Christmas Eve Order of Worship 12/24/21

WORSHIP OF GOD

WORSHIP OF GOD

Friday, December 24, 2021, at 6 p.m.

PRELUDE

Friday, December 24, 2021, at 6 p.m.

Pietro Yon

Gesu Bambino

Verleen Baerg, organ

CHIMING OF THE HOUR CALL TO WORSHIP

Bill Gabbard

HYMN NO. 148

GREENSLEEVES

What Child Is This?

INVOCATION

Chelsey Kelly

READING

Christmas Eve by Christina Rossetti

George Volkert

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

MUSICAL MEDITATION

arr. Niles The Duerr Family

Some Children See Him

Bill Gabbard and Jeanne Williams, vocals; Joy Callaway, piano

HYMN NO. 132

CANDLE LIGHTING HYMN NO. 134 Silent Night

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.

HYMN

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Burt

Dr. Joshua Scott It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

CAROL

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

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

"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] READING

Christmas Carol by Sara Teasdale

The angels came from heaven high, and they were clad with wings; And lo, they brought a joyful song, the host of heaven sings.

arr. Baerg

WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE Welcome to Second-Ponce! You belong here, and we hope you'll come back. We meet for worship Sundays at 11 a.m. in our beautiful Sanctuary and host a contemporary online worship service at 2 p.m. called All Together. You can stream them both on our Facebook page or at www.livestream.com/spdl. During the week, we have virtual small groups and Bible studies and each Wednesday, we hold a churchwide prayer call, an adult discipleship study and age-appropriate activities for children and teens. We truly have something for everyone here at Second-Ponce. Help us get to know you better by completing a Connect card located in the pew rack.

Simply hand it to a minister or drop it in the offering plate as you leave.

Dr. Dock Hollingsworth, Senior Pastor Verleen Baerg, Organist/Music Associate

The angels sang through all the night until the rising sun, But little Jesus fell asleep before the song was done.

Dr. Dock Hollingsworth

Unto You is Born This Day O Holy Night

Silent Night

Verleen Baerg, organ

SECOND-PONCE MINISTERIAL STAFF

The kings they knocked upon the door, the wise men entered in, The shepherds followed after them to hear the song begin.

SOLO

At your seat, please extinguish your candle with caution to limit the spread of germs. Once the flame is out, place it in one of the baskets at the door as you leave. We ask that you reverently refrain from conversation until you have exited the Sanctuary.

Your financial support of Second-Ponce allows us to carry out the mission God has for our church. We're grateful for your faithfulness to give as you are able. 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 located in the Narthex after the service.

The wise men came from out the east, and they were wrapped in white; The star that led them all the way, did glorify the night.

SERMON

Dr. Hollingsworth

GIVING TO SECOND-PONCE

The shepherds came from out the north, their coats were brown and old; They brought Him little new-born lambs—they had not any gold.

Luke 2:1–14 (KJV)

BENEDICTION

Anne Marie Alexander

The kings they came from out the south, all dressed in ermine fine; They bore Him gold and chrysoprase, and gifts of precious wine.

SCRIPTURE

STILLE NACHT

Please tilt your unlit candle to light it.

POSTLUDE

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]

Rev. Heather Webb

PASTORAL PRAYER

abode, Now while the heav'n, by the Sun's team untrod, Hath tonk no print of the approaching light, And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright?

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

I Wonder as I Wander

CHILDREN'S SERMON

Friday, December 24, 2021, at 6 p.m.

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;

Jeanne Williams, soprano; Joy Callaway, piano

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

WORSHIP OF GOD

Bill Gabbard, tenor; Verleen Baerg, organ

Adam

Joy Callaway, Pianist Bill Gabbard, Minister of Music Chelsey Kelly, All Together & Next Gen. Ministry Assistant Allie Osborne, Childlren's Ministry Assistant

Ernesto Lima Parets, Music Ministry

Intern Jeff Miller, Church Administrator Richard Rogers, Director of Orchestra Dr. Joshua Scott, Associate Pastor Rev. Heather Webb, Associate Pastor

IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH ALL TOGETHER PHASE 1 TO PHASE 2 Sunday, December 26 at 2 p.m., we'll broadcast our final All Together worship experience. It's a bittersweet transition from phase 1 to phase 2 of this racial reconciliation ministry. We're excited, however, about All Together's 2022 focus: Discipleship as "Heaven Practice," and hope you'll join us for some fantastic book studies beginning in January. Details for study 1 are in the announcement column to the right. Be sure to tune in for All Together's last worship service on our Facebook page or at www.livestream.com/spdl. The entire library of these videos will remain on our YouTube channel.

