~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
November 15, 2020
The Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
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As we thank God and pray for the veterans of the armed forces of the United States, let us also pray for this country they have defended––or continue to defend––so valiantly:
Lord God Almighty, who hast made all the peoples of the earth for thy glory, to serve thee in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with thy gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
––The Book of Common Prayer, page 207
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A Letter From Our Rector
Giving in a Time of Pandemic
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November 10, 2020
Dear St. Philip’s family,
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."
These words from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians truly express my gratitude for each and every one of you and for your partnership in the Gospel ministry of this church, most especially during the time of this pandemic. Despite the challenges of these turbulent and uncertain times, the work and ministry of St. Philip’s has continued to prosper and be blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit and undergirded by your generous and faithful financial support.
I am writing not only to thank you, but also to ask you for your continued generosity to help us finish this year strong.
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Vestry Nomination Deadline Approaching:
December 1
Reminder: Letter from the Wardens
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Senior Warden Martha Freshley and Junior Warden Todd Brown
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Dear St. Philip’s family,
On March 7th of 2021, we will hold our Annual Parish Meeting. During that meeting, we will elect the next “class” of leaders to serve on the Vestry. At our September meeting, the Vestry appointed Martha Freshley (Senior Warden), Todd Brown (Junior Warden), Reid Davis, Guv Gottshalk, Robby Marion, Connie Rink, Sam Robinson, and Bill Warlick to serve as a nominating committee.
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. We ask that you not contact the person regarding your nomination as the names submitted will be held in confidence by the committee. After committee review and prayer, qualified candidates will be contacted by the committee regarding their interest in serving.
Members of the Parish may submit prospective names to the committee by email to Todd Brown ( tcb29401@gmail.com; 843.270.4131) or the Executive Assistant to the Rector, Rachel Murphy ( rmurphy@stphilipschurchsc.org; 843.722.7734). Names can be submitted now through December 1, 2020.
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Family Movie Night This Friday––Register Today!
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Bundle up, grab your blankets and lawn chairs, and join us for an evening of socially distanced fun as we gather on the lawn to watch "Christopher Robin"!
Space is limited and reservations are required––click the link below to register now! Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the movie will start at 6:00 p.m. Seating choices will be on a first-come, first-served basis; however, those with lawn chairs will be positioned behind those with blankets so that everyone has a great view. Boxed dinner and snack options are available.
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Encouragement for the Enlisted
by Monti Hanger, Compassion Committee Co-Chair
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The Compassion Committee of St. Philip’s would like to share with all of you a powerful and important new component of our ministry that was born from one of our church’s recent Spiritual Gifts workshops. After learning about her gifts of encouragement and faith, along with some complementary gifts, Ann Hunley Harrington asked us about joining one of our note-writing teams.
Then, shortly after she enthusiastically joined, she said she had an idea! She asked if it would be all right for her to write to the young men and women on our prayer list who are enlisted in our country’s armed forces. Thus began a ministry of note-writing to these brave men and women.
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Wednesdays Alive! Service Tonight at 5:30:
Come As You Are!
Reminder: No Supper
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TONIGHT: C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity"
Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. on Zoom
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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.
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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!
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Subscribe to the "Mere Christianity" podcast at one of the links below or through your favorite podcast provider!
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This Week's Livestream Link
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On Sunday, we heard from the Rev. Brian McGreevy that even though our rector knows so very much about the Queen of England, she does not know him. And sometimes, people who know a lot about Jesus find themselves in that same boat. Does Jesus know you?
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Reservations for In-Person Worship ~ Childcare Update
Reservations for this Sunday's services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and 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.
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Registration Deadline Approaching:
20s-30s Oyster Roast
Sunday, December 6, 3:00-5:00 p.m. ~ Parish House Lawn
Please Register by next Wednesday, November 18
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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. next Wednesday, November 18.
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Bakers, Is Your Oven Preheated?
We're Having a Tea Room Bake Sale!
Friday, December 18
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We have excellent news for all those bakers who missed out on displaying their delicious talents on the Tea Room dessert table: We're having a bake sale!
Details about the sale itself are forthcoming. For now, we are looking for volunteers to bake! Our "menu" will be limited, and bakers will drop items at the church office ahead of time to be frozen or drop fresh items off the day of the sale.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer to bake and need the menu and drop-off details, please email Hope Gamble.
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Next week, technicians will be working on the phone system at the church office, and it's possible our phone and/or internet services will be down for a brief period on that Friday. We thank you in advance for your patience.
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We are looking to add to our wonderful infant and toddler paid nursery staff! We are currently seeking patient, kind, dedicated, and responsible childcare workers (ages 15 and up) for Sunday mornings (9:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon). Responsibilities include interacting with and teaching children through play, games, songs, and stories. Other responsibilities include diapering, feeding, and comforting children and helping to maintain a safe and healthy nursery environment.
If you have questions or would like to apply, please contact Larsen Spinelli at (843) 822-2866 or larsen.clark@aol.com.
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Potential Burglar Thwarted
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Yes, it's your weekly dose of St. Philip's not-so-serious goings-on, and if you follow St. Philip's on social media, you heard about this bold little fellow already.
If you have a Facebook or Instagram account and you don't follow St. Philip's, click below to give us a follow right now! You get the not-so-serious updates like these, plus reminders about upcoming events, weather-related schedule changes, and other helpful information. And you just might strengthen your St. Philip's family ties. What are you waiting for?
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Grandparenting Newsletter:
Grandparents on the Go
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Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them know to your children and your children's children. Deuteronomy 4:9
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!
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Weekly Webinar for Grandparents
Presented by the Legacy Coalition
Mondays at 8:00 p.m. on Zoom
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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.
Next Week's Topic
- November 16: "Presence with Love: Grandparents Serving Their Kids Through Awana," presented by Valerie Bell
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Questions about this webinar series or about Generations, the grandparents' ministry at St. Philip's? Contact Lynn Dayton at (843) 343-1001 or lland312@gmail.com.
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Rector's Bible Study on Zoom Tomorrow!
Thursdays at noon via Zoom
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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 Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller continues his study of the Gospel of Matthew!
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If you're unfamiliar with Zoom and would like assistance, reply to this email and someone will reach out to you.
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Daily Devotions from the Clergy of St. Philip's
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Last Thursday, the Rev. Andrew O'Dell used a set of Proverbs to teach us about “staying on the saddle” of God’s will. Yesterday, the Rev. Brian McGreevy taught us about a hymn we're accustomed to hearing during Advent, not the season after Pentecost: "Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending." 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.
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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
November 13 ~ Family Movie Night (Parish House Lawn, 6:00 p.m.)
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 16 ~ Tricounty Family Ministries Christmas Party
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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: 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, and Lindsey Wing.
We grieve with and pray for Elizabeth Dixon and family on the death of her father, Hal Dyer, on November 6.
We grieve with and pray for the family of Mary Barnwell Vaughan, who died on November 3.
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 for St. Jean Baptiste, our sister church, and the schools in Haiti.
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Collect for Sunday:
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that, by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings for Sunday:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10
- Psalm 90:1-12
- Matthew 25:14-30
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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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