~ the e-SPIRE Newsletter ~
September 23, 2018
The Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
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Rally Sunday: A Return to Normalcy
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Although a full return to normalcy was put on hold due to Hurricane Florence, we saw on Rally Sunday some of the sights we've been missing over the summer, such as all the bright-eyed children filing into their various Sunday school classrooms after a summer recess. Adults eager to learn about new and returning offerings browsed the tables in the Parish Hall during the Ministries Fair before the service, and then they filled the pews during worship marked by stirring brass, bagpipe, organ, and choral music and the Rev. Jeff Miller's rousing sermon about returning to a societal normalcy we've never known. There were more people than chairs at the BBQ lunch in the Parish Hall, but everyone made do, with some eating standing up and others finding places to sit outside.
Now that Florence has passed on, St. Philip's has fully returned to normalcy; all studies and activities, including the Wednesdays Alive! service and supper, resume this week.
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Tonight's Supper: Chicken Penne
Next Week's Supper: Meatloaf
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Hurricane Florence Relief Efforts
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I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:3-4
The Diocese of South Carolina is coordinating Hurricane Florence relief efforts with Anglican Relief and Development. Please click the button below to find out more or to make a donation.
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If you are interested in helping locally by collecting supplies or participating in the hurricane relief team, please click below to email the Rev. Wey Camp.
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Those struggling with questions about why our city was spared while others suffered catastrophic damage might find the Rev. Jeff Miller's June 3 sermon, "And the Sea Shall Be No More," helpful.
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If you have friends or family affected by the storm and you would like to add them to our Hurricane Florence prayer list, please submit their information below.
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Fall Discipleship Brochure
The fall brochure is packed with information about this semester's offerings! You'll find descriptions of returning favorites with fresh topics, plus descriptions of new offerings.
You may view the offerings online by clicking below, or you may pick up a copy in the church office or in the Narthex if you didn't receive one in the mail. Remember that all of our classes are open to anyone who'd like to join!
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Fraterine: The Face of God
by Martha Vetter
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For well over a year, I have spent much thought considering what it really means to see the face of God. There are references in scripture where a person sees God “face to face.” For instance, Moses seemingly saw the Lord face to face when the Shekinah Glory of God descended upon the entrance of the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:11). Just a few verses later, however, the Lord says that Moses could not see his face, “for man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). Examples like this suggest that man can experience a deep intimacy with God. But because of the impurity that remains in man’s heart, we cannot hope to see God’s purely adorned and holy face until we cross the veil and enter into the eternal realm.
Despite this reality, Paul exclaims in 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give [us] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” We rejoice that, unlike experiences in the Old Testament, where man’s relationship with God is conditional, we can be drawn closer and closer into intimacy with God through the blood of Jesus who purifies us to serve (and perhaps “see”) the living God (Hebrews 9:14).
One night during my recent visit to Rwanda, my understanding of the reality of the “face of God” became a bit clearer. During my first weeks in Rwanda, I had had the opportunity to spend an extended time with Fraterine, an eight-year-old boy who has had a difficult skin disease all his life; his eyes are red and the skin on his face is raised, discolored, excoriated, and scaled. Due to this condition, he refused to attend school because the other students made fun of him.
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Traveling into the
New Testament:
The Footsteps of St. Paul
Pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey
June 11-21, 2019
With the Reverend Jeffrey Miller leading the way, travel in the footsteps of St. Paul from Athens to the Greek Islands--and to Ephesus, of course, with other stops in between. One group is making the journey May 28-June 7; this group is currently more than half-full, and it will be opened to the Diocese next week.
Please call Connoisseur Tours at 800-856-1045 if you would like to put your name down for the second pilgrimage.
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Tour of Tricounty Family Ministries
Wednesday, September 26, at 10:00 a.m.
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Are you interested in learning more about Tricounty Family Ministries? Home Missions Committee member and active volunteer Amey Warder is taking a group to receive a tour of the operation and see the areas where volunteers are needed. Even if you don't have time to volunteer right now, come see for yourself where our church prayers, supplies, and home mission support are going. We should be back to St. Philip's by noon. You can meet us there if that is easier.
Questions? Call Amey Warder at (843) 452-9742, or click below to email her.
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The ECW is looking for a few volunteers to serve on the New Mothers Committee. This committee helps women transition from "expecting" to "mothering" by providing a meal, prayers, and encouragement. If you would like to help, please
email Gigi Dobbins.
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Diocesan Men's Summit III:
A Work to Do
September 29
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
St. Paul's, Summerville
All men (teenagers and up) are invited to participate in this free event. Regardless of your circumstances, you have in Christ the power and freedom to do meaningful work!
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The Coronation of King George II, 1727
Sunday, October 21, at 3:00 in the Church
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The Coronation of King George II in 1727 was an event like none other, and it gave us some of the most incredible choral music of the day!
With compositions by Purcell, Blow, Gibbons, Tallis, and of course Handel's glorious Coronation Anthems, including the ever-triumphant "Zadok the Priest," The King's Counterpoint is thrilled to once again bring the majesty of "The Coronation of King George II" to Charleston!
Using a program taken directly from the actual order of service graciously provided by Westminster Abbey, this concert will guide the audience through the day of the Coronation, from the first fanfare to the herald's call, with all of the pomp and procession that such a landmark event deserves. Trumpets and drums, processions and glorious music–this October concert event has it all!
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The Gathering 2018:
A Speaker Series Featuring Author Renee Hodges
with an introduction by the Rev. Ryan Streett
Presented by Life Resources
Thursday, October 25, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall
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When Renée Hodges invited her nephew, Bobby, to come stay with her for a few weeks so he could visit a doctor about his back pain, she knew he was recovering from an addiction to prescription painkillers. She believed that if he could address his back problems, he would have a better chance of staying clean—but she had no idea what a roller coaster ride she was getting on.
