Friday, March 8, 2024

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

As many of you know, the President's State of the Union address was last night. Listening to the now-familiar boos and cheers reminded me again that one of the problems in our political life is that we do not expect anything to change. It didn't matter what the President said; we all knew who would boo and who would cheer. Even many of us sitting at home listened in order to react in prescribed ways rather than listening to learn. The same would be true if the President were from the opposing party. I don't know that most of us like it this way, but no one expects it to be different.

But it seems to me that, as Christians, a key aspect of our faith is embracing the possibility of change, even the expectation of it. The disciple Peter, whom we have followed during this Lenten season, is a prime example of a person who was transformed over time. His intrinsic curiosity and impulsiveness remained constant, but his fears lessened as his faith grew. His shift from a clueless disciple to a respected apostle can be found as we read through the gospels and into Acts.

Perhaps Lent is a time to examine where we have given up on the possibility of change too soon. Maybe it is within ourselves. Maybe it is in a relationship. Maybe it is a particular issue or situation. I encourage you to spend time praying about it, asking what God thinks and desires. Perhaps the first immovable thing to change is our own hearts and minds.

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 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 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.  

Circles of Hope and Joy: The Circles of Hope and Joy will have a joint meeting on Monday, March 11, at 5:30 p.m. the Guesnard House. Join us for fellowship and Bible study. If you are able, please bring a snack or beverage to share.

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 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: June 17-24 Registration forms to come!

Sunday, March 10

On the fourth Sunday of Lent, the “Wandering Heart” worship series continues with the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar’s sermon, “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. 



Bulletin for March 10:

Sunday, March 17

Join us on the fifth Sunday in Lent as we 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." 

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.

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.