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Thursday, November 3, 2022 | |
FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
This Sunday we will celebrate All Saints Sunday. November 1 is All Saints Day, a day when the church remembers the faithful who are now numbered in the Church Triumphant. GSPC's tradition is to celebrate All Saints on the Sunday following November 1 and to read the names of those of our congregation who have died in the past year as part of our communion liturgy. You can find the names printed in the bulletin below. The names of these particular saints remind us of the "great cloud of witnesses" who have served Christ well and who have passed the faith on to us. While All Saints Sunday is a somber day, it is also a day of gratitude for these lives, for the example they have offered, and for the gracious promises of God that remind us that nothing, not even death can separate us from the love of God.
Grace and peace,
Rebekah
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Sunday Assistants
Ashlee Ashbee
Jasper Reaves
Click below to view the bulletin for Sunday, November 6:
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GSPC News
Officer Training: There will be a training session for church officers after worship on Sunday, November 6.
Choir rehearsals resume: Chris Nemec, Organist and Director of Music, is eager to welcome all musicians as we begin to prepare for the holidays! Choir practice is on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Join us! If you have questions, please contact Chris by email.
Fall Gathering: GSPC is hosting the Presbyterian Women of South Alabama's Fall Gathering on Saturday, November 5. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and the fee is $15, which includes lunch. The theme is "Blessed to be a Blessing." The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will be the speaker.
Stewardship Season: Please remember to fill out your Pledge Card for the 2023 fiscal year. Every gift counts! If you have questions about your pledge, please contact bookeeper, Dawn Hearn.
Interfaith Bible Study: The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar joins Rabbi Ed Boraz of Spring Hill Avenue Temple and the Rev. Trey Doyle of First Baptist Church for an interfaith Bible study, "Two Pastors and a Rabbi." The dates are Thursday, November 10, and Thursday, December 1, at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome. (See details below.)
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: The congregation is invited to a Thanksgiving Service led by downtown church leaders on Tuesday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Spring Hill Avenue Temple. Among those leading in worship will be the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar and Rabbi Ed Boraz.
Fall Family Nature Walk: Join us for lunch and a fun outing after church on Sunday, November 13. We will have lunch in the Fellowship Hall and then meet out at Langan Park to explore the trails together! Click here to sign up: Fall Nature Walk RSVP Form .
Mark Your Calendar: The Advent Festival is set for Sunday, November 20, right after worship. Join us for a delicious luncheon and a workshop to create your family's Advent wreath. Click here to RSVP.
Trunk or Treat: Thank you to the Rev. Alexandra Hutson, to the volunteers who set up trunks, and to the youth for organizing this fun event!
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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 topic is "Questions Jesus Asks," led by the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar.
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.
Sunday Night Bible Study
This class, led by the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar, meets at 5 p.m. in the Guesnard House.
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 (no Jif, please, because of the recent recall) 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 40 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 December 9. 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.
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.
We began our agreement with Premium Parking in November and continue to anticipate a significant boost to the church income for 2022 as a result. As we have made the transition, we are aware that some members have experienced difficulties with getting their vehicles registered or with receiving tickets. 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) approx. 28-36” square/rectangles 30-34”x40-46”
- A few 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, or you may order from Amazon, etc., and request delivery to the church, marked “Blanket Ministry.”
For details, email Charlotte Naylor.
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