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VOLUME LXXXIII JANUARY 8–21, 2017 NO. 50
SECOND- PONCE DE LEONBAPTIST CHURCH NEWSIn the heart
of Buckhead
ECS Christmas Pageant
On Friday, December 16, the ECS held their annual Christmas Pageant in the Sanctuary. It was a wonderful morning as the children interpreted the Christmas story through song and music.
Second-Ponce SessionsIntroduction
I was approached by Jonathan Walker, a documentary/edito-rial photographer, about a creative collaboration involving interviewing and photographing members of our church. As I learned more about the project, I was excited at the prospect of getting to know our members and to hear their thoughts on not only life, but what advice they had to offer others as well. It is my hope that as you read these articles in the coming issues, you’ll not only find out more about the special people who make up our congregation, but will also want to reach out and see how you can connect with one another as I have. I was so privileged to work with Jonathan as I heard interesting stories, profound advice, and got to know our members on a deeper level. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far (with special thanks to Jonathan for allowing me to collaborate with him). I am thankful for the stories you have shared with us.
With Gratitude,Suzu TranDirector of Publications
Frank Gudger
The first time I got to know Frank was on a recent SPdL adult trip to the Peach Shed. I knew from the first moment we spoke on the bus, his infectious smile and upbeat demeanor would keep me smiling the entire trip.
When asked about his outlook on life.....
You probably haven’t heard my mantra, but my mantra is life is too serious to be taken seriously. And of course part of mine, is my Christian heritage. When I felt like I kind of fully understood what the gospel was teaching us about Jesus, I can remember I was only about, I don’t know, 20 years old. I was home from college at that point I was sitting in my
living room at home, daydreaming, and all of a sudden I thought, “Man it’s going to be exciting going to heaven.” At that point on I was just, you know, ready. Now it doesn’t mean I’m ready to go tomorrow. But I promise if the bus pulled up and somebody got off and said “It’s your time Frank.” Obviously you’d want to say goodbye to people, but I’d be ready to go.
What the Frank of today would tell twenty-something Frank...
I think what I’d tell him is, “Hey, what you do is not so important as the people who you are around.” Family and friends. That’s all life is, is your communication in dealing with family and friends. To a certain extent it doesn’t matter what job you have or anything like that. I know I heard some advice late in life. I probably was 40 or 50 when I heard about what to do in life. They said, “Find something you love to do, and then go do that, and then figure out how to get someone to pay you for it.” And then you would have a job. I obviously didn’t do it that way, but I was able to enjoy what I did.
Part of it is when I was growing up when I was young, I enjoyed sports. I liked playing basketball, baseball. Really loved baseball. Thought about going to the major leagues. You know, dreamed of going to the major leagues. But then things didn’t work out, I came from a small school, nobody came there looking for baseball players. I eventually went to Georgia Tech , and that was almost an accident the way I went to there. I got there and of course I was in love back then and got married while I was in college; I had a child before I graduated. Once I did that it’s like, “I can’t go play baseball I have to take care of a family.” And so I got a job in my profession and I knew I had to, “have a profession.” And that’s what I wanted to do because I didn’t want to work on the roads or on the farm. If I was going to have a job, I was going to have one that was a little bit easier but I would work hard.
On being on the right path...
Well I know there are people who think that they think they, “know the will of God.” There are ministers that say that you ought to know the will of God if you keep praying. I have to admit I’m not that positive on it, I think that the path that you ought to be on to a certain extent is the one that you are taking. You decide your path. Now I don’t dis-agree that if God is looking down, and he might say “Suzu, that’s not exactly the path I wanted you to be on. But that’s where you went, and he probably gives you some nudg-es, but you pay attention to it or not pay attention to it. However, I’m not so sure he doesn’t nudge anything, but just lets you go down on your path.
Well, most of the lessons that you learn in life aren’t on the easy road they’re on the bumpy road. And I mean that’s what I think. From a practical standpoint, as long as it’s easy and you’re sailing along, you’re not paying much attention. You’re just enjoying it. But when the road gets bumpy you start thinking, “Why is this bumpy, what can I learn, I should’ve paid more attention.”
