Thursday, November 9, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

I love the windows in my office. I keep the shutters open wide most of the day. I love the natural light, but I also enjoy observing what is happening outside. I hear conversations on the sidewalk and watch folks running to court. I see set-up for performances at the Saenger and the clouds rolling in from the bay. I hear when someone gets stuck in the tunnel or when trucks misjudge the height of the trees along Jackson Street. I can hear demonstrations outside Government Plaza or events in Cathedral Square. I see our homeless or nearly homeless neighbors stopping to fill a water bottle in our courtyard or riding a bike to get where they need to go. I've seen people stop to help a stranger with car trouble or to assist a parent trying to get children across the street.

My windows keep me connected to what is happening around me. My view is certainly limited, but it is enough to keep me curious. I wonder what your window is? Your view doesn't look like mine, and maybe your window is more metaphorical than literal. Where do you find a view that keeps you curious about life happening beyond your own experience?

The poet Mary Oliver, in her poem "The Summer Day", has a line that I love. It reads:

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention...

Sometimes prayer looks a lot like simply paying attention. I hope you will this week.

See you Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Tuesday Lunch and Learn Series: Come to lunch! The final GSPC community luncheon of the fall is Tuesday, November 14, with our own Tom McGehee, a well-known historian and the director of the Bellingrath Museum Home. 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. Free parking is available in the church lot for our guests during the lunch hour. Join us!

The Tuesday Lunch and Learn series will resume in January. If you have a request for a speaker, please email Sally Ericson.

Stewardship Season: Please remember to return your pledge cards. Pledges can be dropped in the offering plate, submitted to the church office, or emailed to Dawn Hearn, GSPC Bookkeeper.

Did you memorize last Sunday's Bible verse?

November 5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3: 5,6)

Remember to pick up a new memory verse on Sunday!

Circles of Hope and Joy: The Circles of Hope and Joy will meet on Monday, November 13, at 5:30 p.m. in the Guesnard House. Join us for fellowship and Bible study. If you are able, please bring snacks or beverages to share.

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.

Living Out Our Faith: The Christian Education Committee is sponsoring a panel discussion, "Living Out Our Faith," on Sunday, November 12, immediately after worship. Lunch will be served at a cost of $10. The event is geared toward GSPC Youth and their families. Panelists are Susan Ashbee, Blair Schoenvogel and John Browning. Mark your calendar and make plans to join us!

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Mark your calendars! The community is invited to an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Thursday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. at GSPC. The service will be led by Rabbi Ed Boraz of Springhill Avenue Temple, the Rev. Trey Doyle of First Baptist, and the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar. Please plan to bring a frozen turkey or canned food items to donate to Central Presbyterian Church. The donations will be distributed to the needy on Tuesday, November 21, during Central's weekly Food Pantry event.

20s/30s Young Women's Bible Study: The group's next meeting is Tuesday, November 28, at 6 p.m. at the Guesnard House.

Interfaith Bible Study: Our next Interfaith Bible Study will be Thursday, November 30 from 5:30-7:00 PM at Springhill Avenue Temple.

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 children will sing on December 24 at 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.   

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

Join us on November 12 as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series “How Firm a Foundation.” The sermon is titled “Judgment” with scripture from Matthew 25:31-46 and Jeremiah 7:1-20. Music will include the Gospel song “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood, and an excerpt from Everett Titcomb’s “Behold Now, Praise the Lord!”

Sunday Assistants on November 12:

Richard Otts

Bulletin for November 12:

Sunday, November 19

Join us next Sunday as we welcome the Rev. Eugenia Gamble, who will continue the sermon series “How Firm a Foundation.” Scriptures include Matthew 5:1-12 and Amos 5:18-27 and are the basis for the sermon, entitled “Justice.” In preparation for next week, worshipers may read pages 131-154 of “A Guide to Bible Basics” by Tyler Mayfield, or view the following videos at bibleproject.com: “Apocalyptic Literature.” Choral music includes the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God,” arranged by Michael Rosewall, and John Rutter’s setting of the traditional hymn.

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. 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 three 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 Barbara Williams 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 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).