FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
Most every Christian church practices the sacrament of baptism. But for something we agree is foundational in theory, we have found lots of disagreement over baptism in practice. Presbyterians, of course, practice baptism of infants. We sprinkle or pour water on the head rather than fully immersing the baptized (though we are not theologically opposed to it). In general, we have fewer hard lines around baptism than some other denominations. We generally accept baptism in any Christian denomination, regardless of age of the baptized or method of baptism. While other denominations are more particular about the denomination, the method, or the age of the baptized person, Presbyterians understand that God's claiming action at baptism is not limited by any of these factors. We baptize infants because it is God's action, not the child's, that is important. We sprinkle water to symbolize the Holy Spirit alighting on Jesus at his own baptism. This sacrament, one of only two in our Protestant understanding, is a sign of God's unconditional grace, offered before it can possibly be merited, before we can even understand the gift we are receiving.
This Sunday our scripture will focus on Philip's baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch, and we will celebrate together the baptism of Mae Weaver. The baptism that takes place in our sanctuary and the baptism we read about in scripture will have many practical differences, but it is the same Holy Spirit who will be present with Mae as was present with that new Christian along a roadside all those years ago. And for that reason, any of discussion of baptism must begin and end with awe and gratitude.
See you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
Sign up for VBS: Vacation Bible School will be June 20-24. Please register your children as soon as possible so that we may order T-shirts to arrive in time! Click here to register.
Congratulations to the Confirmation Class: These Confirmands made their profession of faith on Sunday, May 7: Alice Roberds, Margaret Otts, Andrew McMillan Jr., Conrad Otts, Mac Schoenvogel, Sam Lamar and Mac Boone.
The Thriving Congregations Team has continued holding Listening Sessions and collecting feedback. There will be moreoppotunities in the fall. The congregation is also encouraged to participate in 40 Days of Prayer, which began on April 17 and continues through Pentecost weekend. The GSPC Thriving Congregations Team members are John Browning, Casi Callaway, Mary Herndon Nordmann, William Peebles, Bo Perry, Buzzy Riis, Nicole Riis and the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar.
PW Spring Gathering: The Presbyterian Women will hold their annual PW Spring Gathering at the Guesnard House at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 15. During the Gathering, they will study Lesson 9: Sabbath and Community; collect the PWUSA Birthday offering; hear about the Blanket Ministry; sing a hymn; and then enjoy appetizers, wine and fellowship. If you are able, please bring food or beverage to share.
Family Nature Walk: The next walk will be a history tour on Sunday, May 21, at Magnolia Cemetery. The tour will be led by Tom McGehee. Please RSVP to Sally Ericson if you plan to attend.
Interfaith Bible Study: The next "Two Pastors and a Rabbi" Bible study will be Monday, May 22, 2023 from 5:30--7:00 PM at Springhill Avenue Temple. All are welcome.
Summer Series: This summer, our church will read together Joan S. Gray's “Sailboat Church.” The sermons will loosely follow the chapters of the book. Books are available in paperback and kindle online. To order, click here. A few copies are available in the church office for $13 each.
This Sunday in Worship
Join us on Mother’s Day, May 14, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series, “Being the Church: Baptizing the Saints” with scripture from Acts 8:26-40, and an infant baptism. The GSPC Bell Choir will play a setting of the hymn tune HYFRYDOL, and the Sanctuary Choir will sing Theodore Dubois’ reverent “Christ, We Do All Adore Thee.” We will celebrate the sacrament of baptism as we baptize Mae Forrester Weaver, daughter of Zach and Toots Weaver.
Coming up on Sunday, May 21
Join us in worship next Sunday, May 21, as the Rev. Alexandra Hutson preaches on “Being the Church: Speaking Bravely.” Scriptural references include Psalm 68: 1-10 and Acts 4: 1-22. Choral music will include a lovely setting for sopranos and altos of Andrea Ramsey’s “God Be in My Head” with text from the Book of Hours (a service book from 1514), and the tenors and basses will sing a rousing arrangement of the spiritual “Ain’a The Good News,” arranged by Mark Patterson.
Sunday Assistants on Sunday, May 14
Lynn McDaniel
John Peebles
Bulletin for Sunday, May 14:
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Heltzel Room on the second floor.
Sunday Book Study
9:30 a.m. in the Church Library. The group is studying the Interpretation Bible Series "Romans."