JANUARY WMU FELLOWSHIP Tuesday, January 4 | 11 a.m. | Fellowship Hall Kick off 2022 by joining us for our January WMU Fellowship!

We'll eat and participate together in a prayer and outreach project. RSVP to Vicki McCaskey in the church office at vmccaskey@spdl.org.

COMMUNITY NIGHT Wednesday, January 5 | Supper line opens at 5 p.m. | Fellowship Hall Community Night will be a fun intergenerational fellowship opportunity to play games and puzzles and enjoy each other's company. Everyone is invited to eat and have fun together! RSVP for the yummy fried chicken dinner is required. Email Tiffany Baumstark at tbaumstark@spdl.org to sign up!

Note: We're happy to announce that the kids' supper line returns in January 2022!

WELCOME BACK BREAKFAST Sunday, January 9 | 9:45 a.m. | Kids' Club Cafe Children and parents are invited to kick off the new year with yummy breakfast foods and fun fellowship! We'll spend the first half of the Sunday School hour eating and being together. There's no cost for this breakfast and no RSVP is required.

PANCAKE & PRAY Sunday, January 9 | 9:45 a.m. | Youth Area Youth, you don’t want to miss the Sunday morning Refuge Gathering on January 9! We’ll eat, hang out and pray for a happy and healthy 2021.

HELPING HANDS AND HOSPITALITY Calling all coffee lovers and helping hands! The Second-Ponce Coffee Team needs you! If you're willing to make coffee and set up the service stations, please contact Heather Webb at hwebb@spdl.org. This volunteer opportunity is for Sunday mornings only.

IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH JANUARY WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays, January 12, 19 & 26 | 6 p.m. | Fellowship Hall Wednesday nights in January, Rev. Heather Webb will lead us in Forgiveness: Heart work, Hard work and Blessings. This three-week study runs January 12, 19 and 26 and will explore the power of forgiveness in our lives and in our relationships with others.

ALL TOGETHER BOOK STUDY Mondays, January 17 & 31, February 7 & 28 | 7 p.m. | On Zoom As our All Together ministry moves from worship to discipleship, we'll focus on a series of book studies aimed at putting into action the reconciliation that exists in Heaven. The first book study begins January 17 and will spotlight Becoming Brave: Finding the Courage to Pursue Racial Justice Now by Brenda McNeil Salter.

Free copies will be available to participants! RSVP to alltogether@spdl.org.

SENIOR ADULT TECHNOLOGY LUNCH & LEARN Sunday, January 30 | After 11 a.m. worship | Fellowship Hall Let's tackle some of your most challenging topics and questions related to smart phone use! After worship on Sunday, January 30, we'll gather in the Fellowship Hall for a yummy boxed lunch, joyful fellowship and fun learning. The meal is $8 per person. RSVP to Vicki McCaskey (vmccaskey@spdl.org) by Wednesday, January 26.

YEAR END GIVING NOTE FROM JEFF MILLER A big thank you goes out to everyone who has given to Second-Ponce this year! Please note that gifts intended for your 2021 record must be received by Friday, December 31 or postmarked no later than December 31. Our offices will be closed on Friday, but contributions may be dropped in the outdoor mailbox. Due to IRS regulations, no exceptions can be made.

You may also give online by midnight Friday, December 31 at www.spdl.org/give. If you have questions, contact Jane Dixon in the church office at 404.591.4359.

WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT SECOND-PONCE DECEMBER 24, 2021

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

THIS WEEK: AT A GLANCE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 All Day Merry Christmas!

All Day Church Office Closed 6 p.m.

Lessons & Carols Rebroadcast

on Facebook SATURDAY, JANUARY 1 All Day Happy New Year!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26 9:45 a.m. Churchwide Christmas SUNDAY, JANUARY 2

Breakfast 9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School 11 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship 9:45 a.m. Kids' Club 2 p.m.

All Together Worship Finale* 9:45 a.m. Youth Sunday School** 6:45 p.m. 4 & 5 Live for 4th & 5th 11 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship

Graders* 6:45 p.m. 4 & 5 Live for 4th & 5th

Graders* MONDAY, DECEMBER 27 All Day Church Office Closed Regularly scheduled weekday events are cancelled in celebration of the new year.

*Virtual Only | ** Virtual and In Person.

Unto You is Born This Day Luke 2:1–14

Dr. Dock Hollingsworth Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church 2715 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404.266.8111 | www.spdl.org Worship: Sundays at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.

Silent Night

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service December 24, 2021

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.

At your seat, please extinguish your candle with caution to limit the spread of germs. Once the flame is out, place it in one of the baskets at the door as you leave. We ask that youreverently refrain from conversation until you have exited the Sanctuary.