Friday, April 12, 2024

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

The apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians that the Church is the Body of Christ. Every person has different gifts, given by the Spirit, that can be used to glorify God and service others.

My family had a wonderful vacation last week, and it was a joy to see GSPC continue to be the Body of Christ while I was away. From worship leadership to hospital visits to property details and Bible studies and office administration, GSPC members come together to worship and serve.

It is a joy to be a part of this family of faith. It was great week of vacation for the Lamars, but it is always good to be back with you.

See you Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Congratulations to K.B. Walker! K.B., a senior at Davidson High School, has signed a letter of intent to play soccer at Huntingdon College. K.B., your church family is so proud of you!

New Sermon Series: This Sunday, the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar begins a sermon series for the season of Easter, "Living as Children of God." The series will use Scripture from John and Romans, and will conclude on Pentecost / Senior Recognition Sunday, May 19.

Tuesday Lunch and Learn: Come to lunch! 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 dessert. Invite your friends and family to lunch! Here is the schedule of upcoming speakers:

April 16: Cam Marston, author and radio personality

April 23: Jon Carfagno, Executive Director, Mobile Museum of Art

April 30: Elizabeth Stevens, President and CEO, Downtown Mobile Alliance

Thursday, April 18: The Interfaith Bible Study will be at 5:30 p.m. at Springhill Avenue Temple, 1769 Springhill Ave. All are welcome to join us for this session with the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar, the Rev. Trey Doyle, and Rabbi Ed Boraz. The Rev. Doyle and Rabbi Boraz will join the Rev. Abel Lamar in the pulpit at GSPC on Sunday, April 21.

Saturday, April 20: The Presbyterian Women will host the Presbytery-wide Spring Gathering, featuring the Rev. Eugenia Gamble as guest speaker. The Rev. Gamble will discuss her book, "Tending the Wild Garden: Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit." The gathering is from 9 a.m. to noon and includes a delicious lunch by Shelia. The fee is $15. All Presbyterian Women are invited to join us! Please RSVP as soon as possible by emailing Meredith Johnston or by calling the church office at 251-432-1749.

Sunday, April 21: Two Pastors and a Rabbi Sunday--Rev. Trey Doyle of First Baptist adn Rabbi Ed Boraz of Sprill Hill Avenue Temple will join Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar in the pulpit for this special service.

Tuesday, April 23: The 20s/30s Young Women’s Bible Study will meet at 6 p.m. in the Guesnard House. Contact: Mary Herndon Nordmann.

Thursday, May 2 -- Saturday, May 5: Children and Youth Ministry Visioning with Rev. Dr. Tara Bulger. There will be several opportunities to gather to share hopes and dreams for children and youth ministry at GSPC over these three days. Rev. Dr. Bulger is Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian in Huntsville, AL, and has a background in youth ministry and in visioning and strategic planning. Look for opportunities to sign up soon!

Other News

Office volunteers needed: The church office is in need of volunteers on Tuesdays 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.

New Book Club: Meredith Johnston is leading a new book discussion/club, which will meet each month in the Church Library and via Zoom. The focus will be on books about church history and biography. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. The group is studying "Galileo in Rome: The rise and fall of a Troublesome Genius," by William R. Shea and Mariano Artigas. Two print copies are available through the Mobile Public Library and the book is also available digitally on Hoopla through MPL. 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.

VBS at GSPC: Vacation Bible School is planned for the week of June 17-24. Use the online link to register your child!

Sunday, April 14

Join us this Sunday as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar begins her new sermon series, “Living as Children of God,” with scripture readings from Psalm 4:1-8 and 1 John 3:1-15. Choral music includes Tom Fettke's "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name," and the Handbell Choir will play a challenging setting of "O Worship the King.”

Bulletin for April 14:

Sunday, April 21

Next Sunday, April 21, we look forward to welcoming Rabbi Edward Boraz of Spring Hill Avenue Temple and the Rev. Trey Doyle of First Baptist Church to our pulpit as part of our “Two Pastors and a Rabbi” collaboration.

Talking Heads

This Sunday School class is meets on the second floor of the church each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.

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 is held 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 Romans.

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.

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."

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.

McKemie Place

McKemie Place, a 501c3 non-profit, is the only emergency shelter for unaccompanied women in Southwest Alabama. McKemie Place was created in 2007 as a service of the United Methodist Inner City Mission, thanks to the efforts of the Homeless Coalition task force, and became its own nonprofit in 2010. The shelter serves 450 women each year.

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 May 10 and June 14. 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.

If you would like to learn more about McKemie Place, or to receive their monthly newsletters, visit McKemiePlace.org.

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:

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);

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);

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

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:

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