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Wednesday, February 28, 2024 | |
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FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
Part of our "Wandering Heart" Lenten series is original poetry for each week. The poems are written by the Rev. Sarah Are Speed and point to the themes for the week. This Sunday, we will hear Peter declare that Jesus is the Messiah. This was a radical and dangerous claim, but he could not be silent when he knew the truth.
How often are we silent when we know a truth that needs to be said aloud? Perhaps as we read in the poem for this week, we can find the courage to claim faith boldly like Peter did.
Praise the Mount
I have stayed quiet before.
I have held my tongue
while passing mountains.
I have slipped my hands deep into pockets,
despite the music that invites me to dance.
I have glimpsed a new moon and a new love
and have acted as if it was something other than a complete, God-given miracle.
But not today.
Not today.
Today I will dance.
Today I will tap my toes all the way to heaven’s gates.
Today I will point out every shade of gold and periwinkle that we pass.
Today I will talk about my faith like we talk about the weather—
early and unprompted, comfortable and unashamed.
Today I will tell you that God did such a good job with freckles, willow trees,
and your entire being.
And I will not be embarrassed by my own conviction.
I will not swallow my praise.
I have stayed quiet before,
but not today.
See you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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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 are eligible for prizes!
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 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.
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.
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: t's time for Easter Lily dedications. Order forms are available in the church office and in the sanctuary. Please place your orders by March 26.
Help with Easter Lilies: We will need volunteers to assist with bringing the lilies to church on Wednesday, March 27. They will need to be placed in a secure vehicle so that they will be protected from the wind. If you are able to help, please contact Margaret Vidmer Hutchison.
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Sunday, March 3
On the third Sunday of Lent, the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will continue the “Wandering Heart” worship series with a sermon titled “Praise the Mount” from Psalm 19 and Matthew 16:13-20, and the congregation will celebrate holy communion. Mobile Symphony violinist Dr. Silvia Suarez will join our worship as she plays Jules Massenet's beloved “Meditation” (Thais) and Edward Elgar's “Salut d'Amour,” and will join the Sanctuary Choir with a setting of “Peace I Give to You” and the “Lacrimosa” from W.A. Mozart's Requiem.
Bulletin for March 3:
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Sunday, March 10
On Sunday, March 10, the “Wandering Heart” worship series continues with the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar’s sermon titled “I’m Fixed Upon It” from Matthew 16:21-23. The music will include “The Ash Grove,” played by the Handbell Choir, and the Sanctuary Choir singing David Johnson’s setting of the Lenten motet “O Dearest Lord” with Meredith Wilson as mezzo soprano soloist.
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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 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 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.
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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."
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
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 8. 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:
- 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
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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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