~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
December 13, 2020
The Third Sunday of Advent
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December office hours: Tuesday through Thursday. 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
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Gift Card Drive Ends Sunday––Have You Picked Out Your Ornament?
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We're in the home stretch of the gift card drive! Have you donated a gift card and picked out an ornament to take home from one of the angel trees in the narthex? The last day to drop off is this Sunday, December 13!
Why gift cards? This is the third year we've partnered with Tricounty Family Ministries and some of our other home mission partners to brighten Christmas for others in our community in this way, and the Rev. Andrew O'Dell made a short video that will tell you all about it. Click the button below to watch!
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Other Home Missions opportunities: If you're available to volunteer for the December 16th Tricounty Family Ministries Christmas Party (9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.), please contact Amey Warder at (843) 452-9742 or click below to email her.
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Registration for Christmas Eve Lottery closes Monday
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Registration for the 5:00 and 8:00 Christmas Eve services lottery is open now through Monday, December 14, at 4:30 p.m. Note that there is just one entry per person/group/family––please register for either the 5:00 or 8:00 lottery.
Names will be drawn beginning December 15. Complete details are available at either link below. Questions? Contact Rachel Murphy at rachel@saintphilips.church or (854) 429-1928.
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Beautiful Weather and Fellowship at the 20s-30s Oyster Roast
by the Rev. Justin C. Hare, Assistant for College, Young Adult, and Young Family Ministry
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Sunshine, oysters, and a fire helped make our 20s-30s St. Philip’s oyster roast a wonderful occasion. Given the pandemic, many people were itching for a way to meet others as well as to see some familiar faces. So we did our best to get together outside and avoided invading each other’s space, and everything went off without a hitch. Charleston Bay Gourmet cooked up some fine Bull’s Bay clusters and our own Ms. Connie provided a mean chili and hot dogs, as well as some decadent banana pudding!
If you missed this one, don’t worry! We hope to do semi-annual events like these for young adults and young families. Hope you can join us next time! Until then, I'm trying to gauge interest for gathering together in 2021––please fill out the three-question survey below!
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Young Adults, Which of These Groups Interest You?
Fill out the survey for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Hall's or one of its affiliates!
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A message from the Rev. Justin Hare:
One of the things I mentioned at the oyster roast was my hope to see some groups start up in the new year. To that end, I wanted to get a pulse on where everyone is.
Please fill out the survey at the link below by this Sunday, December 13, at 5:00 p.m. to be entered in a drawing to win $50 towards a night out at Hall's or one of its affiliated restaurants!
Thank y’all so much and I look forward to getting to know you all better soon!
Sincerely yours,
Justin
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One Week Left to Submit Names for Christmas Eve bulletin
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If you would like to make a contribution to the Christmas Flower Fund as a memorial or in thanksgiving for a loved one, please click the link below and submit your information by Wednesday, December 16, at 5:00 p.m. Forms are also available in the church office and in the narthex. After you complete the form, you may pay online through the My St. Philip's portal of our website, stphilipschurchsc.org, or you may drop off a check payable to St. Philip's Church at the church office or mail it to:
St. Philip's Church
Attn: Juli Garland, Christmas Flowers
142 Church St.
Charleston, SC 29401
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More Than Conquerors
by Jackson Ayers, Youth Leader in Training
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Ever since November 2019, I have been a Leader in Training for the middle school youth group. When lockdowns started and everything became virtual, I missed helping the middle school youth grow in their walk with Christ. Every Friday night, I thought to myself: “What would middle school have been like today if the virus never existed?” When lockdowns were lifted, school started, and the new normal began, I resumed my job as the cameraman for the Porter-Gaud football team.
Problem was, the games were on Friday nights––the same time as middle school youth group. Even with the excitement of getting out of school early to watch some football, I still really missed helping out at youth group. When the season finally ended, God put it on my heart to share a message with the middle school youth. A week later, I asked David Gilbert, the St. Philip's youth minister, if I could give a talk for the two youth groups. He was surprised, as I would never have volunteered for that before, but he immediately said yes.
