WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, September 3, 2023 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE I Love to Tell the Story Callahan
Verleen Baerg, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN NO. 248 Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation REGENT SQUARE
WELCOME & INVOCATION Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
SCRIPTURE Psalm 105:1–6; 23–26; 45b 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 Israel came to Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham.
People: And the Lord made His people very fruitful, and made them stronger than their foes, whose hearts He then turned to hate His people, to deal craftily with His servants.
Leader: He sent His servant Moses, and Aaron whom he had chosen.
People: Praise the Lord!
HYMN NO. 694 Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive MORNING SONG
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, September 3, 2023 at 11 a.m.
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, September 3, 2023 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
Jonathan Hall
SCRIPTURE Matthew 16:21–28 David Anderson (p. 798 in your pew Bible)
HYMN NO. 264 Where Charity and Love Prevail RESIGNATION
SERMON Can I Get a Refund, Please? Rev. John Uldrick
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 255
SYMPHONY
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.
ANTHEM Sing to the Lord Shaw/Parker Sanctuary Choir
A STORY OF COMMUNITY Ron Watts Community Council Chair
OFFERTORY All Creatures of Our God and King Hustad
Verleen Baerg, organ
We Are God’s People
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
BENEDICTION
Jonathan Hall
Rev. Uldrick
POSTLUDE Praise Him! Praise Him! Callahan Verleen Baerg, organ
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.
COMMUNITY IS AT OUR CORE
Why do we place a priority on building relationships and supporting each other with Christ-like love? Because we value Community at Second-Ponce. We say it this way: “We grow in COMMUNITY, connecting and caring for each other, and inviting others to join us.” Our community grows in two ways: 1. When our relationships become stronger and more meaningful, and 2. When others choose to join themselves with us. We hope you feel welcome at Second-Ponce, like you are a part of a family when you're here.
The Community Council helps to focus our efforts on connecting and caring for each other and encouraging others to be a part of our community. When you invite someone to be our guest, you know they will be welcomed at Second-Ponce.
To help us build a strong community of faith, or just to find out more about what the Community Council does, send a note to community@spdl.org.
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 Discipleship
Richard Rogers, Director of Orchestra
Rev. John Uldrick, Associate Pastor
HAPPENING AT SPDL
All SPdL events requiring an RSVP along with info and links are online at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
NOMINATE NEW DEACONS AND LEADERSHIP
Nomination Window: September 1–30
Each September, our church carves out time to prayerfully consider and nominate the next batch of Deacons and Church Officers. To submit your candidates, use the paper nominations forms found in the Welcome Center or use the online version at www.spdl.org/nominations.
NOMINATION FAQS
• What positions are we nominating? Deacons to serve a 3-year term, Life Deacons to serve as long as they are able and the Church Clerk and Treasurer each serving one term.
• How do I identify a possible candidate? Consider these traits as a place to start: Church members who are ... Actively involved in SPdL life, Good stewards of their time and support of Second-Ponce ministries and activities, Seekers of healthy relationships both inside and outside of the church and Gracious sharers of their God-given talents (creativity, event planning, project facilitation, volunteer management, etc.) and passions (missions, dementia care, prayer life, welcoming new people, etc.)
YOUNG ADULT SEPTEMBER DINNER
Tuesday, September 5 7:15 p.m. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken (5486 Peachtree Rd, Chamblee)
Young adults, don't miss dinner at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Tuesday, September 5! Grab some friends and meet us there at 7:15 p.m. RSVP by Monday, September 4 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
SUPPER & SPDLU
Wednesday, September 6 | Supper at 5 p.m. Adult Discipleship (SPdLU) at 6
Meal Cost: $8/adult; $5/child Fellowship Hall & Zoom
Join us for a delicious meal followed by a new 4-part SPdLU series, Exploring Colossians, led on alternating weeks by Dr. Dock Hollingsworth (9/6 & 9/20) and Rev. John Uldrick (9/13 & 9/27). On the menu for supper: Spaghetti & meatballs, salad, garlic rolls & dessert. RSVP is required for the meal, so sign up by Noon, Monday, September 4 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
PARENTS CONNECT ZOOM
Thursdays | 8:30 p.m. Zoom Next Meeting: Thursday, September 7
Put the kids to bed, grab a snack and hop online for our Parents Connect Zoom. This group shares resources and support, prays and laughs together and creates and deepens relationships among SPdL parents and guardians. Zoom info is included in the Signal emails and on the Kids' Club webpage at www.spdl.org/children.
