Order of Worship 12/24/19

WORSHIP OF GOD

WORSHIP OF GOD

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 6 p.m.

PRELUDE

Verleen Baerg, organ

CHIMING OF THE HOUR CALL TO WORSHIP

Bill Gabbard

HYMN NO. 148

GREENSLEEVES

What Child is This

INVOCATION

Rev. Joshua Scott

READING

Anne Marie Alexander

Christmas Eve

By Christina Rossetti

Christmas hath darkness brighter than the blazing noon, Christmas hath a chillness warmer than the heat of June, Christmas hath a beauty lovelier than the world can show: For Christmas bringeth Jesus, brought for us so low.

Earth, strike up your music, birds that sing and bells that ring; Heaven hath answering music for all Angels soon to sing: Earth, put on your whitest bridal robe of spotless snow; For Christmas bringeth Jesus, brought for us so low.

SOLO

Elisa Jerrold, soprano; Joy Callaway, piano

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

Rev. Heather Webb

OFFERTORY PRAYER OFFERTORY

Dr. Dock Hollingsworth Mary, Did You Know?

Charlie Duerr, baritone; Joy Callaway, piano

Lowry

To give electronically, a convenient QR code is on the back of the laminated giving card in the pew rack. Our secure giving portal is on our website at www.spdl.org.

HYMN NO. 132 READING

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Ode On The Morning Of Christ’s Nativity

By John Milton

This is the month, and this the happy morn, Wherein the Son of Heav'n's eternal King, Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born, Our great redemption from above did bring; For so the holy sages once did sing, That he our deadly forfeit should release, And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.

That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable, And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty, Wherewith he wont at Heav'n's high council-table, To sit the midst of Trinal Unity, He laid aside, and here with us to be,

Angelyn and Noel Turner met through the single adult ministry when Angelyn came to Second-Ponce following college. Noel was raised in the church and their sons, Carson and Charles—a fourth generation of Turner members—grew up in the church. Angelyn shares her musical talent by leading in our children’s music programs and singing alto in the Sanctuary Choir. Angelyn will be ordained as a deacon in January and Noel has served on the active deacon board multiple times. Both are members of the New Covenant class. Their family loves baseball and is infamous for including their dog, Rip, in the pictorial directory

Say Heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein Afford a present to the Infant God? Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain, To welcome him to this his new abode, Now while the heav'n, by the Sun's team untrod, Hath took no print of the approaching light, And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright?

See how from far upon the eastern road The star-led wizards haste with odours sweet: O run, prevent them with thy humble ode, And lay it lowly at his blessed feet; Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet, And join thy voice unto the angel quire, From out his secret altar touch'd with hallow'd fire.

LEADING OUR OFFERTORY PRAYER Dock Hollingsworth became Senior Pastor at Second-Ponce in 2013, following an 18-year career with Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. Dock is married to Melissa—a retired elementary school teacher who now teaches two mornings a week in the church’s preschool. Dock and Melissa are parents to adult twins, Haley and Brendan, and they have two grandchildren, Cooper and Lucy.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day, to save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray;

The Turner Family

CHILDREN'S SERMON

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE

Forsook the courts of everlasting day, And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay.

HYMN

arr. Niles

I Wonder As I Wander

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 6 p.m.

Hustad Hustad

While By My Sheep O Little Town of Bethlehem

WORSHIP OF GOD

CAROL George Volkert

Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heav'nly Father, a blessed angel came; and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same: how that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name [Refrain] "Fear not, then," said the angel, "let nothing you affright; this day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright, to free all those who trust in him from Satan's pow'r and might."

[Refrain] The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind, and left their flocks a-feeding, in tempest, storm, and wind, and went to Bethlehem straightway, the Son of God to find.

[Refrain] SCRIPTURE SERMON SOLO CANDLE LIGHTING SILENT NIGHT

Matthew 1:18–25

(New Testament p. 783)

Have We Done What the Angel Said to Do? O Holy Night

Bill Gabbard, tenor; Verleen Baerg, organ

Adam

Dr. Hollingsworth Verleen Baerg, organ

HOW TO JOIN Second-Ponce welcomes you to make a commitment to Christ and our community of faith. During the Sunday morning worship service, we provide the opportunity to join the church during the Hymn of Response. At any time during the song, simply walk to the front of the Sanctuary where our senior pastor or a Second-Ponce minister will greet you with warmth and joy.

Dr. Dock Hollingsworth, Senior Pastor

(See insert)

Silent Night! Holy Night!

If you haven't already, visit our welcome table located in the lobby of the Sanctuary (also called the Narthex). There, you'll find information about the church and friendly members ready to answer your questions. We hope you'll come back. We meet for Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and offer two worship opportunities: A traditional service in our Sanctuary at 11 a.m. and a contemporary service called All Together in our SPdL Theater at 4 p.m. We share Fellowship Supper Wednesdays at 5 p.m. followed by activities for children, youth & adults. During the week there are Bible studies, special events, guest speakers and more.

SECOND-PONCE MINISTERIAL STAFF

(Please tilt your candle to light it.)

BENEDICTION POSTLUDE

Dr. Hollingsworth

WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE

Hustad

Verleen Baerg, Organist/Music Associate Joy Callaway, Pianist Bill Gabbard, Minister of Music Keith Harmel, Director of Sounds of Faith Dr. David Hull, Associate Pastor Jeff Miller, Church Administrator

Richard Rogers, Director of Orchestra Rev. Joshua Scott, Associate Pastor to Youth & Families, College Students, Young Adults & All Together Rev. Heather Webb, Associate Pastor to Children & Families

IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH

IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH

CHRISTMAS MISSIONS OFFERING 100% of your gifts to the Christmas missions offering support missionaries who are making disciples and multiplying churches among unreached peoples and places around the world. To give, use the designated envelopes provided in the pew rack and place them in the offering plate.

