~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
June 16, 2019
The First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
|
|
No inSPIRE or eSPIRE next week
|
|
198 to be Great:
Wardens’ Update
|
|
The St. Philip’s clergy, Vestry, and staff are delighted to report that we have successfully completed our 60-day “$198 to be Great” debt retirement campaign, and we would like to thank everyone who has so generously provided! The campaign goal was to raise $113,000 in contributions above and beyond our regular giving to defray the approximately $198,000 in debt we had on the balance sheet at the beginning of 2019. Planned reductions of $85,000 in the approved operating budget would allow the debt, which St. Philip’s has been carrying on the books for almost 20 years and which as recently as 2014 sat at $1.2 million, to be fully retired by the end of the year. Praise the Lord!
As of June 5, we’d raised $113,430 with an average gift of $326––well above the $198 amount asked! While we’ve reached our goal, the church prayerfully requests that the 43% of our regular givers who have yet to make a contribution please cheerfully give whatever they can. Any funds collected in excess of the goal will simply reduce the budget debt reduction requirement.
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” –2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Gratefully,
Harry Gregorie,
Senior Warden
Martha Freshley,
Junior Warden
|
|
A Letter From Our Rector
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” –Romans 12:6-8
Dear Friends,
I’m writing to you from Greece, where the first group of pilgrims has just finished their journey in the footsteps of St. Paul, to thank you for stepping up to the plate and helping pay off the parish debt! I received the good news shortly after returning from Philippi where Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for sharing the Gospel, and I paused and gave thanks to God for your continued faithfulness to that same Gospel.
More than ever, I am persuaded that the Lord has a glorious plan for St. Philip’s and I rejoice that He has allowed me to be your Rector at such an exciting time! Thank you and God bless you!
Jeff+
|
|
Free Concert on Saturday!
6:00 p.m. in the church ~ Logansport Children's Choir
|
|
The Logansport Children’s Choir was founded in 1988 to provide a high quality choral experience for the children of Logansport, Indiana, and the surrounding area. The choir has participated numerous times in the International Children’s Choir Festival in Canterbury and London and was selected to perform in the National Children’s Choir festival in Carnegie Hall in June 2017. Now they are bringing their music to the southeastern United States! Please join us for an evening of fabulous free music, and welcome them as they join us in worship this Sunday, June 16, during the 10:30 service.
|
|
The Flame of the Holy Spirit
by Jolene Hethcox,
Director of the Canterbury and St. David Choirs
|
|
As many of you know, the Canterbury and St. David Choirs will be traveling on their European tour July 20 to August 6, 2019. The Canterbury Choir will be singing in Canterbury and London, England, for the International Children’s Choir Festival, and then they will join the St. David Men’s Choir in Paris on July 27. What you may not know is that these choirs were scheduled to sing mass at Notre-Dame of Paris on July 28.
Plans to sing at Notre-Dame began more than a year ago when a couple of choir parents suggested that it would be a wonderful experience for the children to sing there. The parents and I collected our best recordings to submit to Notre-Dame with our application, and we were elated when we were invited to sing there this summer. Therefore, we all mourned with the rest of the world when we heard that Notre-Dame was burning on April 15, but in our own special way. This was a tragedy for the world and a tragedy for the people of Paris, and we prayed for the people of France and especially for those who worship at Notre-Dame. Yet, we could not help being aware of the fact that the children had lost the unique opportunity of singing at this cathedral.
|
|
Church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris
|
|
Upcoming Opportunities for Youths
|
|
For middle- and high-school young ladies
|
|
Against the Tide
When:
Four Tuesdays, July 9-July 30, at 5:00 p.m.
Where:
The Youth Room, St. Philip’s Parish House
Leader:
Sarah Silcox
Middle school and high school are tough enough. When you add your faith to this increasingly secular culture, life can get that much more difficult. Join us in a four-week study on how to stand firm in your faith and be salt and light in school. Each meeting is open to any middle school and high school young ladies.
|
|
For middle- and high-school young men
|
|
The Search for Manhood
When:
Four Thursdays, July 11-August 1, at 8:00 a.m.
Where:
The Marina Variety Store, 17 Lockwood Dr.
Leader:
David Gilbert
What does it mean to be Godly man? Come have breakfast and learn what it means to be a man of God as we look at Jesus’ life. Each breakfast and Bible study session is open to any middle school and high school young men.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. –John 21:10-14
|
|
For all middle- and high-school students
|
|
Endless Summer Youth Group
When:
Four Tuesdays, July 9-July 30, at 6:00 p.m.
