~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
April 18, 2021
The Third Sunday of Easter
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Adult Confirmation With Bishop Lawrence Tonight
in lieu of Wednesdays Alive! service ~ Wednesday, April 14, at 6:00 p.m.
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Please join us and welcome our new members––no registration required. College Fellowship (6:30 in the Youth Room) and Mere Christianity (7:15 on Zoom) will go on as usual.
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The Risen Christ and Empty Nets:
One of the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence's Final Scheduled Sermons at St. Philip's
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There may be seasons in your life when you can't find Christ, when God seems absent from the world, when your soul seems to be withering on the vine of life, and there are lessons in Sunday's gospel reading, John 21:1-14, that you must have ready for those seasons.
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Children's Church Resumes This Sunday!
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We are delighted to relaunch St. Philip's Children's Worship during the 10:30 service beginning this Sunday, April 18th.
A few things have changed, so please review the information at the link below to ensure a safe and smooth transition.
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Reservations for In-Person Worship
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Reservations for this Sunday's services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. open today at 9:00 a.m. Children's worship and childcare during the 10:30 service are available for infants and young people through third grade, 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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The Death of Death
by Martha Vetter, Bible Study Leader and World Missions Committee Member
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Each year during Holy Week, we join together on Good Friday to remember Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. We often think that the term “Good Friday” is a misnomer. How can this day be “good” when Roman soldiers mocked Jesus and then crucified Him on a stake that was shaped like a cross? How can this day be “good” when our Savior and Lord Christ cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”? How can it be “good” when the heavens shrouded the world in mystifying darkness for three hours in the middle of the day?
We know now, after God raised Jesus from the dead, that this terrible, frightening, confusing, “good” Friday became known in Scripture as the day of Jesus’ glorification! When Jesus died on the cross, according to Scripture, He was glorified. He became the true Lamb of God, as John the Baptist had prophesied, who took away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Thus, Good Friday was the day, for Christians, that spiritual DEATH DIED—and that IS good. During this Easter season, let us find hope that physical death is really just one breath away from sliding spiritually across an invisible veil into God’s eternal presence, where all pain, tears, fear, anxiety, and depression have disappeared, and we are filled with the indescribable peace of God—that peace that “passes all understanding.”
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In Memoriam: Gene Lesesne
from the Water Mission Spring Newsletter
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We celebrate the life and legacy of Gene Lesesne, the first volunteer to serve at Water Mission alongside George and Molly Greene. For nearly 20 years, Gene faithfully volunteered in our Charleston office. He even traveled to seven countries to participate in our work.
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St. Philip's Youth Enjoy Their First Beach Evening of 2021
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On Monday, St. Philip's high-schoolers and their leaders enjoyed some Spikeball, volleyball (too windy for Frisbee!), and a beautiful sunset on Folly Beach––their first beach evening of 2021! There are more to come for both high schoolers and middle schoolers, so stay tuned!
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Last Day to Register is Friday!
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The St. Philip's Choir Is Missing Something: YOU!
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The full St. Philip's Choir will present Evensong on Sunday, June 6. If God has given you the gift of a voice to sing his praises, we invite you to join us. Remember, if you can speak, you can sing! Men are especially needed. Socially distanced rehearsals resume on Wednesday, April 21, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall (remember your mask, please).
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Take a Minute Now to Register for the St. Christopher Workday!
St. Philip's Vestry Leading Another St. Christopher Workday on May 1
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We are planning a St. Philip's parish workday at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center on Saturday, May 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch is provided!
Please sign up by Wednesday, April 28, so we know how many folks to plan for. Also, please bring gardening gloves and clippers for yourself if you have them handy!
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Lowcountry Pregnancy Center's Annual Banquet
Reserve a seat at St. Philip's table
Thursday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. ~ Charleston Area Convention Center
(Embassy Suites Ballroom)
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St. Philip's is hosting a table at Lowcountry Pregnancy Center's annual fundraising banquet! If you would like to reserve a seat with us, please contact Jane McGreevy at (843) 793-9832 or janemcgreevy@yahoo.com. You may also reserve your own seat or table or watch online; click the link below to register or learn more!
About the event: Keynote speaker Dr. Anthony Levatino and his wife, former nurse Cecelia, share what it was like to perform over 1,200 abortions and the toll it took on their family. Their story of their conversion to pro-life has educated and motivated audiences throughout the world.
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Are You Technologically Proficient and Looking for a An Occasional Gig?
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St. Philip's is looking for occasional help with our audio system during Sunday morning services, special services, and special events. Would you like to learn a new skill while serving your parish? Contact Florance Anderson at fanderson@stphilipschurchsc.org to learn more.
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Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. on Zoom
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Mere Christianity began as a series of radio talks during the darkest days of World War II in England. Lewis was asked by the BBC to do the talks because so many people were living in fear and anxiety and were feeling that the world was crumbling around them, that "the wheels had come off the bus." Our culture today is beset with many of those same anxieties, albeit for different reasons. Lewis's broadcast talks were then edited by Lewis and published in book form as Mere Christianity. The book is still remarkably fresh today and serves 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 his last wrap-up email, and if you'd like to join his email list, let him know!
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Rector's Bible Study
Thursdays at noon on Zoom
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How many times have you heard that THE best way to spend your lunch hour in Charleston––or wherever you are––is at the Rector's Bible Study? Probably a whole lot––so if you haven't checked it out yet, it's time you finally see what everyone is talking about! Make yourself a sandwich, grab your Bible and a seat on your couch, and click the link below a few minutes before noon tomorrow. See you (on Zoom) then!
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Subscribe to the podcast!
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New Part-Time Office Helper
Follow St. Philip's Church on Instagram and Facebook!
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When Gus arrived at the church office on Thursday afternoon, he was a little nervous. He'd never been to a job interview before (he was only eight-and-a-half weeks old at the time), and even though his big sister, 11-year-old Carly, had recommended him for the part-time office helper job (a job Carly herself has done and done well), he wasn't sure the Rector would approve him.
Gus's nervousness showed when the Rector called him over to his chair, but he instantly relaxed when his prospective boss wrapped him in his arms. And as soon as their noses touched, Fr. Jeff knew he'd found his new helper, and Gus knew he was hired. Hooray! After that, it was time to meet some of his coworkers, all of whom seemed happy to have him on board. Congratulations, Gus––we know you will do a great job!
If you follow St. Philip's on social media, you found out about St. Philip's newest hire last week. But if you don't, how about you click one or both of the links below and give us a follow right now so you can be among the first to hear stories like these?
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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
April 18 ~ 20s-30s Lowcountry Boil (4:00-6:00 p.m. on the Parish House Lawn)
May 9 ~ Diaper drive for Lowcountry Pregnancy Center
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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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Collect for Sunday:
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 Sunday:
- 1 John 1:1-2:2
- Psalm 98
- Luke 24:36-38
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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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