Wednesday, October 4, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

This week I am writing from Montreat, N.C., where I have traveled with our Thriving Congregations team. We are joined by teams from 13 other congregations from around the country who are walking through a process of listening and discernment of our congregations' roles in our own communities.

Coming to Montreat always makes me more aware of God's presence. Maybe it is the mountains. Maybe it is a change of scenery. Maybe it is the many wonderful memories I have in Montreat. Whatever it is, I am grateful.

Where do you go that makes you feel more aware of God's presence? Or what do you do? If nothing comes to mind, I encourage you to begin actively seeking that place or activity for yourself. If something did come to mind, I wonder if you are intentional about seeking it out and connecting with God. Life is hectic, and it is easy to let the day-to-overwhelm our need to take a deep breath and remember that we are surrounded by the love and mercy of God each moment. I pray you receive a reminder of that love and mercy this week.

Please keep our team in your prayers as we learn and travel home.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Did you memorize last Sunday's Bible verse?

"Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

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 will be held on Thursday, October 5, at 2 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 151 S. Ann Street.

Children's Choir Update: The children have been working hard to prepare for participation in worship on Sunday, October 15. Thank you to our parents for bringing them to rehearsals! Rehearsals take place in the office of Chris Nemec, Director of Music and Organist, on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 9:45 a.m.

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. 10: Dr. Amanda Jones, Principal, Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies

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! Carrie Haas Adams is 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!

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

Two Pastors and a Rabbi: Mark your calendars!

Sunday, October 22: Rabbi Ed Boraz and Rev. Trey Doyle will help lead us in worship. We look forward to welcoming some friends from First Baptist and Springhill Avenue Temple to join with our choir that morning.

Thursday, October 25: GSPC will host our next Interfaith Bible Study from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose room.

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 dates for the children to sing are October 15 and 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 8, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series with “Kings.” Scriptures include 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Choral music will include Nancy Roberts’ exciting “Clap Your Hands!,” which paraphrases Psalm 47, and “Soli Deo Gloria” (Glory to God Alone) by an anonymous 17th century composer.

Sunday Assistants on October 8:

Toby Lorge

Lynn McDaniel

Bulletin for October 8:

Sunday, October 15

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. We will celebrate Children’s Sabbath, and our children will lead the liturgy for the day. We will celebrate the sacrament of baptism for Glenn Yelverton Adams, Jr. In preparation for next week, worshipers may read pages pg pg 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.

Congratulations to the Goodloe family! Ann Patrick Goodloe, daughter of Travis and Sally Goodloe and granddaughter of Travis and Lisa Goodloe, was born on September 29, 2023, at 10:06 a.m.

Congratulations to K.B. Walker, who was named WKRG News 5's Scholar Athlete of the Week! K.B., daughter of Shawn and Duke Walker, is a senior at Davidson High School. She has a 3.46 GPA and is a member of National Honor Society. She plays for the Warriors soccer team and also for Mobile United FC.

Congratulations to Callie Moss Shearer, who is officially a licensed attorney. Callie graduated from Mississippi State University in 2020 with a general liberal arts degree, summa cum laude, and obtained her J.D. degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. She is an associate at Armbrecht Jackson LLP, where she focuses on medical malpractice defense, general litigation, and insurance defense. Callie is married to Parker Shearer and is the daughter of Nicole and Buzzy Riis and Jon and Stephanie Moss.

Congratulations to Carter Hale Jr., who won the role of Newton Davenport in the upcoming production of "Parcel Post" at Chickasaw Civic Theater. The show will be staged in December. Stay tuned!

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 3 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 Heather Hamilton 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 Heather or Barbara in the church office and they 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).