at GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBY TERIAN
APRIL 2019
THE BEST IS YET TO COME. . . It seems that only yesterday I was pulling my OneNote journal that contained the ideas and thoughts collected to plan and execute all that is the Advent and Christmas seasons in our church. I never would’ve guessed I’d be in the checkout line at Blankenships’ Hardware on a Saturday morning to purchase gloves and gardening shears, followed by a trip to Susan Miller’s yard to locate, identify, cut, and transport the beautiful smilax that graced the rails of the balcony during the season. (I should note that Susan offered to do all this, but I have an ancestor that once accepted harvest from a woman in a garden and it didn’t turn out so well.) I find these impromptu moments exhilarating and as it turns out, that moment among nature gave me a surprising respite and insight: I had approached the task as a chore rather than as a living, active moment within the Christmas experience that rendered a beautiful memory for many people. And, educating me on the weed that is smilax.
So is the story of the business-end of Easter. We journey through Holy Week because it is what is laid out before us to do: yes, it is our tradition and the Lectionary keeps us in line with the obligation of it all; but, what if we collectively decided to approach it as the living journey that it is? From the beginning procession of “Hosannas!” on Palm Sunday, to the haunting Stripping of the Church on Maundy Thursday, and the final departure in silence on Good Friday, we find a familiar plan that takes us through the passion of Christ. Will we do this by rote, or will we approach it emotionally with understanding and as an actual part in the ultimate drama of the Christian life? It is in how we approach this season of high emotion that will determine the quality of the experience we have during the process of Holy Week. We know the end result is the same either way; consider taking an active role in the drama as it unfolds. How will you do the best is yet to come?
Missions EAST AFRICA…MY OTHER HOME. by Susan Ashbee In 2008, I traveled to Tanzania with Med Reach on a medical and evangelical mission, thinking that it would fulfil a life-long dream of going to Africa, you know, the one that comes from hearing stories from visiting Presbyterian Missionaries. That seed was planted when Missionaries from the then Belgian Congo, now Zaire, visited my home church at First Presbyterian in Andalusia, AIabama was 11. Fast forward 55 years and I have just returned from my fifteenth Uganda/Tanzania/ Malawi trips with teams of people from all over the USA, people of varied professions, and ages (12yr.-78yr.). Something amazing happens when we live (in tents/ ”intense”) among the villagers that we serve. We have core support teams in each country who work for/with Here’s Life Africa, an evangelical mission that originated right here in Mobile County in 1997 through a vision of Charles Jackson Sr. (that’s right, our own Charles Jackson Jr.’s father) and Delaney Crawley. Their desire was to take the Gospel to East Africa, and made it happen, initially using an ox cart, two local African Pastors and Delaney, showing the “Jesus Film” in Swahili, with a gas generator, a movie projector and wide screen set up on a field somewhere out in the bush. (Remember Drive-In Movies; only no cars or popcorn here). Charles and Delaney felt that everyone should hear at least once in their lives, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since the Jesus Film (the life of Christ from birth to resurrection) was translated into over 1000 languages, it was a feasible way to show that Jesus spoke their language and loved them too. Afterwards, the Jesus Film team disciples villagers, plants churches and equips pastors to continue the message. AIDS education has been incorporated into the previews as people are arriving, walking long distances from surrounding villages. This process has led over 28 million villagers to Christ, in 21 years.
Med Reach started 18 years ago when Steve and SL Hudson began leading short term medical-evangelical teams. (Delaney Crawley, above, was Steve’s Sunday School teacher!) In going to remote areas that do not have access to medical care, our medical team lays the groundwork for trust and openness. We see the patients, provide free medicines, eye glass readers and malaria nets, then women villagers go to Ladies Hygiene
and learn measures to prevent common disease. We have children’s ministry where they hear, most for the first time, about Jesus. Team members share the Gospel with all that attend. Miracles are w i t n e s s e d frequently; on several trips, I have seen the lame walk. I know that God put us there to save two infants from death, one due to dehydration from diarrhea, and a two week old from a congenital blockage of his stomach; the latter after hydration was established, was sent by motorcycle to a hospital an hour away. Imagine taking your two-week old with an IV for an hour ride on bumpy roads not knowing what to expect at a hospital. (We learned that he had Pyloric Stenosis, was surgically corrected and did well). We are now installing solar power units for nearby clinics where midwives deliver babies, currently by candle light or flash light. I take blankets made by Presbyterian women, to the new babies and their moms are so grateful. Northern Uganda is still physically and emotionally recovering from ravages by the LRA, Lord’s Resistance Army. On this last trip, I met a clearly depressed woman who had lost her husband eight years prior by a savage LRA murder. She did not know Christ; my pastortranslator and I prayed with her and she asked Jesus to become her Savior. No physical medicine that I could give her could change that woman’s life, but Jesus Christ can. I feel blessed to have been a part of her spiritual healing. Continue to pray for our mission. Look us up on medreachinc.org and hereslifeafrica.com. Come go with us and see for yourself how God is working in East Africa…my other home.
