Thursday, August 10, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

There is just something about the start of the school year. Even if you don't have kids in school, there is just something in the air. Even here when temps are still hitting 100 degrees when kids are marching back into classrooms.

With Alexandra Hutson's resignation at the end of this month, I know there are many questions about the plans for children and youth ministries at GSPC. Be assured that the Christian Education Committee is preparing for fall programing, while the Staff Committee is exploring future staffing options. The Session will keep the congregation updated on plans as they come together.

This Sunday, August 13, we invite all our children and youth to bring their backpack with them to church and receive a blessing for the school year.

Please also mark you calendar for our Sunday School kick-off on Sunday, September 10. Both Sunday School and Wee Worship will begin on that Sunday. You will see some information about our fall sermon series below and there is more information to come.

Even in transition, we are looking forward to a great year of learning together. And our prayers surround our students and teachers and parents as a new school year begins for many.

See you Sunday!

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Congratulations to Carter Hale Jr.! Carter was chosen as one of the Betty Coale Young Musician Scholarship recipients at Christ Church Cathedral. He will sing "The Lord's Prayer" at their service on August 13.

Carter also just completed a week at the Broadway Artist Alliance Camp in NYC, working with and learning from Broadway professionals. Carter and his parents would like to thank his voice teacher, Chris Nemec, for his instruction. We are so proud of you, Carter!

Blessing of the Backpacks: Children of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks to worship this Sunday to receive a blessing for the upcoming school year.

Congregational Luncheon with Property Task Force: The congregation is invited to a luncheon after worship on Sunday, August 20, with the Property Task Force. Click here to read the PTF's letter to the congregation with details on their work.

Diaconate Meeting: The Diaconate will meet on Tuesday, August 22. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Please RSVP to Lisa Goodloe if you are unable to attend.

20s/30s Women's Bible Study: The next Bible study will be Wednesday, August 23, at 6 p.m. in the Guesnard House. The young women of the church are invited to join the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar in this Bible study, and to bring their friends!

Congregational Meeting: There will be a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, August 27, for the purposes of:

1. Electing the Nominating Committee; and

2. Dissolving the pastoral relationship with the Rev. Alexandra Hutson.

The Congregation is invited to a reception in honor of the Rev. Alexandra Hutson and her family on Sunday, August 27, immediately following the worship service.

A Reception honoring Rev. Alexandra Hutson will be held following worship on Sunday, August 27 in the Jackson Street Foyer.

Baytreat available for rentals: Several of the rooms now have queen-size beds! For information, email Barbara Williams or call her at the church office (251-432-1749).

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.

Balcony closed for the summer: All worshipers are asked to find a seat in the main level of the sanctuary. We will reopen the balcony for Rally Day on September 10.

Choir rehearsals have resumed: The Sanctuary and Handbell Choirs have started their fall rehearsals, and members of the congregation are always welcome to join us! If you've ever wanted to learn to play handbells, or to lift a joyful voice in song, now is a great time to check us out! 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 in worship on Sunday, August 13. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will continue her sermon series with “Sailboat Church: Imagination” with scripture from Psalm 24 and Matthew 25:14-30. The Sanctuary Choir will return from summer break and will sing a setting of the hymn “Gift of Love.” The service will also include a Blessing of the Backpacks for children, youth and college students returning to the classroom.

Sunday Assistants on Sunday, August 13:

Clint Akers

Stella Jackson

Bulletin for Sunday, August 13:

Sunday, August 20

Join us in worship next Sunday, August 20, as Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her summer sermon series “Sailboat Church: Storms” with corresponding scripture of Psalm 27 and Mark 4: 35-41. The Sanctuary Choir will sing the beautiful “Prayer of St. Richard” by L.J. White and Everett Titcomb’s “Behold Now, Praise the Lord.”

Talking Heads

This Sunday School class has recessed for the summer and will resume in the fall.

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

Sunday School for Children and Youth has recessed for the summer and will resume in September on Rally Day.

Spring Hill Women Bible Study

Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying "Look Around" 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 has recessed for the summer and will resume in the fall. Contact: Bo Perry.

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 September 8. If you can help with this mission on either 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:

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.

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. 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.”

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

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:

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.
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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