Wednesday, March 20, 2024

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

On Sunday, we will once again see our children walking down the aisles waving palm branches. Palm Sunday is a weirdly joyful day. I'm never quite sure whether I should give into the joyful "Hosannas!" or be thinking ahead to the cross that is just days away. How should we think of Palm Sunday? It is often easier to focus on the new clothes, the baskets, the dinner---all good things. But Palm Sunday points us toward the harder questions of what it means to be faithful to Christ.

As we prepare to begin Holy Week on Sunday, I confess that I still struggle with how to complexities of Palm Sunday. But this poem by Ann Weems offers me a hint of answer.

"The Way to Jerusalem Is Cluttered"

The way to Jerusalem is cluttered with bits and pieces of our lives that fly up and cru out, wounding us as we try to keep upon this path that leads to Life.

Why didn't someone tell us that it would be so hard?

In the midst of the clutter, the children laugh

and run after stars.

Those of us who are wise

will follow,

for the children will be the first

to kneel in Jerusalem.

See you Sunday.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Palm Sunday: The Palm Sunday service on March 24 will include our traditional processional with palms. The Children's Choir will sing "Hosanna to the Son" at the start of the service. It's going to be a joyful morning of worship!

Lent and Easter Series: A reminder to GSPC families to take a look at the weekly worship challenges for children. Our Lenten sermon series uses material from "Wandering Heart," produced by Sanctified Art, a team of artists in ministry who work to bring scripture and theological themes to life through visual art, poetry and liturgy. The theme is "figuring out faith with Peter," as we consider stories from the disciple's faith journey with Jesus. The series uses phrases from the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Children who complete the worship challenges will be rewarded on Palm Sunday!

Congratulations to Carter Hale Jr.! Carter and his Sunny Side Theater team won awards in the National Youth Theater Experience in Louisville, Ky. More than 700 children from across the southeast competed. Carter won Best Supporting Actor, and his team also won Best Vocals in an Ensemble and the Spirit of the Festival Award.

Tuesday Lunch and Learn: GSPC’s community lunch series continues weekly through April 30. 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! (A reminder that we will not have a Lunch and Learn during Holy Week.) Here is the schedule of upcoming speakers:

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 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.  

20s/30s Bible Study: The next Young Women's Bible Study will be on Wednesday, March 20, at 6 p.m. at the Guesnard House. For details, contact Mary Herndon Nordmann.

Interfaith Bible Study: The next Interfaith Bible study will be Thursday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. at GSPC.

Easter Lily Dedications: Don't forget to order Easter Lily dedications! You may order lilies in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Order forms are available in the church office and in the sanctuary. Please place your orders by Tuesday, March 26.

Easter Events and Holy Week services

• Sunday, March 24: Palm Sunday service, 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, March 28: Maundy Thursday service, 6 p.m.
• Friday, March 29: Good Friday service, noon.
• Saturday, March 30: Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. in Washington Square.
• Sunday, March 31: Easter Sunday service, 10:30 a.m. 

Easter eggs needed: Parents and grandparents, please bring donations of plastic, filled Easter eggs to contribute to the Easter Egg Hunt. There is a bin in the Jackson Street entrance for the eggs. Please bring your donations by Friday, March 29.

New Book Club: Meredith Johnston is leading a new book discussion/club, which will meet each month in the Church Library and via Zoom. The focus will be on books about church history and biography. The next meeting will be on April 2 at 5:30 p.m. The group will study "Katie Luther, First Lady of the Reformation: The Unconventional Life of Katharina von Bora," by Ruth A. Tucker. Three print copies are available through the Mobile Public Library and the book is also available digitally on Hoopla through MPL.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. 

VBS at GSPC: Vacation Bible School is planned for the week of June 17-24. Stay tuned for registration forms and other details!

Baby News: The congregation rejoices with the O'Malley and Walker families on the arrival of Frances Elizabeth O'Malley on March 4, 2024. Frances (left) is the daughter of Michael and Sydney O’Malley and the granddaughter of Duke and Shawn Walker. The congregation also had a chance to meet William Wright Majure IV (right) last week. Baby Wright, three months, is the son of William and Hannah Majure and the grandson of Bill and Beth Majure. Wright and his parents live in Nashville.

Sunday, March 24

Join us on Palm Sunday, March 24, the sixth Sunday in Lent. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will continue the “Wandering Heart” worship series with a sermon titled “Songs of Loudest Praise” from John 12: 12-16. Music will include Jody Lindh’s “Hosanna to the Son,” sung by the Children’s Choir, and Faure’s “The Palms,” sung by the Sanctuary Choir.



Bulletin for March 24:

Easter Sunday, March 31

Join us on Easter Sunday, as we celebrate the Risen Lord! The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will continue her sermon series with “Wandering Heart: And I Hope,” referencing Luke 24 :1-1 2. Joining the Sanctuary Choir will be a string quartet and timpani as they provide music to uplift: Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus" (Messiah), and “Hallelujah, Amen!” (Judas Maccabeus) and John Rutter’s “I Am the Resurrection.” Instrumental music includes an Aquarelle by Delius, the Rondo from Mozart’s Serenade in G, and the Intermezzo from the Easter Scene from Cavalleria Rusticana.

Talking Heads

This Sunday School class is meets on the second floor of the church each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.

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 is held 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 Romans.

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.