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Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | |
FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
Last Sunday we began a new sermon series on "Being the Church," looking at practices of the early church from the book of Acts. It is always amazing to me to think of those earliest Christians---how they were willing to give up so much and completely change their lives in order to follow Jesus. For those of us who have always been part of a culture in which we are more likely to be asked, "Where do you go to church?" than "Are you a Christian?" it can be hard to imagine such transformation and sacrifice. Even still, it is worthwhile to wonder what is different about our lives because of our commitment to Jesus Christ. What choices do we or don't we make because of our faith? As American society becomes less and less Christian, the question becomes even more important. We begin to recognize what faith practices are fundamental and which are cultural, what is foundational to our way of life and which were connected to a certain time or way of being church.
I will be away this Sunday participating in the installation of service of my friend, the Rev. Lucy Strong, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. These types of services always remind me how God is still at work, bringing together people for the work of Christ's kingdom. I hope everyone will come on Sunday to hear the Rev. Bob Madsen preach on another practice of the early church and our church today: praying continually. This is a great topic as we continue with our 40 Days of Prayer.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
On Sunday, April 16, the Thriving Congregations Team shared more information about their work through Montreat Conference Center to help our church discern how God is calling us to engage with our community. If you haven’t already, please sign up to be part of a Listening Session. There are seven sessions scheduled during the next several weeks. Please use the sign-up link to register online. You may also sign up for a one-on-one meeting with a member of the team. The congregation is also encouraged to participate in 40 Days of Prayer, which began on April 17 and continues through Pentecost weekend.
The GSPC Thriving Congregations Team members are John Browning, Casi Callaway, Mary Herndon Nordmann, William Peebles, Bo Perry, Buzzy Riis, Nicole Riis and the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar.
Interfaith Bible Study: All are invited to join us at the next session of "Two Pastors and a Rabbi," which will be held at GSPC on Monday, April 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Family Nature Walk: The next walk has been rescheduled to Sunday, May 21, at Magnolia Cemetery. This will be a history tour led by Tom McGehee. Please RSVP to Sally Ericson if you plan to attend.
Vacation Note: Office Manager Heather Hamilton will be out of the office through April 30. If you need assistance during that time, please contact Barbara Williams.
Calling All Middlers (GSPC Members and Friends in the 45ish-65ish age range): Join us for libations and snacks on Sunday, April 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 164 S. Georgia Ave. in the Oakleigh Garden District. Dress is casual. If you would like to bring your favorite beverage or snack to share, please text Beth Morrissette at 251-709-6752.
Coming up: Sunday, April 30
On Sunday, April 30, the service will be led by GSPC youth, and graduating seniors Jackson Boone and Houston Jones will deliver reflections about their faith journeys and the meaning of “Making Disciples,” which utilizes the text Matthew 28:16-20. Music includes Allen Pote’s powerful anthem “God is Our Refuge,” based upon Psalm 46.
After the service, all are invited to a Congregational Luncheon in Fellowship Hall to honor our graduating seniors. The congregation is invited to write letters of congratulations to the members of the Class of 2023: Stephens Ashbee, Jackson Boone, Guy Helmsing, Houston Jones, Rob Mostellar and Marrs Zakary.
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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.
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.
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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 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 June 9 and July 14. 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:
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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.
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
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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.
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:
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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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