Tuesday, January 16, 2024

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

I have such found memories of childhood snow days. They would start the night before, with a forecast that the hours while we slept would bring snow. In the morning, I would lie in bed, eyes open before any adult came to wake me, watching the sky through my bedroom window. As the sky would lighten, I would try to decide based on the light whether there was snow on the ground. Most times I could tell before I ever got out of bed to look.

The days when the ground was covered in white were pure joy. We would gather around the television to watch the scrolling names of school systems delayed or out for the day. My home in Virginia was far enough north that we got about 3 good snows a year, but far enough south that the it wasn't worth investing in the amount of snow equipment that the more northern states had.

I loved being outside in the snow. I loved being inside in the snow. A few times it snowed so hard that we could walk right down the middle of the major roadway that went in front of our house. Once or twice the creek beside the house froze. I recognize that my memories are gilded by time and childhood, but I have been seeking the joy of a snow day ever since. The time out from regular life. The quiet of a deep snowfall. The peace of being warm and fed and surrounded by those you love.

Today on my Mobile "snow day," I attended (by phone) a board meeting of Housing First, Inc. The mission of Housing First is to end homelessness in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Despite the good work of HFI and many other area organizations, homelessness continues to be an increasing problem in our city. Today was a reminder that the days that were so blissful in my memory were life-threatening for others, that the cold that is an inconvenience to me and my family is a life-or-death situation for many of our neighbors. The reminder did not make me feel guilty for enjoying my "snow day" or for my happy snow day memories, but it did make me that much more committed to more of our neighbors knowing that kind of peace and safety and wondering what it would take to make that a reality.

See you Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Christian Sympathy:

The congregation extends Christian sympathy to Shelia Smith and family following the death of her brother, Brian Smith, on Monday, January 8. The memorial service will be on Wednesday, January 17, at 11 a.m. at Keys to Successful Living (411 Broad Street).

***The church office will be closed beginning at 10:30 am on Wednesday so that the staff can attend the service.

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:

Jan. 23: Cart Blackwell, Education Curator, Mobile Carnival Museum

Jan. 30: Chris Curry, President, Mobile Airport Authority

Feb. 6: Glenda Snodgrass, information security expert, the Net Effect

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

Winter Sermon Series: The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar has begun a winter sermon series, "Introducing: Jesus." The series continues through February 4, and will conclude with a combined service with Rabbi Ed Boraz and the Rev. Trey Doyle at First Baptist Church at 9 a.m. on Sunday, February 11 (Transfiguration Sunday and Joe Cain Day).

Supper Club Update: The Supper Clubs will begin meeting again soon. Stay tuned for updates! If you would like to be added to the list to join a Supper Club, or to be a substitute, email Blanche Parsons or Linda Reynolds.

Interfaith Bible Study: The next Interfaith Bible Study will be Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Spring Hill Avenue Temple at 5:30 p.m.

20s/30s Women's Bible Study: The next young women's Bible study will be on Tuesday, January 23, at 6 p.m. in the Guesnard House. For details, email Mary Herndon Nordmann.

New Book Club: Beginning in February, 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. 

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.   

Sunday Assistants on January 21:

Lynn McDaniel

William Peebles

Bulletin for January 21:

Sunday, January 28

Join us on Sunday, January 28, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series "Introducing Jesus" as she preaches on "The One Who Amazes" with scripture from Mark 1:21-28 and Psalm 111:1-10. Choral music includes Allen Pote’s “God is Our Refuge and Strength.”

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 "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.

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:

1. GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
2. 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.
3. 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. 

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).