Wednesday, September 20, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

Has anyone ever asked you to explain why you are a Christian? If so, perhaps you found that what seems like it should be a simple answer is actually a very difficult one. For many of us, we have never been anything else, it can be difficult to put into words what feels like a core part of us. For others who find ourselves wondering exactly what we believe, it is difficult because we have more questions than answers.

On Sunday, we will read and explore a passage from Deuteronomy 6 in which Moses instructs the people to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and might..." We will consider what that command means for us as individuals and for us as a church.

I look forward to welcoming Dr. Tim Condor and Dr. Dan Rhodes who have been leading our Thriving Congregations team. These two men have spent their careers considering what loving God fully means---particularly for congregations who seek to share God's love in their local communities. I am excited to have them lead us during the Sunday School hour and hope you will join us at 9:30 before we worship together in the sanctuary at 10:30.

See you Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Welcome, new members: The Congregation is thrilled to welcome as new members Willie and Anna Jones and their daughter, Ginny; and Meredith Johnston. Welcome to the GSPC Family!

Did you memorize last Sunday's Bible verse?

"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still." (Exodus 14:14)

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!

GSPC is hiring a new Office Administrator: The Session regretfully received Heather Hamilton's resignation as GSPC's Office Manager. We wish Heather the best as she begins a new position closer to her home. If you know of someone who would be a good fit for this 30 hr/week position, please be in touch with Bo Perry, Staff Committee Chair.

Tuesday Lunch and Learn Series: We had a great start to the GSPC community lunch series with guest speaker Mayor Sandy Stimpson on September 12 and GSPC's own David Trent on September 19. The series will continue 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. Here is the schedule of speakers:

Sept. 26: Merceria Ludgood, Mobile County Commissioner, District One

Oct. 3: Meredith Wilson and John Sledge, Mobile Historic Development Commission

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

Baytreat Questions: On August 27, the Property Task Force presented their report and a recommendation to sell the Baytreat property. This recommendation will come before the Session at its October meeting. At that time, the Session will vote whether to hold a congregational meeting to vote on the matter. For those who have questions or comments, members of the Property Task Force will be available in the church library following worship on September 24.

Nominations: The Nominations Committee is seeking nominations for those to serve as elders and deacons for the class of 2026. You may call the church office with your nominations, fill out a form and place in the offering plate on Sunday, or reach out to Margaret Vidmer Hutchison, Nominations Committee Chair. Other committee members are Jeanie Lindsey, Rudy Nordmann, Hunter Oswalt and Robert Otts.

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.

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

Special guests this Sunday: Tim Conder and Dan Rhodes, pastors and leaders of the "Loving God and Neighbor: Thriving Congregations" initiative and coauthors of "Organizing Church," will lead a special joint Sunday School session at 9:30 a.m.

In worship this Sunday, the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series “How Firm a Foundation.” Scriptures include Matthew 22:34-40 and Deut. 6:1-9 as the basis for the sermon, entitled “Law.” In preparation for next week, worshipers may read pages 23-41 of “A Guide to Bible Basics” by Tyler Mayfield, or view the following videos at bibleproject.com: Exodus 1-18 and Exodus 19-40. Choral music will include John Rutter’s delightful “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and Jane Marshall’s “Awake My Heart” with a text written in 1647 by Paulus Gerhardt.

Sunday Assistants on September 24:

Ashley Ashbee

Lynn McDaniel

Bulletin for September 24:

Sunday, October 1

Join us on World Communion Sunday as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series with “Promised Land.” Scriptures include Matthew 26:26-29 and Joshua 3:14-4:9. In preparation for next week, worshipers may read pages 31-42 of “A Guide to Bible Basics” by Tyler Mayfield, or view the “Biblical Themes: The Law” video at bibleproject.com. Choral Music for Oct. 1 includes the Communion Anthem "In Remembrance" by Buryl Red, and Chris Nemec's setting of "Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place," with Jasaan Roberts providing the baritone solo.

News from our Children and Youth

Congratulations to Anders Trice, who won the Boys' 18 Singles Title in the Mobile September Junior Classic tournament at the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center! Anders, 14, played in the 18's division and defeated a higher rated and higher ranked player, with very few unforced errors in the process.

Congratulations to Mickie Lorge, 15, who was selected for the Ballet Pensacola student company and will perform in "Dracula" October 6-8 and Oct. 13-15. She will also be featured in "The Nutcracker."

Congratulations to Becca Lorge, 10, who was one of only four elementary students selected this year to represent the Escambia All-County Chorus. They will first perform in October. Since her selection, she has additionally been nominated for the All-State Chorus and is currently awaiting auditions. "We are so very proud of her gifts, and she wants the church to share in her joy," writes her mother, Corinne, who added that Becca credits her love of singing "to the sounds she heard in worship as a baby, right in our church." This summer, Becca was also selected to perform with Pensacola Children's Chorus and traveled all the way to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to perform in the Songs and Sand Children's Choir Festival.

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 "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 "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).