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Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | |
FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
I took piano lessons as a child. Each December, my rather strict piano teacher would allow me to veer from our regular lesson books to a book of Christmas carols. Each year I would find a new carol to be my favorite for the year, learning to play it and, in the process, learning the lyrics. Since those piano lesson days, I have often had a particular carol that I have enjoyed, sung, listened to, or learned about during the days leading up to Christmas. I recall a December when my "carol of the year," was "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."
This hymn is in the Advent (rather than Christmas) section of our hymnal because it anticipates Jesus's coming. The words were originally Latin. and date back to the 8th century. The words that begin each stanza use Old Testament imagery to ground our Advent preparation in the Hebrew hope for the Messiah. Originally, "O Emmanuel" was the last of these verses. Over the centuries it has moved to become the first verse of our hymn. The last verses to be completed were written by the Presbyterian pastor Henry Sloane Coffin in 1916 (verses 2 and 7 in our hymnal). Our PC(USA) denomination suggests using the seven verses as a devotional practice in the week leading up to Christmas, just as the original Latin "O Antiphons" were intended to be used so many centuries ago.
Advent blessings to you and yours. See you Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
Advent Wednesday Services: The midweek Advent Services will be held on Wednesdays at noon in the Sanctuary, followed by lunch in Fellowship Hall at 12:30 p.m. These weekly services will continue through December 20.
Circles of Hope and Joy: The Circles of Hope and Joy will have their Christmas meeting on Monday, December 11, at 5:30 p.m. in the Guesnard House. All are welcome to attend and to bring friends to enjoy an evening of Bible study and fellowship. If you are able, please bring a snack or beverage to share.
Supper Club Luncheon: Members of the Supper Clubs will have a luncheon in Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday, December 10. Everyone is invited to bring their favorite Christmas food.
GSPC youth have several Christmas shows coming up! Becca Lorge will perform with the Pensacola Children's Chorus in the "Christmas on the Coast" concerts this weekend at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre. The shows are are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 8-9) and the Sunday matinee is at 2:30 p.m. Mickie Lorge will dance in Ballet Pensacola's "The Nutcracker" at the Pensacola Saenger on Friday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m.; on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 1:30 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 1:30 p.m. Carter Hale Jr. has a starring role in "Parcel Post," presented at Chickasaw Civic Theatre this weekend only. Showtimes are December 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and December 10 at 2 p.m.
It's time to order poinsettia dedications. To order, pick up a form in the sanctuary, or call the church office. The poinsettias will be on display at the Christmas Eve services. The poinsettias are $15 each, and the deadline to order is December 17.
Additional News and Notes
Stewardship Season: Please remember to return your pledge cards. Pledges can be dropped in the offering plate, submitted to the church office, or emailed to Dawn Hearn, GSPC Bookkeeper.
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.
Children's Choir rehearsals: Parents, please remember to bring your children to choir rehearsal on Sunday morning! The GSPC Children's Choir rehearses on Sundays from 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. in the office of Chris Nemec (2nd floor at the Jackson St. stairwell). The children will sing on December 24 at 10:30 a.m. Questions? Contact Chris Nemec.
RIP Medical Debt Campaign: Churches in the Presbytery of South Alabama (PSA) are invited to participate in the "Jubilee Campaign" to end medical debt in our area. As you know, medical debt is something that plagues families all across the United States through no fault of their own. PSA is partnering with RIP Medical Debt to purchase bundled medical debt portfolios and then forgive that debt at pennies on the dollar. On average, $1 is leveraged to abolish $100 in medical debt!
Every donation through this page will be spent directly on abolishing medical debt in Alabama (with an emphasis on the counties where there is a PSA church located). When debt relief recipients open the yellow envelope from RIP, they are told that their debt has been bought by PSA churches and erased with no strings attached. They owe nothing on the debt and face no tax penalty.
Let’s join together to help abolish debt and bring Jubilee to thousands of families across Alabama! Click here to donate. You may also send a check to the church office or place in the offering plate with the subject "RIP Medical Debt."
Interfaith Bible Study: The next Interfaith Bible Study will be Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Spring Hill Avenue Temple at 5:30 p.m.
Parking Lot Update: 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.
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This Sunday in Worship
Join us on December 10 as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series “Songs of the Season.” The sermon is titled “Song of Mary” with scripture from Isaiah 40:1-11 and Luke 1:39-56. Music will include John Ness Beck’s setting of both “Every Valley” (Isaiah 40:4, 5) and “He Shall Feed His Flock” (Isaiah 40:11), as well as familiar hymns for Advent.
Sunday Assistants on December 10:
Lynn McDaniel
Harris Oswalt
Bulletin for December 10:
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Sunday, December 17
Join us on Sunday, December 17, for the annual Service of Lessons and Carols. Included with the seven Lessons will be numerous congregational Christmas carols. Carter Hale Jr. will sing Max Reger’s “The Virgin’s Slumber Song,” and the Sanctuary Choir will sing settings of “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” “Still, Still, Still” and “Sans Day Carol.” This is a great service to invite friends and family!
| It's time to order Christmas poinsettia dedications. The deadline is December 17, and the cost is $15. Pick up a form in the office, or call Meredith Johnston, Office Manager, at 251-432-1749 to make arrangements. | |
Talking Heads
This Sunday School class is studying the "How Firm A Foundation" guide to the Old Testament.
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 has resumed 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 the Book of Amos.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. The group is studying the "How Firm a Foundation" Old Testament study series. 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."
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/
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.
A driver is needed for the Northern Route on Mondays. The route delivers meals to 13 recipients at four stops. Please contact Lisa deShazo if you are interested in volunteering for this mission.
McKemie Place
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 January 12, February 9, and March 9, 2024. 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.
Clothing for the needy: Donations of gently used coats, sweaters, caps, and gloves for women, men and children are needed for the homeless in our area. Donations may be placed in the basket located at the Jackson Street entrance.
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:
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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 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, you will need to pay $5 for three 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 by emailing it 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.
- If you have not registered, you may do so by emailing your license plate number to Barbara Williams 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 Barbara in the church office and she will take care of it.
| Baytreat: GSPC's bayfront property is available for rentals. Several of the rooms now have queen-size beds. For details, click here. For information, email Barbara Williams or call her at the church office (251-432-1749). | | | |
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