UPCOMING SPdLU SERIES The Story of What We Believe with Dr. David Hull Wednesdays | January 8–February 19 | 6 p.m. | Fellowship Hall The beliefs and doctrines of the Christian faith did not come into being all at once, they developed through the history of the church. Do you know why we believe some of the things that we do? Would you be interested in some of the history that has shaped our theology? In this SPdLU series, we'll examine the stories behind the belief statements of the church from the very earliest days up to the present and seek to understand why we believe what we do. Here are the January topics for the series: • 1/8: The Bible Says • 1/15: This We Believe • 1/22: A Creed for the Ages Part 1 • 1/29: A Creed for the Ages Part 2

SEND CHRISTMAS CARDS AND SUPPORT MISSIONS You are invited to send Christmas cards to your church family using the Children’s Missions Post Office located near the North Bridge Welcome Center. You can leave your Christmas cards for church members by dropping a donation for missions in the box (suggested offering is 25 cents per card).

Make sure to check the post office to pick up cards with your name on them!

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE • Church Office: Closed December 23–25; Open 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. on December 31; Closed January 1 • Preschool: Closed December 19–January 7 • FLC: Closed December 24 & 25; Open 8 a.m.–2 p.m. on December 26; Resumes regular hours December 27–30; Open 5:30 a.m.–2 p.m. on December 31; Closed January 1 • There are no Wednesday PM activities on December 25 or January 1.

• There is no All Together service on December 29.

CHURCHWIDE BREAKFAST Sunday, December 29 | 9:45 a.m. | Fellowship Hall | $5/adult; $3/child Instead of meeting as separate Sunday School classes, we'll join together for a delicious hot breakfast as a church family. Come enjoy breakfast casserole, biscuits, fruit, cereal, coffee, juice and milk as well as good conversation around the table.

YEAR-END CONTRIBUTIONS DUE BY DECEMBER 31 A big thank you goes out to everyone who has given to Second-Ponce this year! As 2019 draws to a close, we want to offer a reminder about year-end contributions. Gifts intended for your 2019 record must be received in the finance office by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 or postmarked no later than December 31. Due to IRS regulations, no exceptions can be made. You may also give online by midnight Tuesday, December 31 at www.spdl.org/give. If you have questions, call Jane Dixon in the church office at 404.591.4359.

JANUARY BCM WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE Throughout January | Collection bins in the Welcome Center Next month, Second-Ponce will collect hats, scarves, gloves and blankets to help our partner, Buckhead Christian Ministry, serve those in need. Our goal is to collect as many winter accessories as possible to share life-changing warmth during the cold winter months. As you are able, begin collecting newly purchased winter accessories and be ready to fill the BCM bins when you see them in the Welcome Center next month.

JANUARY WMU MEETING & LUNCH Tuesday, January 7 | 11 a.m. | Fellowship Hall The Second-Ponce WMU welcomes you to start off your new year by attending their January meeting and lunch. The guest speaker, Josh Scott, will talk about reaching the next generation through Rooted, our college ministry, as well as, Second-Ponce's partnerships with Baptist campus ministry groups.

RSVP to Mary Ann Hall at 770.396.4490.

YOUTH & FAMILIES, SAVE THESE DATES: • 1/12: Pancake & Pray • 1/17–19: Winter Youth Summit • 1/26: Youth Sunday • 2/2: Parent Meeting • 2/22: Open Hand Project • 3/15: Big Brother/Big Sister Day Contact Josh Scott at jscott@spdl.org for more information or for a copy of the Refuge Youth events calendar.

WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT SECOND-PONCE December 24, 2019

DEACON ORDINATION SERVICE Sunday, January 12 | 11 a.m. | Sanctuary Let us offer thanks to Deacons who have faithfully served and welcome new Deacons into leadership during this special worshipservice. Be in prayer for these members of our church family who love God and Second-Ponce so deeply.

SUPER SUNDAY BOWLING ADVENTURE AT MIDTOWN BOWL Sunday, January 12 | Pick your adventure time slot: After morning worship at 12:30 p.m. or after All Together worship at 5:30 p.m.

Children and families, let’s have a Sunday adventure! We’ll meet at Midtown Bowl for a meal and fun together. Come for one or both time slots. RSVP to Heather Webb at hwebb@spdl.org.

YOUNG ADULTS, SAVE THESE DATES: • 1/14: Small Group Resumes • 2/2: Super Bowl Party • 4/4: Braves Game (7:05 p.m.)

EVENTS AT A GLANCE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25 All Day Merry Christmas!

All Day Church Office Closed SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 9:45 a.m. Church-Wide Breakfast 11 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship There is no All Together service this week TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 3 p.m.

Church Office Closing Early WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1 All Day Happy New Year!

All Day Church Office Closed

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Kids' Club 9:45 a.m. Refuge Youth Gathering 11 a.m.

Worship 4 p.m.

All Together

silent night holy night

silent night Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child!

Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight.

Glory streams from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing, “Alleluia Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.”

Silent night, holy night, son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light; with the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King.

Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

(Please extinguish your candle at your seat and as you leave, place it in one of the baskets at the door. We ask that you refrain from conversation until you have exited the Sanctuary.)