WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 11 a.m.
PRELU DE Chorale Prelude on NUN DANKET H. W. Tauscher (Hymn 371, Now Thank We All Our God) Jack Mitchener, organ
CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
WELCOME Bill Gabbard
INVITATION TO WORSHIP Bill Gabbard
HYMN NO. 345 When Morning Gilds the Skies LAUDES DOMINI
LITANY Rev. Jonathan Hall
Leader: O God, We gather together in Your presence with expectation, hungry for an encounter with You.
Congregation: We are eager to hear Your Word.
Leader: Open our eyes and ears to the presence of Your Holy Spirit.
Congregation: May the seeds of Your Word scattered among us this morning fall on fertile soil.
Leader: May they take root in our hearts and lives, and produce an abundant harvest of good words and deeds.
Congregation: We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our teacher and our Lord. Amen.
WORSHIP OF GOD
Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 11 a.m.
SILENCE & PASTORAL PRAYER
OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 55:6–11 Pamela James (p. 598 in your pew Bible)
ANTHEM O How Amiable Vaughan Williams Sanctuary Choir; Jack Mitchener, organ
MY INTENTIONAL GIVING STORY Debbie & Gary Branch
OFFERTORY Prelude in G Major William Harris Jack Mitchener, organ
DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706)
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
OLD 100TH
Rev. Allie Osborne
HYMN INSERT Nearer, My God, to Thee BETHANY
NEW TESTAMENT READING Matthew 13:3–8
Dr. Johnny Pierce (p. 794 in your pew Bible)
SERMON Soil Samples and the Right Seeds Dr. Pierce
HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 504 I AM THINE I Am Thine, O Lord
Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT Bill Gabbard
BENEDICTION
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love, The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
POSTLUDE
Newcomers
Dr. Pierce
Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Marche Triomphale—Nun danket alle Gott (Now Thank We All Our God Jack Mitchener, organ
READING SCRIPTURE TODAY
Pamela James, a fairly new member of SPdL, agreed to serve on the Senior Pastor Search Committee because "I love and value our church community and am dedicated to maintaining its health and helping it grow." Pamela is a sustainable clothing designer as well as a recent author. Her husband of 33 years is her best friend and together they have two incredible daughters.
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.
The flowers on the Communion Table are in celebration of
BEN AND PAULINE ALLISON’S 55TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY on September 14.
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
LORD'S PRAYER
Reciting the Lord's Prayer together is a powerful experience, one that is guided by incluson from its very first word. If prompted, we invite you to join us in this meaningful prayer practice.
Our Father, Which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
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.
HYMN NO. 371 Now Thank We All Our God NUN DANKET
CHILDCARE DURING WORSHIP
WEEKLY PRAYER GUIDE 40 WEEKS OF PRAYER
Week 7 (Sept 15–21): Good Plans
Read: Jeremiah 29:11–13 & Ephesians 2:10
Pray:
• That God will reveal His good plans and that we embrace and enact those plans with whole hearts and generous giving.
GOD KNOWS THE PLANS
Intentional Giving Emphasis September 2024
It's true! Our annual focus on intentional giving is one month earlier this year. Throughout the month of September, we ask each member of our church family to prayerfully consider their financial contributions to Second-Ponce for 2025. Our Intentional Giving Team has chosen the theme God Knows the Plans and created four weekly devotions to spur thought, prayer, conversation, action and response to God and the church’s financial needs. Find this devotional brochure in the Welcome Center and at the Intentional Giving Table. Pledge cards are also available in the same locations as well as the Sanctuary pew racks and online at www.spdl.org/pledge.
SUPPER & MISSIONS PROJECT
Wed, Sept. 18 Beginning at 5 p.m. Fellowship Hall NO ZOOM | Meal: $10/adult; $5/child
About the Project: We’ll be stuffing lunch sacks for Crossroads Community Ministries, an organization seeking to provide access to resources that empower people experiencing homelessness to progress on the road toward economic and personal stability. Special Guest: Seth Lingenfelter, Crossroads’ Director of Operations. Seth oversees Crossroads’ 3 engagement programs: The Renewal Project, Door-to-Door Housing and Clyde's Kitchen. His primary focus is to ensure these programs work effectively to serve guests with dignity.
