Thursday, November 2, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

Dear GSPC,

As you have read over the last several weeks, we will be having a congregational meeting on Sunday (November 5) for the purpose of approving the sale of Baytreat. In anticipation of this important meeting, I want to answer a few questions that have received over the last several weeks.

1. According to our denomination's Book of Order, all decisions concerning the buying or selling of property are made by the congregation. These decisions must also be approved by the presbytery. If the congregation votes in favor on Sunday, the motion will come before the Presbytery of South Alabama later this month.
2. All members (including those who are still students but who have been confirmed) may vote. However, you have to be present to vote. This is the policy for all our congregational meetings and follows our denomination's Book of Order.
3. Voting will be done by paper ballot, and the results of the vote will be announced at the end of the meeting.
4. The congregational meeting will not be livestreamed. The results of the vote will be emailed to the congregation in a timely manner.

Those are the technical details. Let me close with some pastoral words. This vote is a big decision for our congregation. As Presbyterians, we believe that we best discern the Holy Spirit together. I have been impressed with the work of both the Property Task Force and the Session through this process. They have listened carefully, have been open to the Spirit's leading, and have been faithful to the work before them. I have no doubt that the Spirit will be present in the same way in Sunday's meeting. I trust this faithful congregation to listen well to one another and to God as we work together to be faithful to the calling God has for us.

Faithfulness does not mean unanimity. In fact, faithfulness often means varied viewpoints. But it also means humility, compassion, and openness. This congregation has no shortage of those traits, and I know you join me in prayer for Sunday and beyond.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Tuesday Lunch and Learn Series: Come to lunch! The GSPC community lunch series continues weekly through November 14. The price is $12 and includes coffee, tea and dessert. The congregation is encouraged to invite their friends to these lunches, which are open to the public. Free parking is available in the church lot for our guests during the lunch hour.

Here is the schedule of upcoming speakers:

Nov. 7: Paul Prine, Chief of the Mobile Police Department

Nov. 14: Tom McGehee, historian

Stewardship Season: Please remember to return your pledge cards. Pledges can be dropped in the offering plate, submitted to the church office, or emailed to Dawn Hearn, GSPC Bookkeeper.

Did you memorize last Sunday's Bible verse?

October 29: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. (Psalm 100:1,2)

Remember to pick up a new memory verse on Sunday!

Old Testament Study: The fall sermon series and Bible study, "How Firm A Foundation," may be supplemented with "A Guide to Bible Basics" by Tyler Mayfield, or videos for bibleproject.com. For details, pick up an outline of the series in the sanctuary or in the church office, or view it here. Complementary studies, led by the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar, include Wednesday noon Bible studies in the GSPC Library, which continue through November 15.

Congregational Meeting: The Session has called a congregational meeting on Sunday, November 5, to consider the following motion: Approve the sale of Baytreat and delegate to the GSPC Session the authority to take all necessary steps to effect the sale.

Living Out Our Faith: The Christian Education Committee is sponsoring a panel discussion, "Living Out Our Faith," on Sunday, November 12, immediately after worship. Lunch will be served at a cost of $10. The event is geared toward GSPC Youth and their families. Panelists are Susan Ashbee, Blair Schoenvogel and John Browning. Mark your calendar and make plans to join us!

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Mark your calendars! Members of GSPC, First Baptist Church and Springhill Avenue Temple, and the community, are all invited to an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Thursday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. at GSPC. Please plan to bring a frozen turkey or canned food items to donate to Central Presbyterian Church. The donations will be distributed to the needy on Tuesday, November 21, during Central's weekly Food Pantry event.

Additional News and Notes

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.

Children's Choir rehearsals: The GSPC Children's Choir rehearses on Sundays from 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. in the office of Chris Nemec (2nd floor at the Jackson St. stairwell). The children will sing on December 24 at 10:30 a.m. To assure the children are well-prepared and effective leaders, each child must attend a minimum of three rehearsals in order to sing for Sunday worship. Questions? Contact Chris Nemec.   

Sanctuary Choir rehearsals: If you've ever wanted to learn to play handbells, or to lift a joyful voice in song, the Sanctuary and Handbell Choirs are eager to show you the ropes! 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 on All Saints Sunday, November 5, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series “How Firm a Foundation.” Scriptures include Luke 1:68-79 and Psalm 139 and are the basis for the sermon, entitled “Wisdom.” In preparation, worshipers may read pages 116-123 of “A Guide to Bible Basics” by Tyler Mayfield, or view the following video at bibleproject.com: “Psalms.” Choral music includes Mark Patterson’s All Saints anthem “God’s Love Is Alive in Us.” Franz Schubert’s “Litany for the Feast of All Saints” will be played during Holy Communion. 

Sunday Assistants on November 5:

Clint Akers

Harris Oswalt

Bulletin for November 5:

Sunday, November 12

Join us next Sunday as Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series “How Firm a Foundation.” The sermon is titled “Judgment” with scripture from Matthew 25:31-46 and Jeremiah 7:1-20. Music will include the Gospel song “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood, and an excerpt from Everett Titcomb’s “Behold Now, Praise the Lord!”

Talking Heads

This Sunday School class is studying the "How Firm A Foundation" guide to the Old Testament.

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 the Book of Amos.

Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study

The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. The group is studying the "How Firm a Foundation" Old Testament study series. For details, contact Mary Elizabeth Perry.

Wednesday Bible Study

This group meets from noon to 1 p.m. in the library at GSPC and via Zoom and is led by the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar. The study follows the fall sermon series, "How Firm a Foundation." Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84007919454 .

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, you will need to pay $5 for three 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:

1. GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
2. If you have not registered, you may do so by emailing your license plate number to Barbara Williams 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 in the church office and she will take care of it. 

Baytreat: GSPC's bayfront property is available for rentals. Several of the rooms now have queen-size beds. For details, click here. For information, email Barbara Williams or call her at the church office (251-432-1749).