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Musical Offerings at St. Philip's
For Adults
The St. Philip's Choir
Serving God is always a joy. Other benefits of singing in choir are: improving health through deep breathing and better posture, making great friendships, keeping your brain very active, singing gorgeous music that has been handed down for centuries, and giving back to God the talent He so abundantly gives. Rehearsals are each Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room, located on the 2nd floor of the Ministries Hall. If God has given you the gift of music, please offer it back to Him in worship. If you are unable to join the choir now, please continue sharing your voice in the congregation.
The Resurrection Choir
A new choir to sing for parish funerals
Do you love to sing hymns? Do you love praising God? Do you love serving your fellow parishioners? Are you available to sing at funerals? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is a place for you in the newly formed Resurrection Choir! The sole purpose of this choir is to lead hymns and prayers at funerals. There are no rehearsals, no anthems, no auditions, and no weekly commitment. All you will be called to do is sing some of your favorite hymns. Come join me as we worship God and share our love of Him in song.
Great Hymns of the Church
Thursdays, 11:00-11:45 a.m. in the Choir Room (begins September 13)
You will appreciate hymns even more when you know the inspiration God gave to hymn writers. We will usually study hymns for the upcoming Sunday. This is a class with a purpose! We will end in time for you to attend the Rector's Bible Study at noon.
Music Theory Class
Tuesdays, 2:00-3:00 p.m. in the Choir Room
Come join the music theory class! We enjoy lots of laughter and great learning. Right now, we are learning how to use the voice correctly: posture, breathing, vocal technique, plus sight singing. Of course, we are learning the notes and rhythms as we go. All are welcome!
Questions about musical offerings for adults? Call Pat Gould at 843-364-9552 or click below to email her.
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For Children
Cherub, St. Nicholas, and St. Cecilia Choirs
Wednesday afternoon
rehearsals
All children ages three through third grade are welcome to sing with these choirs. Choristers learn vocal technique and music theory through games and drills, and they sing in church monthly (October through April).
Canterbury and St. David Choirs
Thursday evening rehearsals
Children in grades four through twelve may audition for these choirs, which teach and build upon skills learned in the younger groups. Canterbury and St. David choristers sing in church monthly (October through May), and they are encouraged to take part in our tour of England, France, and Holland in July 2019.
Questions about children's choirs? Call Jo Hethcox at 843-722-7734, ext. 272, or click below to email her.
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Two Weekly Opportunities for Centering Prayer
"Be still, and know that I am God." – Psalm 46:10
If you desire to venture deeply in God's presence, consider joining the Centering Prayer groups who sit together in silent communion with the Lord. The goal is to build a personal habit that allows participants to de-stress and rest in the Lord daily as part of their regular quiet time. Group sessions close with a time for verbal prayer requests and short, focused prayer. We meet Sundays in the chapel during the Sunday School hour and Thursdays in the prayer room from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Questions? Call Pringle Franklin at 843-270-5585 or click below to email her.
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SAVE THE DATE
Oct. 3 ~ First Wednesday Men's Lunch
Oct. 21 ~King's Counterpoint Concert
The Coronation of King George II, 1727
Oct. 26–28 ~ Parish Retreat at Kanuga
Nov. 4 ~ All Saints Evensong Service (5 p.m.)
Dec. 15 ~ Christmas Tour of Homes
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Membership Directory
Are you looking for a fellow parishioner's contact information? Our directory is online! Click the "My St. Philip's" button on our homepage,
stphilipschurchsc.org
, to log in or sign up for an account. And for easy access on your phone, download the Church Life app!
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Do you have a loved one you would like added to our prayer list?
Please provide his or her name by calling the church office,
843-722-7734
.
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We pray for the sick:
Bill Gorgas
, Tracy Graudin, Joe Livesay, Edmund Rhett, Antoon Rijswijk, Benjamin Schools, and Jean Wallace.
We pray for protection for:
Becca, Janie, and Wills Baird, Graham Blunt,
Henry Clayton,
Tripp Hathaway, Andrew Kane, Charles Kirkman, Bethea Long, and Edward Pritchard, serving in our Armed Forces.
We pray for our home missions:
Star Gospel Mission, Tricounty Family Ministries, Life Resources, St. John's Chapel, and the Open Door Committee.
We pray for our world missions:
For Suzy
McCall and LAMB, for the medical missions to Honduras, for ministry to victims of genocide and AIDS in Rwanda, for Water Mission, and for St. Jean Baptiste, our sister church, and the schools in Haiti.
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St. Philip's Regular Weekly Worship Services
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Collect (Proper 20):
Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
.
This Sunday's Readings:
- Isaiah 49:1-7
- James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
- Mark 9:30-37
- Psalm 54
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Sundays
8:15 a.m. – Holy Communion: Rite I, in the Church
10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion: Rite I, in the Church (on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays)
10:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer: Rite I, in the Church (on the 2nd and 4th Sundays)
Wednesdays
8:00 a.m. – Morning Prayer, 1928 Prayer Book, in the Chapel
5:30 p.m. – Wednesdays Alive! Holy Communion: Rite II, in the Church
Lay server schedules are sent out quarterly, one month prior to the start of each quarter.
Click
HERE
to view the current fall schedule.
If you are unable to serve, please make an effort to find a substitute, and let
Felicia Lescow
in the church office know who will be substituting for you.
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ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH
142 Church Street | Charleston, SC 29401
Church Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday | 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Friday
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Click
HERE
if you would like to opt out of receiving the printed mailing of the newsletter each week.
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