WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE Ralph Vaughan Williams
Hyfrydol, Hymn 422 (from Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes)
Jack Mitchener, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN
WELCOME & INVOCATION
Bill Gabbard
SCRIPTURE Psalm 48 Bill Gabbard (from the Inclusive Psalter)
Leader: Great is God, and highly to be praised; in the city of our God is God’s holy hill.
People: Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, the very center of the world and the city of the great Sovereign.
Leader: God is in its citadels; and is known to be its Sure Refuge.
People: Behold, the rulers of the earth assembled and marched forward together. They looked and were astounded; they retreated and fled in terror.
Leader: Trembling seized them there; they writhed like a person in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
People: As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of God of hosts, in the city of our God; God has established it forever.
Leader: We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of Your temple.
People: Your praise, like Your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; Your right hand is full of justice.
Leader: Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of Your judgments.
People: Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about it; count the number of its towers.
Leader: Consider well its bulwarks; examine its strongholds; that you may tell those who come after.
People: This God is our God forever and ever; God shall be our guide for evermore.
HYMN NO. 332 O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing AZMON
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 11 a.m.
WE'RE "PEOPLE PEOPLE"
FOR GUESTS WE HAVEN'T MET YET
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.
PASTORAL PRAYER
HYMN NO. 422 Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners
SCRIPTURE I Samuel 3:1–20 Dr. Dock Hollingsworth (p. 215–216 in your pew Bible)
SERMON When Both Ears Tingle Dr. Hollingsworth
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 482
HERE I AM, LORD Here I Am, Lord
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT Bill Gabbard
BENEDICTION
Dr. Hollingsworth
POSTLUDE Toccata in Seven John Rutter Jack Mitchener, organist
SHARING OUR OFFERTORY PRAYER
Howell Williams has been a member of Second-Ponce since childhood and was ordained as a Deacon in 2023. She teaches in the Adult III Sunday School department, serves on the Leadership Council and chairs the Discipleship Council. Howell is a retired public librarian with two adult sons: Taylor and Reid. In her spare time, she designs jewelry.
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
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.
• Church in Conference: A quarterly meeting of our church body to discuss, and sometimes vote on, SPdL business.
• Doxology: The Doxology is a short hymn of praise. We use it as transition music when children leave the Sanctuary for Kids Worship.
• 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.
• SPdL: An abbreviation for Second-Ponce de Leon. We pronounce it "Spee-duhl."
• TML: Touching Miami with Love, or TML, guides children and youth spiritually, intellectually and emotionally through special programming for underserved communities in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Part of our work as their mission partner includes a yearly trip to TML to lead a week of summer camp.
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.
PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, July 10
Hard copies of the form are in the Welcome Center and the digital version is online at www.spdl.org/pastorsearch.
RECEPTION FOR DOCK & MELISSA HOLLINGSWORTH
Sunday, July 14 After Worship Fellowship Hall
Dock and Melissa's last Sunday at SPdL is July 14, and after worship, we'll celebrate their ministry here with a farewell reception. Come with your warm hugs and happy memories and let's send off the Hollingsworths with love and gratitude.
YOUTH ZOO TRIP
Wednesday, July 17 | 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | Cost: $20/person (includes lunch) Hey youth, wanna go to the zoo? Wednesday, July 17, we'll meet at the Welcome Center and ride together to the Atlanta Zoo. We'll spend the morning there, have lunch and return to the church at 1 p.m. If you're interested in going, let Jonathan know by Sunday, July 14: jhall@spdl.org or www.spdl.org/rsvp.
GUEST PREACHER
Sunday, July 21 | 11 a.m. Sanctuary
On Sunday, July 21, we'll welcome Rev. Dr. Paul Baxley to the pulpit. Paul was elected as the fourth Executive Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Previously, Paul served as senior minister of First Baptist Church in Athens, GA. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., he has also held pastorates and ministry positions in North Carolina and Virginia. Paul and his wife, Jennifer, a licensed physical therapist, have four children: Olivia, Maria and twins Caroline and Matthew. Don't miss this wonderful worship opportunity!
CHURCH IN CONFERENCE
Sunday, July 21 After Worship Fellowship Hall | Lunch: $10/adult; $8/child
It’s time for our summer Church in Conference where we’ll present the names of the proposed Pastor Search Committee for ratification by the congregation. On the Menu: Salad bar with all the toppings, including fried or grilled chicken, turkey sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks. RSVP by Wednesday, July 17 at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
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.
NOMINATION FAQS
The Pastor Search Committee nomination deadline is fast approaching (this Wednesday!) and we've received a few questions about the nomination form and process.
Can I type or write all of my answers on a separate sheet of paper?
Yes. As long as you include all of the requested info from the form, you may use a blank sheet to type or write your answers.
If my nominee is an active Deacon, Life Deacon or member of another committee or council, do I have to answer the questions on the nomination form?
Yes. Our church family is lucky to have so many qualified candidates, but space on the committee is limited. Your answers to these questions help the Executive Committee decide which nominees would work best together as a cohesive group.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes. You may use the nomination form as an opportunity to help the Executive Committee get to know you better as a candidate.
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES
In your prayer time this week, consider including our:
Miami Mission Trip
Pray that our team and the children, families and staff of Touching Miami with Love have a happy and safe week together where they feel the unending and limitless love of God. Ask God for a safe trip home on Saturday, July 13.
Pastor Search
Pray for those who will be on our Pastor Search Committee, that God will give them wisdom and patience for this journey. Pray for the person God has in store as our next Senior Pastor. Ask God to give them peace and joy as they prepare to lead Second-Ponce. And pray for our church family in this time of transition. May God grant us hope and grace as we navigate this time in the life of our church.
WEEK AT A GLANCE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10
End of Day Pastor Search Committee Nominations Due
SATURDAY, JULY 13 All Day Miami Mission Team Returns
JULY CALENDAR REMINDERS:
SUNDAY, JULY 14
9:15 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship
9:45 a.m. Bible Study & Sunday School for All Ages
10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
11 a.m. Worship*
12 p.m. Reception for the Hollingsworths
• Wednesday evening activities and Fellowship Supper are paused for the month of July.
• Back to School Sunday is July 28.
Growing in Christ and community–sharing God's love in the world.
