WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE Come Thou, Almighty King arr. Dunn SPdL Orchestra, Richard Rogers, director
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN NO. 282 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken AUSTRIAN HYMN
WELCOME & INVOCATION
Jonathan HallSCRIPTURE Psalm 105:1–6; 37–45 Bill Gabbard
Leader: O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name, make known His deeds among the peoples.
People: Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonderful works.
Leader: Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
People: Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually.
Leader: Remember the wonderful works He has done, His miracles and the judgments He uttered,
People: O offspring of His servant Abraham, children of Jacob, His chosen ones.
Leader: Then He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and there was no one among their tribes who stumbled.
People: Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.
Leader: He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.
People: They asked, and He brought quails, and gave them food from heaven in abundance.
Leader: He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.
People: For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham, His servant.
Leader: So He brought His people out with joy, His chosen ones with singing.
People: He gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples, that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws. Praise the Lord!
HYMN SHEET
God Will Take Care of You GOD CARES
ANTHEM The Lord Is My Shepherd Rutter Sanctuary Choir; Russell Wilson, oboe; Verleen Baerg, organ; Anneliese Depenthal, conductor
(Anthem lyrics are on the back of the hymn sheet)
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 11 a.m.
OFFERTORY Brandenburg Sinfonia Bach, arr. Isaac SPdL Orchestra
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706)
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 11 a.m.
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
Rev. John Uldrick
SCRIPTURE Psalm 126 Milligan Hall (p. 499 in your pew Bible)
HYMN NO. 413 Dear Lord and Father of Mankind REST (ELTON)
SERMON Elusive Joy Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 435 SULLIVAN Share His Love
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
BENEDICTION
Dr. Hollingsworth
Dr. Hollingsworth
POSTLUDE Toccata Fletcher Verleen Baerg, organ
WORSHIP IS AT OUR CORE
Why do we gather as a church family for worship? Why do we sing, pray, give and proclaim the gospel? We do these things because: 1. Scripture encourages us to, 2. Believers throughout generations have gathered to worship and 3. As Christians, we want to worship God together. We say it this way: We bring people together in WORSHIP, a central element of our faith.
Worship at Second-Ponce offers the gifts of music, prayer, message and Scripture. Our hope is that the depth of our worship both honors God and engages our own intellect and curiosity. The Worship Council partners with staff to design and plan meaningful worship experiences focusing on variety, innovation and creativity. We encourage those who are not on our pastoral staff to participate in worship by reading Scripture, sharing testimonies, leading in prayer, collecting the offering, helping with baptisms, passing the Lord’s Supper, singing and/or playing instruments and other special opportunities. The council also works with special worship event teams including those dedicated to the Lord’s Supper, baptism and the offering.
To learn more about worship and the work of the council email us at worship@spdl.org. Becky Smith chairs the council.
WE LOVE MEETING NEW PEOPLE
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
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 DiscipleshipRichard
Rogers, Director of OrchestraRev. John Uldrick, Associate Pastor
CHURCH LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS
This is the final week to nominate the next group of Deacons and Church Officers. To submit your candidates, use the paper nomination forms found in the Welcome Center or use the online version at www.spdl.org/nominations.
AFTER WORSHIP
PASS THE PLATE SUNDAY YOUTH LUNCH
Today | 12:15–1:45 p.m. | Lenox Mall Food Court Meet at North Bridge Cost: Your Own Meal
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Toco Hills Mobile Food Pantry Monday, October 9 | 12–4 p.m.
We need 5-10 people to help package and distribute fresh food to our neighbors. Sign up by emailing missions@spdl.org.
Prayer Walk Sunday, October 15 After Worship
You can help bring this event to life through four volunteer opportunities: 1. Bring finger sandwiches or snacks, 2. donate bottled water, 3. invite your small group to participate with you and 4. help clean up after the event. Email discipleship@spdl.org to volunteer.
Summerhill Ministry's Morocco Relief Efforts
Summerhill Ministry, one of our on-campus partners, is collecting money to help provide daily necessities and general supplies for those impacted by the earthquake in Morocco. Donate via check made payable to "Summerhill Ministry/SPdL" and indicate "Earthquake" in the memo line or online at www.spdl.org/give, select "Summerhill Ministry International" from the dropdown and put "Earthquake" in the notes. For more info, contact Samy Naguib, at 404.591.4348.
