Wednesday, October 11, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

This Sunday, October 15,is Pledge Sunday, the day when we bring forward our pledges of financial commitments for the coming year. Everyone should have received a pledge packet in the mail, and there are also pledge cards in the pews. Pledges can also be made by emailing bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org.

Last week in worship I received this drawing from one of GSPC's children. It is a reminder of the importance of sharing the good news of Christ week after week. Even in this time of transition, there are so many reasons to give generously to our church.

* There are needs in our community that we cannot address without generous support.

* Our children and youth ministries need to grow and plans for staffing need to be made.

* The beautiful historic sanctuary which has been passed on to us needs to be maintained.

* The opportunities for worship, education, and fellowship that cannot happen without the congregation's investment.

In addition, to all your gift does for the church's mission and ministry, faithful giving is also a spiritual practice that enriches the Christian life. Your pledge is an investment in what God is doing in the world around us and an investment in your own walk of faith.

The congregation faces a big decision about the sale of Baytreat, which will a significant effect on our budget. Regardless of that decision, the commitment of all our members to the future of our church is vitally important to the health of our congregation and our ministry in Mobile and beyond.

Please prayerfully consider what you are called to give. If you have never given before, would you start with even a small amount? If you already give to GSPC, could you increase it by 10%? by 5%? by 2%?

Thank you to all of you whose gifts are a part of what God is doing at GSPC.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

October 15 is Pledge Sunday!

Please remember to return you pledge cards on Sunday in worship. Pledges can also be submitted to the church office or by email Dawn Hearn, GSPC Bookkeeper at bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org.

Did you memorize last Sunday's Bible verse?

"For the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b)

Anyone who memorizes the weekly Bible verse will have a chance to place it on a bulletin board with their name on it. We will add to this board throughout the fall as our church memorizes scripture together. Remember to pick up a new memory verse on Sunday!

Christian sympathy: The congregation extends Christian sympathy to the family of Robert Norman Durant, who died on September 30. A memorial service was held on Thursday, October 5, at 2 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 151 S. Ann Street.

Children's Sabbath: Sunday, October 15, is a special service. The children will lead the liturgy for the day, and the Children's Choir will sing. We will also celebrate the sacrament of baptism for Glenn Yelverton Adams, Jr. 

GSPC is hiring a new Office Manager: As we seek a new Office Manager, we are in need of volunteers to fill in at the church office. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help during this transition. If you know of someone who would be a good fit for this 30-hours-per-week position, please email Bo Perry, Staff Committee Chair.

Tuesday Lunch and Learn Series: Come to lunch! The GSPC community lunch series continues weekly through November 14. The price is $12 and includes coffee, tea and dessert. The congregation is encouraged to invite their friends to these lunches, which are open to the public. Free parking is available in the church lot for our guests during the lunch hour. Here is the schedule of upcoming speakers:

Oct. 17: Stacey Driskell and Scott Wright of Mobile Opera

Oct. 24: William Strickland and Wes Wyatt of Mobile Baykeeper

Oct. 31: Bradley Byrne, President and CEO, Mobile Chamber of Commerce

Nov. 7: Paul Prine, Chief of the Mobile Police Department

Nov. 14: Tom McGehee, historian

Sign up for Trunk or Treat: Trunk or Treat is scheduled for Sunday, October 22, at 4 p.m. in the GSPC Parking Lot! Michon Trent and Carrie Haas Adams are hard at work planning the party and needs volunteers. Email her to sign up as a treater!

Old Testament Study: The fall sermon series and Bible study, "How Firm A Foundation," may be supplemented with "A Guide to Bible Basics" by Tyler Mayfield, or videos for bibleproject.com. For details, pick up an outline of the series in the sanctuary or in the church office, or view it here. Complementary studies, led by the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar, include Wednesday noon Bible studies in the GSPC Library, which continue through November 15.

PW Circles of Hope and Joy Meeting Update: The Presbyterian Women's Circles of Hope and Joy will have a joint meeting on Monday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the Guesnard House. (Note: This date is a change from the original date of Monday, October 9.) Join us for food and fellowship!

Diaconate Meeting canceled: Please note that the Diaconate meeting on October 17 has been canceled.

20s/30s Women's Bible Study: The next Bible study is set for Wednesday, October 25, at 6 p.m. in the Guesnard House. The group will have dinner after the Bible study.

Two Pastors and a Rabbi: Mark your calendars!