Interview: Suzu Tran & Jonathan WalkerPhotos: Jonathan Walker
Family Life Center
Now is the time to register for all the fun and exciting programs and activities the Family Life Center Fitness and Recreation Facility will have to offer for winter/spring 2017! Check out our selection of afterschool programs and activities for ages 3 to 5 years. Registration is now open! Scan the QR code to register or for more information. Amazing AthletesJanuary 26 – May 11 on Thursdays, 12:30–1:30 p.m.No Classes April 6 or April 27Minimum 6 participants!!
Amazing Athletes is a sports-based fitness program specifically designed to teach children the basic fundamentals and mechanics of 9 different sports while also helping them to master 7 key areas of motor-development. Unlike other programs, Amazing Athletes is not guided free play. Their programs use a custom year-round curriculum that is uniquely designed with specific goals in mind. Contact Benton Yaun, Coach B, Franchise Manager at 404.606.2421 or at [email protected] for registration and pricing. If you would like to register please visit www.amazingathletes.com/northatlanta, and select the link on the left-hand side labeled “locations”. Once you have selected the link you will need to find “Family Life Center at Second-Ponce de Leon” on their list of schools, and select the appropriate class day/time. Once you have registered your child, please make your payment online through their Payment Portal. (VISA, MasterCard, and Discover accepted). This can be found on the homepage (Amazing Athletes of North Atlanta) on the left-hand side labeled “pay online”. Soccer Shots for ages 3 to 5 year olds (Pre-k)January 18 – May 10 on Wednesdays, 12:30–1:30 p.m.Contact Andy Grant for registration and pricingPhone Number: 404.341.7206Email Address: [email protected]
Soccer Shots Classic utilizes creative and imaginative games to focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. We also highlight a positive character trait each session such as respect, teamwork and appreciation. https://www.soccershots.org/northatlanta Pre-BalletJanuary 20 – May 12 on Fridays, 12:30–1:30 p.m.Enroll Fee: Member: $234.00; Non Member: $240.00 Additional: $32 Registration Fee will be added to pricing – not charged for subsequent sessions.Dress Code: Pink leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers. Dancewear can be purchased online from CMD. Long hair should be pulled away from the face. Please label all dance attire.
This class is a structured program designed for the early development of ballet and movement. It precisely meets the needs and limi-tations of pre-schoolers by providing a carefully paced sequence of exercises to develop physical conditioning with poise and grace. Since children naturally respond to music & movement the activities are presented through music. Children learn self-discipline, listening skills, left and right discrimination, patterns in movement and pre-ballet.Questions? Contact Creative Movement & Dance at 678.482.2264.
A Voice Crying in the Wilderness The Soul of Christianity Today
Led by Jason ByarsWednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Beginning February 1
Leaning heavily on the work of renowned writer Huston Smith, we’ll take a look at a faith that Smith feels has been “hijacked” by politicians who exploit it for their own needs. He decries the exercise of business that widens the gap between rich and poor, and fears education has lost its sense of direction. For Smith, the media has become a business that sensationalizes news rather than broadening our understanding, and art and music have become commercial and shocking rather than enlightening. Smith reserves his harshest condemnation, however, for secular modernity, which has stemmed from the misreading of science—the mistake of assuming that “absence of evidence” of a scientific nature is “evidence of absence.”
Though there is a wide variety of contemporary interpretations of Christianity—some of them conflicting—Smith cuts through these to describe Christianity’s “Great Tradition,” the common faith of the first millennium of believers, which is the trunk of the tree from which Christianity’s many branches, twigs, and leaves have grown. This is not the exclusivist Christianity of strict fundamentalists, nor the liberal, watered-down Christianity practiced by many contemporary churchgoers.
This fresh examination of the Christian worldview, its history, and its major branches provides the deepest, most authentic vision of Christianity—one that is both tolerant and substantial, traditional and relevant.
