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FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
Back in November, GSPC made the difficult and brave decision to sell our beloved Baytreat. This decision reflected the shifts in our congregation, the rising costs of maintaining the property, and the changing world in which we live.
On Thursday, June 20, we will gather to enjoy Baytreat together and give thanks for memories and ministry of this special place through the years. There will be a meal shared, music to enjoy, water slides for the kids, and a short worship service by the bay.
I hope that many of you can join us on June 20. If there is a former member or friend of GSPC who you think would like to attend, please invite them. We are asking everyone to RSVP to the event if they can so we have an idea about how many to expect. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy an evening by the bay with your GSPC family!
We are donating some of the beds from Baytreat to Dumas Wesley. Some Baytreat items are needed or will be stored at the church. Members and friends will be invited to make a donation and take any other items.
There is a deep sadness in this transition, and God is with us in that sadness. But there is also deep thanks and great hope for the future of our congregation. Please continue to join me in prayer as our congregation moves through important time in our life together.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
Bradley Daugherty, Director of Christian Education, has officially joined the GSPC staff. Her office is on the second floor. Please stop by and welcome her or send her an email at bradley@gspcmobile.org. We will commission Bradley for this new ministry on Sunday, June 9.
VBS at GSPC: Vacation Bible School is planned for the week of June 17-24. Use the online link to register your child!
A Baytreat Blessing: The congregation is invited to celebrate Baytreat’s ministries and memories on Thursday, June 20, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will include water slides, swimming, dinner and music. Donations will be accepted for Baytreat items. Please RSVP by calling the church office (251-432-1749) or emailing Meredith Johnston (meredith@gspcmobile.org).
Sanctuary flowers: If you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary in memory of or in honor of a loved one, there are several openings during the month of June. 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 and no more Wee Worship during the worship service until September as we take a break for the summer. 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.
GSPC T-Shirts: If you would like to order a T-shirt, the deadline is June 16. Use the form below (download, fill out and email to Mary Herndon Nordmann), or fill one out in the church office.
Tell Us Your Favorite Hymns!: We will enjoy a service filled with the congregation's favorite hymns on Sunday, July 7. You can email your favorites to Meredith Johnston in the office (meredith@gspcmobile.org) or fill out a form at the church.
|  |  |  | 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, June 9
Join us in worship as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series “The Story of Samuel,” with scripture readings from Psalm 138:1-8 and I Samuel 7:3-17 and a sermon titled “War and Worship.” Music includes Nicholas Brodsky's "I'll Walk with God" and Mack Wilberg's setting of "I Believe in Christ." Wilberg is the current conductor of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (formerly The Mormon Tabernacle Choir), and arranges hymns into full-bodied choral/orchestral settings. He has held this position of Director-Conductor since 2008.
Bulletin for June 9:
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Sunday, June 16
Join us in worship next week, June 16, when the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will continue her “Story of Samuel” sermon series with “Will and Warning.” Scripture readings will be Psalm 121 and I Samuel 8. Choral music includes Douglas Wagner's "A Wonderful Noise" and Eugene Butler's "Therefore, Give Us Love," with text by Christopher Wadsworth.
This is the Sanctuary Choir's last Sunday to sing until August 18, as they begin their
well-deserved summer break.
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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.
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
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams.
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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River Cleanup: Call for Volunteers
Mobile Baykeeper is inviting volunteers to the "June-Tastic Cleanup," a river cleanup at Dog River Park, on Saturday, June 8, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are asked to bring their own kayaks to clean up Dog River or clean up the park along Navco Road.
Volunteers will meet at 2459 Dog River Drive North. Mobile Baykeeper will supply snacks, drinks, and supplies.
Volunteers are asked to register ahead of time, using the QR code in the graphic here.
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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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