FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
This Sunday we will continue our Lenten sermon series, "Living Our Faith." Each week we will consider as aspect of faith that is common to all our lives. This week we will read from John 3:1-17, which details the Pharisee Nicademus's nighttime visit to Jesus, and use it to think about the role of questions in living our faith. Our Psalm reading for Sunday is actually also begins with a question.
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where will my help come?"
We are blessed to be a part of a congregation and denomination that encourages questions. As I prepare for Sunday, however, I am reminded that questions take space and courage. It is easy to stay too busy to sit with our questions, and it is easy to ignore questions when we think we might not like the answer.
The psalmist goes on to name that his help "is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth," and continues describing what that means. In asking the question, the psalmist finds comfort in his answer.
During this Lenten season, are you taking time for your deepest questions to bubble to the surface? Do you have someone with whom you can discuss these questions? Even a place to write them down? When we allow ourselves the space and freedom to ask our deepest questions, we sometimes find God putting the answers in our path. Asking the question opens our eyes to God's revelation around us.
See you Sunday.
Grace and peace,
Rebekah
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Sunday Assistants for March 5
Ashley Ashbee
Damon Boone
Click below to view the bulletin for March 5:
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GSPC News
Christian Sympathy: The Congregation extends Christian sympathy to the family of Edward Ogburn, who died on February 19. A memorial service was held on Monday, February 27, at GSPC.
Take them a Meal: Alexandra and Jacob Hutson are home with baby Elsie. If you would like to take them a meal, please sign up at the link below. Meals can be delivered by you, or by the restaurant, depending on your choices. To order a meal, click here.
Lunch and Learn: N. Blair Fisher, Head of School at St. Paul's Episcopal School, will give a talk on "Science and Religion" after worship on Sunday, March 5, in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. and the program will begin at noon.
Family Nature Walk: The Family Nature Walk was a fun exploration of Village Point Park in Daphne. We walked on the beach, visited a historic cemetery and found Jackson's Oak, one of the largest live oaks in the state! The next Family Nature Walk is planned for April 2. Mark your calendar and plan to join us.
Chili Cookoff: A team from GSPC is participating in the annual Chili Cookoff on Saturday, March 11. The cookoff is a benefit for the American Cancer Society, and all proceeds will go to transportation costs for the “Road to Recovery” program, which helps cancer patients get rides to doctor appointments and treatments. GSPC’s team will receive passes for members to use to attend the cookoff. If you’d like to join the team, or to make a contribution toward the entry fee, please contact John Browning at j.browning@rapiddeployment.com .
Children's Bowling Party: The Bowling Party for GSPC kids and families will be on Saturday, March 11 from 11:30am -- 3:00 PM at Easter Shore Lanes. Please contact Hunter Oswalt (hunter.oswalt@gmail.com) to let her know if you family will be attending
Sunday Assistants Needed: The Diaconate is seeking volunteers to help fill the Sunday Assistant slots each week. If you are willing to be added to a list of possible substitutes, please email Diaconate Chair Lisa Goodloe at lgoodloe@comcast.net. This list of substitutes will be a resource for the Deacons to use in the event of a scheduling conflict. Thank you!
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Heltzel Room on the second floor. The class is studying the book “Wholehearted Faith,” written by Rachel Held Evans with Jeff Chu.
Sunday Book Study
9:30 a.m. in the Church Library. The group is studying the Interpretation Bible Series "Romans."
Sunday School for Children and Youth
Sunday School for Children and Youth begins at 9:30 a.m. each week.
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying Genesis.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. The group will continue its study of the Psalms and the sermon text for the following week. For details, contact Mary Elizabeth Perry.
Men's Bible Study
The Wednesday night Men’s Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the church library and also via Zoom. Study of lectionary or sermon texts. 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.
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/
PB&J 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. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for this mission over the last year. We are in need of volunteers to provide, prepare, and serve lunches on April 14 and May 12. If you can help with this mission on any of these dates, please contact Lisa deShazo at 251-591-1077.
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 your donations of gently used luggage to the church office.
Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies
How Can You Support Barton Academy?
- Send monetary gifts to the church to provide assistance to families purchasing uniforms. Checks should have the memo "Uniform Assistance."
- 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 white underwear (see details in the listing below) and used glasses. Below is a list of needed items:
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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);
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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);
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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 2022.
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, you will need to pay $5 for 3 hours of parking.
The State of Alabama has begun issuing new tag plates with current year tag renewals. Please make sure that you update your new tag number as you receive them. You may submit new information at this link, or to the church office.
Premium Parking is handling our parking lot revenue. The company has added a service kiosk next to the Guesnard House patio entrance.
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 not registered, you may do so at online at gspcmobile.org/parking
- If you have difficulty registering your vehicle online, please contact Heather or Barbara in the church office.
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If you receive a ticket, do not pay it. Please bring the ticket or send a picture of it to Heather or Barbara in the church office and they will take care of it.
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Blankets and more: A ministry of the GSPC Presbyterian Women
All are invited to donate items to be delivered to USA Children’s & Women’s Mother/Baby/At Risk department for full term babies of needy families (not the NICU) and to the Mostellar Clinic. Here are suggested items and sizes:
- Baby blankets (greatest need) approximately 28-30” square or rectangles 30-34” by 40-46.” (These are only approximations.)
- Hats and booties.
- USACW only: No-scratch mittens (must be fabric, not yarn).
Inexpensive items of any baby-appropriate washable fabric or yarn are appreciated. No large items, please: The babies we serve usually average 3-5 lbs. Store-bought or handmade items are welcomed. (Please do not donate unmade fabric.)
Donations may be left in the “Baby Box” at the Jackson St. entrance at any time, or you may order from Amazon, etc., and request delivery to the church, marked “Blanket Ministry.”
For details, call the church office.
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