Thursday, February 8, 2024

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

It is strange to write about Lent when I can see and hear folks enjoying Mardi Gras right outside my office window. However, since Lent begins in less than a week, I want you think about some of the ways you can participate in Lent with your church family.

Ash Wednesday (2/14 at 12 PM) This service is focused on repentance and contemplation. The ashes that are placed on the forehead are a reminder of our own mortality and that we are claimed and marked by Christ. We will also celebrate communion together to be nourished for this season. This year, in addition to the service, we will be offering Ashes and Prayers on Government Street for our neighbors.
Lenten Sermon Series: Our series is titled "Wandering Heart: Finding Father with Peter.," from A Sanctified Art. The sermons will focus on the stories of Peter and use phrases from the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing." If you are interested in the texts for each Sunday, see the graphic below.
Lenten Devotional Book. A Sanctified Art also provides a Lenten devotional booklet These can be picked up at the church office or in the sanctuary. Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Lent devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/1072485778/ In order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing this link or posting it on social media.
Young Worshippers Challenge: Our elementary-age children will soon receive in the mail a copy of this challenge. If they attend the 5 Sunday services (in person or online) between February 18 and March 17, they can complete the booklet and bring it to church on Sunday, March 24 (Palm Sunday) to receive a prize during the children's sermon!
Children's worship bulletins: Younger children will also find special children's worship bulletins to go with the each week's sermons in the worship bags each week.
Holy Week Services: The Palm Sunday service (March 24) will includes special music and a palm procession. Maundy Thursday service will be Thursday, March 28 at 6 PM in the sanctuary. Good Friday service will be Friday, March 29 at 12 PM in the sanctuary.

We often think about giving something up for Lent, but perhaps this year you would like to take on a new habit by using some of these ways to connect with God and your church family during this season.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

PS Don't forget that worship on Sunday, February 11 will be at 9 AM at First Baptist Church!

GSPC News

Tuesday Lunch and Learn: GSPC’s community lunch series continues weekly through April 30. (Note: We will not have a lunch on Feb. 13!) Lunch is served at noon and the presentation begins at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $12 and includes coffee, tea and dessert. Invite your friends and family to lunch! Here is the schedule of upcoming speakers:

Feb. 20: Jo Bonner, President, University of South Alabama

Feb. 27: Keith Blackwood, Mobile District Attorney

March 5: Lucy Gafford, Executive Director, Mobile Arts Council

March 12: John Driscoll, Director and CEO, Alabama Port Authority

March 19: Alan Sealls, author and Chief Meteorologist at NBC-15

April 2: Champ Napier, client advocate, Mobile County Public Defender’s Office

April 9: Simone Eli, sports director and anchor, WKRG

April 16: Owen Bailey, CEO, USA Health

April 23: Jon Carfagno, Executive Director, Mobile Museum of Art

April 30: Elizabeth Stevens, President and CEO, Downtown Mobile Alliance

Office volunteers needed: The church office is in need of volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers monitor the Jackson Street entrance, answer the phone, and assist Meredith Johnston with mailings and other duties. If you are able to volunteer, please email Stella Jackson.

Sunday, February 11: GSPC will worship at First Baptist Church at 9 a.m. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will preach along with Rabbi Ed Boraz and Rev. Trey Doyle at this service. There will be no service at GSPC on this day. Passes to get to FBC through the Joe Cain festivities are available in the church office.

Ash Wednesday Service: GSPC's Ash Wednesday Service will be Wednesday, February 14 at noon in the sanctuary. It will include the imposition of ashes and communion as well as special music. In addition, the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will be outside of the church offering ashes and prayers from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 2 p.m.

Lent and Easter Series: A Lenten sermon series will begin on Ash Wednesday. Using "Wandering Heart," produced by Sanctified Art, we will "figure out faith with Peter," as we consider stories from the disciple's faith journey with Jesus. The series uses phrases from the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing." A devotional booklet and a children's worship challenge will be a part of the series. Devotional booklets can be picked up on Sunday. Children's worship challenge will be mailed to all elementary age children.

Circles of Hope and Joy: The circles will meet at the Guesnard House on Monday, February 19, at 5:30 p.m. Join us for fellowship and Bible study. If you are able, please bring a snack or beverage to share.

New Book Club: Beginning this month, Meredith Johnston will lead a book discussion/club meeting on the last Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Church Library and via Zoom. The focus will be on books about church history and biography. On February 27, the group will discuss "From Preaching to Meddling: A White Minister in the Civil Rights Movement," by Francis Walter, a Mobile native. The Mobile Public Library has several copies available at their branches and the book is also available digitally to download from their site through Hoopla. For more information, please contact Meredith Johnston via email or at 251-323-5954.

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.

Sunday, February 18

On Sunday, February 18, the first Sunday of Lent, the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will preach a sermon titled "Jesus Sought Me," with Scripture references from Luke 5 and Psalm 25. Music will include John Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You."

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 "2nd 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. For details, contact Mary Elizabeth Perry.

Men's Bible Study

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

Opportunities for Service

Please remember the people our church is serving and those who work with them daily in your prayers.

Blanket Sunday

The Presbyterian Women are collecting baby blankets, and the first Sunday of the month is designated as "Blanket Sunday" to remind the congregation to donate to the Blanket Ministry. The baby blankets are delivered to the Mostellar Clinic. Inexpensive items of any baby-appropriate washable fabric or yarn are appreciated. The babies we serve usually average 8 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."

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/

Needs 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.

A driver is needed for the Northern Route on Monday mornings. The route includes the delivery of 12 meals to four locations. Meals need to be picked up in the kitchen between 10 and 10:30 a.m. and it should take no more than an hour for pickup and delivery. Please contact Lisa deShazo if you are interested in volunteering for this much needed and rewarding mission.

McKemie Place

GSPC has agreed to provide lunch for up to 45 residents at McKemie Place on the second Friday of each month. Volunteers are needed to provide, deliver, and serve lunch to the residents at McKemie Place on March 9. Please contact Lisa deShazo if you are interested in volunteering for this mission. 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 donations of gently used luggage (with wheels, please) to the church office.

Clothing for the needy: Donations of gently used coats, sweaters, caps, and gloves for women, men and children are needed for the homeless in our area. Donations may be placed in the basket located at the Jackson Street entrance.

Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies

How Can You Support Barton Academy?

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 personal hygiene products (see details in the listing below) and used glasses. Below is a list of needed items:

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);

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);

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.

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 2023-24.

In Partnership,

Sue C. King

Habitat for Humanity SW Alabama

Development Coordinator

3712 Airport Blvd.

251-476-7171, Ext. 229

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 lot, you will need to pay $5 for three hours of parking.

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

Church members whose vehicles are booted in the GSPC Parking Lot after the church office is closed should call or text Meredith Johnston at 251-323-5954.

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

Please remember:

GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
If you have a new vehicle tag to register, you may do so by emailing your license plate number to Meredith Johnston in the church office.
If you receive a ticket, do not pay it. Please bring the ticket or send a picture of it to Barbara or Meredith 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).

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