Christian Education to Shawn Walker for the love and devotion you have showered on GSPC and its children and youth for the past eight years. Yours was an enormous job that you performed with creative energy, a positive attitude, and sometimes a wing and a prayer. As the new Chair-person of the CE Committee, I truly appreciate your organizational skills and all the help you are providing during this transitional period. I know that you will continue to be a blessing to GSPC. -Allison Peebles
We are collecting donations of a dozen, per child participating, plastic filled eggs. A collection receptacle is available in the Jackson Street foyer. Candy, cookies, or donations of any kind are also welcomed.
JUNE 17-20, 2019 Many volunteers are needed to insure the continued success of this ministry event. Please contact Allison Peebles, LeAnne Tamblyn or Abbie Baxter if you would like to participate. All help is greatly appreciated.
Congregational Life CONGRATULATIONS To the family of Guy, Ashley, Coleman and Grace Oswalt on the March 20, 2019 birth of: CONRAD SAUER OSWALT. Grandparents are Guy Coleman Oswalt and the late Louise Ellis Oswalt.
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Augusta Damrell Threadgill Bain died on Tuesday, March 19. A memorial service was held at GSPC on Saturday, March 23.
Called To serve On Sunday, March 24, GSPC ordained and installed elder, CAROLINE NEWMAN.
Sumner Adams Ashley Ashbee Stephens Ashbee Deborah Bruker Mary Cave Linda Dealy Blakeslee Elliott Brent Ericson Jada Ford Reed Gardner Christy Gustin Jane Hale Ryan Hassell Beth Holbert Murphy Hollensworth John Holler Fin Irvine Becky Ivy Charles Jones Marlene Jones Keith King Cory Lorge Nolan McLean Jessica Mostellar Rachel Nelson Mary Herndon Nordmann Jasper Reaves Ron Robertson Ruth Schmohl Frank Schottgen Audrey Seymour Sean Sinclair Win Thurber Katya Tippy Alissandra Walls Jennifer Weed
Prayer Chain If you have a prayer need, please contact Charlotte Crockett at 251.478.1003 or 251.591.7902 | spjr7@comcast.net
Holy Week
Children’s procession on Easter Sunday All children who desire to participate are welcomed to come dressed in their Easter finery and process with the Acolytes and Clergy during the Processional Hymn. The children will carry flowers to be placed in the Living Cross that will be stationed to the front right of the Sanctuary. Flowers will be provided or you may choose to bring your own. Those participating will need to convene in the Government Street foyer at 10:50 a.m. to be included in the line-up.
Worship & Music Experiencing worship through the Ministry of Music by Laurie Shorter One thing I could count on growing up was that on Thursday nights, my Mom was going to leave us— headed out the door for choir practice. I remember asking her once why she sang in the choir. Her first answer was, “Because I can.” I think she meant that God had given her a gift and it would be wrong of her not to use it. She later added, “You know, it’s funny. I never want to go to choir practice, but I’m always glad I went.” When I asked her to elaborate, she said, “Well, I’m pretty tired by the end of the day, and it would feel really good to just stay home. But every time I go to choir, I get energized. I don’t know if it’s the people, or the singing (which involves a lot of breathing), or the Spirit that moves through all the music, but it happens every time.” I guess that was a pretty powerful example and message for me, because I too get out the door to choir practice whether I want to go or not.
And I too find that I’m always glad I went. Other choir members at GSPC are warm and welcoming—and fun to be with. (Laughter happens regularly.) Personally, I love music and like to sing, but I don’t have a strong voice. What I’ve found though, is that like the lead goose flying at the front of the flock, our section leaders provide lift, and I can sing more powerfully and with more confidence soaring along on their energy. Tommy Watts is not only a talented musician, but also organized, efficient, and well-prepared. He takes very seriously his responsibility to help create a worship service that glorifies God. That spirit makes us want to do our best. One final reason I keep showing up is that going over those songs week after week imprints them in my brain so now if I hear a snippet of scripture, the music takes over and the rest of the words follow. So instead of my brain whirling around the problems of the world or of my little part of it, I hear “The Lord is my light and my salvation. . .” or “Come thou fount of every blessing,” or “The Kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ . . . and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Hallelujah!) If you want to join us in “making a joyful noise unto the Lord,” you are welcomed. Show up! You’ll be glad you did.
ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
The Sanctuary Choir is now rehearsing for Holy Week worship
Saturday, April 13 | 10am-12pm
services. Voices for every part are
Saturday, April 20 | 10am-12pm
needed and it is not too late to join
us. If you are interested, please contact Tommy Watts
Sanctuary Choir | Wednesdays @ 6:30
tommy@gspcmobile.org or
Handbells will resume rehearsal on Wednesday, May 1.
251.654.6453.
Youth
YOUTH HANGOUT, MARCH 23, 2019
UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL 14 | PYC Family Lunch We invite all youth and their families to join us for lunch at Moe’s BBQ.
APRIL 28 | PIZZA & PREPARATION Please bring $5 for pizza following worship. We will rehearse for Youth Sunday at this time.
MAY 5 | YOUTH SUNDAY & SENIOR RECOGNITION GSPC’s Youth lead the worship service this day followed by a luncheon honoring the graduating seniors.
Much help is needed and appreciated to facilitate the youth program. Please contact: Mary Herndon Nordmann mhnordmann@gmail.com or Sage Arnold sagewarnold@gmail.com if you have interest in volunteering.
Diaconate Deacons: The Ministry of Compassion and Service by Marcia Wyatt, Moderator | mwyatt62@comcast.net The Diaconate is the service board for GSPC. To better serve our members, as well as to take advantage of the individual gifts of our deacons, each deacon is asked to participate in one or more of the following ways. The goal is to have members adequately cared for by each deacon committing to at least one act of service per month. The team descriptions are as follows: Baking Team: GSPC provides baked goods for the receptions that follow most GSPC funerals. Members of this team – with at least two or three days notice – would be called on to bake or purchase cookies/brownies/etc. and deliver them to the church prior to the funeral reception. Meal Team: Individuals and families experiencing injury, crisis and/or grief occasionally need a meal or series of meals to help in their time of need. New mothers may also benefit from the gift of a meal. This team will meet those needs by preparing or purchasing meals. Alternatives include frozen casseroles stored at home or the church freezer as well as participation through the “Take Them a Meal” website that will be activated by someone at the church. Cooks may deliver the meals or simply prepare them and call upon the A-Team. Follow up will also take place as people often require care weeks/months after family and friends have slowed or ceased in their gifts of care. The A-Team: Members of this team will be called upon when someone is in need due to injury or illness. Team members will offer to mow a lawn, deliver groceries or meals, offer a ride to the church or from the hospital, etc. Older Adult Care or Senior Friends: This is offered to deacons who wish to keep or recommit to monthly personal visits to one of our many shut-ins. Deacons may wish to partner up in serving one or more of our older adults. In addition to these teams, all Deacons are assigned Sunday Assistant duties to keep our members and the church building safe during worship. These duties require the Deacon (two each Sunday) to be at the church by 9:30 a.m. and remain until 12:15 p.m. If any member of GSPC should need any of the above mentioned assistance, please contact the church office and our Deacons will be in touch.
Stewardship
The “Opportunity for Service” forms have been tallied and committee leaders informed. If you haven’t heard from a committee that you are interested in please let anyone in the church office know of your interest. Also, pledge contributions are up-to-date from so many of you that the Stewardship Committee sees both of these outcomes in every encouraging way. Thank you! Spring/Summer Reminder: As vacation time approaches please consider paying your pledge before you leave town and get in a summer mode! Historically our church attendance slows down during the summer, but the business of the Church never stops. Please consider using our automated ACH or PayPal to keep your pledges current during these times. Contact Dawn Hearn bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org for more information. Dru Oswalt, Stewardship Committee dsoswalt@gmail.com
Bible Study
TUESDAYS Men’s Bible Study 7am | Home of Rudy Nordmann
WEDNESDAYS Men’s Bible Study 7am | GSPC Library
Ladies’ Bible Study 7:45am | Home of Ann Adams
Men’s Bible Study 6pm | GSPC Library
Ladies’ Bible Study 10am | GSPC Frist Room
Worship Volunteers APRIL 7
APRIL 14
APRIL 21
APRIL 28
USHER CAPTAIN
Ashford Kettler
Ashford Kettler
Ashford Kettler
Brent Ericson
SANCTUARY PREPARER
Harriett Boster
Dot White
Blair Schoenvogel
Susan Ashbee
SUNDAY ASSISTANTS
Linda Reynolds
Bligh Jones Trisha Hawkins Nicole Riis
Harriett Boster Elizabeth Boone
Marcia Wyatt
NURSERY
Mary Herndon Nordmann
Lisa Goodloe
Jennifer Weed
Margaret Sue Browning
WEE WORSHIP
Susan Ashbee
Sarah Otts
Dorothy Morrison
Lindsay Otts
Sewing Group GSPC collects and distributes baby items to USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital for the newborn facility and to Mostellar Clinic. Items may be hand-made or storebought and we receive collections on a regular basis with a particular need for blankets. Complete information may be found online via gspcmobile.org. Other items for use include: •
Hats and booties
•
Blankets 36” square or rectangular 30-34” x 40-46”
For more information, contact Charlotte Naylor cee_naylor@bellsouth.net
Easter Lily Dedications We invite our congregation to participate in decorating the chancel for Easter. If you would like to give a beautiful lily plant in memory of loved ones or to honor family or friends, please fill in the information below. Your name and all those being honored or memorialized will be printed in the bulletin on Easter Sunday, April 21. Each lily plant costs $10. Please make your check payable to GSPC or visit gspcmobile.org/flowers to place and pay for your order via PayPal. The deadline for orders is Palm Sunday, April 14.
