~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
March 21, 2021
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
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Final Push for This Saturday's Walk for Water
Walk for Water: March 20 at Riverfront Park OR location of your choice
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St. Philippians and friends, we are entering the final push to fill our "team member" bucket all the way to 100! We know we can do it with your help! Join Team St. Philip's at the link below––you can sign your friends and family up, too! And check out this "Why We Walk" video for an eye-opening look at the global water crisis.
Most of St. Philip's in-person (Riverfront Park) walkers signed up for the 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. slots, which are now full (9:30 had a couple slots left as of yesterday afternoon), but there's lots of space at 11:00 and 11:30––or you can walk in your own neighborhood whenever you'd like!
If you're not able to join the walk, you may still make a donation––any amount will make a difference. $5, $10, $20, or whatever you feel led to give.
Feel free to call or email Jill Settle if you have any questions: (843) 697-0818 or jillasettle@gmail.com. Let's go, Team St. Philip's! |
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Holy Week and Easter at St. Philip's
In-Person and Online Worship
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On Sunday, you received an email detailing our Holy Week and Easter worship schedule, with information about reservations for the various services and the reservation lottery that will be used for the 9:00 and 11:15 Easter services.
Key reservation dates are listed below.
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Easter Flower Memorials and Thanksgivings |
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If you would like to make a contribution to the Easter Flower Fund as a memorial or in thanksgiving for a loved one, please submit your information by Thursday, March 25, at 5:00 p.m. at the link below. You may make your donation online at My St. Philip's (be sure to use the below form first––your dedication submission confirmation email includes instructions for donating online) or you may mail a check to the church office (donations only––please do not mail your dedication information):
St. Philip's Church
Attn: Juli Garland, Easter Memorials
142 Church St.
Charleston, SC 29401
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"Do You Have a Bathtub?"
by Jayne Gurley, World Missions Committee
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Descending into the Ukrainian air space on a freezing January day, it looked like we were landing in Siberia. Snow enveloped Kharkiv, a city with a population of 2,000,000 located twenty miles south of the Russian border in far eastern Ukraine.
After we landed, customs officials placed Tom and me in separate cubicles. Following serious "pat-downs," the husky, unsmiling customs officer extended her hand. Not for a handshake, but a bribe!
“Nyet,” I said firmly, using one of five words I know in Russian. She blocked the door of the cubicle and thrust her hand toward me again. Breaking out in a sweat in the freezing cold room, I looked her in the eye and firmly repeated, "Nyet." ("No.") Then I heard voices outside the door calling our names.
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College Fellowship Is Off-Campus Tonight!
The Rev. Justin Hare at Christ Church:
"Wise Living According to the Apostle Paul"
6:30 p.m. at Christ Church in Mt. Pleasant
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The Rev. Justin Hare is tonight's guest speaker at Christ Church's Lenten series, "Jesus. Disciples. Scripture." Those who would normally be attending College Fellowship with Justin here on campus are encouraged to take a little field trip to listen to him off-campus instead. Click the button below to register. |
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An invitation from Pat Gould, Director of Music:
Come let the music pour over you as we worship God in the beauty of holiness. Some of the pieces you will hear are "Magnificat" and "Nunc Dimittis" in B-flat by Charles V. Stanford, "Preces and Responses" by Richard Ayleward, an introit by Richard Farrant, and a psalm by S.S. Wesley. The anthem will be C. Hubert H. Parry's monumental work "Hear My Words, Ye People," which features bass and soprano solos, a quartet of singers, and a larger ensemble, as well as most of the St. Philip's Choir. This traditional service of Evensong provides a time of reflection and prayer for all.
Please follow our current worship guidelines by wearing a mask and maintaining distance from those outside your household.
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TOMORROW: Living a Life of Purpose
in honor of Molly F. Greene
6:00 p.m. at Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant
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Our friends at Water Mission invite you to join them tomorrow at Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant as they honor Water Mission Co-Founder Molly Greene. Gather with them to give thanks to God for the beautiful life she lived: a life of purpose. Molly embodied the Great Commandment to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Please join Molly’s family and Water Mission in celebrating her loving nature, joyful spirit, passionate heart, generosity, faithfulness, and vision for the future.
Information about attending in-person or online is at the link below.
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2021 Diocesan Convention:
Bishop's Address, Update from Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee, Standing Committee Elections
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From Joy Hunter, adosc.org: “Pressing on” was the theme of Bishop Mark Lawrence’s address to the Convention of The Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, March 13, 2021. And, despite COVID-19, press on we did, with nearly 300 clergy and lay delegates participating from their own homes and churches, while the Bishop and Diocesan staff operated from the Diocesan offices in Charleston. “There is no replacement for person-to-person worship and fellowship,” said the Bishop in his address, yet despite the setback, there was a sense of community with the saints gathered – not in one place – but at one time to be the church and accomplish the business of the convention. |
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Click the link below to watch the recording of the convention, which opened with a hymn, "Jesus Shall Reign," sung by the St. Philip's Choir! |
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You'll see several familiar faces in this video about the ways the churches in our diocese pivoted during the pandemic. |
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How Can You Help Tricounty Family Ministries?
Used computers/laptops, office volunteers, food distribution volunteers
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Tricounty Family Ministries needs our help! Is one of the needs listed below something you could address?
