WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE Josef Rheinberger
Cantilena (from Sonata in D minor, Op. 148, No. 11)
Jack Mitchener, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN NO. 33 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah CWM RHONDDA
WELCOME & INVOCATION
CONFESSION OF SIN &
Rev. John Uldrick
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 11 a.m.
HYMN NO. 74 There Is a Balm in Gilead BALM IN GILEAD
SERMON Samson and the Women Dr. Hollingsworth
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 76 NEUMARK
If You Will Only Let God Guide You
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT Rev. Uldrick
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 17, 2024 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 hesitant 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
Rev. Allie Osborne ASSURANCE OF PARDON
People: Merciful God, You made us in Your image, with a mind to know You, a heart to love You, and a will to serve You. But our knowledge is imperfect, our love inconstant, our obedience incomplete. Day by day, we fail to grow into Your likeness. In your tender love, forgive us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Leader: I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
People: Amen, and amen!
HYMN NO. 60 Like a River Glorious WYE VALLEY
ANTHEM Witness Halloran Sanctuary Choir; Joy Callaway, piano
OFFERTORY PRAYER Debbie Branch
OFFERTORY Wondrous Love arr. Walters
Jeanne Williams, soprano; Joy Callaway, piano
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706) OLD 100TH
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Children K–5 may leave during this time for Kids Worship. Parents, please pick up your children in room C-305 of the Children's Building after the service.
PASTORAL PRAYER Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
SCRIPTURE Judges 16:1–6, 15–22 Mark Skinner (p. 204 in your pew Bible)
BENEDICTION Dr. Hollingsworth
POSTLUDE Fantasia in G minor, BWV 542 J. S. Bach Jack Mitchener, organ
LEADING OUR OFFERTORY PRAYER
A member of Second-Ponce since 2009, Debbie Branch has been an enthusiastic participant in the life of our church. She serves on the Community Council, is active in both the New Covenant Sunday School class and our Prime Timer's senior adult ministry, and was recently ordained as a Deacon. Debbie and her husband, Gary, are often busy traveling the country to visit their five children and many grandchildren.
Welcome back to church! Your presence is part of what makes Sundays at Second-Ponce 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.
MORE GOOD STUFF
EVERYONE IS AN "INSIDER" AT SPDL
We're pulling back the curtain on some experiences and words you'll encounter today.
• Doxology: The Doxology is a short hymn of praise. We use it as transition music when children leave the Sanctuary for Kids Worship.
• Clifton Strengths: Clifton Strengths—both an individual assessment tool and a team success resource—is used by Second-Ponce to understand our personal giftedness, recognize gifts in others and leverage the combination of all gifts to the glory of God.
• Invocation: The first prayer of the service invoking the spirit of God to be with us as we worship.
• Maundy Thursday: Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
• Realm: Our church database for event registration, financial giving, member directory and record-keeping.
• SPdL: An abbreviation for Second-Ponce de Leon. We pronounce it "Spee-duhl."
• SPdLU: An acronym for Second-Ponce de Leon University, our Wednesday evening time of adult discipleship.
CHILDCARE DURING WORSHIP
We love to see children at Second-Ponce, and we have a Kids’ Club area just for them! It's one floor up from the Sanctuary, and our greeters will be happy to show you the way. In the Kids' Club, there’s a nursery and Kids Worship for babies–5th grade. You may take your children to the Kids' Club before the service or, if you prefer, they can stay with you in the Sanctuary for the entire hour or until the Doxology (when kids leave with children's ministry leaders). After worship, pick them up in the Kids’ Club.
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 one of our ministers after worship and they'll walk you through an alternate plan.
AFTER WORSHIP
TUFF ENOUGH TO STUFF? Egg Stuffing Party for the Community Egg Hunt
Today | After Worship | Fellowship Hall Lunch Provided | RSVP Not Required
The Community Council wants to know, "Which came first, the candy or the egg?" Help us answer the age-old question at today's egg stuffing party! Lunch is provided and RSVP not required. Stay and stuff with us!
REALM & CLIFTON STRENGTHS HELP DESKS
Today | After Worship Until 12:30 p.m. | By the Library
Have questions about Realm? Need a Realm account? Need support for your Clifton Strengths account? Drop by and visit Karen Harwell at the help desk! You can also email Karen with questions about Realm or Clifton Strengths at kharwell@spdl.org.
RSVP FROM YOUR SEAT
Sign up for SPdL events on our website at www.spdl.org/rsvp or scan this code.
NEW DAY PARENTS CONNECT
Tuesdays | 8:30 p.m.
On Zoom
Put the kids to bed, grab a snack and hop online for our Parents Connect Zoom. For questions and more info, email Amanda Payne at abpayne@gmail.com. Find conection info in the Signal emails and online at www.spdl.org/children.
