Wednesday, January 3, 2024

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

There is so much focus this time of year on what we want to do differently in the new year---what new habits or traditions or version of ourselves we would like to manifest in the year that will be.

But perhaps the first questions should be: what do you wish to carry from 2023 into 2024? Perhaps you learned something new about yourselves, or kindled a new friendship, or found a new hobby, or invested in a long-time relationship. Maybe you continued to do work you love or spent time with people you love. Maybe the way to begin the new year is by celebrating the joys in our lives that will carry us in to the next year and be the foundation for anything new that may come.

As we pray for our church in the coming year, I find myself thankful for many things that I want us to carry into 2024 and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us in this coming year.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Christian Sympathy: The congregation extends Christian sympathy to the family of Harry Paul Ray, who died on December 25. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 10, at 11 a.m. at GSPC, with a reception to follow in Fellowship Hall.

Officer installation: The church officers will be installed during the worship service on January 7.

Winter Sermon Series: This Sunday, January 7, the service will include the first sermon of the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar's "Introducing: Jesus" winter sermon series. The series continues through February 4, and concludes with a combined service with Rabbi Ed Boraz and the Rev. Trey Doyle at First Baptist Church at 9 a.m. on Sunday, February 11 (Transfiguration Sunday and Joe Cain Day).

Supper Club Update: The Supper Clubs will begin meeting again in January. Stay tuned for updates! If you would like to be added to the list to join a Supper Club, or to be a substitute, email Blanche Parsons or Linda Reynolds.

Tuesday Lunch and Learn: GSPC’s community lunch series will resume on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. The first speaker of the new year will be J.D Crowe, political cartoonist at al.com. Lunch is served at noon and J.D. will speak at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $12 and includes coffee, tea and dessert. Invite your friends and family to lunch! Here is the full list of upcoming speakers:

Jan. 9: J.D. Crowe, political cartoonist, al.com

Jan. 16: Cam Marston, author and radio talk show host

Jan. 23: Cart Blackwell, Education Curator, Mobile Carnival Museum

Jan. 30: Chris Curry, President, Mobile Airport Authority

Feb. 6: Glenda Snodgrass, information security expert, the Net Effect

Feb. 20: Jo Bonner, President, University of South Alabama

Feb. 27: Keith Blackwood, Mobile District Attorney

March 5: Lucy Gafford, Executive Director, Mobile Arts Council

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

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.

Interfaith Bible Study: The next Interfaith Bible Study will be Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Spring Hill Avenue Temple at 5:30 p.m.

New Book Club: Beginning in February, Meredith Johnston will lead a book discussion/club meeting on the last Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Church Library and via Zoom. The focus will be on books about church history and biography. On February 27, the group will discuss "From Preaching to Meddling: A White Minister in the Civil Rights Movement," by Francis Walter, a Mobile native. The Mobile Public Library has several copies available at their branches and the book is also available digitally to download from their site through Hoopla. For more information, please contact Meredith Johnston via email or at 251-323-5954.

Stewardship reminder: 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.

Sunday Assistants on January 7:

Lisa Goodloe

Stella Jackson

Bulletin for January 7:

Sunday, January 14

Join us on Sunday, January 14, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues the “Introducing Jesus” winter sermon series with a sermon titled “The Unexpected King,” with Scripture references from Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 and John 1:43-51. Choral music includes Andraé Crouch’s rousing gospel setting of “Soon and Very Soon.”

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 will resume meeting on January 9.

Men's Bible Study

The Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Study meets at 6 p.m. in the library. This group will resume meetings on January 10. Contact: Bo Perry.

Opportunities for Service

Please remember the people our church is serving and those who work with them daily in your prayers.

Blanket Sunday

The Presbyterian Women are collecting baby blankets, and the first Sunday of the month is designated as "Blanket Sunday" to remind the congregation to donate to the Blanket Ministry. The baby blankets are 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."

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/

Needs 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. Volunteers are needed to provide, deliver, and serve lunch to the residents at McKemie Place on January 12, February 9, and March 9, 2024. Please contact Lisa deShazo if you are interested in volunteering for this mission. 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 donations of gently used luggage (with wheels, please) to the church office.

Clothing for the needy: Donations of gently used coats, sweaters, caps, and gloves for women, men and children are needed for the homeless in our area. Donations may be placed in the basket located at the Jackson Street entrance.

Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies

How Can You Support Barton Academy?

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 personal hygiene products (see details in the listing below) and used glasses. Below is a list of needed items:

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);

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);

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 2023-24.

In Partnership,

Sue C. King

Habitat for Humanity SW Alabama

Development Coordinator

3712 Airport Blvd.

251-476-7171, Ext. 229

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:

GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
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.
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.

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).

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