Partita on O Gott, du frommer Gott (O God, thou faithful God) - Chorale and Variations
Jack Mitchener, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
WELCOME Rev. Jonathan Hall
INVITATION TO WORSHIP Rev. Hall
HYMN NO. 425 How Firm a Foundation FOUNDATION
CONFESSION OF SIN The Ten Commandments Rev. Hall
Leader: God spoke all these words saying, "I am the Lord your God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."
All: You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make unto yourselves any graven image. You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness. You shall not covet.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON Rev. Hall
Leader: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
All: Thanks be to God. Amen!
HYMN NO. 41 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy WELLESLEY
SCRIPTURE Acts 10:34–43 Susan McDonald (p. 895 in your pew Bible)
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 11 a.m.
OFFERTORY O God, thou faithful God, No. IIa Ethel Smyth Jack Mitchener, organ
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706) OLD 100TH
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Children K–5 may leave during this time for Kids Worship in room C-305 of the Children's Building.
SILENCE & PASTORAL PRAYER
HYMN NO. 592 How Can I Keep From Singing
SCRIPTURE 1 Samuel 16:7
Rev. Allie Osborne
ENDLESS SONG
Rev. Ronnie Brewer (p. 226 in your pew Bible)
SERMON Dark Corners Part 4: Partiality Rev. Brewer
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 591 HARRIS All That Thrills My Soul
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT Bill Gabbard
BENEDICTION
CONGREGATIONAL BENEDICTION
Bow down before Him, love and adore Him; His name is wonderful! Jesus, my Lord.
Rev. Brewer
Newcomers
ANTHEM Balm in Gilead Hayes Sanctuary Choir; Joy Callaway, piano
OFFERTORY PRAYER Jeanne Williams
POSTLUDE J.S. Bach Final Variation from Partita on “O God, thou faithful God”) Jack Mitchener, organ
Welcome to church! Make yourself at home here.
USING THE PEW CARDS
GREEN GUEST CARD: FOR FIRST TIMERS
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 communication. Engagement with us will be at your own pace.
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. RED CARD: FOR RETURNING GUESTS & SPDL MEMBERS
WHERE CAN I FIND ...
Bathrooms | There are restrooms on each floor of the church. Bathrooms with changing tables are on the third floor down from the Fellowship Hall. Restrooms closest to the Sanctuary are near the church office.
Emergency Care/First Aid Greeters and Bible study leaders can help you receive first aid before worship. If you need help during the service, see one of our uniformed officers just outside of the Sanctuary.
Water Fountains | Water fountains are by the restrooms on each floor.
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 ministry leaders.
JOINING SECOND-PONCE
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.
TODAY!
• Pizza & Egg Stuffing | After Worship | Fellowship Hall | Free Pizza Lunch
• Youth Passport Missions Camp Deposit Due $200/camper | Pay at spdl.org/events
MERCER MUSIC IN ATLANTA
Tues, Apr. 1 | 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary | Cost: Free
Join us Tues, Apr. 1 for a free concert presented by the talented performers of the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University!
SUPPER & SPDLU | THE GRACE OF LES MISÉRABLES BY MATT RAWLE
Wed, Apr. 2 Supper: 5 p.m. | Study: 6 p.m. | Meal Cost: $10/adult; $5/child Menu: Baked pork chops, baked sweet potatoes and mixed veggies with salad and dessert RSVP: By Noon, Mon, Mar. 31
COMMUNITY EGG HUNT
Sat, Apr. 12 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Egg hunting waves Free and open to public Hop on down to our annual Community Egg Hunt! Enjoy inflatables, food, a raffle, games, face painting, a balloon artist and crafts. Candy donation bins are in the Welcome Center. Come stuff eggs Wednesdays, Apr. 2 & 9, 4–6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
PALM SUNDAY POTLUCK
Sun, Apr. 13 After Worship Fellowship Hall
Join us after worship for a potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall. SPdL is a congregation of such great cooks so you know the food is going to be delicious! Sign up to bring a dessert, entree, side or salad at www.spdl.org/events.
