Order of Worship 9/15/24

WORSHIP OF GOD Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 11 a.m.

PRELUDE

Chorale Prelude on NUN DANKET (Hymn 371, Now Thank We All Our God)

H. W. Tauscher

Jack Mitchener, organ

WELCOME

Bill Gabbard

INVITATION TO WORSHIP

Bill Gabbard When Morning Gilds the Skies

LITANY

SILENCE & PASTORAL PRAYER

LAUDES DOMINI Rev. Jonathan Hall

NEW TESTAMENT READING SERMON

Rev. Allie Osborne

Matthew 13:3–8

(p. 794 in your pew Bible)

HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 504

I Am Thine, O Lord

Congregation: We are eager to hear Your Word.

BENEDICTION

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.

HYMN NO. 371 OLD TESTAMENT READING

ANTHEM

Now Thank We All Our God

NUN DANKET

Isaiah 55:6–11

Pamela James

O How Amiable

Vaughan Williams

(p. 598 in your pew Bible)

Sanctuary Choir; Jack Mitchener, organ

MY INTENTIONAL GIVING STORY OFFERTORY

Prelude in G Major

Jack Mitchener, organ

DOXOLOGY (HYMN NO. 706) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

Dr. Pierce I AM THINE

Those wishing to join Second-Ponce today are invited to come down front at this time.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT

Congregation: May the seeds of Your Word scattered among us this morning fall on fertile soil.

Dr. Johnny Pierce

Soil Samples and the Right Seeds

Leader: O God, We gather together in Your presence with expectation, hungry for an encounter with You.

Leader: Open our eyes and ears to the presence of Your Holy Spirit.

BETHANY

Nearer, My God, to Thee

Children K–5 may leave during this time for Kids Worship in room C-305 of the Children's Building.

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.

RED CARD: FOR RETURNING GUESTS & SPDL MEMBERS 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.

THE LORD'S PRAYER Dr. Pierce

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love, The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.

POSTLUDE

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

OLD 100TH

Welcome to church!

Make yourself at home here.

Bill Gabbard

Debbie & Gary Branch William Harris

Newcomers INFO FOR

Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 11 a.m.

HYMN INSERT

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP

HYMN NO. 345

WORSHIP OF GOD

on September 14.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WEEK AT A GLANCE 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

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.

Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church | 2715 Peachtree Road NE | Atlanta, GA | 30305 404.266.8111 | www.spdl.org | FB, IG & YT: @secondponce

Dynamic Intentional Joyful MISSIONS DISCIPLESHIP WORSHIP COMMUNITY

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.

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!

Focused

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.

Growing in Christ and community– sharing God's love in the world.

September 15, 2024

WELCOME

TO Sunday WORSHIP We're glad you're here!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

Soil Samples and the Right Seeds Matthew 13:3–8

Dr. Johnny Pierce Guest Preacher

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 role, he currently directs the Jesus Worldview Initiative through Belmont University’s Center for Faith Leadership.

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