WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE Hymn-Prelude on FESTAL SONG (Hymn no. 87) Seth Bingham
Jack Mitchener, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN NO. 310 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
WELCOME & INVOCATION
BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS
HYMN TO JOY
Rev. Allie Osborne
Rev. Jonathan Hall
Leader: God, we thank You for each student who is here today. You love them no matter what and ask them to follow You. We have watched them grow and mature and learn more about You in the past. We pray for and bless them as they begin a new school year. May they follow Your ways as they learn, have fun, meet new friends and experience all this new year will bring. As they begin this new year, what do you ask of them?
Church Staff: To do justice: May they stand up for others. May they look for needs around them and offer compassion and care. As they interact with friends and meet new people, may they show Your great love and help everyone feel welcome and included.
Family Members: To love kindness: May they be eager to help their friends, families and everyone they meet–not because they have to help, but because they want to show kindness. May they share encouragement and compassion.
Congregation: To walk humbly with God: May they journey with You each day. May they be thankful, respectful of others and willing to listen. May they be gracious when life is good and when life is tough. May they not take themselves too seriously yet take Your ways seriously.
Leader: We bless you today as you seek to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
Congregation: We promise to pray for you as you start a new school year.
Leader: Thanks be to God.
All: Amen.
HYMN NO. 87 Arise, Your Light Is Come FESTAL SONG
SCRIPTURE Psalm 145:10–18 Katie Milam (from the Inclusive Psalter)
BIBLE PRESENTATION FOR RISING STUDENTS Rev. Hall & Rev. Osborne
Charlie Hancock
Erin McDonald
Gia Santillo
SPECIAL SONG Come to the Water David Burroughs Members of The Kids' Club & SPdL Youth
"Come to the Water" is the 2024 Passport Camps' theme song. You are invited to join our students in singing along using the lyrics on center panel of this bulletin.
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 11 a.m.
Chorus: Come to the water. Jesus said, "All who are thirsty come to Me. Come to the water and you’ll never be thirsty again."
Verse 1: When you pass through the storms of life and when you are afraid, God says, "I will be with you, so the waters won’t overwhelm."
Verse 2: As we sit on the water’s edge, God is saying, “Dive in.” We are called to our neighbors to welcome them as a friend.
Verse 3: Let Justice roll down like water. And righteousness a stream. We must swim through the waters and bring justice to those in need.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Nancy Kelly
OFFERTORY Arioso (Thanks Be to God) G. F. Handel Jack Mitchener, organ
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706)
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, July 28, 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
OLD 100TH
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.
PRAYER EXPERIENCE
Rev. Osborne
HYMN NO. 376 For the Fruit of All Creation AR HYD Y NOS
SCRIPTURE John 6:1–15
Rev. Hall (p. 867 in your pew Bible)
SERMON The Miracle of Gratitude Rev. Hall
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 457
REGENT SQUARE Come and Feast, for All Are Welcomed
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
CONGREGATIONAL BENEDICTION
Rev. Osborne
We are one in the bond of love; we are one in the bond of love. We have joined our spirits with the Spirit of God; we are one in the bond of love.
POSTLUDE
Benedetto Marcello
Psalm 19 (The Heavens Declare the Glory of God)
Jack Mitchener, organist
The flowers on the Communion Table are given in loving memory of SARAH HUDDLESTON for her birthday on July 29. They are given by her family.
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.
• Fellowship Supper: Each Wednesday, we share a meal together in the Fellowship Hall. It's a great social and spiritual pick-me-up in the middle of the week.
• Inclusive Psalter: A translation of the Psalms, compiled by Young Peoples’ Theology, that maintains tradition, eliminates exclusion and welcomes a wide liturgical audience.
• Invocation: The first prayer of the service invoking the spirit of God to be with us as we worship.
• Prime Timers: Prime Timers is the name of our vibrant senior adult ministry.
• 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
BACK-TO-SCHOOL POTLUCK LUNCH
Sunday, July 28 | After Worship | Fellowship Hall Cost: Free Join us! After the service, everyone is invited to stay for a fried chicken potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall.
EVENTS & INFO
YOUNG ADULT DINNER
Tuesday, August 6 | 7:15 p.m. Mary Mac's Tea Room Cost: Your Own Meal Young adults, meet at SPdL at 6:45 p.m. to carpool to Mary Mac's for dinner on Tuesday, August 6. Reservations at the restaurant are required, so please RSVP to Jonathan Hall (jhall@spdl.org) by Sunday, August 4.
SUPPER & SPDLU
Wednesday, August 7 Supper at 5 p.m. | Discipleship at 6 p.m. On Zoom & in the Fellowship Hall | Cost: $10/adult; $5/child Wednesday night activities are back, and we're kicking things off with a special guest-led SPdLU series: Re-Discovering the Ten Commandments. During the four Wednesday nights in August, we'll "examine the theological and ethical dimensions of each commandment, studying not only their original meaning but also how they are put to use and interpreted in the rest of Scripture. Throughout, emphasis will be placed on the way in which the commandments, while ‘written in stone,’ have in every generation been re-interpreted and re-imagined in light of issues and questions facing the church and the world."
