Wednesday, January 31, 2024

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

I'm a big fan of command strips, those adhesive or velcro strips that stick to your wall and let you hang pictures without putting a hole in the wall. I am completely indecisive about where to hang things and the thought of a permanent hole is nearly paralyzing. So, I love command strips.

But I have not had success with them in Mobile. Maybe it is the humidity, maybe user error, but I have opened the door to my office more than once to find a picture frame on the floor surrounded by shattered glass. So, I had to get brave and start working with good, old-fashioned hammer and nails. Actually, I only got brave enough to call a kind church member to bring a hammer and put the nails in the walls of my office.

It made me think about the fact that a strong faith first requires that we must hang our faith on something solid enough to hold it. It is easy to put our trust in the wrong things. We can go years thinking things are secure, only to find ourselves falling when things get difficult. Assessing whether we are truly placing our trust in Christ or in some superficial version of him is important if our faith is to remain secure.

I will be away for continuing education Saturday through Wednesday of next week. I will be praying for your Sunday morning.

Grace and Peace,

Rebekah

GSPC News

Happy Anniversary! Shelia Smith, our Director of Food Services, marks her 37th anniversary at GSPC on Thursday, February 1. We are so blessed to have her on our church staff!

Tuesday Lunch and Learn: GSPC’s community lunch series continues weekly through April 30. Lunch is served at noon and the presentation begins at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $12 and includes coffee, tea and dessert. Invite your friends and family to lunch! Here is the schedule of upcoming speakers:

Feb. 6: Glenda Snodgrass, information security expert, the Net Effect

Feb. 20: Jo Bonner, President, University of South Alabama

Feb. 27: Keith Blackwood, Mobile District Attorney

March 5: Lucy Gafford, Executive Director, Mobile Arts Council

March 12: John Driscoll, Director and CEO, Alabama Port Authority

March 19: Alan Sealls, author and Chief Meteorologist at NBC-15

April 2: Champ Napier, client advocate, Mobile County Public Defender’s Office

April 9: Simone Eli, sports director and anchor, WKRG

April 16: Owen Bailey, CEO, USA Health

April 23: Jon Carfagno, Executive Director, Mobile Museum of Art

April 30: Elizabeth Stevens, President and CEO, Downtown Mobile Alliance

Office volunteers needed: The church office is in need of volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays 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.

Guest Preacher: On Sunday, February 4, GSPC will welcome Rev. Dr. Julian Walthall to preach and preside at communion. The Rev. Dr. Julian W. Walthall is a native of Hale County in the Black Belt. After serving four churches in active ministry over 39 years, he was honorably retired in 2012 by the Presbytery of South Alabama. He and his wife, Carolyn, live in Daphne. They have two sons: David, an English professor in Siena, Italy, and Claiborne, an environmental lawyer in upstate New York. Their three precious granddaughters live in New Scotland, NY.

Sunday, February 11: GSPC will worship at First Baptist Church at 9 a.m. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will preach along with Rabbi Ed Boraz and Rev. Trey Doyle at this service. There will be no service at GSPC on this day. Passes to get to FBC through the Joe Cain festivities are available in the church office.

Ash Wednesday Service: GSPC's Ash Wednesday Service will be Wednesday, February 14 at noon in the sanctuary. It will include the imposition of ashes and communion as well as special music.

Lent and Easter Series: A Lenten sermon series will begin on Ash Wednesday. Using "Wandering Heart," produced by Sanctified Art, we will "figure out faith with Peter," as we consider stories from the disciple's faith journey with Jesus. The series uses phrases from the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing." A devotional booklet and a children's worship challenge will be a part of the series. Devotional booklets can be picked up on Sunday. Children's worship challenge will be mailed to all elementary age children.

New Book Club: Beginning in February, Meredith Johnston will lead a book discussion/club meeting on the last Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Church Library and via Zoom. The focus will be on books about church history and biography. On February 27, the group will discuss "From Preaching to Meddling: A White Minister in the Civil Rights Movement," by Francis Walter, a Mobile native. The Mobile Public Library has several copies available at their branches and the book is also available digitally to download from their site through Hoopla. 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.

Sunday Assistants on February 4:

Clint Akers Stella Jackson

Bulletin for February 4:

Sunday, February 11

On Sunday, February 11, the congregation is invited to a special service at First Baptist Church at 9 a.m. The Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar will preach along with Rabbi Ed Boraz and Rev. Trey Doyle at this service. There will be no service at GSPC on this day.

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. 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.

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 Monday mornings. The route includes the delivery of 12 meals to four locations. Meals need to be picked up in the kitchen between 10 and 10:30 a.m. and it should take no more than an hour for pickup and delivery. Please contact Lisa deShazo if you are interested in volunteering for this much needed and rewarding 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 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:

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

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:

GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
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.

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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