~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
May 5, 2019
The Third Sunday of Easter
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Upcoming Schedule Changes to Note:
• Rector's Thursday Bible Study is in recess until May 9
• No supper following tonight's Wednesdays Alive! service (May 1)
• The Men's Lunch will be on the
second
Wednesday of the month (May 8)
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“198” Update from the Wardens
Debt Elimination Campaign
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Dear St. Philippians,
On behalf of the clergy, staff, and Vestry of St. Philip’s, we wanted to provide a quick snapshot of our debt retirement campaign launched on April 1. To briefly review, our goal is to raise $113,000 in additional giving above and beyond normal giving before the end of May so that we may fully retire the approximately $197,000 in debt currently on the books. (Note: This is in addition to the already budgeted $84,000 in debt retirement out of our operating account by year end.)
At the writing of this letter we are just a little over three weeks into the eight-week campaign, in which we have requested that each of the roughly 600 giving members of our St. Philip’s family contribute $198. We’re delighted to report that as of April 30, we’ve raised $72,000 of the $113,000 goal with an average gift of $260 vs. our $198 target. However, only about 1/3 of our normal givers have contributed thus far, so we prayerfully request that everyone pitch in so that we reach 100% participation. Thankfully, our clergy and Vestry have already contributed 100%. If all of our giving members will follow their lead with the donation amount that our Rector gently illustrated to us is less than a weekly latte at Starbucks, we will fully retire our debt!
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“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
(Matthew 6:24)
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You may make a contribution online by clicking below, or you may mail or drop a check off in the church office. Contributions may also be given in the Sunday offering plate. Please note “198 to be Great” or “debt elimination” on the memo line of checks contributed to the campaign.
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Spreading the Word About the Tea Room:
Youth Group Service Project
by Rhett Andrews, Middle School Youth Group
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This Saturday was my second time handing out the St. Philip’s Tea Room flyers. Like last year, I had a lot of fun. We started off by getting some doughnuts at Glazed, our youth minister David Gilbert’s special treat. After that, we walked down King Street handing out the flyers.
We split up on each side of the street, all the boys trying their best to avoid Victoria’s Secret. I was in a group with Shay Dotterer and Julian Ford. We took turns talking about the Tea Room to the owners and employees of the stores, and I somehow always got the national chain ones. The people at those stores just gave us an awkward look, saying, “I could put it in the break room if you’d like.” The people at Apple and Urban Outfitters really just did not seem to like me, but people at some of the smaller stores enjoyed hearing about the Tea Room for the first time or got excited about their annual treat. I remember one lady in particular who worked at Brooks Brothers who seemed especially excited. She said that she always looks forward to the Tea Room and couldn’t wait to order from St. Philip’s.
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The Tea Room Needs Your Helping Hands!
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The first two days of Tea Room have been extremely successful! While we are thrilled with the crowd, we are recognizing the need for more volunteers. Several volunteer spots have opened up; please take a moment to see if something works for you! If you're interested in a job that appears to be already full, let us know––we can always use extra, and we can always use help as we break down and clean up between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.
And we can ALWAYS use more of your delicious homemade desserts! Thank you!
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Do you have questions about volunteering? Please call
Liz Werntz at (843) 478-5171 or Rebecca Martin at (843) 814-4697, or click below to email Tea Room co-chairs Hope Gamble and Amanda Steinhardt.
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His Eye is on the Sparrow
by Martha Vetter, World Missions Committee
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“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.” (Psalm 84:3).
This past February, I returned to Rwanda for three weeks. For almost six years, I lived in Rwanda’s Northern Province, an area nestled in a chain of eight imposing volcanoes. Their towering spires appear to direct the earth’s timid gaze to heaven’s sublime and regal dominion. When they quake, fire and brimstone slide from their lips, demonstrating God’s almighty, omnipotent strength over all the created order. (I know; I was there once when it happened!)
Imagine only a few hundred yards away, a small sparrow flitters amidst the noisy inferno and then alights upon the fragile branch of a thin eucalyptus tree. In the ash-filled wind, this branch leans over like a servant bowing before its lord. Does God see this little sparrow? Does the Lord care about its seemingly insignificant existence?
On my recent visit in Rwanda, part of my time was spent caring for one of God’s tiny sparrows. This little one is my newest Rwandese “charge,” Fraterine, who suffers from an incurable skin disease. You may remember that I have mentioned him before. I have not written recently about him because his life and future always seemed to rest upon a balance that rose and fell like a seesaw, with good news and then terrible news and then better news and ... only God knows.
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Workshop: Discovering Your Gifts for Ministry
Friday, May 3 (7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.) and
Saturday, May 4 (9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) in the Parlor
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Deadline to register is TODAY at 5:00 p.m.
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“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
God has given you (yes, you!) gifts for ministry, and there is no greater joy than discovering these gifts and finding ways to use them in the service of Christ. Join Brian McGreevy, Frenchie Richards, and Andrew O’Dell for a Spiritual Gifts workshop and find out what God has planned for you!
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May 5: Star Gospel Mission Supply Drive
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The Star Gospel Supply Drive has begun––thank you to all who have already dropped items off in the church office! Please continue dropping off this week, or bring your donations with you to church on Sunday.
