Thursday, October 26, 2023

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

When I was in elementary school, my Aunt Sue promised me $5 for every psalm I memorized and $20 for Psalm 119. (Look it up and you will see that $20 wasn't near enough incentive!) I promptly looked for the shortest psalms in the collection of 150. (It is Psalm 117 if you are curious.) Let's just say I did not get rich off this endeavor, but I now appreciate the gift she was trying to give me.

Once, around the same time, my home church had a guest preacher, which meant an elder served as worship leader. I remember clearly, Mr. Briscoe saying, "Let us now pray together the Lord's Prayer," before launching into the 23rd Psalm by mistake. Fortunately, Mr. Briscoe's mother had taught Sunday School from the age of 16 to the age of 86 and ensured that her son had the 23rd Psalm memorized. He did not stumble once.

The older I am the more I appreciate the Psalms---their honesty, their faithfulness, their questions, their despair, their hope, and their praise. For a long time, I could not have told you my favorite psalm. Today I would have trouble choosing. Do you have a favorite psalm? I would love to hear what it is and why.

I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday as we spend more time with these timeless words of scripture.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Tuesday Lunch and Learn Series: Come to lunch! The GSPC community lunch series continues weekly through November 14. The price is $12 and includes coffee, tea and dessert. The congregation is encouraged to invite their friends to these lunches, which are open to the public. Free parking is available in the church lot for our guests during the lunch hour.

Our thanks to our guest speakers on Oct. 24, William Strickland and our own Wes Wyatt of Mobile Baykeeper!

Here is the schedule of upcoming speakers:

Oct. 31: Bradley Byrne, President and CEO, Mobile Chamber of Commerce

Nov. 7: Paul Prine, Chief of the Mobile Police Department

Nov. 14: Tom McGehee, historian

New Officer Training: Congratulations to our new Church Officers! A reminder that there will be an officer training session on Sunday, October 29, from 8:45 to 10 a.m.

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.

Did you memorize last Sunday's Bible verse?

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? (Psalm 22:1)

Remember to pick up a new memory verse on Sunday!

GSPC has hired a new Office Administrator: We welcome Meredith Johnston as our new Office Administrator. Her email address is meredith@gspcmobile.org. Meredith is originally from Mobile. She has experience serving patrons and managing as a librarian and archivist. Her interests include Gershwin music and 20th Century Southern urban history. She also enjoys reading biography and different genres of fiction, as well as collecting sea shells. 

Christian Sympathy: The GSPC Congregation expresses Christian sympathy to the family of Helen Reese, who passed away on October 18, 2023, at the age of 94. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Albert Reese, and four children, 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service was held at First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola on Tuesday, October 24.

Old Testament Study: The fall sermon series and Bible study, "How Firm A Foundation," may be supplemented with "A Guide to Bible Basics" by Tyler Mayfield, or videos for bibleproject.com. For details, pick up an outline of the series in the sanctuary or in the church office, or view it here. Complementary studies, led by the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar, include Wednesday noon Bible studies in the GSPC Library, which continue through November 15.

Two Pastors and a Rabbi: GSPC will host our next Interfaith Bible Study on Thursday, October 26, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. All are welcome.

Congregational Meeting: The Session has called a congregational meeting on Sunday, November 5, to consider the following motion: Approve the sale of Baytreat and delegate to the GSPC Session the authority to take all necessary steps to effect the sale.

Living Out Our Faith: The Christian Education Committee is sponsoring a panel discussion, "Living Out Our Faith," on Sunday, November 14, immediately after worship. Lunch will be served at a cost of $10. The event is geared toward GSPC Youth and their families. Panelists are Susan Ashbee, Blair Schoenvogel and John Browning. Mark your calendar and make plans to join us!

Additional News and Notes

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: 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. To assure the children are well-prepared and effective leaders, each child must attend a minimum of three rehearsals in order to sing for Sunday worship. Questions? Contact Chris Nemec.   

Sanctuary Choir rehearsals: If you've ever wanted to learn to play handbells, or to lift a joyful voice in song, the Sanctuary and Handbell Choirs are eager to show you the ropes! Rehearsals are on Wednesday nights. The Handbell Choir rehearses from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m., and the Sanctuary Choir rehearses from 6 to 7:30 p.m. If you'd like to know more, contact Chris Nemec, Director of Music and Organist.

All Souls Concert and Remembrance Service: Former Director of Music, Terry Maddox invites the congregation to attend a special concert. The Music and Fine Arts Ministry of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral will present their second annual “All Souls” Remembrance Concert on Sunday, October 29^th at 4:00 pm in the Cathedral. The program will feature reflective readings and musical selections and the Master Work –“Requiem” by John Rutter. The Massed Choir will be accompanied by a small chamber orchestra. Additionally, Mr. Joshua Conway and the Children’s Choir of Nativity BVM Elementary will also share in this program. Names of several GSPC members who have died in the last year will be read during the time of remembrance.

This Sunday in Worship

Join us on Sunday, October 29, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series “How Firm a Foundation.” Scriptures include Matthew 27:45-55 and Psalm 30 and are the basis for the sermon, entitled “Song.” In preparation for next week, worshipers may read pages 110-114 of “A Guide to Bible Basics” by Tyler Mayfield, or view the following videos at bibleproject.com: “Job” and “Lamentations.” We will celebrate the sacrament of baptism for Edward Reed Heusser, son of Meg and Gary Heusser. Choral music includes Gordon Young’s exciting “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” and John Ness Beck’s setting of the text “Lord, Here Am I.”

Sunday Assistants on October 29:

Damon Boone

Lisa Goodloe

Bulletin for October 29:

Sunday, November 5

Join us on All Saints Sunday as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues the sermon series “How Firm a Foundation.” Scriptures include Luke 1:68-79 and Psalm 139 and are the basis for the sermon, entitled “Wisdom.” In preparation, worshipers may read pages 116-123 of “A Guide to Bible Basics” by Tyler Mayfield, or view the following videos at bibleproject.com: “Psalms.” We will celebrate the sacrament of holy communion as we remember the GSPC saints who have joined the Church Triumphant in the last year. Choral music includes Mark Patterson’s All Saints anthem “God’s Love Is Alive in Us.” Franz Schubert’s “Litany for the Feast of All Saints” will be played during Holy Communion. 

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.

Wednesday Bible Study

This group meets from noon to 1 p.m. in the library at GSPC and via Zoom and is led by the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar. The study follows the fall sermon series, "How Firm a Foundation." Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84007919454 .

Men's Bible Study

The Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Study meets at 6 p.m. in the library. Contact: Bo Perry.

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:

1. GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
2. If you have not registered, you may do so by emailing your license plate number to Barbara Williams in the church office.
3. 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).