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Pictured below: Jackson Ayers, a senior at Porter-Gaud, in his roles as a cameraman for the Porter-Gaud football team and as a St. Philip's youth leader.
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Service Project This Saturday:
Calling All 6th-12th graders!
This Saturday, December 12, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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Youth of St. Philip's Church, come to the Parish Hall at 9:00 a.m. this Saturday, December 12, for a bagged lunch service project! We will be baking cookies, putting together sandwiches, making Scripture cards, writing encouraging notes, and then bagging everything together so that (weather-permitting) we can hand them out and show the love of Jesus Christ to the homeless in downtown Charleston. Remember your mask!
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Mark Your Calendar!
Friday, December 18, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. in the Parish House Breezeway
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Dessert-lovers, stock up on whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or whatever completes your favorite dessert, because the Tea Room Bake Sale is coming soon, and we're counting on you to take some goodies home!
Since we missed out on our annual Tea Room this year and it will still be a while before we can get a plate of curried chicken salad or a bowl of okra soup, the ECW (Every Church Woman) of St. Philip's Church is offering you the next best thing, and the Parish House breezeway (on the corner of Church and Cumberland Streets) will be full of the delicious homemade desserts you've been craving all year from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on December 18! Support your belly and the home and world missions of St. Philip's Church by coming by and picking out some goodies!
Bakers, we need your help! We are especially looking for homemade pecan pies, but we are also very happy to accept whatever you love to bake. Please bake and freeze your items before bringing them to the church office; you may also drop off fresh items the morning of the sale.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer to bake, please email Hope Gamble.
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Advent@Home
Presented by St. Philip's Ministry to Children and Families
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The limited-edition Advent-in-a-Box kits went fast, and so did the "Advent@Home" packet version, but you can still participate in all the memory-making activities by downloading the digital version! Click the button below to visit the children's ministry website and download your copy!
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This Week's Livestream Link
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In his sermon "Comfort in Exile," the Rev. Justin C. Hare focused on Isaiah 40:1-11. "Is your life warfare this morning?" he asked the congregation. "Is it filled with hardship or burdens? Know that God longs to give you peace."
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Reservations for In-Person Worship
Reservations for this Sunday's services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and Morning Prayer at 10:30 open today at 9:00 a.m.
Childcare during the 10:30 service is available for infants and young people through age five, with limited capacities within each age group. You may register at the link below after first registering to attend the 10:30 service, or you may call the church office at (843) 722-7734 to reserve space.
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You're Invited to Mike and Sarah Dowling's Virtual Holiday Party!
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Learn more about how this story and the beautiful illustrations that accompany it came to be when you join the Dowlings for a virtual holiday party! Click the link below to watch!
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Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. on Zoom
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Do you receive Fr. Brian's updates and weekly wrap-up emails? Click here to read the wrap-up email he sent yesterday, and if you'd like to join his email list, let him know!
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Rector's Bible Study: Last Class of 2020 is Tomorrow!
Thursday, December 10, at 12 noon on Zoom
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Tune in tomorrow at noon for the last Rector's Bible Study of the year! Even if you're joining for the very first time, just make yourself a sandwich, grab your Bible and a seat on your couch, and meet up with us on Zoom as the Rev. Jeff Miller continues his study of the Gospel of Matthew!
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Do You Follow @st.philips.church?
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People who worshipped with us or stopped into the church office in the past week were decidedly careful with their belongings, and as a result, we are unable to present our regularly scheduled episode of "Lost and Found: St. Philip's Church." (We were really hoping Connie might accidentally leave Fred behind, but she somehow remembered to take him with her.)
