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Thursday, September 26, 2024 | |
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FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
What were you doing 38 years ago? Shelia Smith was beginning her ministry in food service at GSPC. How many meals do you think she has served? * 45-50 Meals on Wheels meals five times a week for 38 years. * Coffee Club breakfast five days a week for about 30 of those years. * Weekly Lunch Forums for the community for many of those years. * Meals for Urban Mission Camp, youth group, Baytreat events, and after-church luncheons. * And that famous communion shortbread!
If we measured Shelia's ministry in meals alone, it would still be remarkable. But anyone who has spent time with Shelia knows that meals were only a part of her ministry. Her faithfulness, her joy, her friendship, her laughter, her kindness, and her love are the ways that we will remember your decades of service at GSPC. She has shaped us in ways that are hard to describe, but for which we are enormously grateful.
I hope you will join us on Sunday for worship and lunch as we celebrate Shelia and send her into her well-earned retirement with our gratitude and our love.
See you Sunday.
Grace and peace,
Rebekah
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GSPC News
Celebrating Shelia Smith: This Sunday, September 29, we will celebrate Shelia's nearly 40 years with us with a commemoration during the worship service and with a luncheon after church. The Staff Committee is inviting the congregation to give toward a love offering for Shelia to show her our appreciation and our best wishes for her well-earned retirement. If you are able to give, please send your donations to the church office and be sure to designate them for "Shelia Retirement Gift."
This Week's Memory Verse: You are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14a)
Tuesday Lunch and Learn at GSPC: Come to the Lunch and Learn! Lunch is served at noon and the cost is $12. Here is the list of upcoming speakers:
Oct. 1: Asha Staples, Director of Communications, Housing First
Oct. 8: Andy Gatewood, Director of Safety and Security, Mobile County Public Schools
Oct. 15: Justine Bixler, President and CEO, United Way of Southwest Alabama
Oct. 22: Monde Donaldson, Vice President, Better Business Bureau Educational Foundation
Oct. 29: Molly Middleton, Media & Community Relations Manager, and Jack Gilmore, Director of Football Operations, Reese’s Senior Bowl
Nov. 5: Dr. Joel Erdmann, USA’s Director of Athletics Nov. 12: Owen Bailey, CEO, USA Health Nov. 19: Tom McGehee, historian
Weekly Bible Studies: GSPC Bible Studies have resumed weekly meetings this fall. Here are the groups and meeting times:
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Spring Hill Women Bible Study: Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying the Gospel of Matthew with the Rev. George Sinclair as discussion leader. Everyone is welcome.
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Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at the church. The contact is Mary Elizabeth Perry.
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Mid-Week Bible Study: This study is part of the "How Firm a Foundation" sermon series and is led by the Reb. Rebekah Abel Lamar. The study is held at noon on Wednesdays in the church library and via Zoom.
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The Men's Bible Study: Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the church. Zoom participation will also be available. The contact is Bo Perry.
"Two Pastors and a Rabbi" Bible Study: The next Interfaith Bible Study is Thursday, October 17, at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church.
Other News and Notes
Dinner Clubs: Dinner Clubs have begun meetings this fall. Please call or text Linda Reynolds at 251-510-6913 if you would like to be added to the 24-25 Dinner Club list.
Monthly Luncheons: The congregation is invited to "Second Sunday Monthly Luncheons" after church on October 13 and November 10.
Baytreat Memories: The congregation is invited to share their favorite Baytreat memories. Please submit them using this link.
Calling All Greeters: As part of the Thriving Congregations initiative, the congregation is invited to volunteer as greeters on Sunday mornings. Greeters are asked to arrive by 10:15 a.m. and to welcome visitors at both entrances to the sanctuary. The commitment would not be every week. If you are interested in joining this evangelism opportunity on Sunday mornings, please contact Mary Herndon Nordmann.
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.
Office Volunteers Needed: The church office welcomes volunteers during the week, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Volunteers assist with monitoring the Jackson Street entrance and answering the phone. They may also assist with special projects. If you are able to volunteer, please contact Meredith Johnston at the church office.
Thriving Congregations: If you missed the presentation from the Thriving Congregations Team, click here to view the slides presented and contact the church office if you are interested in volunteering or want to know more.
Youth Kick-Off Rescheduled: The youth kick-off has been rescheduled to Sunday, October 6. Parents should check their email for details.
