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Thursday, February 23, 2023 | |
FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
I have never lived anywhere else where Lent begins with such whiplash as in Mobile. The chaos and celebration of Mardi Gras comes to an abrupt end as we don ashes hours after donning masks, contemplate death instead of folly, and focus our attention inward instead of outward.
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent, and we begin a sermon series on "Living Our Faith." Each week we will focus on a theme of the Christian life that may help us in these days of repentance, reflection, and renewal. You can imagine these six weeks of Lent as a steady movement toward the cross where Jesus dies and finally the grave where he rises to life.
This week our theme is "Wilderness." Jesus was taken to the wilderness where he was tempted by the Satan, but he also often chose the wilderness as a place to be alone to pray. The wilderness can be a place where we feel the absence of God, but also a place where we feel God's presence most strongly. The service will begin with our children singing and will end with a congregational meeting in which we will receive the 2022 Annual Report. It will be a good day to be thankful for God's presence and guidance of our church over the last year in ways we saw at the time and in ways we can see only in hindsight.
Know that I pray with you through this season. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Grace and peace,
Rebekah
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Sunday Assistants for February 26
Stella Jackson
Richard Otts
Click below to view the bulletin for February 26:
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GSPC News
Congregational Meeting and Annual Report: There will be a Congregational Meeting immediately following worship on Sunday, February 26, at which time the congregation will receive the 2022 Annual Report.
Congratulations to Alexandra and Jacob Hutson, who welcomed Elsie Grace on Friday, February 17. She weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. and is 21 in. Welcome to the family of faith, Elsie!
Congratulations to Molly Crown Nordmann, who was inducted into the 2023 Arts Hall of Fame at UMS-Wright Preparatory School. The Arts Hall of Fame consists of a prestigious group of alumni who made significant contributions in an arts discipline while attending the school, meritorious work in the field beyond graduation, and who continue to give back to the community.
Christian Sympathy: The Congregation extends Christian sympathy to the family of Edward Ogburn, who died on February 19. A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, February 27 at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary with visitation in the library following the service.
Family Nature Walk: The Family Nature Walk is Sunday, February 26. Join us after worship for a visit to Village Point Park in Daphne. Walkers will meet in Fellowship Hall for lunch after worship, then drive to the park for the one-mile hike. Please RSVP to Sally Ericson at sallyericson23@gmail.com.
Community Action and Service Town Hall Forum: Springhill Avenue Temple and the Social Action Committee invite you to a Town Hall Forum on Sunday, February 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Temple, 1769 Spring Hill Avenue. The event will feature speakers from NEST of Mobile, Dumas Wesley Community Center, Door to Serenity, BELONG and Veterans Recovery Resources. Learn about the good work and needs of these organizations in a collaborative forum. Dessert, coffee and tea will be served.
Two Pastors and a Rabbi: The next installment of the Interfaith Bible Study is set for Monday, February 27, at 5:30 p.m. at Spring Hill Avenue Temple. Please RSVP to Heather Hamilton if you plan to attend.
Sunday Assistants Needed: The Diaconate is seeking volunteers to help fill the Sunday Assistant slots each week. If you are willing to be added to a list of possible substitutes, please email Diaconate Chair Lisa Goodloe at lgoodloe@comcast.net. This list of substitutes will be a resource for the Deacons to use in the event of a scheduling conflict. Thank you!
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Heltzel Room on the second floor. The class is studying the book “Wholehearted Faith,” written by Rachel Held Evans with Jeff Chu.
Sunday Book Study
9:30 a.m. in the Church Library. The group is studying the Interpretation Bible Series "Romans."
Sunday School for Children and Youth
Sunday School for Children and Youth begins at 9:30 a.m. each week.
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying Genesis.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. The group will continue its study of the Psalms 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 meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the church library and also via Zoom. Study of lectionary or sermon texts. 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 April 14 and May 12. If you can help with this mission on any 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 (preferably on wheels) to the church office.
Cold weather clothing donations
GSPC is collecting gently worn cold-weather clothing items for men, women and children, such as coats, sweaters, hats, gloves and scarves. Socks are a much-needed item for those in shelters. These items will be given to various agencies that help the needy. There is a box designated for these donations in the Jackson Street Foyer.
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.
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 2022.
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 as you receive them. You may submit new information at this link, or 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.
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If you have not registered, you may do so at online at gspcmobile.org/parking
- If you have difficulty registering your vehicle online, please contact Heather or Barbara 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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Blankets and more: A ministry of the GSPC Presbyterian Women
All are invited to donate items to be delivered to USA Children’s & Women’s Mother/Baby/At Risk department for full term babies of needy families (not the NICU) and to the Mostellar Clinic. Here are suggested items and sizes:
- Baby blankets (greatest need) approximately 28-30” square or rectangles 30-34” by 40-46.” (These are only approximations.)
- Hats and booties.
- USACW only: No-scratch mittens (must be fabric, not yarn).
Inexpensive items of any baby-appropriate washable fabric or yarn are appreciated. No large items, please: The babies we serve usually average 3-5 lbs. Store-bought or handmade items are welcomed. (Please do not donate unmade fabric.)
Donations may be left in the “Baby Box” at the Jackson St. entrance at any time, or you may order from Amazon, etc., and request delivery to the church, marked “Blanket Ministry.”
For details, email Charlotte Naylor or contact her at 251-473-6965.
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