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Thursday, August 17, 2023 | |
FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
This Sunday, August 20, we will hear the Property Task Force's report. They spent months collecting data on the costs associated with GSPC's properties and possible ways to use these properties to relieve the stress on our annual budget and to align with the mission of the church.
There are important decisions to be made, and we want the congregation to be informed, to have time to ask questions and make comments. Please make every effort to attend the lunch. The more members of our church family we have present the better. Our nursery workers will be staying during the lunch hour, so young children are welcome to take their lunch to the nursery or to go there to play after they eat in the fellowship hall.
In Chapter 9 of Joan Gray's book Sailboat Church, she writes about storms that can keep a church from sailing smoothly. All of you who spend time on boats know that storms are inevitable. We do our best to avoid them and be safe, and even then we sometimes find ourselves in rough water. As I read through Dr. Gray's chapter again, it struck me that so often a church's storms are not a difficult event or circumstance, but the congregation's response to them. When churches come together with prayer and grace and intentional discernment, events are just events, circumstances are merely circumstances, and the church continues to sail by the power of the Spirit.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
Congregational Luncheon with Property Task Force: The congregation is invited to a luncheon after worship on Sunday, August 20, with the Property Task Force. Click here to read the PTF's letter to the congregation with details on their work.
Diaconate Meeting: The Diaconate will meet on Tuesday, August 22. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Please RSVP to Lisa Goodloe if you are unable to attend.
20s/30s Women's Bible Study: The next Bible study will be Wednesday, August 23, at 6 p.m. in the Guesnard House. The young women of the church are invited to join the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar in this Bible study, and to bring their friends!
Congregational Meeting: There will be a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, August 27, for the purposes of:
1. Electing the Nominating Committee; and
2. Dissolving the pastoral relationship with the Rev. Alexandra Hutson.
The Congregation is invited to a reception in honor of the Rev. Alexandra Hutson and her family on Sunday, August 27, immediately following the worship service.
Supper Club Update: Letters will go out to Supper Club participants soon, and the groups will begin meeting in September. If you have questions, please contact Blanche Parsons or Linda Reynolds.
Baytreat available for rentals: Several of the rooms now have queen-size beds! For information, email Barbara Williams or call her at the church office (251-432-1749).
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.
Balcony closed for the summer: All worshipers are asked to find a seat in the main level of the sanctuary. We will reopen the balcony for Rally Day on September 10.
Choir rehearsals have resumed: The Sanctuary and Handbell Choirs have started their fall rehearsals. If you've ever wanted to learn to play handbells, or to lift a joyful voice in song, now is a great time to check us out! 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 in worship on Sunday, August 20, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her summer sermon series “Sailboat Church: Storms” with corresponding scripture of Psalm 27 and Mark 4: 35-41. The Sanctuary Choir will sing the beautiful “Prayer of St. Richard” by L.J. White and Everett Titcomb’s “Behold Now, Praise the Lord.”
Sunday Assistants on Sunday, August 20:
Harris Oswalt
William Peebles
Bulletin for Sunday, August 20:
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Sunday, August 27
Join us in worship next Sunday, August 27, as Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her summer sermon series “Sailboat Church: Sailing” with corresponding scripture of Psalm 31:1-5, 23-24 and Galatians 5:22-26. Music will include a setting of the text “Day by Day” by Martin How, and the Black Gospel piece “I’m Goin’ Up a Yonder” by Walter Hawkins.
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class has recessed for the summer and will resume in the fall.
Sunday Book Study
9:30 a.m. in the Church Library. The group is studying the Interpretation Bible Series "1st Corinthians."
Sunday School for Children and Youth
Sunday School for Children and Youth has recessed for the summer and will resume in September on Rally Day.
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying "Look Around" by George Sinclair.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. The group is studying the Book of Proverbs and the sermon text for the following week. For details, contact Mary Elizabeth Perry.
Men's Bible Study
The Wednesday night Men’s Bible Study has recessed for the summer and will resume in the fall. 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.
Help for Ukraine
The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program is our denomination's means for helping in times of disaster and crisis. The PC(USA) is in touch with our partner churches in Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Hungary. While it is difficult to get funds into Ukraine, the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance workers are doing their best to meet needs. In addition, they are sending supplies to partners in Hungary and Poland to help with the mounting refugee crisis in those countries. If you would like to help, you may give online or by text. https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/ukraine/
PB&J 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. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for this mission over the last year. We are in need of volunteers to provide, prepare, and serve lunches on September 8. If you can help with this mission on either of these dates, please contact Lisa deShazo at 251-591-1077.
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 your donations of gently used luggage to the church office.
Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies
How Can You Support Barton Academy?
- Send monetary gifts to the church to provide assistance to families purchasing uniforms. Checks should have the memo "Uniform Assistance."
- 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 white underwear (see details in the listing below) and used glasses. Below is a list of needed items:
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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);
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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);
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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.
Blanket Ministry: All are invited to donate baby blankets to be 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.”
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.
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, you will need to pay $5 for 3 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:
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GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
- If you have not registered, you may do so by emailing your license plate number to Heather Hamilton in the church office.
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If you receive a ticket, do not pay it. Please bring the ticket or send a picture of it to Heather or Barbara in the church office and they will take care of it.
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