~ the e-SPIRE Newsletter ~
November 18, 2018
The Twenty-Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
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A note from
The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence
Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina
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Dear Friends,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; and with abiding gratitude for the partnership we share in the gospel.
I write to inform you that on Monday, November 19, there will be yet another step on this long legal journey in the State case. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the State Courthouse in Orangeburg the Honorable Edgar W. Dickson will hear arguments on the various motions before him. Please pray for wisdom and clarity for our legal team, particularly Mr. Alan Runyan, Ms. Henrietta Golding, and Mr. Mitch Brown. Pray also for Judge Dickson as he decides upon the many issues before him. Indeed, pray also for those who stand opposed to us, ECUSA/ECSC, as our Lord has taught us to do.
Perhaps it will not escape your attention that this court date falls just a few days before Thanksgiving Day. In spite of the many challenges we have faced in recent months we have much for which to give thanks. Indeed, as the Holy Scriptures remind us,
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
So please note how the apostle teaches us to knit and interlace our petitions and requests with prayers of thanksgiving. It is astonishing just how enkindling of faith such grateful prayer can be.
Yours in Christ,
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The Right Reverend Mark J. Lawrence
Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina
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You may find the Prayers for Justice and Mercy useful as you pray. Please click below to view or print them. Copies will also be available in the Chapel on Monday, in the church office during the week, and in the Narthex on Sunday.
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman availeth much."
(James 5:16)
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The following road closures have occurred in years past:
Calhoun Street, between King and Meeting streets, beginning at 6 a.m. race morning. The race course, including Meeting and King south of Charlotte Street, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Meeting will reopen as the race progresses down it, while King will reopen at the conclusion of the race. Calhoun will reopen no later than noon.
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Knocking on the Doors of Homes and Hearts:
St. Philip's Youth Collect Canned Goods on November 10
by David Gilbert, St. Philip's Youth Minister
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“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”
Psalm 107:1
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On a cool fall Saturday morning, 17 youth, one fearless youth group leader, a rad dad, and one dog named Oliver met at the Horse Lot to embark on a mission: to go out two by two and knock on doors to collect canned food for Tricounty Family Ministries, which is one of St. Philip’s many awesome home missions. We were armed with flyers and smiles. The flyers contained all the facts about Tricounty Family Ministries and St. Philip’s youth group, and the smiles contained the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The kids knocked on the doors of homes and hearts while they engaged in purposeful conversation with all our neighbors on the peninsula. Along the way they were greeted with warmth and generosity. They met several members of our parish and were invited into their homes while canned items were gathered.
Whenever canned food bags got too heavy to carry, they radioed into the fearless leader and dropped the bags at an intersection, and the blue Dodge Ram would swing by and load up the goods. An elderly man stopped and asked (in a warm English accent) what we were doing and was amazed to see young people out serving the Lord on a Saturday morning. He was so moved that he donated $20 dollars to Tricounty. He is a Christian and was delighted to see the youth of this generation thinking of others! The youth, the fearless leader, the rad dad, and Oliver the dog had a morning that they will never forget. Laughs, smiles, joy, hard work, and service to the Lord brought about a little change in this world. They collected several hundred pounds of food. The food pantry at Tricounty will have canned items and the crew of volunteers that work there will be able to get ready to serve Thanksgiving meals and prepare emergency groceries. Blessings flow and mercy pours out in abundance when the Church lives her role out in the day-to-day lives of the Body!
Don't miss out! To join the youth events mailing list, email David Gilbert at dgilbert@stphilipschurchsc.org.
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The Feeding of the Multitude
This Saturday, November 17
at Mall Park downtown
(time to be determined)
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In coordination with St. John’s, an Eastside mission church of our diocese, St. Philip’s is taking part in “The Feeding of the Multitude” this Saturday at Mall Park, located on the corner of Columbus and America Streets.
If you would like to volunteer to help serve food to the people of Charleston’s East Side, please contact Guv Gottshalk at (843) 729-8270 or gottshalkg@knology.net.
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Thanksgiving Week Changes To Note
- The church office closes at noon on Wednesday, 11/21, and reopens Monday, 11/26, at 8:30 a.m.
- There will not a printed inSPIRE Thanksgiving week
- There will not be Wednesdays Alive! service, supper, or classes on 11/21
- There will not be Sunday School or adult Christian education on 11/25
- Youth Group and children's choirs will not meet Thanksgiving week
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Are You Feeling Overwhelmed?
Extended Prayer Ministry Opportunities
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If you are feeling overwhelmed with issues or problems and just want someone to pray through them with you, please consider the prayer ministry being offered at St. Philip's. This ministry offers private prayer with members of our prayer team to help you in your time of need. Sessions last about an hour and are available by appointment.
St. Philip's prayer ministers have been trained and hold all discussion and prayer in total confidence. This ministry has been approved by your priests.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please contact a member of the prayer team:
Frenchie Richards: frichards7@aol.com or (843) 884-8651
Juanita Orvin: juanitaorvin@bellsouth.net or (843) 884-4018
The Rev. Ryan Streett: rstreett@stphilipschurchsc.org or (843) 722-7734
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Empowering Charleston:
Gift Card Angel Trees Coming Dec. 2
St. Philip's partners with Tricounty Family Ministries and St. John's Chapel to Brighten Christmas for Charleston Families
by Amey Warder, Home Missions Committee
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The St. Philip's Home Missions Committee asked our friends at Tricounty Family Ministries how we could help their clients have a very Merry Christmas, and the answers are "gift cards" and "empowerment." Understanding people's desire to have the DIGNITY and JOY of picking out Christmas gifts for family and loved ones is so important. We understand and agree with the Tricounty philosophy of empowering those less fortunate with the gifts cards, which allows THEM to plan and prepare for the holiday season. To keep distribution simple and equal for each family, we are asking for $25 gift cards from Walmart, Family Dollar, Big Lots, or Dollar Tree.