Sunday, October 22: Due to scheduling issues, our "Two Pastors and a Rabbi" worship service has been postponed. Watch the newsletter for a new date.

Thursday, October 26: GSPC will host our next Interfaith Bible Study from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose room.

Congregational Meetings: The Session has called two congregational meetings for later this fall.

Sunday, October 22: Congregational Meeting to elect officers

Sunday, November 5: Congregational Meeting to consider the following motion:

Approve the sale of Baytreat and delegate to the GSPC Session the authority to take all necessary steps to effect the sale.

Additional News and Notes

Sanctuary flowers: If you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please contact Ann Adams at Adams-marion@att.net or 251-591-8586.

Children's Choir rehearsals: The GSPC Children's Choir rehearses on Sundays from 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. in the office of Chris Nemec (2nd floor at the Jackson St. stairwell). The children will sing on December 24 (10:30 a.m.). To assure the children are well-prepared and effective leaders, each child must attend a minimum of three rehearsals in order to sing for Sunday worship. Questions? Contact Chris Nemec, chris@gspcmobile.org.   

Sanctuary Choir rehearsals: If you've ever wanted to learn to play handbells, or to lift a joyful voice in song, the Sanctuary and Handbell Choirs are eager to show you the ropes! Rehearsals are on Wednesday nights. The Handbell Choir rehearses from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m., and the Sanctuary Choir rehearses from 6 to 7:30 p.m. If you'd like to know more, contact Chris Nemec, Director of Music and Organist.

This Sunday in Worship

Join us on Sunday, October 15, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series “How Firm a Foundation.” Scriptures include John 14:1-14 and Ezra 1:1-7 and are the basis for the sermon entitled “Return.” October 15 is Commitment Sunday, when we ask members to return their pledge cards for 2024. In preparation for next week, worshipers may read pages 57-96 of “A Guide to Bible Basics” by Tyler Mayfield, or view the following videos at bibleproject.com: “I Samuel,” “2 Samuel,” and “Kings.” Choral music for October 15 includes Dale Wood’s “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation,” and the Children’s Choir will sing “Gentle Shepherd, Kind and True” by Hal Hopson.

Sunday Assistants on October 15:

Lisa Goodloe

Meg Heusser

Bulletin for October 15:

Sunday, October 22

The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues the sermon series “How Firm a Foundation.” Scriptures include Luke 22:39-44 and Job 7:1-21 (selected verses) and are the basis for the sermon, entitled “Suffering.” In preparation for next week, worshipers may read pages 98-109 of “A Guide to Bible Basics” by Tyler Mayfield, or view the following videos at bibleproject.com: “Ezra-Nehemiah.” Choral music will include Franz Schubert's "Holy is the Lord."

Talking Heads

This Sunday School class is studying the "How Firm A Foundation" guide to the Old Testament.

Sunday Book Study

9:30 a.m. in the Church Library. The group is studying the Interpretation Bible Series "1st Corinthians."

Sunday School for Children and Youth

All ages are welcome at 9:30 a.m. Wee Worship has resumed for children aged 3 years through kindergarten following the children's sermon.

Spring Hill Women Bible Study

Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying the Book of Amos.

Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study

The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. The group is studying the "How Firm a Foundation" Old Testament study series. For details, contact Mary Elizabeth Perry.

Wednesday Bible Study

This group meets from noon to 1 p.m. in the library at GSPC and via Zoom and is led by the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar. The study follows the fall sermon series, "How Firm a Foundation." Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84007919454 .

Men's Bible Study

The Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Study meets at 6 p.m. in the library. Contact: Bo Perry.

Parking lot



We suggest that all of our members park in the GSPC lot, double parking if necessary. If you wish to park in the lot next to GSPC's, you will need to pay $5 for three hours of parking.

The State of Alabama has begun issuing new tag plates with current year tag renewals. Please make sure that you update your new tag number by emailing it to the church office.

Premium Parking is handling our parking lot revenue. The company has added a service kiosk next to the Guesnard House patio entrance.

Please remember to update us if you have a new tag and or vehicle.

Please remember:

1. GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
2. If you have not registered, you may do so by emailing your license plate number to Barbara Williams in the church office.
3. If you receive a ticket, do not pay it. Please bring the ticket or send a picture of it to Barbara in the church office and she will take care of it. 

Baytreat: GSPC's bayfront property is available for rentals. Several of the rooms now have queen-size beds. For details, click here. For information, email Barbara Williams or call her at the church office (251-432-1749).