~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
November 22, 2020
The Last Sunday After Pentecost: Christ the King
Our current Vestry members (left to right): Senior Warden Martha Freshley, Junior Warden Todd Brown,
Reid Davis, Joanna Ghegan, Guv Gottshalk, Elizabeth Hagood, Bob Kunes,
Robby Marion, Kat Phillips, Connie Rink, Sam Robinson, and Bill Warlick
From the Vestry nominating committee letter sent October 15, 2020:

"The goal is for this to be a Spirit-led process, executed by the Vestry and blessed by the clergy. The challenges associated with COVID, particularly the reduced personal parishioner interaction, led us to start the nomination process earlier than previous years. We encourage you to spend time in prayer concerning this matter, and allow the Lord to lay on your heart individuals that might well serve the church in this leadership position."
A Note of Gratitude From Our Rector
Giving in a Time of Pandemic
Excerpt from letter sent November 10, 2020:

"I am writing not only to thank you, but also to ask you for your continued generosity to help us finish this year strong.

We are grateful to God for the remarkable giving we have had thus far this year, but we are also aware that many of our usual revenue streams have been eliminated or greatly reduced....I am confident that the Lord will meet our every need and that He will move in the hearts of our parish family to finish strong and to run with perseverance the race He has marked out for us. Please consider prayerfully what role He would have you play in this important work––especially as we come to the close of this extraordinary year."
Registration Deadline TODAY:
20s-30s Oyster Roast
Sunday, December 6, 3:00-5:00 p.m. ~ Parish House Lawn
20- and 30-somethings of St. Philip's, let's get to know each other! Whether you're married or single, whether you've got kids in diapers or in school uniforms or you don't have kids at all, this time of food and fellowship is for YOU!

Tickets are $20 per person, and we will have oysters, hot dogs, chili, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. Childcare is available by request during registration, and there is no charge for kiddos who would like a plate for themselves. Please register at the link below by 5:00 p.m. TODAY!
This Week's Livestream Link
On Sunday, the Rev. Jeff Miller recounted Jesus telling the parable of the talents.
Each of us has been entrusted with unique and specific gifts, and scripture tells us we will be called to account on how we use those gifts. Are you ready?
Reservations for In-Person Worship ~ Childcare Update
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 now 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.
Mission Moments
Angel Trees ~ La Gonâve Partners ~ TFM Christmas Party
The Trees Are
Almost Here!
The St. Philip’s Home Missions Team is continuing its tradition of partnering with Tricounty Family Ministries to help brighten Christmas for Charleston families by collecting $25 gift cards to Walmart, Family Dollar, Big Lots, and Dollar Tree so that parents in need can have the joy of purchasing a gift for their child.

This year, the Team is also working in tandem with one of our other home mission partners, St. John’s Chapel to provide gift cards for the hardworking teachers of Simmons-Pinckney Middle School, the only stand-alone middle school on the Peninsula.
News from La Gonâve Partners in Haiti
"More than 6 years ago, a young
mother bravely spoke up at a
community meeting in Nan Mango
on the Haitian island of la Gonâve. She told the visiting team from Covenant Presbyterian Church that she wished to learn what her children were learning in school. She wanted to know how to read her Bible and how to write her name. An adult literacy program was developed
using a curriculum from Fonkoze, a
microfinance institution in Haiti.

After 24 months, local lay leaders and school principals on la Gonâve worked with Haitian project manager, Dantal Martin, to revamp the program..."
Volunteers Needed for
Tricounty Family Ministries Christmas Party
December 16, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Above: The Dixon family and other volunteers helped distribute toys
during the 2019 Christmas party at Tricounty Family Ministries

Tricounty Family Ministries is hosting their annual Christmas Party and we need your help! Because of the pandemic, the Christmas party will look very different this year. TFM has selected four mornings to welcome guests, and St. Philip's will be volunteering on Wednesday, December 16, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m..

Volunteers will distribute coats, groceries, and gift cards for parents to buy toys for their children using the same safe drive-through and walk-up lines that TFM has been using through the pandemic.