SUPPER & SPDLU Series Finale: Hope in Glory
Wednesday, March 20 Beginning at 5 p.m. Meal: $8/adult; $5/child
Join us for our mid-week fellowship! On the menu: Chicken enchiladas, rice, black beans, chips & dip, salad and dessert. After supper, Rev. John Uldrick will conclude the discipleship series—“Hope in Glory”—with part five: “It is finished” and “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” RSVP for the meal by Noon, Monday, March 18.
COMMUNITY EGG HUNT
Saturday, March 23 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Egg hunting in waves | Cost: Free Grab your baskets and your buddies and hop on down to our annual Community Egg Hunt! This free and fun event is open to everyone and includes inflatables, food, a raffle, games, face painting, a balloon artist and crafts. Children will hunt eggs in two waves by age. Don't miss this highly anticipated community gathering and invite your friends, too!
EASTER LILIES FOR LOVED ONES
$25/each | Deadline: Sunday, March 24
Sponsor an Easter lily in recognition (honor or memory) of loved ones. Use the hard copy forms (available in the Welcome Center) or contact Vicki McCaskey in the church office (vmccaskey@spdl.org or 404.591.4344). The deadline for purchase is Sunday, March 24. A commemorative list of honorees will be included with the Easter worship bulletin.
MAUNDY THURSDAY SUPPER & SERVICE
Thursday, March 28 | Supper at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Service at 6:10 p.m. in the Chapel | Meal: $8/adult; $5/child
Join us for the fifth day of Holy Week as we mark the Washing of the Feet and Last Supper of Jesus Christ. On the menu: BBQ pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, rolls, salad, dessert. RSVP by Noon, Monday, March 25.
COMMUNITY GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
Friday, March 29 | Noon Cathedral of Christ the King
All are welcome to join this annual prayer service—in unity with the Christian communities of Buckhead—as we remember the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. In addition to beautiful music, reflections will be given by the ministers of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Second-Ponce, the Church at Wieuca, Peachtree Church, and the Cathedral of Christ the King.
EVEN MORE GOOD STUFF
EASTER SUNDAY
Sunday, March 31
Celebrate the Risen Savior during Easter Sunday at Second-Ponce!
• 9:15 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship
• 9:45 a.m. Bible Study & Sunday School for All Ages
• 11 a.m. Worship
• 12 p.m. Lemonade on the Lawn and Pictures with Flowering Cross
Second-Ponce has a tradition of “flowering the cross”—covering it in fresh blooms and greenery—as a visual reminder of rebirth, fragrance and new life. We encourage each household to bring flowers and attach them to the Welcome Center cross before worship. After the service, this living cross becomes a beautiful backdrop for Easter photos!
NEW SPDLU SERIES THE CHRISTIAN, CHRIST & MONEY
Beginning Wednesday, April 3 Beginning at 6 p.m. (After Supper) April is Financial Literacy Month and we're excited to welcome a special guest to lead our Wednesday night adult discipleship on this topic. Dr. Joel Snider was pastor of First Baptist Church, Rome, Georgia, for 21 years and now works as a consultant with the Center for Healthy Churches and as an adjunct faculty member at Huntsville Bible College, where he teaches Stewardship and Church Finance. In his series, The Christian, Christ and Money, Joel will break down financial stewardship and generosity into four sessions beginning with part one: The Bible Speaks On Money. Don't miss this thoughtful look at Christian generosity. Recorded sessions will be posted online at www.spdl.org/faithresources.
PRIME TIMERS' LUNCH & LEARN
Tuesday, April 9 11:45 a.m. | Fellowship Hall Lunch: $10
Join us for lunch & learn as we host the Atlanta Area Council for the Aging. Their speaker will share about the rise in loneliness among seniors and offer ways we can combat the problem. On the menu: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and red velvet cake. RSVP on or before April 5th by emailing Vicki at vmccaskey@spdl.org or calling the church office (404.266.8111).
YOUTH SUNDAY
Sunday, April 14 Special Worship: 11 a.m. Youth Lunch at Moe's
Sunday, April 14, we'll celebrate our amazing students during Youth Sunday! Rev. Jonathan Hall will preach and our youth will pass the offering plate in worship. After the service, students will head to Moe's for lunch.
WEEK AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, MARCH 17
12
MONDAY, MARCH 18
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
8:30
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
9:30 a.m. BSF Women's Bible Study
6
5 p.m. Fellowship Supper
*This
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
SUNDAY, MARCH 24
PALM SUNDAY
Joyful Dynamic Intentional
DISCIPLESHIP MISSIONS
Growing in Christ and community–sharing God's love in the world.
March 17, 2024