The Committee also reached out to St. John's Chapel in Charleston's East Side to find out if we could help with their Christmas outreach. St. John's told us that this year they are having an angel tree to benefit the teachers of Sanders-Clyde Elementary, who have worked so hard to bring their Eastside neighborhood school back up to national standards. We are responding by collecting $25 gift cards from Target or Walmart for the teachers.
The St. Philip's Flower Guild is donating two trees that you will see in the Narthex beginning Dec. 2. The trees will be decorated with ornaments and reminders for your gift card donation. Take your ornament with the reminder and return the purchased $25 gift cards to the church office or bring them with you to church on the 9th or the 16th. Feel free to purchase as many gift cards as you would like! Our big, final collection day will be on the celebration of Lessons and Carols, Sunday, Dec. 16, but the office will continue to collect cards through Dec. 17.
The St. Philip's Preschool is also helping Tricounty by collecting coats and hats for children. The Committee has requested that families donate coats and hats that are the same size their children wear. Thank you, preschool families, for being a part of this important ministry!
We look forward to sharing wonderful stories of gratitude and grace as we enter into this time of wonder. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10, "we are [God's] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
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What Would We Do Without ...
the inSPIRE Ladies?
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Every Wednesday morning, the church office comes alive as these ladies, generous of time and spirit, gather in the Parlor to stuff close to 1,000 envelopes with the latest St. Philip's news, label them, and get them ready for bulk mailing. Ladies, we are so grateful for what you do for our church!
Would you like to tell a parishioner or a group of parishioners thank you for doing what they do for our church? Send a picture and a paragraph to Lea Andrews at
landrews@stphilipschurchsc.org
.
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2018 Advent Devotional Recommendations
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In the Collect for the First Week of Advent, we pray that God would “... give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light.” Preparing ourselves through Scripture and prayer and contemplation using an Advent devotional guide helps us to do just that.
This year, the St. Philip’s clergy recommendations for Advent devotionals are
Advent for Everyone: Luke,
by N.T. Wright, and
God is in the Manger
:
Reflections on Advent and Christmas,
by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Both books are available on various online retail sites such as Amazon and Christianbook.com, and copies will be available in the church office beginning this week for $15.
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World Mission: La Gonâve Haiti Partners
by Gerry McCord, World Missions Committee
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Gerry McCord (top row, far left) recently attended the La Gonâve annual meeting in Atlanta, led by Haitian priest Père Vil (front row, center)
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For almost 30 years, the La Gonâve Haiti Partners has worked to improve access to healthcare, education, economic opportunity, sanitation, and clean water in Haiti. While the partnership has a long track record of alleviating suffering and building strong communities, what truly sets us apart is our emphasis on empowerment and mutuality. In everything we do, both Haitian and American partners focus on making decisions together and working alongside each other to bring our shared hopes to fruition.
Together, Haitian and American partners share their hopes for the future, and then craft a vision for how to realize them. This model of development is challenging and messy at times, but it builds a sense of trust and mutuality. By listening to and valuing the insights of one another, the partners become a community where the dignity of all is recognized.
St. Philip's is blessed to partner with our sister church St. Jean Baptiste!
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Tonight's Supper: Creamed Chicken Over Rice
No Service or Supper Next Week
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~ TOMORROW: Last Class of the Semester ~
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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 full group is making the journey May 28-June 7, and there is still some room in this group, although it has now been opened to the rest of the Diocese. Click below for journey details or to book. Please call Connoisseur Tours at 800-856-1045 if you have questions.
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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, so invite your non-St. Philippian friends and neighbors!
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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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Warning: The sermon above contains "Citizen Kane" spoilers.
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First Wednesday Men's Lunch
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The monthly First Wednesday Men's Lunch was last Wednesday, November 7, and the speaker was Edward Hart, Chair of the College of Charleston Department of Music. Click below to read his bio or listen to the program.
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SAVE THE DATE
Nov. 19 ~ Prayer Service in the Chapel (12 noon)
Nov. 19 ~ Chapel Open for Prayer (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Nov. 22 ~ Thanksgiving Day Service (9 a.m.)
Dec. 9 ~ Advent Drop-In at the Rectory (3-6 p.m.)
Dec. 14 ~ The Greening of the Church (9 a.m.)
Dec. 16 ~ Lessons and Carols (10:30 a.m. service)
Dec. 16 ~ King's Counterpoint Christmas Concert (3 p.m.)
Dec. 18 ~ Charleston Symphony Holiday Brass (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 19 ~ St. Philip's Community Carol Sing (12:30 p.m.)
Apr. 29-May 3 ~ The St. Philip's Tea Room
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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:
Hazel Cramer, Elizabeth Flowers, Joe Gilchrist, Tracy Graudin, Lenora Kessler, Joe Livesay, Edmund Rhett, Antoon Rijswijk, Benjamin Schools, Bill Skilton, and Lindsey Wing.
We pray for protection for:
Becca, Janie, and Wills Baird, Graham Blunt,
Henry Clayton, David Daughtridge, Hayes Fair,
Tripp Hathaway, George Hoefer, 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 28):
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
This Sunday's Lectionary Readings:
- Daniel 12:1-3
- Psalm 16
- Hebrews 10:11-25
- Mark 13:1-8
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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.
Click
HERE
to view the upcoming winter 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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