Please print legibly. I would like to order _____ lily(ies) at $10 each. In memory of: _______________________________ In honor of: ________________________________ Given by: __________________________________
Session Summary of the Session meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Clerk, Susan Miller led the process of adding at-large members to serve on committees. Edward Ogburn (Shepherd Program) presented the goals and objectives as well as revised lists for Shepherd families. The Diaconate was excused in order for both boards to continue separate meetings.
Summary from the session minutes Rudy Nordmann (Staff Committee) presented a new job description for the Urban Mission Camp Director. Motion carried. Anna Grace Claunch is the Camp Director for the summer. Anna Grace is a student at Columbia Theological Seminary. -Continue to search for an assistant camp director. -The newly updated job description for Director of the Children’s/Youth Director was approved. Guy Helmsing (Finance) moved that Stella Lutz Jackson be elected as Treasurer of GSPC. Motion carried. Betsy Otts (Worship) moved that members of the Diaconate be permitted to serve Communion. Motion carried. Allison Peebles (Christian Education) reported on the plans for the reception for Shawn Walker to be held after church on March 24. Because the April Session meeting is scheduled to occur during Holy Week, it will be moved, by common consent, to April 23, 2019. Susan Miller | Clerk of Session | srm2059@aol.com
Committee Chairpersons
Clerk of Session & Nominating Susan Miller
Finance Guy Helmsing
Stewardship Dru Oswalt
srm2059@aol.com
guy.helmsing@hancockwhitney.com
dsoswalt@gmail.com
Christian Education Allison Peebles
Membership & Evangelism Blair Schoenvogel
Urban Missions Dan Dealy
allisonpeebles1@gmail.com
bschoenvogel@email.com
ddealy@dsdservicesgroup.com
Communications Sage Arnold
Maschmeyer Fund Lisa Goodloe
World Missions Susan Ashbee
sagewarnold@gmail.com
lgoodloe@comcast.net
sashbee@aol.com
Congregational Life Sara Bryan
Permanent Funds Ed Bowron
Worship Betsy Otts
sgdonbryan@comcast.net
ed@bowronlaw.com
betsyotts@aol.com
Diaconate Marcia Wyatt
Property James Tamblyn
Baytreat Beth Majure
mwyatt62@comcast.net
jptamblyn@comcast.net
bethmajure@gmail.com
Elder Shepherd Edward Ogburn
Staff Rudy Nordmann
eogburn@gmail.com
rudolphnordmann@comcast.net
For a complete list of all committee members, please contact the church office.
Government Street Presbyterian Church US POSTAGE PAID USPC 736150
300 Government Street Mobile, Alabama 36604 251.432.1749 info@gspcmobile.org
Staff REV. DR. CARY G. SPEAKER Interim Pastor cary@gspcmobile.org TOMMY WATTS Director of Music & Organist tommy@gspcmobile.org LOIS MCNORTON Office & Property Manager lois@gspcmobile.org DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN’S CHOIR 9:30AM SUNDAY WORSHIP 11AM For the latest calendar and announcements, please visit us online at www.gspcmobile.org @gspcmobile
WE
ARE CALLED BY THE SPIRIT TO GLORIFY GOD, SO THAT ALL MAY BECOME JOYFUL DISCIPLES OF JESUS
CHRIST.