WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE Pastorale (from Suite for Organ) Malcolm Archer Alvin Blount, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN NO. 282 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken AUSTRIAN HYMN
WELCOME & INVOCATION Eddie Applegate Community Council Chair
SCRIPTURE Psalm 51:1–12 Rev. Jonathan Hall
Leader: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving-kindness; in Your great compassion blot out my offenses.
Congregation: Wash me through and through from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin.
Leader: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You only have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight.
Congregation: And so You are justified when You speak and upright in Your judgment.
Leader: Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, a sinner from my mother's womb.
Congregation: For behold, You look for truth deep within me, and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
Leader: Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
Congregation: Make me hear of joy and gladness, that the body You have broken may rejoice.
Leader: Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.
Congregation: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Leader: Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Congregation: Give me the joy of Your saving help again and sustain me with Your bountiful Spirit.
HYMN NO. 590 The Solid Rock SOLID ROCK
ANTHEM Create in Me a Clean Heart Mueller Sanctuary Choir; Alvin Blount, organ
MY SPDL COMMUNITY STORY Anna Bowen
OFFERTORY Blessed Assurance Gerald Near Alvin Blount, organ
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706) OLD 100TH
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PASTORAL PRAYER
Rev. Allie Osborne
HYMN NO. 264 Where Charity and Love Prevail RESIGNATION
SCRIPTURE Matthew 14:22–33 Rev. Ronnie Brewer (p. 796 in your pew Bible)
SERMON On Staying in the Boat Rev. Brewer
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 262 ST. THOMAS I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
CONGREGATIONAL BENEDICTION
Eddie Applegate
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 Gigue from Praeludium in G Major Vincent Luebeck Alvin Blount, organ
SHARING HER SPDL COMMUNITY STORY
Anna Bowen is from Tifton, Georgia and grew up attending First Baptist Church of Tifton. Anna graduated from the University of Georgia in 2022, and afterward moved to Atlanta to work as an underwriter for Utica National Insurance Group. Since joining Second-Ponce she has joined the Missions Council, Personnel Committee and most recently the Senior Pastor Search Committee*.
*We'll continue to highlight the members of our Senior Pastor Search Committee in worship. Please encourage this group and pray for their important work together.
AUGUST IS COMMUNITY COUNCIL MONTH
We value community at Second-Ponce by working hard to build relationships and care for each other. We also prioritize the greater community outside of our church walls by sharing God’s love and encouraging people to engage with us in our ministry together.
During our August worship services, we'll highlight the work of building community at Second-Ponce. Each Sunday a member of our Community Council will lead the Welcome and Invocation. There will also be a “My SPdL Community Story," aimed at sharing how some of the ministries at Second-Ponce help strengthen and grow our faith community.
We grow in community, connecting and caring for each other, and inviting others to join us. That’s how Rev. Jonathan Hall and the Community Council describe their purpose. If you’re interested in helping or have an idea, send a quick message to our group at community@spdl.org. For more details on what we’re doing, visit spdl.org/community.
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, August 4, 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
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.
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.
ON THE CALENDAR
40 WEEKS OF PRAYER IN A TIME OF TRANSITION
In times of transition, prayers for vision, wisdom and strength are important. Accordingly, the Discipleship Council invites our church family to covenant together for 40 weeks of prayer—beginning today—in our Sunday School classes and other discipleship groups. Prayer guides will be provided to group leaders and published at the bottom of the Signal prayer list. We invite you to join us in unified prayer—in discipleship groups, with prayer groups you form on your own, with your family or alone—for the next 40 weeks.
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.
YOUTH/PARENT PLANNING MEETING
Sunday, August 11 | After Worship | Lunch Provided 4th Floor Youth Space
All youth families are invited to join as we plan and dream together for the fall and winter in SPdL's youth ministry. No RSVP required.
LUNCH BUNCH
Sunday, August 18 After Worship Meet in the Welcome Center
Let's have lunch after church! Meet in the Welcome Center, find a group and a restaurant that suits you and off you go! These will be informal, light-hearted fellowship groups, so come prepared to laugh together, swap stories and eat good food. Cost is your own meal. No RSVP required.
YOUNG ADULT KARAOKE NIGHT
Friday, August 16 7:15–9:15 p.m. Karaoke Melody (Doraville)
Cost: $15 Plus Food & Drinks
Unleash your inner performer at karaoke night! We’ll meet at SPdL at 6:45 p.m. to carpool to Karaoke Melody (7130 Buford Hwy NE b 240, Doraville, GA 30340) and return around 9:15 p.m. RSVP to Jonathan Hall at jhall@spdl.org by Wednesday, August 14.
ON THE CALENDAR
YOUTH ZOO TRIP
Saturday, August 17 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Cost: $20/person (includes lunch) Hey youth, wanna go to the zoo? Saturday, August 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 1:30 p.m. If you're interested in going, let Jonathan know: jhall@spdl.org or www.spdl.org/rsvp by Sunday, August 11.
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.
LEMONADE ON THE LAWN
Sunday, August 25 | After Worship | SPdL Front Lawn | Cost: Free
Join us for lemonade and cookies on the SPdL front lawn after worship on Sunday, August 25. Exit through the Narthex (Sanctuary lobby) on the Peachtree Road side of the church to enjoy refreshments and community with the SPdL church family.
Matthew 14:22–33 TODAY'S MESSAGE Rev. Ronnie Brewer Interim Senior Pastor On Staying in the Boat PRIME TIMERS' ICE CREAM SOCIAL
WEEK AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4
End of Day Young Adult Dinner RSVP Due
MONDAY, AUGUST 5
Noon Fellowship Supper RSVP Due
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6
7:15 p.m. Young Adult Dinner
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7
5 p.m. Fellowship Supper
6 p.m. Adult Discipleship (SPdLU)*
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 CONTINUED
6 p.m. Activities for Children & Youth
7:05 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
9:15 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship
9:30 a.m. Bible Study & Sunday School for Children, Youth & Adults
11 a.m. Worship* 12:15 p.m. Youth/Parent Planning Lunch
*This event is available in person and online via Zoom, YouTube or Facebook; check event details.
Growing in Christ and community–sharing God's love in the world.
This text reminds us that disciples are called to stick together under the leadership of Jesus even when times are confusing or frightening.
Second-Ponce Ministerial Staff
REV. RONNIE BREWER Interim Senior Pastor rbrewer@spdl.org
BILL GABBARD Minister of Music bgabbard@spdl.org
REV. JONATHAN HALL Minister of Community & Student Discipleship | jhall@spdl.org REV. ALLIE OSBORNE
of Missions & Children's Discipleship | aosborne@spdl.org