Where:
The Youth Room, St. Philip’s Parish House
Leader:
David Gilbert
My heart broke over the tears that were shed at our last youth group. Kids were crying because youth group was over for the season. Not to fear, young friends, not to fear, because our Endless Summer youth group will run on Tuesday nights in July! We will pray, worship, play games, get ice cream, watch movies, and have a whole lot of summer fun. We hope you can join us!
|
|
The Living Water of Jesus Christ
by Sam Robinson, World Missions Committee
|
|
Water Mission founders George and Molly Greene,
photo from watermission.org
|
|
After Hurricane Mitch hit Honduras in 1998, George and Molly Greene’s environmental consulting and engineering company, the GEL Group, built six water treatment systems at the request of the Honduran government––and Water Mission was born. Since then, this water engineering ministry has expanded into Mexico, Indonesia, Tanzania, Uganda, Haiti, Kenya, Peru, and Malawi, and it’s still growing. Driven by need throughout the world, Water Mission continued to develop its technology, and George and Molly sought sources of financial support for their growing ministry. In order to increase public awareness for this unique ministry, they created the Walk for Water fundraising project. The first event was held in Charleston in 2007 and has since spread to many other cities with churches that have sponsored Water Mission projects in foreign countries.
|
|
Summer Camp at St. Philip’s Preschool
~ for infants through age three ~
June 17-21, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
July 15-19, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
|
|
St. Philip’s Preschool is offering summer camps the weeks of June 17-21 and July 15-19, from 9:00-12:00 daily. These programs are for infants through age 3 (must be born after September 1, 2014). Your child does not have to be a student of St. Philip’s to attend.
|
|
Last Call for Musical Instruments!
Haiti Annual Feast Day Mission ~ June 19-24, 2019
|
|
Thank you to all who have donated instruments and dental supplies so far! We are pleased to report that we now have plenty of dental supplies, but we are still accepting musical instruments (new or gently used wind instruments, guitars, and battery-powered keyboards) and would also welcome monetary donations for instruments. The team heading to Haiti will hand-carry all donations when they leave next week.
Items may 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.
|
|
Website Audio Recordings and Podcast Reorganization
|
|
Last month, we began the task of reorganizing our website so that parishioners can easily find the information they’re looking for and visitors and newcomers know right away what we’re about, what to expect at our services, and how they can get involved in the life of our parish. Last week, we began the task of separating teaching series from sermons both on our website and in our podcast, and you may have found that series such as the First Wednesday Men’s Lunch and the Inklings forum were temporarily unavailable. You may now find links to all series
on our website, where you will also find podcast links as they become available in the next few weeks.
|
|
The Diocese of South Carolina at the Ol’ Ball Game
|
|
Section 205 of “The Joe” was full of members of our diocese on Friday, June 7, as the Charleston RiverDogs faced the Asheville Tourists! Did you miss Bishop Lawrence leading the stadium in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch? Keep your eye on the inSPIRE so you don’t miss upcoming opportunities to meet up with diocesan friends socially and spiritually! Coming up:
New Wineskins for Global Missions Conference
September 26-29 in Black Mountain, NC
Diocesan Women’s Retreat
October 25-27 at Camp St. Christopher, Seabrook Island
|
|
Summer Singing with the St. Philip's Choir!
|
|
If you've ever had even a fleeting thought of joining the choir, now is the time to try it out! There are no regular rehearsals during the summer––simply sing on the Sundays you're in town. You do not need choir-singing experience, only a desire to experience singing in the choir!
|
|
Do you love to sing? There's a spot for you in the Resurrection Choir, which comes together only to sing hymns for parish funerals. Serve God, praise God, and let your voice provide comfort to those who mourn. Contact Pat at the number above if you would like to be on the email notification list.
|
|
Your Fellow Parishioners Want to See YOUR Words in the inSPIRE!
|
|
Are you planning on attending an upcoming St. Philip's event, such as Saturday's concert or one of the new Bible studies?
|
|
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.
|
|
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
.
|
|
Never miss a sermon! Click below to subscribe to our Sermons podcast.
|
|
SAVE THE DATE
Jun. 17-21 ~ St. P’s Preschool Summer Camp I
Jun 19-24 ~ Haiti Annual Feast Day Mission
Jul. 15-19 ~ St. P’s Preschool Summer Camp II
Jul. 4-5 ~ Church offices closed for Independence Day
Sep. 8 ~ Rally Sunday
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
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
.
|
|
We pray for the sick:
Rhett Ambrite, Katie Burris, Elizabeth Flowers, Joe Gilchrist, Bill Gorgas, Tracy Graudin, Jonathan Hanger, Joe Livesay, Tim Quade, Edmund Rhett, Antoon Rijswijk, Benjamin Schools, John Templeton, Michael Walsh, and Lindsey Wing.
We grieve with and pray for:
The family of John Stewart Walker, who died on June 9.
We grieve with and pray for:
The family of Kathy Ravenel, who died on June 10.
We pray for our expectant parents:
Ran and Jane Stoney, John and Kelsey Lipscomb, Sam and Carrie Little, Boykin and Thomas Anderson, Katie and Ruben Perez-Phillips.
We pray for protection for:
Becca Baird, Julia Beasley, Graham Blunt, Henry Clayton, Ben Colyer, David Daughtridge, Hayes Fair, George Hoefer, Andrew Kane, Charles Kirkman, Frazier Kulze, 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.
|
|
St. Philip's Regular Weekly Worship Services
|
|
Collect for Trinity Sunday:
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of thy Divine Majesty to worship the Unity: We beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see thee in thy one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lectionary Readings for Trinity Sunday
:
- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
- Romans 5:1-5
- John 16:12-15
- Psalm 8
|
|
|
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 (Sept.–June)
Lay server schedules are sent out quarterly, one month prior to the start of each quarter.
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
Click
HERE
if you would like to opt out of receiving the printed mailing of the newsletter each week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
