Wednesday, August 23, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

If we have learned anything from our summer series "Sailboat Church," it is that the Holy Spirit moves in ways that are beyond our understanding. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to see the Spirit's path as we walk it, other times it is clear only in hindsight, but often not even then can we know what God has been doing.

Rev. Alexandra Hutson was called to a vocation in which trust is foundational. She has served among us for three years, beginning her ministry in the midst of a global pandemic. With no one in the pews Sunday after Sunday, Alexandra has loved our church, sought to care for our children and youth, and helped us to worship God. Now Alexandra leaves us to follow a new vocation, embracing her role as mother to Elsie. Yet again, Alexandra finds herself with a vocation in which trust is foundational, and as we promised at her ordination, we will bless her in her vocational calling with our prayers, blessing, and support.

Please join us this Sunday, August 27, as we celebrate Alexandra's ministry, the seeds that she has planted, and the God who binds us together far beyond the three years she has served as our Associate Pastor. There will be a chance to write a note to Alexandra and family or you may bring one of your own. We hope you can come and say, "Good-bye for now," to Alexandra, Jacob, and Elsie after worship in the Jackson Street Foyer. As we offer our blessings and well-wishes, we continue to trust the Lord to guide us into the future in ways that bring glory to God.

See you Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

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.

Supper Club Update: Letters have been emailed to Supper Club participants, and the groups will begin meeting in September. If you have questions, or if you didn't receive the email, please contact Blanche Parsons or Linda Reynolds.

Old Testament Study This Fall: The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will begin "How Firm A Foundation," a sermon series and Bible study, in September. The sermon series will begin on Sunday, September 10, with "Beginnings," a focus on Genesis. Complementary studies, led by Rev. Lamar, will include special Sunday School sessions, beginning with "Faithful Foundations for Families" for parents of children and youth on Sunday, September 10, and Wednesday noon Bible studies in the GSPC Library, which will begin on September 6 and continue through November 15. For details, click here or pick up an outline of the series in the sanctuary or in the church office.

Two Pastors and a Rabbi: The next installment of the Interfaith Bible Study series will be held Monday, September 11, at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 806 Government St. All are welcome.

Tuesday Lunch and Learn Series: The GSPC community lunch series is back! Formerly known as the Government Street Forum, this series has been changed to Tuesdays, but the general format is the same: Lunch and a guest speaker from noon to 1 p.m. The Tuesday Lunch and Learn Series will begin on Tuesday, September 12, and 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 community. Here is the schedule of speakers:

Sept. 12: Sandy Stimpson, Mayor of Mobile

Sept. 19: David Trent, Site Director, Airbus Americas Engineering

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

Additional News and Notes

Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, an internationally renowned scholar, author and teacher, will speak at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church on Thursday, August 24, at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

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. 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 27, as Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar concludes her summer sermon series with “Sailboat Church: Sailing,” with corresponding scripture of Psalm 31:1-5, 23-24 and Galatians 5:22-26. Music will include a setting of the text “Day by Day” by Martin How, and the Black Gospel piece “I’m Goin’ Up a Yonder” by Walter Hawkins.

Sunday Assistants on Sunday, August 27:

Elizabeth Boone

Bulletin for Sunday, August 27:

Sunday, September 3

Join us in worship next Sunday, September 3. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will preach on Romans 12:9-21 and Psalm 105:1-6. The Sanctuary Choir will sing J.S. Bach’s beloved “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and Praetorius’ 16th century “Jubilate Deo.” 

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.

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.