NEW RSVP PROCESS
All SPdL events requiring an RSVP along with info and links are online at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
PRIME TIMERS' LUNCH & LEAVES FALL TRAIN RIDE
Thursday, October 12 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | Cost: $55 (includes transportation & train ride) | Lunch will be on your own in downtown Blue Ridge SPdL seniors, join us for a fun day in the Blue Ridge mountains! We’ll board the bus at 10 a.m. and head to Blue Ridge where we’ll have lunch on our own downtown. Then, we’ll enjoy a two-hour train ride through the mountains to see the beautiful fall leaves and return to SPdL around 7:30 p.m. Tickets are limited, so sign up ASAP before October 1.
HOW TO SIGN UP
Your payment-in-full of $55 is the only way to RSVP for this trip. You can pay via check or cash to the church office or online at www.spdl.org/give and select “Prime Timers’ Trips" from the dropdown. Please indicate "Fall Train Trip" in the notes.
INTENTIONAL GIVING 2023
THIS IS OUR STORY, THIS IS OUR SONG : INTENTIONAL GIVING 2023
October 1–31
Each October, our church family focuses on financial stewardship through a process we call Intentional Giving. Our theme this year, This is Our Story, This is Our Song, combines personal/church stories and music to celebrate the Blessed Assurance of God's provision. Intentional Giving packets will be mailed this week, so be on the lookout! If you don't receive yours, stop by the Welcome Center or the church office and pick one up.
WHATS THE POINT OF THIS PROCESS?
We hope that by the end of the month, you'll feel equipped to provide the church with an estimate of your financial gifts for 2024. Your estimate is not a binding contract and can be changed at any time. We use the information collected from the estimates of our entire church family to consider what's financially possible for future church ministry opportunities.
COMING UP
All SPdL events requiring an RSVP along with info and links are online at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
SUPPER & SPDLU
Wednesday, September 27 | Beginning at 5 p.m. Meal Cost: $8/adult; $5/child Fellowship Hall & Zoom
Join us for a delicious meal followed by the finale of Exploring Colossians led by Rev. John Uldrick. On the menu for supper: Chicken enchiladas, rice, beans, chips & dip, salad and dessert. RSVP is required for the meal by Monday, September 25 at Noon. Sign up at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
YOUNG ADULT OCTOBER DINNER
Tuesday, October 3 7:15 p.m. | Little Bangkok (2225 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE) Young adults, don't miss dinner at Little Bangkok Tuesday, October 3! Grab some friends and meet us there at 7:15 p.m. RSVP by Monday, October 2 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
JONATHAN HALL'S ORDINATION SERVICE & RECEPTION
Sunday, October 8 | Service at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary Reception to Follow in the Fellowship Hall
We're excited to announce that Jonathan Hall, our Minister of Community and Student Discipleship, will be ordained to the gospel ministry Sunday, October 8. Everyone is invited to attend this meaningful service and stay after for a congratulatory reception in the Fellowship Hall. RSVP not required.
CHURCHWIDE PRAYER WALK
Sunday, October 15 After Worship Sandwiches & Snacks Available in the Fellowship Hall Before the Walk | October 15, we'll pray together for our church, city and neighbors during a churchwide prayer walk. After worship, stop by the Fellowship Hall for finger sandwiches and snacks and then embark on one of the three prayer opportunities: Outside route, inside route or in a stationary experience on the Plaza.
FALL FEST
Saturday, October 28 | 2-4 p.m. | Cost: Free Open to the Public
Put on your costumes and be our guest, for food and fun at our Annual Fall Fest! Don't miss this fun October tradition featuring trunk or treat, pumpkin carving, food, a chili cook off, balloon twisting, games, inflatables, prize raffle and football! The event is free and open to the public, so invite your friends! We're proud to partner with the Teal Pumpkin Project by offering treats and trinkets safe for those with food allergies and intolerances.
YOUTH FALL RETREAT
November 3-5 Camp Glisson Dahlonega, GA | Cost: $150/camper | Depart SPdL Friday at 6 p.m. | Return Sunday at Noon This November, our youth will join with students from across the state for CBF of Georgia's Fall Youth Retreat! Under the theme, Illuminate, our group will worship, dig deeper into discipleship, play a bunch of fun games, make memories together and form new friendships with other campers. The cost of $150/camper includes transportation, meals, lodging and all weekend activities. Register by October 10 at www.spdl.org/rsvp!
