FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
I've been away the last two Sundays, and I am excited to be back in the pulpit in a few days. While I have missed you all, I have been grateful over the last couple weeks for the connectional nature of our Presbyterian Church (USA). On Sunday, July 16, I represented the Presbytery of South Alabama in worship at Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Dothan, AL, on the occasion of their pastor's last Sunday before retirement. Rev. Dr. Joe Johnson has served that congregation for over 30 years, and he has been a dear friend and colleague to me since I came to GSPC. It was a blessing to be part of celebrating his ministry at Evergreen, in Dothan, and within the PC(USA).
Last Sunday, I was on my way back from Maryville, TN, where I spent 5 days with the middle school youth from GSPC and Spring Hill Presbyterian. Watching over 550 middle schoolers from around the southeast (and beyond!) sing and worship and play together at the Montreat Middle School Conference was a great gift.
And now, I am happy to be back with you on Sunday. We will continue our "Sailboat Church" sermon series, looking at Ephesians 6:10-20, in which Paul encourages the church to put on "the whole armor of God." It is an interesting metaphor to use as we seek to serve Jesus who chose not to fight or even protect himself when his life was at stake. I look forward to seeing you in church on Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
Supper Clubs Are Back: Join us as we begin the 2023-24 Supper Club season! Supper Clubs give us the opportunity to have fun, eat delicious food and get to know new people. Beginning in September, Supper Club groups will meet once a month and continue meeting through May 2024. (Clubs will not meet during the summer.) Participants will be placed at random with a group of 6-8 people; husbands and wives will be together. If someone cannot attend one month, there will be a list of substitutes to call as replacements.
Each group will decide the date to meet and whether its dinner will be at a home or at a restaurant each month. Supper Club groups may choose their own format and menus for dinner (cookouts, Italian, seafood, etc.).
In January, the names will be shuffled and people will be assigned new groups through April. In December and in May, all the Supper Clubs will meet together for lunch after church. Sign up for a Supper Club by emailing Blanche Parsons, or by calling Blanche at 251-348-7037 or Linda Reynolds at 251-625-0305. The deadline is July 31.
Meal Plans: Have you heard about TakeThemAMeal.com? This website allows users to set up a meal signup for someone who needs a little extra help. The congregation is using this site to take meals to Lisa deShazo as she recovers from her injury, and nearly all of the meal slots are already filled! If you have a special request for meals, please email Sallye Irvine or call her at 251-605-3425, or call Leigh Schottgen at 251-635-7805.
Upcoming Youth Service Day: Wednesday, August 2, with Meals on Wheels, 9 to 11 a.m. Please RSVP to the Rev. Alexandra Hutson.
Baytreat is available for rentals this summer. Several of the rooms now have queen-size beds! For information, email Barbara Williams or call her at the church office (251-432-1749).
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.
Balcony closed for the summer: All worshipers are asked to find a seat in the main level of the sanctuary. We will reopen the balcony for Rally Day on September 10.
This Sunday in Worship
On Sunday, July 30, the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will continue her sermon series with “Sailboat Church: Preparation” with scripture from Psalm 51:1-12 and Ephesians 6:10-20. While the Sanctuary Choir is on summer break, our guest musician will be baritone Jasaan Roberts, who will sing Frances Allitsen’s “The Lord Is My Light” and John Ness Beck’s setting of “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Hymns will be those requested by the congregation.
Sunday Assistants on Sunday, July 30:
Clint Akers
Ashley Ashbee
Bulletin for Sunday, July 30:
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Sunday, August 6
Join us in worship next Sunday, August 6, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her summer sermon series, “Sailboat Church: Prayer,” with corresponding scripture of Psalm 113 and Matthew 6:5-13. Guest Organist Stephen Prager will be leading music with tenor Jacob Mohr, who will sing a setting of the spiritual “Give Me Jesus.” We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class has recessed for the summer and will resume in the fall.
Sunday Book Study
9:30 a.m. in the Church Library. The group is studying the Interpretation Bible Series "Exodus."
Sunday School for Children and Youth
Sunday School for Children and Youth has recessed for the summer and will resume in September on Rally Day.
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying "Look Ahead" by George Sinclair.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. The group is studying the Book of Proverbs 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 has recessed for the summer and will resume in the fall. 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 September 8. If you can help with this mission on either 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. 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.”
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 by emailing it 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.
- If you have not registered, you may do so by emailing your license plate number to Heather Hamilton 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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