WORSHIP OF GOD Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 11 a.m.
PRELUDE
arr. Gene Roberson
Go, Tell it on the Mountain Jack Mitchener, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP HYMN NO. 102
Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 11 a.m.
OFFERTORY
Pietro Yon
Gesu Bambino
Bill Gabbard, tenor; Jack Mitchener, organ
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow ANTIOCH
Joy to the World, The Lord Is Come
WELCOME & INVOCATION SCRIPTURE
WORSHIP OF GOD
Rev. John Uldrick Psalm 148
Bill Gabbard
People: Hallelujah! Praise God from the heavens; praise God in the heights. Leader: Praise God, all you angels of God; praise God, all God’s host. People: Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars.
PASTORAL PRAYER SCRIPTURE
Rev. Allie Osborne Luke 2:22-40
Bill Gabbard
HYMN NO. 123
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
CHRISTMAS
SERMON
Not Your Average Baby Dedication
Rev. Jonathan Hall
(p. 833 in your pew Bible)
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 124
Leader: Praise God, heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. People: Let them praise the Name of God; for God commanded, and they were created.
The First Nowell
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
People: Praise God from the earth, you sea-monsters and all deeps; fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;
BENEDICTION POSTLUDE
People: Wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and wingèd birds;
THE FIRST NOWELL
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
Leader: God made them stand fast for ever and ever; God gave them a law which shall not pass away.
Leader: Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars;
OLD 100TH
Dr. Dock Hollingsworth Rev. Hall
Go, Tell It on the Mountain Jack Mitchener, organ
arr. Marvin Gaspard
Leader: Rulers of the earth and all peoples, governors and all judges of the world; People: People of all kinds, old and young together. Leader: Let them praise the Name of God, for God’s Name only is exalted, God’s splendor is over earth and heaven. People: God has raised up strength for their people and praise for all their loyal servants, the children of Israel, a people who are near God. Hallelujah! HYMN NO. 175 ANTHEM OFFERTORY PRAYER
All Glory, Laud, and Honor
ST. THEODULPH
Christmas Communion Song
Susan Naylor Callaway
Sanctuary Choir; Joy Callaway, piano
Becky Smith
LEADING OUR OFFERTORY PRAYER Becky Smith and her husband, Jim, joined Second-Ponce in 2009 after moving to Atlanta from Berlin. They served in foreign missions in German-speaking Europe, eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa after which they joined the missions administration of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). Becky is outgoing Chair of the Worship Council and sings in the Sanctuary Choir. Jim and Becky are parents of two adult children and enjoy spending time with their four grandchildren.
WORSHIP OF GOD Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 11 a.m. WE'RE "PEOPLE PEOPLE" FOR GUESTS WE HAVEN'T MET YET Welcome to church! Make yourself at home here! Settle in for a transformative and joyful hour of worship. We'd love to be helpful in your faith journey. There's a green card in the pew rack—I'm New Here. Use it to share as much information as you like and drop it in the offering plate. We understand that some people are hesistant to fill out church cards. It's true—a member of our pastoral staff will reach out, but you won't be flooded with calls, emails or requests. Engagement with us will be at your own pace; we just want to know who you are and how we can pray for you. FOR GUESTS WE KNOW & CHURCH MEMBERS Welcome back to church! Your presence is part of what makes Sundays at SecondPonce so wonderful. If you're a guest who's ready to take the next step or a church member who wants to deepen your involvement, fill out the red pew card—I'm a Regular—and drop it in the offering plate. Let us know how we can help.
ADDITIONAL SUNDAY INFORMATION 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 the prayer request portion of either the green card (for guests we don't know yet) or the red card (for guests we know and church members) and drop it in the offering plate. GIVING AN OFFERING Your financial support of Second-Ponce allows us to carry out the mission God has for our church. There are Virtual Offering Plate cards in the pew racks that utilize a QR code and Text to Give options for making gifts online. You may also drop your offering 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 alternate plan.
