FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
Do you have memories of VBS as a child? I know I do. Many years of the church transformed, of songs, and special evening programs, of offerings for special purposes, and being with friends for the week.
VBS at GSPC begins on Monday, and I look forward to our children making some of those same memories. It is a joy to hear their voices singing together, to see them proudly showing off their art projects, praying as a group, and laughing as they play together during recreation time.
This Sunday our scripture will focus on the importance of prayer. It is certainly a key to the success of our VBS and I hope you will join with your church family in praying for a week of joyful fellowship and deepening faith for all! And please add prayers of gratitude for our amazing volunteers.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
VBS at GSPC: Vacation Bible School starts Monday! VBS will take place from June 19 to June 23. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at GSPC, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at Baytreat. It's not too late to sign up! Click here to register.
20s and 30s Women's Bible Study: On Tuesday, June 20, the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will lead a Bible study especially geared toward women in their 20s and 30s. The Bible study will focus on parables, and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Guesnard House. If you have questions, please email Mary Herndon Nordmann.
Sweet Home Soiree: This fundraiser for the Presbyterian Home for Children will be held on Thursday, June 22, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Country Club of Mobile. If you would like to donate items to the silent auction, suggestions include items that are a unique representation of the Mobile region, such as a gift card to a popular eatery or business, or a piece of art created by a local artisan. To arrange a donation, click here and scroll to the “donate auction items” tab. The team will then reach out to you to arrange for pick-up or delivery of your donation. To order tickets to the soiree, click here and scroll to the "order tickets" tab.
Summer Series: This summer, our church is reading 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.
Baytreat is available for rentals this summer. Several of the rooms now have queen-size beds! For information, email Shelley Springer or call her at 251-605-0695.
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.
Your Favorite Hymns: We want to include your favorite hymns in our music-based service on Sunday, July 2. To share your favorites, please fill out the form in the sanctuary or bulletin and put it in the offering plate, or email Heather Hamilton.
Balcony closed for the summer: Beginning Sunday, June 18, we will ask all worshipers to find a seat on a main level. We will reopen the balcony for Rally Day on September 10.
This Sunday in Worship
This Sunday, June 18, the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her summer sermon series “Sailboat Church: Seeking” and referencing Luke 11:5-13. While the Sanctuary Choir is on their vacation, musical guests will be Jarrett Callaway, Ashley Lamar and James Tamblyn.
Sunday Assistants on Sunday, June 18:
Lisa Goodloe
Leigh Schottgen
Bulletin for Sunday, June 18:
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Sunday, June 25
The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series, “Sailboat Church: Advocate,” with scripture from John 14: 15-27 and I John 2:1-17.
We will baptize Elsie Grace Hutson, daughter of Rev. Alexandra and Jacob Hutson.
While the Sanctuary Choir is on vacation, our guest musician will be harpist Rebekah Atkinson, who will play music of Debussy, Rameau, and an arrangement of “In the Garden.”
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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 "Exodus."
Sunday School for Children and Youth
Sunday School for Children and Youth has recessed for the summer and will resume in August.
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 has recessed for the summer and will resume in the fall. 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 July 14 and August 11. 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:
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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. 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
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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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