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Friday, March 24, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

The poet Ann Weems writes,

"The way to Jerusalem

is cluttered

with bits and pieces of our lives

that fly up and cry out,

wounding us as we try

to keep upon this path

that leads to Life."

Perhaps you find yourself tripping along this path that leads to life as we continue our Lenten journey to the Jerusalem. It isn't an easy road. This week we will read together the story of the raising of Lazarus. It is a reminder that there is grief and heartbreak along this path, but we are making our way toward resurrection. It is a path better walked together, so I hope, in spite of the clutter, to see you Sunday so we may worship together.

Grace and peace,

Rebekah

This Sunday in Worship

Join us in worship this Sunday, March 26, the fifth Sunday of Lent, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar preaches on “Grief,” with text from John 11:1-45, and Psalm 130. Music that day will include guest flutist Andra Bohnet from the Mobile Symphony playing J.S. Bach’s Siciliano from his 2nd Flute Sonata (BWV 1031) and Francis Poulenc’s haunting Cantilena from his Flute Sonata. Dr. Bohnet will join the Sanctuary Choir and mezzo-soprano soloist Meredith Wilson in David Johnson’s Lenten anthem “O Dearest Lord." "O dearest Lord, thy sacred head, with thorns was pierced for me..."

Sunday Assistants for March 26

Lisa Goodloe

George Oswalt

Click below to view the bulletin for March 26:

GSPC News

Service Project: Members of Club 345 and volunteers met in Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday to make sandwiches and assemble lunch bags for our Meals on Wheels clients. Great job!

Easter Lilies: It’s time to order Easter lilies in honor of or in memory of loved ones. Please use the form printed in the church bulletin, or call the church office during business hours. The deadline is Tuesday, April 4.

Reminder to Parents: The Children of the Church will sing on Palm Sunday, April 2, and all children ages 3 to 5th grade are invited. Rehearsals are held weekly during their Sunday School time, 9:30-9:45 a.m. Attendance at rehearsal is necessary in order to learn our song, which tells the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, "… riding on a donkey's colt he came, palm branches spread before him." Questions? Contact Chris Nemec at chris@gspcmobile.org.

Easter Egg Hunt: Mark your calendars for the GSPC Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, at 10 a.m. in Washington Square. Parents and grandparents are asked to bring filled plastic eggs to the church to stock our hunt. Youth volunteer helpers will need to arrive at the Square by 9 a.m. to hide the eggs and set up the games. It's going to be an eggs-cellent time of fun and fellowship!

Montreat Thriving Congregations Update: Please make plans to attend lunch after worship on Sunday, April 16 to hear more about how you can participate in the next steps of GSPC's Thriving Congregations Initiative. Our team just returned from Montreat Conference Center and has lots to share.

Community News

Ready for spring gardening? You can support horticulture programs at Mobile County Public Schools and find some great bargains at the same time! Spring plant sales have begun at Bryant Career Technical Center and Mary G. Montgomery High School. The plants are cultivated by students, and proceeds benefit the horticulture programs. Visit the MGM Academy of Agribusiness FB page and the Bryant Career Technical Center Horticulture Program FB page for hours and payment information. (Typical hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.)

Mobile Public Library's book sale: The Mobile Public Library's annual book sale will be held at the Abba Shrine Center at 7701 Hitt Road on Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

First Baptist Church's Inaugural "Baptist Voices" Lecture Series: All are invited to join our friends at First Baptist Church of Mobile on Sunday, March 26, at 5 p.m. to hear Jonathan Merritt, a popular writer on issues of faith and culture. He is the author of "Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing -- And How We Can Revive Them." Child care is provided and the event is free and open to all.

Talking Heads

This Sunday School class meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Heltzel Room on the second floor.

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.

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 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:

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.

Blanket Ministry: All are invited to donate baby blankets to be delivered to the Mostellar Clinic. 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. 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.”

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.

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, 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:

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