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New or Gently Used
• Twin sheet sets (flat, fitted, pillowcase)
• Bath towels and washcloths
Other Goods/Supplies
• New pillows
• Paper plates (thick/sturdy)
• Napkins, paper towels, toilet paper
• Walmart/Target gift cards
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Star Gospel is also in need of a gently used love seat, small sofa, or recliner. Arrangements can be made for pickup by the Rev. Bill Christian, Executive Director of Star Gospel Mission and St. Philip’s parishioner (843-722-0980).
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Tomorrow, May 2:
Prayer Vigil 10:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. in the Chapel
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Deadline Extended:
Senior Recognition Moved to May 12
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Is someone in your family graduating from high school or college this spring?
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Email your graduate's name and school to Lea Andrews by May 8 so that we may recognize him or her in the inSPIRE and the May 12 (Senior Recognition Sunday) bulletin! If applicable, please also include the degree or major and/or the school he or she is headed to next.
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On the lunch menu next week: Taco Bar
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Women Reading God’s Word
With Cynthia Patteson and Dorothy Lancaster
Four Wednesdays beginning May 8 ~ 7:15 p.m., location on campus TBD
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• Have you ever wanted to study God’s Word but felt daunted by the task?
• Have you been determined to start reading the Bible only to start but lose momentum quickly?
• Have you ever felt confused or lost when reading a passage in the Bible?
• Are you looking for ways to get more out of your quiet time with God?
• Do you enjoying reading the Word but need a little encouragement?
• Are you looking for a way to get connected with other women of St. Philip’s?
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Join Dorothy Lancaster and Cynthia Patteson for a new women’s class in May! We will be exploring ways and reasons why we should study God’s Word, and the only materials you will need are a notepad and your ESV Bible (we will have copies available to share if you don’t have an ESV of your own).
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Musical Instruments and Toothbrushes Needed!
Haiti Annual Feast Day Mission ~ June 19-24, 2019
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The team heading to Haiti will hand-carry your generous donations of:
Musical instruments: new or gently used wind instruments, guitars, and battery-powered keyboards. Help the children make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
General dental supplies: children’s toothbrushes, small tubes of toothpaste, and dental floss.
Items can be dropped off in the church office, or we will gladly pick them up. St. Philip’s is the sole supply source for our sister church community, and we hand-deliver to them each year. We thank you in advance for your kind and generous donations for these basic needs.
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Church Outreach Luncheon: All Are Invited!
Wednesday, May 15, 11:00 a.m. ~ Tricounty Family Ministries
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Please join the St. Philip’s clergy, Home Missions team, and our volunteer chef, Jimmy Hagood, for what promises to be a wonderful day of feeding the stomach and the soul! Arrive at 10:45 a.m. at Tricounty Family Ministries in N. Charleston (2105 Cosgrove Ave.). We will serve from 11:00-1:00.
Questions? Contact Amey Warder at (843) 452-9742.
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No supper tonight (Parish Hall set up for Tea Room)
Next week's supper: Penne Chicken
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Would You Like to See Your Words in the inSPIRE?
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Are you planning on attending an upcoming St. Philip's event, such as next week's men's lunch or the new women's Bible study?
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We want to hear about your experience! We are looking for perspectives on special events as well as regular weekly happenings. We are also looking for more personal pieces on topics of your own choosing; you may contribute anonymously if you prefer.
If you’d like to contribute, please contact Lea Andrews at (843) 722-7734, ext. 232, or click below to email her. No experience is necessary.
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Would you like to take another listen to Sunday's sermon? Or were you out of town and you missed it the first time? Sermons, the Rector's Forum, and more are available on our website,
stphilipschurchsc.org/sermons
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Never miss a sermon! Click below to subscribe to our podcast.
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SAVE THE DATE
Apr. 29-May 3 ~ The St. Philip's Tea Room
May 2 ~ National Day of Prayer (prayer vigil 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)
May 3-4 ~ Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Workshop
May 5 ~ Supply Drive for Star Gospel Mission
May 12 ~ Senior Recognition Sunday (date change)
May 19 ~ Last day of Sunday School before summer recess
May 19 ~ Last Senior High Youth Group before summer recess
May 22 ~ Last Wednesday supper before summer recess
(Wednesdays Alive! services continue through June)
May 24 ~ Last Middle School Youth Group before summer recess
Jun. 2 ~ Canterbury/St. David Choirs Spoleto Concert (3:00 p.m.)
Jun. 10-13 ~ Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Jun 19-24 ~ Haiti Annual Feast Day Mission
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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:
Rhett Ambrite; Katie Burris; Homer Burrous, Jr.; Elizabeth Flowers; Catherine Freeman; Joe Gilchrist; Bill Gorgas; Tracy Graudin; Joe Livesay; Frank Lucas; Jane Martin; Bob O’Callaghan; Elaine Pendarvis; Edmund Rhett; Antoon Rijswijk; Benjamin Schools; Michael Walsh; and Lindsey Wing.
We grieve with and pray for:
The family of Lenora Kessler, who died on April 29.
We pray for our expectant parents: Ran and Jane Stoney, John and Kelsey Lipscomb.
We pray for protection for:
Becca, Janie, and Wills Baird, Julia Beasley, Graham Blunt, Henry Clayton, Ben Colyer, David Daughtridge, Hayes Fair, George Hoefer, Andrew Kane, Charles Kirkman, Clay McLaurin, Ned Montgomery, Edward Pritchard, and David Scott 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 10/40 Tribal Commission,
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 for the Third Sunday of Easter:
O God, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for May 5:
- Acts 9:1-6
- Revelation 5:11-14
- John 21:1-19
- Psalm 30
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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.
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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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