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Thursday, February 15, 2024 | |
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FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
I didn't grow up observing Lent. I don't think I remember an Ash Wednesday service until I was an adult. Holy Week and Easter, yes. Ash Wednesday and Lent, no.
But in adulthood, I have come to appreciate Lent. It is 40 days of preparation and repentance which connect us with Jesus' forty days of fasting in the wilderness. The time frame excludes Sundays, because the early church leaders declared that each Sunday was a "little Easter" and should be excluded from the fast.
We may not fast from eating like the early church, but perhaps Lent is a time for a different kind of fast: a fast from hateful or unkind words, a fast from technology that keeps us from connecting with family, a fast from bad habits that are distracting or unhealthy, a fast from easy and comfortable answers.
To help you along your Lenten journey, GSPC will be exploring a series entitled "Wandering Heart" from A Sanctified Art. We will follow stories of Peter and use phrases from the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" for our sermons each week. There is a Lenten devotional booklet for adults which include original art and devotions, a Young Worshippers Challenge for elementary-age children, and new worship pages in the children's worship bags each Sunday.
What kind of fast will you choose this season?
See you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
Tuesday Lunch and Learn: GSPC’s community lunch series continues weekly through April 30. 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.
Lent and Easter Series: The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar has begun a Lenten sermon series using "Wandering Heart," produced by Sanctified Art, a team of artists in ministry who work to bring scripture and theological themes to life through visual art, poetry and liturgy. 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.
20s/30s Bible Study: The young women’s Bible Study will meet at 6 p.m. in the Guesnard House on Tuesday, February 20.
Two Pastors and a Rabbi: The next Interfaith Bible Study will be Thursday, February 22, at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 806 Government Street.
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.
Happy anniversary: Arthur Lewis recently marked his sixth anniversary on the church staff. Thank you for all you do, Arthur!
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.
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Sunday, February 18
On the first Sunday of Lent, the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will begin her Lenten sermon series with "Jesus Sought Me," using Scripture references from Luke 5 and Psalm 25. Music will include John Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" and Gordon Young's "Now Let Us All Praise God and Sing."
Sunday assistants on February 18:
Corinne Lorge
William Peebles
Bulletin for February 18:
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Sunday, February 25
On Sunday, February 25, we will continue our “Wandering Heart” worship series. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will preach a sermon titled “Rescue Me” from Psalm 22: 23-31 and Matthew 14: 22-33. Choral worship music includes two Lenten favorites: Gilbert Martin’s “When I Survey” and David de Vidal’s “Surely He Bore Our Griefs.”
Our annual congregational meeting will be held at the end of worship. We will receive the annual report and vote on terms of call for the Rev. Lamar.
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class is meets on the 2nd floor of the church each Sunday morning at 9:30 AM
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.
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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.
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:
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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.
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
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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 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:
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GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
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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.
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