Current donation/volunteer needs
- Computers with internet capability (good condition)
- Volunteers: Support for financial assistance online applications (Mondays and/or Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon)
- Volunteers: Food distribution (Wednesdays 9:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
- Volunteers: Data entry and general office support (anytime Monday–Thursday)
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Worship Resources for Kids:
My First Church Notebook for Preschoolers
My Church Notebook for Elementary Students
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Sofa or pew? Whether your family is worshipping at home or in person, we have a great new resource for children: My Church Notebook preschool and elementary editions!
Borders and icons in the notebooks are designed with themes relating to either creation or the life of Jesus and His parables. These themes cycle through the book, reminding children of our great Creator or great Savior Jesus as they listen and take notes during the sermon.
You may pick up these free resources (one book per child while supplies last) in the church office, or we can ship them to you for $6 (payment link in email confirmation).
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Let Us Welcome the Newly Baptized! |
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Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of Regeneration or New-Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of the forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God.
––Article XXVII “Of Baptism,” The Book of Common Prayer
Pandemic restrictions have kept our congregation from witnessing baptisms, so we are sharing the happy news here! Let us welcome into Christ’s one holy catholic and apostolic Church this child who was recently baptized:
William Henry Shand
Son of Ben and Shelly Shand
baptized on February 7 by the Rev. Justin Hare
with the Rev. William Shand, Henry's grandfather, assisting
Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.
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Support a St. Philip's Home Missions Partner:
Lowcountry Pregnancy Center's Annual Banquet
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Register for Preschool Summer Camp Registration!
Session 1: June 7-11 ~ Session 2: July 12-16
Open to St. Philip's Preschool students, members of St. Philip's, and the surrounding community
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We are pleased to offer Preschool Camp for babies through age three! Two sessions are available (campers must have been born after September 1, 2017), and at each session, the children enjoy socializing while engaging in age-appropriate activities.
The fee per child is $250, and campers do not have to be St. Philip's Preschool students to attend. Space is limited, with preference given for church members and for full-week camp attendance.
A note about safety: Cleaning is something we have always taken very seriously at St. Philip’s Preschool. We will clean and sanitize daily during camp, and we will also be using air purifiers. We would be happy to share our cleaning protocol with you upon request.
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This Week's Livestream Link |
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In his March 14 sermon, "Grace Under Pressure," the Rev. Andrew R. O'Dell examined the three hindrances to spiritual growth––prejudice, presumption, and pride. How can the Good News of the gospel help you lay those hindrances to waste so that the Holy Spirit can work within you to help you grow into the image of Christ, allowing you, like Christ, to exhibit spiritual grace under pressure? |
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Reservations for In-Person Worship
Reservations for this Sunday's services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. 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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"Mere Christianity" with the Rev. Brian McGreevy
Tonight 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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The Rector's Bible Study
Thursdays at noon on Zoom
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You hear every week that the Rector's Bible Study with the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller is the best place to spend your Thursday lunch hour––so let's make tomorrow the day you see for yourself what all the buzz is about! Make yourself a sandwich, grab your Bible and a comfortable seat, and click the link below a little before noon tomorrow to dive into St. Paul's letter to the Philippians! |
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Subscribe to the podcast! |
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A Very Special Birthday Gift
Do you follow @st.philips.church?
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Ann Harrington, whose birthday is coming up this weekend, got a very special early birthday gift from her granddaughter Charlotte: a painting of St. Paul's jail cell, which Ann and her family got to see in person during the 2019 "Footsteps of St. Paul" parish pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey.
But that wasn't the only reason the painting is special––Ann soon found out that her granddaughter, who is in the 8th grade in Charlotte, NC, had painted it herself! She had been commissioned by Ann's daughter, Ann, whom you may know as Ann Hunley. The original picture was snapped by Ann Hunley's uncle Vic, who had joined the Harringtons and other St. Philippians on the pilgrimage. While the photograph shows a gate and a sign explaining the site to tourists, Charlotte's painting does not; it shows the jail as it looked when St. Paul was inside.
If you follow St. Philip's on social media, then you've already heard this story. If you don't follow us, why don't you click the buttons below to give us a follow now? You can be among the first to hear heartwarming stories like this one, and you'll know right away when our young sexton-in-training resolves her ongoing dispute with the church's financial department or when she nails another training session. Follow us––and stay tuned!
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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
March 21 ~ Choral Evensong Service (5:00 p.m.)
March 28 ~ Palm Sunday
March 29-31 ~ Daily Holy Week services (8:00 a.m. in the church)
March 31 ~ No Wednesdays Alive! service or classes (Holy Week)
April 1 ~ Maundy Thursday (service at 6:00 p.m.)
April 2 ~ Good Friday (service at noon)
April 4 ~ Easter Day (services at 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:15 a.m.)
April 5 ~ Easter Monday (church office closed)
April 18 ~ 20s-30s Lowcountry Boil
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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We pray for the sick: Katie Burris, Harry Carr, Sam Chesnutt, Sarah Fayard, Mary Forbes, James Gettys III, Robert Gould, Jonathan Hanger, Clark Johnson, Joe Livesay, Connor Lowndes, Beverly Melvin, Deborah Pollak, Rose Tisdale, Mike Walsh, Carolyn Warlick, Lindsey Wing, 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:
O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: Grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for Sunday:
- Jeremiah 31:31-34
- Psalm 51
- John 12:20-33
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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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