Sunday School for Children and Youth
Sunday School for Children and Youth begins at 9:30 a.m. each week.
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying "Look Ahead" by George Sinclair.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. The group is studying the Book of Proverbs and the sermon text for the following week. For details, contact Mary Elizabeth Perry.
Men's Bible Study
The Wednesday night Men’s Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the church library and also via Zoom. The group will recess for the summer at the of May. Contact: Bo Perry.
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Opportunities for Service
Please remember the people our church is serving and those who work with them daily in your prayers.
Help for Ukraine
The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program is our denomination's means for helping in times of disaster and crisis. The PC(USA) is in touch with our partner churches in Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Hungary. While it is difficult to get funds into Ukraine, the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance workers are doing their best to meet needs. In addition, they are sending supplies to partners in Hungary and Poland to help with the mounting refugee crisis in those countries. If you would like to help, you may give online or by text. https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/ukraine/
PB&J for Meals on Wheels
Our 45 Meals on Wheels recipients receive a sack lunch each day, along with a hot meal. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are often on the menu, and donations of creamy peanut butter and grape jelly are needed to help fill the pantry. Our clients also receive an individually wrapped snack, and snack donations are needed: peanut butter/cheese crackers, chips, cookies, cereal bars, Cheez-its, etc. Please leave your Meals on Wheels donations in the donation box at the Jackson Street entrance.
McKemie Place
GSPC has agreed to provide lunch for up to 45 residents at McKemie Place on the second Friday of each month. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for this mission over the last year. We are in need of volunteers to provide, prepare, and serve lunches on June 9 and July 14. If you can help with this mission on any of these dates, please contact Lisa deShazo at 251-591-1077.
In addition, the residents of McKemie Place are in need of luggage to carry their belongings when they are able to leave the shelter. Please bring your donations of gently used luggage to the church office.
Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies
How Can You Support Barton Academy?
- Send monetary gifts to the church to provide assistance to families purchasing uniforms. Checks should have the memo "Uniform Assistance."
- Bring the following items to stock a Hygiene Closet for the school: Clorox wipes, Tissue, Deodorant, Black socks, Paper Towels, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste.
The Mobile Area Interfaith Conference (MAIC) is a non-profit agency that provides services for inmates in Metro Jail and released inmates returning to the community. This agency was formerly known as the Council of Downtown Churches, of which GSPC was a major participant. MAIC currently has an urgent need for white underwear (see details in the listing below) and used glasses. Below is a list of needed items:
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Personal hygiene products for men and women, including full size shampoo and conditioner (must be able to see through the containers), full size deodorant (no roller balls), full size soap, full size toothpaste, white cotton socks (no anklet style);
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Clothing, including men's white cotton briefs or boxers (no snaps), white cotton T-shirts with sleeves (men and women use these, so all sizes welcome), women's white cotton underpants (all sizes), women's white cotton bras (all sizes);
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Reading material, including Bibles (softbound only, large print editions especially needed), magazines with neutral content such as food, decorating, self-improvement, health, shopping, geography, history, etc., and books (soft bound only, with mild non-violent content, non-fiction also appreciated).
- Small containers of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and soap are also welcome.
If you have any questions about any of these missions, please contact Lisa deShazo, Chair of the Urban Ministries Committee.
Blanket Ministry: All are invited to donate baby blankets to be delivered to the Mostellar Clinic. Inexpensive items of any baby-appropriate washable fabric or yarn are appreciated. No large items, please: The babies we serve usually average 3-5 lbs. Store-bought or handmade items are welcomed. Donations may be left in the “Baby Box” at the Jackson Street Foyer, or you may order from Amazon and request delivery to the church, marked “Blanket Ministry.”
Habitat for Humanity SW Alabama here in Mobile is looking for volunteers to help out – just yourself, or a group. Our volunteers come out on Wednesday through Saturday. Hours are 7:45 a.m. to noon. What a great way to focus on team-building with your co-workers and friends!
Please email and let me know when you would like to be added to the Habitat calendar for 2023.
In Partnership,
Sue C. King
Habitat for Humanity SW Alabama
Development Coordinator
3712 Airport Blvd.
251-476-7171, Ext. 229
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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:
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GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
- If you have not registered, you may do so by emailing your license plate number to Heather Hamilton in the church office.
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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.
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