SPdL AdultsSenior Adults Visit the High Museum and Enjoy LunchCome for a time of tour and lunch at the High Museum on Tuesday, January 31. Leave the outdoor elements behind. Among the exhibits, we’ll enjoy “Arbus, Avedon, and Winogrand: Photographs from the Collection” with their unique eye toward cultural change over the decades. “Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King” lends a compelling set of photos that show his life and work. “I See a Story: The Art of Eric Carle” brings more than 80 prints from the popular children’s story-teller, including “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” We’ll have lunch at Table 1280, the High’s fine-dining restaurant. Cost is $15 per person for museum admission, plus lunch at your own cost. Deadline to sign up is Thursday, January 26. Bus departs Second-Ponce de Leon at 10 a.m. with a 2 p.m. return. Call Vicki McCaskey at 404.591.4344 or email [email protected] to register.
in the know
John, Lisa, Emily and Isabel Hall6263 Creekstone PathCumming, GA 30041
in the know
CONTACT US
www.spdl.org www.facebook.com/secondponce
Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church News is published biweekly by Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church.
2715 Peachtree Rd., NEAtlanta, GA 30305-2916
Suzu Tran, Editor
Church Office404.266.8111
Family Life Center404.231.0375
CHURCH CALENDARSunday, January 8 9:15 a.m. Second at Second Gathering 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 5:00 p.m. Deacons Ordination with a Light Reception to Follow
Wednesday, January 11 5:00 p.m. Fellowship Supper 5:30 p.m. Music & Missions 6:00 p.m. STATE OF THE CHURCH 6:00 p.m. Project 4:12 7:15 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Orchestra Rehearsal
Friday, January 13 Youth Faith in 3D–Away
Saturday, January 14 Youth Faith in 3D–Away
Sunday, January 15 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Youth Faith in 3D–Away
Monday, January 16 Youth Faith in 3D–Away
Tuesday, January 17 6:30 p.m. Deacons Meeting
Wednesday, January 18 5:00 p.m. Fellowship Supper 5:30 p.m. Music & Missions 6:00 p.m. Project 4:12 6:15 p.m. CHURCH CONFERENCE 7:15 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Orchestra Rehearsal
Stay Connected
Support Our Newest Deacons at the Ordination Service January 8. Come support your new Second-Ponce deacons as they are ordained into ministry on Sunday, January 8 at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All of our newly elected deacons, along with those rotating off, will be recognized during this service. A light reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. The following members will serve as deacons beginning in January 2017: Andy Anderson, John Bush, Dennis Carter, Carolyn Harris, Lynn Klein, Patty Lamb, Susan Raven*, Bill Reed, George Trusler*, Eurith (Dee) Williams. * To Be Ordained
Save the Dates! Remember the spiritual closeness you felt as you explored the different interactive stations at last year’s Prayer Experience? The next ATL Teaching Team Prayer Experience will be held in the Fellowship Hall on Friday, January 27 from 4–8 p.m.; Saturday, January 28 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; and Sunday, January 29 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. You don’t want to miss this event for a chance to re-focus your spiritual life in 2017!
A M O N G O U R M E M B E R S
Wednesday, January 11Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls & apple
cobbler
Children’s MenuBeef tacos, rice, fruit & dessert
Wednesday, January 18BBQ pork sandwiches, baked beans, corn on the cobb, salad, & assorted
cakes
Children’s MenuChicken fingers, mashed potatoes, fruit &
dessert
MENUS
QUARTERLY CHURCH CONFERENCE: Wednesday, January 18, at 6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
SYMPATHY
Giving – pledged or not – is welcome and encouraged any time.
Weekly Goal $76,840 Weekly Receipts $60,393
Contributions Report Giving as of December 18, 2016
Year-To-Date Goal $2,025,909 Year-To-Date Receipts $1,762,484
David and Ivy Anderson, in the death of David’s mother,
Valda Anderson, on December 21, 2016.
You can also watch our worship services on our
YouTube Channel.www.youtube.com/
secondponce
IN LOVING MEMORYThelma BarronJanuary 2, 2017