This series is brought to us by Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio and Dr. Elizabeth Arnold of The Candler Foundry, an initiative of Emory's Candler School of Theology that aims to make theological education accessible to everyone – believers and seekers, Sunday School attendees and lay ministers, community organizers and non-profit leaders, regular church goers and those just curious about faith.
Supper Menu: Baked chicken, wild rice and vegetables, salad and dessert. RSVP by Noon, Monday, August 5 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
PRIME TIMERS' ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Tuesday, August 20 2-4 p.m. | Fellowship Hall Cost: Free
Join us for homemade ice cream and the makings for banana splits and Coke floats as we walk down memory lane. Bring a photo of yourself as a baby or small child for the slide show coordinated by Ron Watts. If you can, we'd love to have the photo by August 18. You may send it via email to Ron.M.Watts@gmail.com or drop it by the church office in an envelope with your name on it and marked for Ron Watts. You will get your photos back! RSVP with Vicki McCaskey by August 16 at vmccaskey@spdl.org or 404.591.4344.
FREE MOVIE SCREENING | INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
Saturday, August 24 Optional boxed supper ($10) at 6 p.m. | Movie begins at 7 p.m. | Fellowship Hall Childcare available by registration only Join us for dinner and a movie! Spanning C.S. Lewis’ bitter childhood, WWI and his life-changing friendships at Oxford, The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of CS Lewis depicts the events that shaped Lewis’ early life and journey from hard-boiled atheism to prolific Christianity.
Prior to the free screening, we'll have an optional boxed supper of a turkey sandwich or strawberry spinach salad available for $10. After the movie, we invite you to stick around for an optional time of discussion. The movie runs 1 hr and 13 minutes and is rated PG. The entire event will end by 8:30–9 p.m.
Registration, while free of charge, is required for childcare and supper (adult and children) by Friday, August 16 at www.spdl.org/rsvp or you can scan this code to sign up now.
BLESSING OUR SENIOR PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE
At last Sunday's Church Conference, our newly appointed Senior Pastor Search Committee was introduced to the SPdL family. We ask you to pray for this group along this journey—of listening sessions with our congregation, culling through resumes, evaluating sermons, comparing leadership styles and more—to find SPdL's next Senior Pastor.
Committee Members: Anne Marie Alexander, Andy Anderson, Anna Bowen, Sharon Harle (Chair), Pamela James, Amanda Payne, Chan Snipes, Rob Suggs and Ron Watts.
WELCOME INTERIM SENIOR PASTOR, RONNIE BREWER
We're excited to welcome Rev. Ronnie Brewer to Second-Ponce as our Interim Senior Pastor! Hailing from Alabama, Ronnie boasts a rich legacy of over 40 years as a campus minister and pastor. Notably, he served as the founding pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Madison, Alabama, and held the position of Senior Baptist Campus Minister at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Ronnie's extensive experience is complemented by his educational background, including a Master of Divinity, as well as training as a licensed professional counselor. His expertise extends to guiding churches through transitions, where he has served as a coach for search teams and in the pivotal role of interim pastor. His passion lies in working with churches during periods of change, and he finds fulfillment in coaching and encouraging fellow ministers on their respective journeys. Ronnie's first Sunday at SPdL will be August 4. He and his wife, Janet (a school librarian), have two adult children, Jonathan and Stephanie.
MEET
& EAT WITH RONNIE
Sunday, August 4 | 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall | Cost: Free
Join us for a special breakfast during the Sunday School hour on August 4! As a church family, we'll welcome our new Interim Senior Pastor, enjoy a yummy meal and listen to Ronnie's faith journey that brought him to our congregation. You don't want to miss this opportunity to meet and eat with the newest member of the SPdL staff. RSVP is not required.
What does an Interim Senior Pastor do?
It's important to note that interim ministry is temporary, but not partial. As our Interim Senior Pastor, Ronnie will provide transitional leadership during our pastor search period that not only fills in ministry gaps, but helps ready us for a meaningful future. While this "task list" is evolving, you can expect Rev. Brewer to preach on Sundays, guide ministry staff, assist the search committee in their work, help faciliate church visioning and walk alongside us as we navigate change.
FELLOWSHIP SUPPER COST INCREASE
The continued rising cost of food has required us to increase the cost of our adult Fellowship Supper meals from $8 to $10. Every effort has been made to maintain the lowest possible dollar amount per meal while still offering delicious food for everyone to enjoy. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you Wednesday nights beginning at 5 p.m.
WEEK AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, JULY 28
12:15 p.m. Potluck Lunch in the Fellowship Hall
Growing in Christ and community–sharing God's love in the world.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4
9:15 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship
9:30 a.m. Meet & Eat with New Interim Pastor Dr. Ronnie Brewer
10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 11 a.m. Worship*
*This event is available in person and online via Zoom, YouTube or Facebook; check event details.