For more information or to volunteer with our St. Philip's team on December 16, please contact Amey Warder: (843) 452-9742.
Calling all bakers and treat-makers! We are pleased to announce a special edition of the Tea Room dessert table, via a one-day-only bake sale on Friday, December 18 (time TBA).

Now is the time for our volunteer bakers to step on up! We are pleased to gather any baked goods of your choice and speciality, though we particularly covet as many homemade pecan pies we can find. Items that can be prepared in advance and frozen are now being accepted at the church office, but 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.
TONIGHT: C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity"
Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. on Zoom
Join the Rev. Brian McGreevy at 7:15 p.m. on Zoom as he continues his exploration of Mere Christianity, a book that is still remarkably fresh today, serving as an encouragement to the believer, a winsome challenge to the doubter, and an effective apologetic for the unbeliever.
Do you receive Fr. Brian's updates and weekly wrap-up emails? Click here to read the message and materials he sent to the class yesterday, and if you'd like to join his list, let him know!
Subscribe to the "Mere Christianity" podcast at one of the links below or through your favorite podcast provider!
Do you follow us on social media?
We're on Facebook & Instagram
Hey grandparents, Generations Ministry head Lynn Dayton has a grandparenting newsletter recommendation for YOU! Click below to read the fall 2020 edition of "Grandparents on the Go" (and see which familiar names you see sprinkled throughout!), and then click that subscribe button so you receive the next quarterly newsletter straight in your inbox!
Rector's Bible Study on Zoom Tomorrow!
Thursdays at noon via Zoom
Did you know that you are more than welcome to join in the Rector's Bible Study on Thursdays at noon, no matter where you go to church or where in the United States or the world you live? Even if you're joining us 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. JeffMiller continues his study of the Gospel of Matthew!
If you're unfamiliar with Zoom and would like assistance, reply to this email and someone will reach out to you.
Daily Devotions from the Clergy of St. Philip's
Last Thursday, the Rev. Jeff Miller took us to the heart of St. John's Gospel and talked about a "new" commandment from Jesus. Yesterday, the Rev. Justin Hare showed us how Christians can rightly understand the warning passages in the Bible. Click the images above to watch!

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.
Would You Like Someone to Pray With You?
To pray WITH someone:
Call Juanita Orvin, who will connect you with a prayer minister who will pray for your concerns over the phone.
juanitaorvin@gmail.com or (843) 884-4018

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.
suzanne1959@gmail.com or (843) 224-1630

Both options are always confidential.
Save the Date
November 25 ~ Church office closes at noon (reopens Monday, November 30)
November 26 ~ Thanksgiving Day Service (9:00 a.m., Holy Communion: Rite I)
December 1 ~ Vestry nominations due
December 6 ~ 20s and 30s Oyster Roast (Registration due TODAY!)
December 16 ~ Tricounty Family Ministries Christmas Party
December 18 ~ Greening of the Church and Tea Room Bake Sale
Never miss a sermon!
Click below to subscribe to our Sermons podcast.
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!
We pray for the sick: Dotsy Boineau, Kelsey Brockbank, Katie Burris, Elizabeth Flowers, Mary Forbes, Brooks Goode, Robert Gould, Janet Hanger, Jonathan Hanger, Cecilia Hawkins, Mac Leppard, Joe Livesay, Connor Lowndes, Doug McAdams, Beverly Melvin, Elaine Pendarvis, Deborah Pollak, Harold Robling, Charles Truluck, Mike Walsh, Lindsey Wing, and Vereen Woodward.

We grieve with and pray for Drake Rogers III and family on the death of his mother, Eleanor Gaillard Rogers, on November 15.

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 10/40 Tribal Commission, for Water Mission and the Global Water Center, and for St. Jean Baptiste, our sister church, and the schools in Haiti.
Sunday's Readings
Collect for Sunday:
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in thy well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings for Sunday:
  • Ezekiel 34:11-20
  • Psalm 95
  • 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH
142 Church Street | Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-7734, www.stphilipschurchsc.org
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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