Supper Menu: Brown stew chicken, yellow rice, mixed veggies, salad and dessert RSVP: By Noon, Mon, Sept. 16 at spdl.org/rsvp
READING PROGRAM AT GARDEN HILLS ELEMENTARY
Begins Mon, Sept. 16 Can apply as you're able
About the Program: Volunteers are paired with a student referred by their teacher. Pairs meet weekly during the student's lunch to share books and conversation. Time commitment is 30 minutes, once per week, for the entire school year. Questions: Contact Drew Kelly at 678.480.0375 or drewkellyatl@gmail.com RSVP: At spdl.org/rsvp
JACK
MITCHENER CONCERT
Fri, Sept. 27 | 8 p.m. Schwartz Center at Emory University | Concert & Parking: Free About the Concert: SPdL Organist Jack Mitchener will play a recital for the American Bach Society Conference. Come hear Jack play works of Bach, Buxtehude, Mendelssohn, Hailstork and others on the great Jaeckel organ in the Schwartz Center.
NOMINATIONS FOR DEACONS & CHURCH OFFICERS
Submission Deadline: October 1
Each September, our church carves out time to prayerfully consider and nominate the next group of Deacons and church officers. Submit your candidates using the paper nomination forms found in the Welcome Center or online at www.spdl.org/nominations.
YOUTH PASS THE PLATE & LUNCH
Sun, Sept. 22 | During & After Worship Lunch Cost: Your Own Meal Youth, don't miss passing the plate in worship and then going to lunch (Moe's) as a group after the service!
SPDLU SERIES: "WHEN HELPING HURTS" BUY THE BOOK
SPdLU Series Wed, Sept. 25–Oct. 16 6 p.m. Fellowship Hall & Zoom
About the Series: Rev. Allie Osborne will lead a four-week SPdLU based on the book
When Helping Hurts—A missions focused book about "how to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor ... and yourself."
Buy the Book: Purchase Wed. night, Sept. 18, in the Fellowship Hall ($10).
YOUNG ADULT CONCERT | PAPER HORSES
Thurs, Sept. 26 7 p.m. | ChristChurch Presbyterian $25/ticket (General Admission)
RSVP: By Sun, Sept. 22 (earlier the better!) to Jonathan Hall or at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
NEW FROM RESPITE CARE ATLANTA
• RCA has added more support group opportunities for caregivers of those with dementia. There are both in-person and virtual options. Anyone interested in joining can contact Kassie Roth kroth@spdl.org or 404.591.4363.
• Sat, Nov. 2, Respite Care Atlanta is participating in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer's. Anyone can sign up to walk with RCA or donate to their team. All donations go towards the Alzheimer’s Association. Go or give at www.spdl.org/rsvp.
PRIME TIMERS' APPLE TRIP
Tues, Oct. 15 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Cost: Your Lunch & Any Purchases
Join us as we travel to North Georgia for our annual apple trip. We'll ride the church bus up to Cornelia to eat at Fender's Diner and then head to Jaemor Farms for apples. While at Jaemor, you can browse the Farmer's Market, try a fried apple pie, pick up a pumpkin or test your wits with the Corn Maze (extra charge).
RSVP: By Oct. 10 to Vicki McCaskey (404.591.4344 or vmccaskey@spdl.org) or at www.spdl.org/rsvp. Space is limited.
Growing in Christ and community–sharing God's love in the world.
September 15, 2024
WELCOME
WORSHIP
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
12 p.m. Fellowship Supper RSVP Due
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
9:30 a.m. BSF Women's Bible Study
5 p.m. Fellowship Supper
6 p.m. Churchwide Missions Project
7:05 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
WEEK AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
9:15 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship
9:45 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Study for Children, Youth & Adults
11 a.m. Worship*
12:15 p.m. Youth Lunch at Moe's End of Day Young Adult Concert RSVP Due
*This event is available in person and online via Zoom, YouTube or Facebook; check event details.
John D. Pierce served as Executive Editor of Nurturing Faith Journal for 24 years. Earlier, he served as Managing Editor of The Christian Index, and as Baptist campus minister at Kennesaw State University and then Georgia Tech. He and his wife, Teresa, live in Gainesville, GA. In a part-time
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
Minister of Missions & Children's Discipleship | aosborne@spdl.org