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Sunday, September 29
Join us this Sunday as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her fall sermon series, "How Firm a Foundation," with “King” with scripture from John 19:1-16. Music will include a setting of the text from Revelation 21:4, “And God Shall Wipe Away All Tears” by Eleanor Daley, and an arrangement of the hymn “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” by Gordon Young.
Bulletin for September 29:
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October Birthdays
October 2: Laura Tamblyn
October 3: Frank Trice
October 4: Clint Jameson
October 6: Michael Tippy
October 7: Tom Mostellar, Duke Walker
October 8: Marcia Wyatt
October 9: Linda Burke, Brook McMillan
October 10: Meg Heusser
October 11: John Browning, Betsy Otts, David Thomason
October 12: Lisa Goodloe, Jeanie Lindsey, Marrs Zakary
October 14: Neal Horner
October 15: Carrie Adams
October 17: Dick Otts
October 19: Sue King, Mickie Lorge
October 20: Julia King
October 21: Eddie Curran, Jeepje Zandstra
October 22: Charles Jones
October 23: Damon Boone, Patrick Sinclair
October 25: Robert Mostellar
October 29: Betsy Weaver
October 31: Sally Ericson
Sunday, October 6
Join us next Sunday, October 6, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar continues her sermon series with “Resurrected” with scripture from Acts 5:12-32. Music will include J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” and in observance of World Communion Sunday, Buryl Red’s “In Remembrance.”
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Fall Sermon Series: "How Firm a Foundation"
This fall sermon series is a journey through the New Testament. Like last year, each week will have a memory verse and video and book options for further study. In addition, the Rev. Lamar will offer a Bible study preparing for the next Sunday's sermon each Wednesday at noon, beginning on September 11. More information can be found in the Fall Offerings booklet available on Sunday.
In addition, Bradley Daugherty, Director of Christian Education, has created a newsletter with discussion questions based on the sermon series as a resource for families, children, and youth. The newsletter includes reflection questions for adults and further context about the reading for the week.
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New Directory Print and Online Directories Available
GSPC members are encouraged to download the Realm app and use it to connect with the congregation. Those who did not already have a Realm account should have received an email invitation to create one. If you did not receive an invitation, and feel you should have, please contact the church office at 251-432-1749 for assistance. We will be happy to assist you with that, as well as with any aspect of Realm and accessing the online church directory. We hope you will participate in this endeavor to help keep our congregation connected!
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GSPC Children and Youth Ministry News
October 6--Youth Kick-off and Pumpkin Painting
Join us right after church for Pumpking Paining and fellowship with other 6th-12th graders.
October 20--Child-Led Worship
Children in K through 5th grade are invited to lead worship on October 20. Let Bradley know if your child would like a speaking or non-speaking part!
October 20--Fall Festival
All ages are invited for lunch and carnival games in the parking lot following worship on October 20. Watch for more info!
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class 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 "Hebrews."
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
This Bible study meets on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying the Gospel of Matthew with the Rev. George Sinclair as discussion leader. Everyone is welcome.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. The contact is Mary Elizabeth Perry.
Men's Bible Study
The Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Study will resume meetings on September 11 at 6 p.m. at the church. Zoom participation will also be available. The contact is 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. The upcoming dates are October 11 and December 13. 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?
- Hygiene Closet items: Clorox wipes, Tissue, Deodorant, Black socks, Paper Towels, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste.
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Uniform Assistance: Several families at Barton Academy need help with uniforms. In addition, we are learning of uniform needs for other nearby schools. If you are willing to give to help provide uniforms, please mark your donation and place it in the offering plate or send to Dawn Hearn, bookkeeper.
Family Promise of Coastal Alabama
The mission of Family Promise of Coastal Alabama is to provide temporary shelter, related services and nurturing support to families as they work to achieve and sustain independence.
Toiletries and other essentials: Because Family Promise houses multiple families, toiletries, laundry supplies, paper products and cleaning products are always needed. We are doing everything we can to work with our clients to get them housed and stable, but we need your help to make their day-to-day life easier. Click here to view the Family Promise wish lists. You may purchase the items via Amazon or locally. The Family Promise website has much more information on their work, contact info, how you can help, and a link to sign up for their emailed newsletter.
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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