Wednesday, December 20, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

There are some Christmas carols so familiar that we sing the words without much thought. One of the things I have enjoyed about our "Songs of the Season" series is that it I have spent a little more time focusing on the words of these hymns I have sung since childhood. This Sunday is Christmas Eve, and I will preach about the song of angels in scripture. It had me thinking about the carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." I can't wait for the organ and the choir and the congregation singing together the beautiful "Gloria!" of the refrain. The hymn started as a poem written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley. The brothers were some of the founders of Methodism: John, a prominent theologian, and Charles, writer of more than 6,000 hymns. John Wesley said his brother's hymnal was the best theological book in existence. Charles was inspire to write "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" as he walked to church on Christmas Day about a year after his conversation. The songs celebrates Jesus' birth and joins our joyful song with the angels who sang to the shepherds on that first Christmas. It was George Whitfield, a well-known preacher and colleague of Wesley's, who adapted the poem into the song we know today. He was the first to use the term "newborn king." When we sing this familiar hymn this week, perhaps we can focus on the joyful good news of the lyrics and imagine our voices joined with all the faithful who have sung this carol before us, imitating and joining the chorus of the angels.

Advent and Christmas blessings to you and yours!

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Advent Wednesday Services: The final Advent Service will be held at noon in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, December 20, followed by lunch in Fellowship Hall at 12:30 p.m.

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.

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.

RIP Medical Debt: Churches in the Presbytery of South Alabama (PSA) are invited to participate in the "Jubilee Campaign" to end medical debt in our area. As you know, medical debt is something that plagues families all across the United States through no fault of their own. PSA is partnering with RIP Medical Debt to purchase bundled medical debt portfolios and then forgive that debt at pennies on the dollar. On average, $1 is leveraged to abolish $100 in medical debt!

Every donation through this page will be spent directly on abolishing medical debt in Alabama (with an emphasis on the counties where there is a PSA church located). When debt relief recipients open the yellow envelope from RIP, they are told that their debt has been bought by PSA churches and erased with no strings attached. They owe nothing on the debt and face no tax penalty.

Let’s join together to help abolish debt and bring Jubilee to thousands of families across Alabama! Click here to donate. You may also send a check to the church office or place in the offering plate with the subject "RIP Medical Debt."

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

This Sunday in Worship

Join us on Sunday, December 24, at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate Advent and light the Candle of Love. The sermon will reference Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20. The Children of GSPC will present their Christmas Pageant, and the Children’s Choir will sing two pieces: Natalie Sleeth’s “Light One Candle” and the Jamaican-influenced “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy.” Also, there will be several beloved congregational Christmas carols sung. Scroll down to view details about the 5 p.m. candlelight service.

Sunday Assistants on December 24:

Joy Gardner

Ruth Schmohl

Bulletin for December 24, 10:30 a.m.:

Sunday, December 24: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

Join us on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. as we celebrate the birth of our Lord. The sermon, titled “The Angel’s Song,” will be drawn from Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20. Joining the Sanctuary Choir will be violinist Ashley Lamar and timpanist Laura Noah as they present music of Christmas, including numerous favorite congregational Christmas carols, “Angels’ Carol,” “Infant Holy” and “On Christmas Night.” Soprano Gabrielle Corlette will sing “O Holy Night," and the service will conclude in candlelight with “Silent Night.” Invite your friends to this celebration of Candles, Carols and Holy Communion.

Sunday Assistant on December 24 at 5 p.m.:

Lisa Goodloe

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 has recessed for the holidays and will meet again 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 meet on December 13 and then recess until January. 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).

The Newsletter is published each week. Please submit content you would like included by the Monday prior.

Submit Content

Share This Email