Instead, please enjoy this recommendation of a recommendation that came through on Instagram! The Rev. Brian McGreevy brought up The Splendid and the Vile during "Mere Christianity," and one of his distance learners (@jeffmilesmartin of Greenville) is already ready to dive in!
Click the buttons below to like or follow us now and be among the first to receive puppy pictures and book recommendations!
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Weekly Webinar for Grandparents
Presented by the Legacy Coalition
Mondays at 8:00 p.m. on Zoom
Grandparents have an important spiritual role to play.
Culture says:
- It's time to take it easy and enjoy spoiling your grandchildren, but the Bible calls grandparents to a greater level of influence.
As a Christian Grandparent:
- You are important to your grandchildren.
- You are in a unique position of influence.
- You have a biblical role to fulfill.
- You can build and grow relationships with your family.
Upcoming Webinar Topics
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December 14: "Spiritually Impacting Grandkids at Christmas," presented by Larry Fowler
- December 21 and 28: Christmas recess
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Daily Devotions from the Clergy of St. Philip's
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Yesterday, the Rev. Brian McGreevy dispelled some misconceptions you may have about Charles Coffin's "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry" and showed those who long to be free from the shackles of sin that they may take hope. Last Thursday, the Rev. Marc Boutan reflected on the meaning behind the first song he learned as a young Christian, sharing a story about a 2003 Ford Ranger and a man named Wayne to show us just what living in the kingdom of God means.
Devotions are posted to the news section of our website at 7:00 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Click the top link below if you've missed any and need to catch up; click the bottom link if you'd like the devotions delivered to your email inbox and haven't yet signed up.
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Would You Like Someone to Pray With You?
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To pray WITH someone:
Call Juanita Orvin, who will connect you with a prayer minister who will pray for your concerns over the phone.
To ask for prayer FOR someone:
Call Suzanne McCord, head of the prayer chain, and she will pass your request on to members of the chain.
Both options are always confidential.
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Save the Date
December 12 ~ Youth Group Service Project (9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
December 16 ~ Tricounty Family Ministries Christmas Party (volunteers needed)
December 18 ~ Greening of the Church (9:00 a.m.)
December 18 ~ Tea Room Bake Sale (11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
December 24 ~ Christmas Eve services (5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.)
December 25 ~ Christmas Day service (10:00 a.m.)
December 25 ~ Lessons and Carols (6:00 p.m., online only)
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Never miss a sermon!
Click below to subscribe to our Sermons podcast.
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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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We pray for the sick: Kelsey Brockbank, Katie Burris, Elizabeth Colwell, Glenn Corley, Elizabeth Flowers, Mary Forbes, Brooks Goode, Robert Gould, Jill Griswold, Janet Hanger, Jonathan Hanger, Cecilia Hawkins, Doug Hazelton, Mac Leppard, Joe Livesay, Connor Lowndes, Doug McAdams, Beverly Melvin, Leon Patat III, Elaine Pendarvis, Alton Phillips, Deborah Pollak, Edward Pritchard, Jr., Harold Robling, Charles Truluck, Mike Walsh, Carolyn Warlick, Lindsey Wing, Vereen Woodward, and Charlie Yoho.
We pray for protection for Becca Baird, Chris and Julia Beasley, Graham Blunt, Henry Clayton, Ben Colyer, David Daughtridge, Hayes Fair, George Hoefer, Andrew Kane, Horry Kerrison, Charles Kirkman, Frazier Kulze, John Mason, Philip Middleton III, Jackson Miller, Ned Montgomery, Edward Pritchard, and David Scott serving in our Armed Forces.
We pray for our home missions: Star Gospel Mission, Tricounty Family Ministries, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, St. John's Chapel, and the Open Door Ministry.
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 the Global Water Center, and for St. Jean Baptiste, our sister church, and the schools in Haiti.
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Collect for Sunday:
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end.Amen.
Readings for Sunday:
- Isaiah 65:17-25
- Psalm 126
- John 3:22-30
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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 when we resume our mailings.
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