouraged
CHECK OUT THE COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER
Next Door to the Church | Discounted Rate for SPdL Members
Battle the chaos of summer with a consistent wellness routine at the CWC! Here are just a few of the amenities included in your membership:
• Cardio, Fitness and Weight Rooms
• Basketball and Racquetball Courts
• Pool, Saunas and Steam Rooms
• Indoor Walking Track
PRIME TIMER'S ANNUAL PEACH TRIP
Thursday, July 20 9:45 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Bullock House & Fitzgerald Fruits
Cost: $25 (lunch & transportation) Peaches are separate Senior adults and friends, join us for our annual peach trip! We'll depart at 9:45 a.m. for the Bullock House for lunch. Then, we'll head to Fitzgerald Fruit Farm for peaches. RSVP by Tuesday, July 18, at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
CHURCH IN CONFERENCE
Sunday, July 23 After Worship Fellowship Hall
Our summer Church in Conference is coming up at the end of the month! We'll gather in the Fellowship Hall for lunch (stay tuned for the menu) and then move through a brief, but important agenda. RSVP deadline is Thursday, July 20. Sign up at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
PROMOTION SUNDAY
Sunday, July 30 | During and After Worship
Join us Sunday, July 30 for a back-to-school celebration! We'll maintain our regular Sunday School routine. Then, in worship, we'll present Bibles and offer a blessing for students, teachers and other school personnel as they embark on a new year. Students are encouraged to bring their backpacks as part of this blessing. After the service, everyone is invited to stay for a potluck, fried chicken lunch in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite side and/or dessert to share. RSVP is not required. Don't miss this encouraging and important Sunday!
JULY 2023 PRAYER FOCUS: PRAYING THE PSALMS
Beginning in Psalms Chapter 1, we find guidance to meditate on God, “Blessed is the one … whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on (God’s) law day and night.” How, then, shall we pray? What are the words we use to talk to God? The Psalms teach us guidance. Over the next 31 days, we invite you to pray the Psalms; use a complete Psalm as a prayer or choose snippets of Psalms as brief breath prayers. Learn more about our July prayer focus at www.spdl.org/prayer.
AN AUGUST PREVIEW
This is just a sampling of what's happening at Second-Ponce next month. Make sure you have these dates saved to your calendar and look out for even more post-summer eventts.
• Tues, 8/1: WMU August Fellowship | 11 a.m.
Young Adult August Dinner 7:15 p.m.
• Wed, 8/2: Regular Wednesday Night Activities Resume | Beginning at 5 p.m.
• Sat, 8/5: Sanctuary Choir Retreat | Beginning at 9 a.m.
• Tues, 8/8 Prime Timers' Lunch | 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. | Fellowship Hall
• Fri, 8/18: Kids' Club FriYAY | 5:30–9:30 p.m.
• Mon, 8/21: Deacons' Meeting
Second-Ponce is once again partnering with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive. Appointments are strongly encouraged. You do not need to know your blood type to donate. Sign up at www.spdl.org/rsvp. NEW
Learn more about the facility, personal trainers, class schedule and becoming a member at www.communitywellnesscenter.com.
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP SESSION RECORDINGS
Did you know that SPdLU session recordings are available on the church website? We've made it easy and convenient to check them out for the first time, rewatch some of your favorite speakers or share them with friends. Find SPdLU along with other adult discipleship videos and links at www.spdl.org/faithresources.
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for a new way to connect with your SPdL family? Feeling called to a new area of ministry? Check out the volunteer opportunities on the Second-Ponce website! A variety of opportunities are available to suit your availability and/or ministry passion. See the latest list at www.spdl.org/volunteer.
FOR GOOD MEASURE
The busyness of summer can take us away from church activities, and in turn, can lead to a decline in giving. Church ministries and expenses don't take a vacation, so for good measure, we're asking you to make continued giving a summer priority. There are a variety of ways you can set up your gifts to post automatically each month, from setting up a recurring donation to submitting post dated checks to the church office. Learn more at www.spdl.org/give.
RECOGNIZE A SPECIAL PERSON OR RELATIONSHIP
by dedicating Sunday Sanctuary flowers in their honor or memory Each Sunday, our beautiful Sanctuary flowers not only remind us that God created this beautiful world, but they serve as a wonderful opportunity to honor a loved one or recognize a special occasion. Contact Vicki McCaskey (vmccaskey@spdl.org | 404.591.4344) if your family, Sunday School class, Second-Course group, Bible study or ministry area wants to dedicate the Sanctuary flowers in honor of a special person or event. The cost is $150 per arrangement.
SPDL RIDES
A New Ministry Opportunity from the Community Council
A team of volunteer drivers is now available to provide church members with non-emergency transportation to and from weekday medical appoinments. Rides may be scheduled M–F with a minimum of 48 hrs advance notice. To request a ride, fill out an online form at www.spdl.org/rider or call the church office for help (404.266.8111). Prospective drivers, fill out the form at www.spdl.org/driver.
A Love That Will Not Let You Go
Luke 15
Rev. Jody Long Executive Coordinator