SEASONAL DECOR IN RECOGNITION OF LOVED ONES
Deadline: Tues, Apr. 15 | Suggested $25 donation/each | Forms in the Welcome Center
Recognize loved ones this Lenten season by helping to fill our church with seasonal decorations as well as create a fun atmosphere for our Community Egg Hunt. Complete and return the order form, along with payment, to the church office no later than Tues, Apr. 15. A list of those being recognized will be published with the Easter Sunday bulletin. Contact Tiffany Baumstark for more info: 404.591.4351 or tbaumstark@spdl.org.
Join BSF for All Things New, the final mini-study of the year. All Things New includes the last visions of Revelation 21 and 22: God's Holy City and the New Heaven and the New Earth. Bring a friend and hear about God's promises to one day fully and finally make all things new. Registration isn't necessary and materials for the study can be downloaded at www.spdl.org/events.
EASTER SUNDAY
Sun, Apr. 20
Celebrate the resurrection at Second-Ponce, and invite your friends, too! Bring your best blooms to adorn the cross before church, and stay after worship for lemonade, cookies and pictures in front of the flowering cross. It's going to be a wonderful day!
CHURCH IN CONFERENCE
Sun, Apr. 27 After Worship Fellowship Hall & Zoom | Boxed Lunch: $10
Grab a boxed lunch and fellowship with your church family while staff and lay leaders offer reports on the state of the church in 2025 including ministry and finance info and an update from the Pastor Search Committee. RSVP by Wed, Apr. 23 at www.spdl.org/events.
LENTEN ART PROJECT
ARTIST STATEMENT FROM DONNA PERMELL
The rose is beautiful to look at, but if you are not careful when handling, the thorns will prick you. Sometimes in life, we walk through some dark places and wonder, “how will I get back up or get out of the storm's way?” In the photograph, the blind obstructs some light on the rose, but the rose still grows. Always keep your eyes on God, remembering God can make everything beautiful. All you need is a little light to shine!
"I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." Song of Solomon 2:1
LENTEN ART PROJECT STATEMENT
We selected this piece because of its dramatic juxtaposition of light and dark, particularly in relation to the rose. The dark corner of partiality, from today's sermon, can cause us to see the world through a lens of light and dark, black and white, same and different, us and them. Upon a closer look at the image, many shades of light and dark work together to form a single image just as many paths converge to create the “one road.” When God appears to Peter in a vision in Acts 10, a voice says, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane” (Acts 10:15). Addressing the dark corner of partiality can help us understand, as Peter later preaches, that “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God” (Acts 10:34–35).
40 WEEKS OF PRAYER
WEEK 34: Mar. 30–Apr. 5: Partiality
Read: 1 Samuel 16:7
Questions to Ponder: Who/how have you judged erroneously (for appearance, wealth, or specific talents and training, etc.)? Who have you judged unfit for leadership in the church?
Pray: Lord, forgive us for our incorrect and limiting judgments about people. Open our hearts to seeing people as You see them—beloved, created in Your image and full of potential and Your ideas. Help us to be open to Your leadership in seeking a new pastor—one who may not meet our personal or former criteria exactly, but a pastor who loves You and follows You. Help us be open to Your leadership. Send us a clear message on who to consider as we begin that phase of the search process. Help us continue to be committed to prayer for our church, the search committee and the one whose heart You are preparing to pastor Second-Ponce. Amen.
WEEK AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, MARCH 30
Noon Pizza & Egg Stuffing
End of Day Youth Camp Deposit Due
MONDAY, MARCH 31
Noon Fellowship Supper RSVP Due
TUESDAY, APRIL 1
7:30 p.m. Mercer Music Concert
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
4 p.m. Egg Stuffing
5 p.m. Fellowship Supper
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
6 p.m. Adult Discipleship (SPdLU)*
7:05 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
SATURDAY APRIL 5
8:15 a.m. Monastery Field Trip
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
9:15 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship
9:45 a.m. Bible Study & Sunday School for Children, Youth & Adults
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 | FB, IG & YT: @secondponce
