FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
I read a Barna report recently that reports that nearly 73% of parents are concerned about their children's spiritual formation. My own anecdotal data supports this number. As Holy Week is nearly upon us, let me offer a couple suggestions.
1. The children will sing in worship on Palm Sunday (April 10). The kids will practice this Sunday (April 3) during Sunday School and again during Sunday School on Palm Sunday. Please send your children to sing! It is a formative experience for them and for the congregation. Even if your kid is not a singer, come on Palm Sunday. We have brass and strings and special choirs and it will be a wonderful service of worship.
2. Make plans to come with your family to Maundy Thursday (4/14 at 6 p.m.) and/or Good Friday (4/15 at noon) services. These services help your children understand the importance of Easter. These services are as appropriate for children as Sunday morning worship is.
3. Talk about why faith is important to you. This doesn't have to (and probably shouldn't be) long. Something as simple as "I know God is always with me," or "My church reminds me how to serve others," or "When I pray I feel more peaceful." Take some time and write down some of these statements so you have them ready when an opportunity presents itself in conversation.
4. Spend time with Christian friends. Be intentional about the adults who surround your children. Seeing adults live out their faith is a key to developing their own faith. While being in the pew each week is not a guarantee that children will grow in faith, the relationships formed with other Christians plants and waters the seeds of faith in your child.
5. Pray with your children, especially in the week leading up to Easter. Give your children things to pray about for you or for the world. When your child expresses concern about a friend, family member, or teacher, suggest that the family pray for that person.
7. For other suggestions, you can read "What Makes for a Spiritually Vibrant Household?"
There are no quick and easy answers, but remember that you have a church family ready to make good on the vows taken at your child's baptism to support you as you nurture your child in faith.
Grace and peace,
Rebekah
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Guest Pastor
We are privileged to have the Rev. Robert E. Madsen as our guest Pastor today. Bob is Regional Presbyter serving the Presbytery of South Alabama and the Presbytery of Mississippi. Prior to embarking on that ministry, Bob served as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Andalusia for slightly more than eight years. He began his ministry serving as associate pastor in East Brunswick, N.J., for five years and then Franklin, Tenn., for seven years. Bob also served as pastor of the Presbyterian Churches in Gulf Shores, Ala. (2002-05) and Bluffton, Ind (2005-13). He and his wife, Linda, live in Saraland.
Bob is a lifelong Presbyterian, having been baptized in the United Presbyterian Church (USA), confirmed in the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Georgia State University and a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary.
Sunday Assistants
Ashley Oswalt
Leanne Tamblyn
Wee Worship/ Nursery
Harley and Marlene Jones
Nicole Riis
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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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Music Ministry
The Sanctuary Choir will rehearse for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services on
Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. noon, and on Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to noon.
All singers are welcome to join us for these special worship services. Help us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
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Children
Sunday School is held weekly at 9:30 a.m.
The Palm Sunday music rehearsal will be held on Sunday, April 3, at 9:30 a.m. Please bring your children to this important rehearsal as we prepare for Holy Week!
Mark your calendar to attend the Family Nature Walk following worship on Palm Sunday (April 10). We will have lunch in Fellowship Hall and drive over to Dauphin Island to walk through the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Please click here to sign up so that we'll have a head count for lunch.
Youth
Sunday School is held weekly at 9:30 a.m., and the regular Youth Group meetings have resumed. We will plan the order of worship and the worship leaders for Youth/Senior Sunday after church on April 3. The Youth/Senior Sunday will be held on Sunday, May 1.
Donate to the Easter Egg Hunt!
The Easter Egg Hunt will be held in Washington Square on Saturday, April 16. The Christian Education Committee is requesting donations of filled Easter eggs. Please bring your eggs to the church office by April 10.
Wee Worship
Wee Worship is an important part of the faith formation of the children at GSPC. In order to gain knowledge of the children's experience, make sure volunteers are equipped and supported, and ensure the success of the program, Pastor Alexandra leads Wee Worship once a month. Thanks to all of our Wee Worship leaders!
Talking Heads
This Sunday School class meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room
on the second floor.
Sunday Book Study
9:30 a.m. in the Library and on Zoom: "From Ashes to Alleluias: A Lenten Study of Favorite Hymns," led by Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar (through April 10).
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Contact: Mary Elizabeth Perry
Men's Bible Study
Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Library; Zoom available. Contact: Bo Perry
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Vacation Bible School
June 20-24, 2022
All are invited! Our theme is "Passport to Peace." Children will travel through the world learning how to be peacemakers. They will make friends, sing fun songs, meet peacemakers in the Bible, do art projects and science explorations and play active games. Your children will practice strategies for experiencing peace inside and learn how to live at peace with others.
Please sign up for VBS on the church website: gspcmobile.org/vbs.
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Baytreat Rentals
Baytreat is now listed on AirBnB. Follow the link for availability and booking.
All rental inquiries are now being handled by Shelley Springer, who can be reached at shelley@shelleyspringer.com. Please check the website for availability and then contact Shelley directly for booking or further information.
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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/
Cards for Prison Ministry
The Urban Ministry Committee is collecting cards of encouragement and love for our prison ministry. Many of the inmates are not able to attend funerals or see their family, and we are called to spread joy to these folks. Who better to assist than our youth? Paper and crayon packets are available in the Jackson Street entrance. Please help your children to draw a picture and include a message of hope and love! Children may sign first names only or may simply sign "Government Street Presbyterian Church." Thank you! If you have any questions, please contact Jane Hale at 251-533-9387.
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 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 donatoin 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 May 13, June 10, July 8, and August 12. If you can help with this mission on any of these dates, please contact Lisa deShazo at 251-591-1077.
Junior League Diaper Drive
During the month of April, Junior League of Mobile is hosting a Diaper Drive at various locations, including GSPC. Everyone is invited to donate diapers to the Junior League Diaper Bank, which is especially in need of the smaller preemie, newborn, sizes 1, 5, and 6, and any toddler and adult size diapers. Leave your donations in the box at the Jackson Street entrance.
The Junior League Diaper Bank, the only diaper bank in Mobile, supplies diapers to the Central Presbyterian Church Food Pantry and other agencies that support families in need. The Diaper Bank is a project of the Provisional Class, of which Alexandra Hutson is a member.
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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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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