CELEBRATING DOCK'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Sunday, September 10 After Worship Fellowship Hall
After worship Sunday, September 10, join us in the Fellowship Hall for a special reception honoring Dr. Dock Hollingsworth's 10 years of service as our Senior Pastor. We'll enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, trips down memory lane and plenty of hugs as we celebrate Dock's ministry at Second-Ponce. RSVP not required.
PRIME TIMERS' LUNCH AT TAQUERIA DEL SOL
Thursday, September 14 11:15 a.m.–2 p.m. Taqueria del Sol
SPdL seniors, let's meet for lunch at one of our church's favorite restaurants— Taqueria del Sol! We'll eat, fellowship and (hopefully) get a visit from George Trusler while we're there. Stay tuned for all the details!
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP (BSF) | JOHN'S GOSPEL
Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. | Beginning September 13
In a world filled with all sorts of truth claims—even “find your own truth"—Jesus stands alone. Beginning September 13th, BSF will meet each Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. for a study of the Gospel of John. We invite all women to come examine Jesus' claims for your own life. Register at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
HAPPENING AT SPDL
All SPdL events requiring an RSVP along with info and links are online at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
MISSIONS SUNDAY WORSHIP & AMANI SASA ANNIVERSARY
Sunday, September 17 Worship: 11 a.m. Anniversary Dinner: 5–7 p.m. Join us in celebrating Missions Sunday on September 17! In worship, we'll spotlight four of our missions partners—Toco Hills Community Alliance, Amani Sasa, Touching Miami with Love and Garden Hills Elementary School—and hear stories from organizational leaders, missionaries and members of our church.
AMANI SASA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & DINNER
Missions Sunday, September 17 | 5-7 p.m. | $15/person | Fellowship Hall Sunday evening, join us in the Fellowship Hall to celebrate and support Amani Sasa! Ten years ago, Missy Angalla and the team began the first shelter for refugee women in Uganda. Over the last decade, this shelter has been a place of safety, healing and transformation for over 200 women and children. At the event, you'll hear amazing stories of transformation and updates on graduates. There will be dinner, silent auction and live music. Register at www.spdl.org/rsvp
YOUTH FALL KICK-OFF
Sunday, September 17 5–7 p.m. | Youth Space
Calling all SPdL Youth! Join us for our 2023 Fall Kick-off! Grab a friend and come out for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship as we celebrate the start of a new semester! We’ll enjoy a meal together followed by plenty of games and activities. This event also serves as a kick-off for our new courtyard space!
YOUNG ADULT FALL KICK-OFF
Tuesday, September 19 6:30-8:30 p.m. SPdL Youth Area
We're kicking off the fall with a fun, new opportunity for our young adults! Tuesday, September 19, meet us down in the youth area for a two-part event to get the ball rolling.
• Part 1: Introducing the new SPdL Young Adult Book Club, in partnership with the Baugh Center for Baptist Leadership at Mercer. Special guest Harrison Litzell will talk about the Baugh Center program and the book we'll be reading, How the Bible Actually Works by Peter Enns. This will be a brief, but exciting half-hour!
• Part 2: Food, fellowship and lawn games, so come ready to eat and play! We'll provide chicken and drinks and we're asking folks to bring a side and/or dessert to share. Any participants in the kick-off not wishing to participate in the book club are invited to arrive at 7 p.m. RSVP by Monday, September 18 to Jonathan Hall at jhall@spdl.org.
INTENTIONAL GIVING MONTH KICK-OFF LUNCH
Sunday, September 24 After Worship
Mark your calendars for our Intentional Giving Month Kick-Off Lunch! Grab your giving packet, eat yummy food and enjoy a good time with your church family. More details to come, so stay tuned!
