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FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
The desire to strengthen our ministry to children, youth, and their families has been a theme of small group gatherings and one-on-one conversations for some time. From staff changes to COVID to more staff changes, the need to provide opportunities for faith formation for our young members has risen to the top of our congregational priorities. The Session has contracted with Dr. Tara Bulger, Senior Pastor at Frist Presbyterian in Huntsville, AL to lead a series of listening sessions beginning this evening and into the weekend. Tara is a friend of mine, the leader of a preaching group of which I am a part. In addition, she has worked as a youth director, a youth ministry consultant and is mom to two teenagers herself. Her goal is to help us see what we are doing well and how we can build on it in our ministry to children and youth. If you haven't signed up to attend one of the session, I hope you will with the link below.
In addition, the Staff Committee has been working to fill to hire a Director of Christian Education to oversee our ministries to with all ages. We hope to have someone in place in the first half of the summer and look forward to deepening the faith formation offerings for all ages in the coming months and years.
In other big news for our church, the Session has approved an asking price and a process for receiving offers on our Baytreat property. You may click the link below for a document with pictures and links to all the details. Please continue to be in prayer and stay tuned for details about how we will gather at Baytreat to give thanks for the gift it has been to GSPC and so many!
See you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
Visioning and Planning Meetings for Children and Youth Ministry, Thursday, May 2, though Saturday, May 5: The Rev. Dr. Tara Bulger will lead several visioning and planning sessions for our children and youth ministry May 2-4. All church members are encouraged to attend and offer your thoughts and hopes for these ministries.
Register for a listening session by clicking this link. These sessions will last about 90 minutes. If you cannot attend in person, you may use the online form to let us know your thoughts or if you could attend by Zoom. We'll discuss the assets and challenges of ministry and chart a path forward. After spending time with us, Dr. Bulger will return a report with some goals and next steps based on our input.
Dr. Bulger is presently the Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, AL and has worked as a Director of Youth Ministry, has done consulting work with a national youth ministry consulting firm, and is the mother of two teenagers. We look forward to welcoming her and hope to see you at one of the listening sessions!
New Sermon Series: The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar has begun a sermon series for the season of Easter, "Living as Children of God." The series will use Scripture from John and Romans, and will conclude on Pentecost / Senior Recognition Sunday, May 19.
Spring Gathering: Mark your calendars! The Presbyterian Women will have a Spring Gathering on May 13 at Guesnard House at 5:30 p.m. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will lead the Bible study. If you are able, please bring a snack or beverage to share.
Attention, parents of high school seniors: Please email your senior's face shot and biographical information to Sally Ericson as soon as possible for inclusion in the May 19 bulletin.
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.
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 Tuesday, May 28, at 5:30 p.m. Details about this month's reading selections will be announced next week. 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. Use the online link to register your child!
|  | 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, May 5
Join us as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series, “Living as Children of God,” with her sermon “Christian Obedience” and scripture from Psalm 98:1-9 and 1 John 5:1-6. Joining the Sanctuary Choir will be two violins as they offer César Franck’s celebratory setting of Psalm 150, as well as Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Make a Joyful Noise,” composed for the coronation of King Charles III. Instrumental music includes Franck’s “Panis Angelicus” and J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”
Bulletin for May 5:
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Sunday, May 12
Next Sunday, May 12, Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will continue her sermon series, “Living as Children of God,” with scripture readings from Psalm 1:1-6 and I John 5:9-13. Music includes the Bell Choir playing a setting of “O Waly Waly,” also known as “The Gift of Love,” “The Water is Wide,” “Litany for Advent” and others. Choral music includes Douglas Wagner’s “Cry Out and Shout!"
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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 "Romans."
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.
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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 May 10 and June 14. 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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