Wednesday, March 13, 2024

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

By the time you read this, I will be on my way to Montreat, N.C., with our Thriving Congregations team for our last of four in-person meetings. The goal of Thriving Congregations is to help churches better engage with their communities. I had a vision of how this program would work when we began, and I will admit that it has not gone like I thought it would. I was pretty sure 18 months ago that we would have a "project" by now, a clear way we could serve in our community that would inspire the passion of the congregation to come together and make a difference. But the right "project" is proving difficult to find. There are so many needs, so many options of where to put our time, energy, and money, that we are struggling to find the right reasons to settle on "the one."

At the same time, I have seen this program bear much fruit for our congregation in more subtle ways. The team conducted over 50 one-on-one meetings and a dozen group listening sessions and used the data to find themes within the hopes and concerns of the congregation. We heard that people craved connection and Supper Clubs began again last fall (thank you, Blanche and Linda!). We heard a desire to strengthen our children and youth ministry and we are now beginning a search for a new staff member and are moving forward to engage a consultant for our children and youth ministry. We heard an interest in knowing what the community needs are, and the Tuesday Lunch and Learns have given us a place to hear more about what is going on in the city (thank you, Sally!). In addition, the Thriving Congregations team has been meeting with numerous leaders, including the captain for the downtown police precinct; the youth violence prevention coordinator for the city of Mobile; our own Lisa DeShazo, our Meals on Wheels coordinator; and mission pastors in other congregations. We also have become convinced that our engagement in the community is key to our overall health as a congregation.

Which is all a long way to say that your prayers have been working and are still needed. I am reminded (yet again!) that God not working on my timetable does not mean that God is not at work.

See you Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Lent and Easter Series: A reminder to GSPC families to take a look at the weekly worship challenges for children. Our Lenten sermon series uses material from "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. The theme is "figuring 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." Children who complete the worship challenges will be rewarded on Palm Sunday!

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:

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 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.  

20s/30s Bible Study: The next Young Women's Bible Study will be on Wednesday, March 20, at 6 p.m. at the Guesnard House. For details, contact Mary Herndon Nordmann.

Interfaith Bible Study: The next Interfaith Bible study will be Thursday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. at GSPC.

Easter Lily Dedications: It's time for Easter Lily dedications! You may order lilies in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Order forms are available in the church office and in the sanctuary. Please place your orders by Tuesday, March 26.

Easter Events and Holy Week services

• Sunday, March 24: Palm Sunday service, 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, March 28: Maundy Thursday service, 6 p.m.
• Friday, March 29: Good Friday service, noon.
• Saturday, March 30: Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. in Washington Square.
• Sunday, March 31: Easter Sunday service, 10:30 a.m. 

Easter eggs needed: Parents and grandparents, please bring donations of plastic, filled Easter eggs to contribute to the Easter Egg Hunt. There is a bin in the Jackson Street entrance for the eggs. Please bring your donations by Friday, March 29.

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 April 2 at 5:30 p.m. The group will study "Katie Luther, First Lady of the Reformation: The Unconventional Life of Katharina von Bora," by Ruth A. Tucker. Three 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. Stay tuned for registration forms and other details!

Sunday, March 17

On the fifth Sunday of Lent, we will continue our “Wandering Heart” worship series with the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar’s sermon, “Teach Me,” from Psalm 119:9-16 and Matthew 18:15-20. Choral music includes Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu" from his Requiem, sung by Gabrielle Corlette and Carter Hale Jr., and a setting of the text "Behold the Lamb."



Bulletin for March 17:

Sunday, March 24

Join us on Palm Sunday, March 24, the sixth Sunday in Lent. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will continue the “Wandering Heart” worship series with a sermon titled “Songs of Loudest Praise” from John 12: 12-16. Music will include Jody Lindh’s “Hosanna to the Son,” sung by the Children’s Choir, and Faure’s “The Palms,” sung by the Sanctuary Choir.

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.

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.