Wednesday, January 24, 2024

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

It has been about 15 months since our first "Two Pastors and a Rabbi" Bible study and a year since Rev. Doyle of First Baptist and Rabbi Boraz of Spring Hill Avenue Temple preached along with me in GSPC's sanctuary. Since then we have continued to have monthly interfaith Bible studies. We have had two interfaith Thanksgiving services. The clergy have preached together multiple times.

I realized that as much as I mention these opportunities, many of you might not have heard me explain why I think they are important. I could go on longer than you would like, but let me list three reasons that this is important to me and important for our church.

1. We share scripture. Of course, we share scripture with our Baptist friends, though we may not have always interpreted it the same way. But we also share some scripture with our Jewish neighbors. The words of our Old Testament were the scriptures that shaped Jesus. If we confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, we should know the scriptures that nurtured him in faith. Hearing Jewish interpretations of these shared scriptures deepens our understanding of what the scriptures mean for our Christian faith.
2. Relationships bridge divisions. We live in an age of tribalism. It is easy to surround ourselves with people who think like us or to avoid points of disagreement or difference. Through our Bible studies, we are able to appreciate differences and unrealized similarities while also building relationships with those in other congregations. The invitation to worship together is an invitation into knowing one another better as we learn the deeply held traditions that form us in faith.
3. Jesus taught us to love one another. Jesus did not love in abstract. Jesus loved specific people in specific places and situations. Loving our neighbor means getting to know our neighbor. My friendship with Rabbi Boraz and Rev. Doyle has been a blessing, and it is one I hope to continue to share with GSPC, trusting that God is shaping us and guiding us through this collaboration.

You can find the schedule for "Two Pastors and Rabbi" Interfaith Bible studies and worship opportunities below.

See you Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

The flowers on January 21 were given in loving memory of two pillars of the church: Hattie Ogburn and Martelle Scott. The flowers on the pulpit were given by the Presbyterian Women to the glory of God and in remembrance of Hattie Ogburn, an active member of the PW who died in 2023.

The flowers in the Jackson Street foyer were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Martelle Scott on the 100th anniversary of her birthday.

Tuesday Lunch and Learn: GSPC’s community lunch series continues weekly through April 30. Thank you to Casi Callaway for her wonderful presentation on January 23! Lunch is served at noon and the presentation begins at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $12 and includes coffee, tea and dessert. Invite your friends and family to lunch! Here is the schedule of upcoming speakers:

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

Office volunteers needed: The church office is in need of volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers monitor the Jackson Street entrance, answer the phone, and assist Meredith Johnston with mailings and other duties. If you are able to volunteer, please email Stella Jackson.

Invitation from Spring Hill Avenue Temple: The GSPC congregation is invited to join our friends at the Temple for their Friday evening service. Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar and Rev. Trey Doyle will preach alongside Rabbi Ed Boraz. The service is at 6 PM on Friday, January 26.

Winter Sermon Series: The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar's winter sermon series, "Introducing: Jesus," continues through January 28.

Guest Preacher: On Sunday, February 4, GSPC will welcome Rev. Dr. Julian Walthall to preach and preside at communion. The Rev. Dr. Julian W. Walthall is a native of Hale County in the Black Belt. After serving four churches in active ministry over 39 years, he was honorably retired in 2012 by the Presbytery of South Alabama. He and his wife, Carolyn, live in Daphne. They have two sons: David, an English professor in Siena, Italy, and Claiborne, an environmental lawyer in upstate New York. Their three precious granddaughters live in New Scotland, NY.

Sunday, February 11: GSPC will worship at First Baptist Church at 9 AM. Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will preach along with Rabbi Ed Boraz and Rev. Trey Doyle at this service. There will be no service at GSPC on this day. Passes to get to FBC through the Joe Cain festivities will be available in the church office when we received them.

Ash Wednesday Service: GSPC's Ash Wednesday Service will be Wednesday, February 14 at 12 PM in the sanctuary. It will include the imposition of ashes and communion as well as special music.

Lent and Easter Series: A Lenten sermon series will begin on Ash Wednesday. Together we will "figure out faith with Peter," as we consider stories from the disciple's faith story. The series uses phrases from the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing." A devotional booklet and a children's worship challenge will be a part of the series.

New Book Club: Beginning in February, Meredith Johnston will lead a book discussion/club meeting on the last Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Church Library and via Zoom. The focus will be on books about church history and biography. On February 27, the group will discuss "From Preaching to Meddling: A White Minister in the Civil Rights Movement," by Francis Walter, a Mobile native. The Mobile Public Library has several copies available at their branches and the book is also available digitally to download from their site through Hoopla. For more information, please contact Meredith Johnston via email or at 251-323-5954. 

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.   

Sunday Assistants on January 28:

Clint Akers

Lynn McDaniel

Bulletin for January 28:

Sunday, February 4

On Sunday, February 4, as Mobile Symphony cellist Dr. Andrea Beltran Landers will join us in worship as she plays music by J.S. Bach and Rachmaninoff. Choral music will include a setting of the text “Be Not Afraid” and Mark Patterson’s arrangement of the spiritual “Witness.” Our guest preacher will be Dr. Julian Walthall, preaching on Isaiah 40:21-31 with a sermon entitled, "Wait for the Lord." The congregation will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will be away for continuing education in Fort Worth, TX, February 3-7.

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 meets at 10 a.m. at the church. For details, contact Mary Elizabeth Perry.

Men's Bible Study

The Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Study meets at 6 p.m. in the library. Contact: Bo Perry.

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:

1. GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
2. 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.
3. 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).