WELCOME TO WORSHIP Sunday | May 23, 2021 | 11 a.m.
PRELUDE
Bish
Peace, Perfect Peace Verleen Baerg, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP HYMN NO. 332
AZMON
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (verses 1–4 only; see hymn insert)
INVOCATION
Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 104:24–34, 35b
Bill Gabbard
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it. These all look to you to give them their food in due season; when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works— who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!
CHILDREN’S SERMON SCRIPTURE
Rev. Heather Webb Acts 2:1–21
MUSICAL REFLECTION DOXOLOGY
Dr. Hollingsworth
Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
arr. Bonam
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
OLD 100TH
Kathy Farmer, flute; Joy Callaway, piano
PASTORAL PRAYER HYMN NO. 292 SERMON
O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
(verses 1 & 3 only; see hymn insert)
The World Is Flat
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 323 BENEDICTION POSTLUDE
Bill Gabbard
How Great Thou Art (see hymn insert)
ST. MARGARET Dr. Hollingsworth HOW GREAT THOU ART Dr. Hollingsworth
How Great Thou Art Verleen Baerg, organ
The rose in the Sanctuary celebrates the arrival of Ava Claire Odom, born May 16, 2021. She is the daughter of Liz and Phillip Odom.
arr. Thallander
Acts 2:1–21 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
ANNOUNCEMENTS Fully vaccinated people are no longer required to wear masks or physical distance. Unvaccinated people must still practice all COVID-19 safety protocols outlined in the Regathering Plan, including wearing a mask and physical distancing. AN UPDATE FROM THE REGATHERING TASK FORCE Dear Church Family: CDC recently announced new guidance, indicating that anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or physical distancing. This change is positive news! It fills us with hope that the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic may, indeed, be behind us. As soon as this updated guidance was released, we, like many of you, started considering what this change means for the Regathering Plan. We have strived to have the Regathering Plan be in line with the most up-to-date science. Thus, in accordance with CDC guidance, we have altered the Regathering Plan: Fully vaccinated people participating in activities at SPdL are no longer required to wear masks or physical distance. Unvaccinated people must still practice all COVID-19 safety protocols outlined in the Regathering Plan, including wearing a mask and physical distancing. According to CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html): “People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson [J&J]/ Janssen); there is currently no post-vaccination time limit on fully vaccinated status. Unvaccinated people refers to individuals of all ages, including children, that have not completed a vaccination series or received a single-dose vaccine.” Vaccination is one our best tools to protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19. If you have not been vaccinated and would like to be, please contact Heather Webb. She works with a group of church volunteers known as the Vaccine Angels who can assist you in getting an appointment. “From the beginning of this pandemic, we have been focused on being Church to one another, including protecting the most vulnerable. We know that vaccination is one of the best ways to protect one another, but we also know that masks and social distancing protect those around us. That’s why it’s important to continue wearing a mask and social distancing if you’re not vaccinated. We need to all do our part to protect those around us.” We continue to be encouraged that the trajectory of the pandemic appears to be moving in the right direction. We’re hopeful that this change puts us one step closer to a return to pre-pandemic activities at SPdL. We recognize that vaccinations and new CDC recommendations impact other facets of our Regathering Plan. So keep an eye on Second-Ponce communications for updates. Best, The Regathering Task Force SENIOR ADULT PICNIC ON THE PLAZA Today | 12:15 p.m. | SPdL Plaza Today, after worship, we’ll host our senior adult picnic on the plaza. Grab your lunch lunch and a chair or blanket to sit on. No RSVP required! Come for the fun and fellowship together. COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS The application window is open for students seeking a SPdL college scholarship. Check out the requirements and find both electronic and hardcopy forms at www.spdl.org/scholarships. Submission deadline is June 7.
ANNOUNCEMENTS MIAMI MISSION TRIP 2021 July 10–17, 2021 | Miami, Florida Second-Ponce is excited to announce we’re once again sending a mission team to Touching Miami with Love (TML) in Miami, Florida. Our team will be assisting TML’s accredited childcare program by leading devotions and Bible Lessons, visual arts, enrichment and fitness. No special skills are required, only an open heart that is ready to serve and build relationships with the TML children. Cost: $675 plus transportation and scholarships are available. Volunteers must be 16 years old, wear masks, socially distance and be COVID vaccinated. Registration deadline is May 15. We need both prayer and financial supporters to help make this trip possible. By committing to pray and/or pay, you are increasing our ability to share God’s love in Miami. We also need folks to help prep materials for the trip in advance. Those interested in making a financial gift, can send a check to Second-Ponce and write “TML” in the memo line or give online at www.spdl.org/give and select the Touching Miami with Love giving option. Contact Heather Webb at hwebb@spdl.org to participate and learn more. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 7–11 | 9 a.m.–Noon All aboard the Rocky Railway! We’re headed to Vacation Bible School at Second-Ponce! We’re excited to share that we’ve planned both virtual and in-person options for this year’s Vacation Bible School. If by June, Atlanta is in Phase 3 of its regathering plan, we’ll implement the in-person option. If not, we’ll move to a fully virtual experience. Read our VBS plan, safety protocols and sign up at www.spdl.org/vbs. VACCINE ANGELS If you are 16+ and need help making a COVID vaccine appointment, please reach out to Heather Webb and let her know. Our “vaccine angels” team at Second-Ponce is happy to help find or make appointments for anyone who needs help! We have now helped to find appointments for 35 people and we are getting pretty good at it! Our team stands ready to help however needed! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you are having trouble booking an appointment. SPDLU: TRENDS, PREDICTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES: CHURCH IN A POST-COVID WORLD Led by Dr. Dock Hollingsworth | Wednesdays, May 26–June 9 | 6:45 p.m. EST | Zoom What is the state of the Christian church in America? How has COVID-19 impacted the church in America? What will be new church trends after the pandemic? Is the season of post-COVID church more threat or opportunity? How is Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church anticipating and responding to these anticipated changes? • May 26: Trends: Trends in American Christianity Before COVID-19 • June 2: Predictions: Predictions, Pundits and Possibilities • June 9: Opportunities: A Pastoral Perspective on Second-Ponce’s Opportunities in Response Post-COVID Trends Stay tuned to the Signal for the Zoom link and phone number.