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FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
I got an email from the school last week. Well, actually, I got three emails from the kids' school.--one for each kid. I know that makes sense, but it seemed like my inbox was screaming that the end of summer is drawing near. School days are coming soon!
If you look below, you will see that we will have a Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday, August 4. All our children and youth are invited to bring their backpacks to church that morning and receive a tag for their backpacks as well as a prayer for the school year to come. In addition, we are asking the congregation to bring gently used (or new!) children's books to donate on that morning.
You will also find information about a Parents' Night Out event during Artwalk on August 9. Youth are needed to help as volunteers. Adults are welcome to gather in Guesnard House before enjoying Artwalk together.
AND, mark your calendars for Rally Day on September 8. This is will be the day we will kick off a new Sunday School year. There will be a meeting for parents during the Sunday School hour and a congregational luncheon following worship. All these plans are just a few that are underway under Bradley Daugherty's leadership in Christian Education and are in line with the Children and Youth Ministries Visioning report that we received from Dr. Tara Bulger. We will walk through that report more in the weeks to come.
All this is to say it is a great time to invite your friends with children or youth to come and visit us at GSPC! We are looking forward to a great fall together.
On another note, thank you for all your prayers during our family's travels and a huge thank you to all those who helped to lead worship while I was away. It is good to be home, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
Blessing of the Backpacks: Children are invited to bring their backpacks for a special Blessing of the Backpacks during the service on Sunday, August 4. Children may also bring gently used books to be donated for other children to enjoy.
Mark Your Calendars: The congregation is invited to a series of "Second Sunday Monthly Luncheons" after church this fall. The dates are September 8, October 13, and November 10. Stay tuned for details!
Calling All Greeters: As part of the Thriving Congregations initiative, the congregation is invited to volunteer as greeters on Sunday mornings. Greeters are asked to arrive by10:15 a.m. and to welcome visitors at both entrances to the sanctuary. The commitment would not be every week. If you are interested in joining this evangelism opportunity on Sunday mornings, please contact Mary Herndon Nordmann.
Baytreat Memories: The congregation is invited to share their favorite Baytreat memories. Please submit them using this link.
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.
Office Volunteers Needed: The church office would welcome volunteers during the week, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Volunteers assist with monitoring the Jackson Street entrance and answering the phone. They may also assist with special projects. If you are able to volunteer, please contact Meredith Johnston at the church office.
Children and Youth Sunday School and Wee Worship on Summer Break: There will be no more Sunday School programming for children and youth until Rally Day on September 8. Wee Worship will resume on Sunday, August 4. Thank you to our dedicated Sunday School teachers and Wee Worship volunteers. Wee Worship children are welcome in worship for the summer, or they are invited to the nursery after the children's sermon.
Thriving Congregations: If you missed the presentation from the Thriving Congregations Team, click here to view the slides presented and contact the church office if you are interested in volunteering or want to know more.
Shelia Is Retiring: It is true; after 38 years as GSPC's Food Service Director, Shelia Smith will retire on September 30, 2024. Watch for more information about how we will celebrate Shelia.
|  | Sale of Baytreat Property: The Session has approved an asking price and process for receiving offers for Baytreat. Click on the image above for details. The document may be downloaded and shared. Anyone interested in viewing the property should contact Beth Rouse (beth@mrbattorneys.com). | |
Sunday, July 28
This Sunday, the service will include the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar's sermon, "Miracles," will draw inspiration from Psalm 139 and John 6: 1-21. Music will be provided by Jarrett Callaway, Ashley Lamar and James Tamblyn.
Bulletin for July 28:
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Sunday, August 4
While the Sanctuary Choir is on their summer break, soloists and ensembles from inside and outside GSPC will provide music. The schedule is below.
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Book Club Meetings
The GSPC Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month in the church library and via Zoom. For the July 30 meeting, the reading is from The Journal of Presbyterian History, Vol. 92, No. 2 (Fall/Winter 2014), "Westminster in Watts," 73-79 (7 pages). For assistance in accessing the article, please contact Meredith Johnston. For the August 27 meeting, the group will discuss Nancy Graham's book, "The Unfractured Faith of Erik Routley: From Brighton to Princeton." The Zoom link is posted prior to the meeting on the church calendar.
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August 9: Parents' Night Out
Mark your calendars! GSPC Children’s Ministry will have a Parents’ Night Out Pajama Party on Friday, August 9, at the church from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Children will have pizza, play games and have Bible storytime while their parents stroll downtown during ArtWalk! The Guesnard House will be open with refreshments for adults. Please RSVP using the QR code here.
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class meets on the second floor of the church each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. The class is currently on a break for the summer.
Sunday Book Study
9:30 a.m. in the Church Library. The group is studying the Interpretation Bible Series "Hebrews."
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
This Bible study, which meets on Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams, is on break for the summer. The group will resume meeting on August 6, when they will begin studying the Gospel of Matthew with George Sinclair as discussion leader. Everyone is welcome.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study has recessed for the summer. Contact: Mary Elizabeth Perry.
Men's Bible Study
The Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Study has recessed for the summer. 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.
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."
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
McKemie Place, a 501c3 non-profit, is the only emergency shelter for unaccompanied women in Southwest Alabama. McKemie Place was created in 2007 as a service of the United Methodist Inner City Mission, thanks to the efforts of the Homeless Coalition task force, and became its own nonprofit in 2010. The shelter serves 450 women each year.
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 August 9. 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.
If you would like to learn more about McKemie Place, or to receive their monthly newsletters, visit McKemiePlace.org.
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
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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 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:
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GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
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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.
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