SECOND-PONCE WORSHIP STAFF Dr. Dock Hollingsworth, Senior Pastor
Joy Callaway, Pianist Anneliese Depenthal, Music Ministry Intern Bill Gabbard, Minister of Music Rev. Jonathan Hall, Minister of Community and Student Discipleship
Dr. Jack Mitchener, Organist Rev. Allie Osborne, Minister of Missions and Children's Discipleship Richard Rogers, Director of Orchestra Rev. John Uldrick, Associate Pastor
IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH COMING UP
Sign up for SPdL events on our website at www.spdl.org/rsvp or scan this code SUPPER & COMMUNITY SERVICE NIGHT Wednesday, January 3 | Beginning at 5 p.m. | Fellowship Hall Supper Cost: $8/adult; $5/child Wednesday activities are back January 3 and we're celebrating with a Community Service Night! On the menu: BBQ pork, baked beans, coleslaw, salad and dessert. After dinner, we'll all put together Budget for Life kits to share with our friends at Buckhead Christian Ministry. RSVP by Noon, Monday, January 1. POTLUCK WELCOME BACK BREAKFAST FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH Sunday, January 7 | 10 a.m. | Fellowship Hall | Cost is Free, but Meal is Potluck Children, youth and families are invited to a potluck Welcome Back Breakfast to celebrate the new year together! Let Allie or Jonathan know what you're bringing! PRIME TIMERS' JANUARY LUNCH Tuesday, January 9 | 11:20 a.m.–2 p.m. | Paschal’s | Cost: Your Own Meal Our senior adults are heading out to lunch for their January gathering! The bus will leave SPdL at 11:30 a.m. for Paschal's on Northside Drive and will return to our parking lot at 2 p.m. RSVP to Vicki (vmccaskey@spdl.org or 404.591.4344) by Friday, 1/5. YOUNG ADULT JANUARY DINNER Tuesday, January 9 | 7:15 p.m. | Taqueria del Sol | Cost: Your Own Meal Young adults, join us for our first monthly dinner of 2024! We'll meet at Taqueria del Sol on Cheshire Bridge. RSVP to Jonathan by Monday, 1/8 at jhall@spdl.org. BSF WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY Wednesday, January 10 | 9:30 a.m. | Chapel Bible Study Fellowship will resume their Wednesday morning study of John— beginning with chaper 10—on January 10 in the Chapel. The first two weeks are the perfect time to try out BSF for our next “mini study," Is Jesus God? Discover the truth about Jesus’s identity and the source of His power. All women and preschool-aged children are invited to join us! Email Anne Parker for more information (abparker7@icloud.com). SUPPER & SPDLU Wednesday, January 10 | Supper at 5 p.m. | Discipleship at 6 p.m. | Fellowship Hall and on Zoom | Supper Cost: $8/adult; $5/child Join us to kick-off a new adult discipleship series with supper & SPdLU Wednesday, 1/10. On the menu: Spaghetti & meatballs, garlic bread, salad and dessert. After the meal, Rev. John Uldrick will lead us in The Lord's Prayer Part 1: Introductions & Our Father, Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed Be Thy Name. RSVP by Noon, Monday, 1/8. SAVE THE DATE: MEDIAN ADULT DINNER Saturday, January 20 | 5:30–8 p.m. | Location: TBD | Cost: Your Own Meal If you're somewhere between the young adults and Prime Timers, then this dinner is for you! Join us for a fun night out with childcare provided. The only cost is your own meal. Stay tuned for location details! RSVP by Friday, 1/12. SAVE THE DATE: WOMEN'S RETREAT Friday–Sunday, March 8–10 | Pinnacle Retreat Center | Clayton, GA Cost: $170/person (double occupancy) Join us for fellowship, study and fun in the North GA mountains! Our special guest, Rev. Heather Webb, will lead us in exploring how we can apply Jesus' "I Am" statements from John's gospel to our daily lives. Registration opens Sunday, 1/7. In the meantime, if you have questions or want to see the weekend's agenda, reach out to the retreat team at womensministry@spdl.org.
ASSESSING & ANTICIPATING On the eve of a new year, it's customary to assess the past and anticipate the future, but what does that look like for our church family? Take time today to reflect on the statements and questions below as we celebrate what has been and encourage what could be.
2023
Reflect on your time with God and Second-Ponce over the past year. How would you complete the following statements? I felt closest to the community of my church family when ...
A discipleship topic that made me think deeply or differently was ...
Growing in Christ and community– sharing God's love in the world.
WELCOME
The missions opportunity I was most passionate about was ...
One of my favorite moments in worship was ...
TO WORSHIP
2024
Reflect on the ways our SPdL family can grow in Christ and community and share God's love in the world. Then, answer the following questions about your special and unique role in our church mission.
December 31, 2023
What church relationships do I need to foster in the new year?
TODAY'S MESSAGE
What is one area of spiritual growth I want to focus on?
Not Your Average Baby Dedication Luke 2:22–40
Who in my life can I invite to church?
In what areas of church life is God calling me to use my gifts and talents?
Rev. Jonathan Hall
Minister of Community & Student Discipleship
In what areas of church life is God challenging me to step out of my comfort zone?
WEEK AT A GLANCE MONDAY, JANUARY 1
HAPPY NEW YEAR
All Day
Church Office Closed
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3 5 p.m. Fellowship Supper 6 p.m. Community Service Project 7:05 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 9:15 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School* 10 a.m. Welcome Back Potluck Breakfast for Children, Youth & Families 11 a.m. Worship* *This event is available in person and online (via Zoom, YouTube or Facebook; check event details)
Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church 2715 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404.266.8111 | www.spdl.org Facebook & Instagram: @secondponce