WELCOME TO WORSHIP Sunday | May 9, 2021 | 11 a.m.
PRELUDE
Festival Piece on “Holy, Holy, Holy” Verleen Baerg, organ
arr. Westenkuehler
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP HYMN NO. 307 INVOCATION SCRIPTURE
All Creatures of Our God and King (see hymn insert)
Psalm 98
LASST UNS ERFREUEN Dr. Dock Hollingsworth Bill Gabbard
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. CHILDREN’S SERMON SCRIPTURE MUSICAL REFLECTION DOXOLOGY
Rev. Heather Webb Acts 10:44–48 Veni Creator Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit)
Fedak
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
OLD 100TH
Verleen Baerg, organ
PASTORAL PRAYER HYMN NO. 231
SERMON HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 241 BENEDICTION POSTLUDE
Dr. Hollingsworth
Rev. Webb Breathe on Me
(verse 1 only; see hymn insert)
The Mischievous Spirit of God Sweet, Sweet Spirit (see hymn insert)
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Verleen Baerg, organ
TRUETT
Dr. Hollingsworth MANNA Dr. Hollingsworth Wyeth
Acts 10:44–48 44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
ANNOUNCEMENTS A BUDGET AND GIFTS Q&A WITH JEFF MILLER, CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR What’s the difference between designated gifts and pledges and how do they impact the budget? This question was raised at our recent Church in Conference and since then, similar questions have followed. I thought I’d answer some of these inquiries in an On Second Thought. Let’s dive in. What is our operating budget and how is it funded? Each Fall, we develop the church operating budget based on the needs of each ministry area–children, youth, music, etc.–as well as the costs of operating the church–personnel, utilities, building maintenance and repairs. Our operating budget for 2021 is $2,000,000 and was approved at the October 25, 2020 Church in Conference. We use this budget to determine the goal of our stewardship campaign. Based on historical data, our church sets the pledge campaign goal at 80% of the total budget, in this case $1,600,000. The remaining 20% comes from non-pledged gifts. Pledged and non-pledged gifts are given to the General Fund and support the operating budget. What are designated gifts and how are they different from pledges? Designated gifts support a specific area of the budget and can only be used for that purpose. Pledges support the General Fund and therefore, support all areas of the church. Designated gifts are included in your annual giving record, but they do not count toward your General Fund pledge. If donors reallocate gifts from the General Fund to a designated ministry area, those funds are no longer available to support the operating budget. While this may be well-intentioned and will certainly help a particular ministry, it does so at the potential expense of the overall financial health of the church. Bottom line, gifts to the General Fund support all church ministries but designated gifts can only be used to support the ministry for which it was designated. Is it bad to designate a gift to a particular area? Not necessarily. I am not trying to dissuade anyone from supporting a ministry that is especially meaningful to you, but I do ask that designated gifts be made in addition to your pledge. Designated gifts should be thought of as “over and above” your pledge. Otherwise, the church comes up short and may not be able to meet the needs set forth in the operating budget. If you have additional questions regarding the budget or church gifts, I’d be happy to talk to you (404.591.4356 | jmiller@ spdl.org). I’d like to end with a message of gratitude for the ways our church family supports Second-Ponce. Please continue to prayerfully consider your financial commitment. Thank you for your faithfulness. THE HEAVENS TORN APART: A STUDY OF MARK’S GOOD NEWS Led by Alex McDonald | Wednesdays, April 14–May 19 | 6:45–7:30 p.m. EST | Via Zoom For six Wednesdays spanning April 14-May 19, Alex McDonald will help us think more deeply about the book of Mark and ask questions that are sure to make us think. Contact Heather Webb at hwebb@spdl.org if you have questions. Connection info is below: Via the Internet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87391252464 | Meeting ID: 873 9125 2464 | Passcode: Mark1045 Via Telephone: +1-301-715-8592 | Meeting ID: 873 9125 2464# | Passcode: 756-22-064# SENIOR ADULT PICNIC ON THE PLAZA Sunday, May 23 | 12:15 p.m. | SPdL Plaza Mark your calendars now for our senior adult picnic on the plaza Sunday, May 23 right after morning worship! Bring your own lunch and a chair or blanket to sit on. No RSVP required! Come for the fun and fellowship together. Even if you can’t join us for worship in person that Sunday, you are welcome to join us outside for our picnic at 12:15 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 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. MIAMI MISSION TRIP 2021 July 7–11, 2021 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. 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.