~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
November 29, 2020
The First Sunday of Advent
Thanksgiving Week Schedule Changes to Note:
  • The church office closes at noon today and reopens Monday at 8:30 a.m.
  • No Wednesdays Alive! service tonight.
  • No College Fellowship or Mere Christianity tonight.
  • No Rector’s Bible Study on Thanksgiving Day.
  • No children's choirs or youth group this week.
Vestry Nominations Due Tuesday
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
If you have not yet submitted a name to the nominating committee for consideration for the new class of Vestry members, please take some time right now to think of someone who might well serve our church in this leadership position. Read about the requirements and the nomination process in the letter from the wardens below.
St. Philip's Ministry to Children and Families Presents
Advent in a Box
Even though some aspects of the Advent and Christmas seasons will be different from what we're used to, one may be stronger and better than ever: the traditions and memories made at home.

St. Philip's Ministry to Children and Families has put together boxes full of memory-making potential: you can make cookies with the Nativity-scene cookie cutters, use the Scripture cards to make a garland, serenade the neighbors using your Christmas carol songsheet, and even put on an in-house Christmas pageant (or collaborate with friends or family on Zoom) using the abbreviated script. We have a limited number of kits available, so be sure to order yours today!
Calling All Bakers and Treat-Makers!
Coming soon: 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 happy to gather any baked goods of your choice and specialty, though we particularly covet as many homemade pecan pies as 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.
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
142 Church St.
Charleston, SC 29401
The Angel Trees Have Arrived!
Lat week, members of the Home Missions Team met up in our spacious choir room to get all of the beautiful ornaments ready to go on the angel trees, which will be in place in the narthex for the Thanksgiving Day service and remain in place through December 13.

The next time you come to church, please bring a $25 gift card to Walmart, Target, Big Lots, Family Dollar, or Dollar Tree, and choose an ornament from the tree as a thank-you! Or take an ornament with you as a reminder to bring a gift card with you next time.

Click the link below for the complete details of this home missions project, which will offer parents in need the dignity of choosing and purchasing Christmas gifts for their children, bless the teachers of Simmons-Pinckney Middle School, and more.
This Week's Livestream Link
On the last Sunday of the Church year, the Rev. Justin Hare explored what it means for Christ to be King and how that truth impacts our lives.
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 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.
Volunteers Needed for
Tricounty Family Ministries Christmas Party
December 16, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Tricounty Family Ministries is hosting their annual Christmas Party and we need your help! Because of the pandemic, TFM has divided the party into four separate days, 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 at (843) 452-9742 or click below to email her.
Looking to Step Up Your Axe-Throwing Game?
Our Wednesdays Alive! service and classes are not meeting tonight, but College Fellowship snuck in a meeting last night at The Bearded Ax in North Charleston.
Since the start of pandemic, do you feel like your axe-throwing skills have gone downhill? Has the axe felt a little too heavy in your hands or is the blade simply not hitting where your eye is looking?

If you're somewhere around college-aged, step up your axe-throwing game with the Rev. Justin Hare and the College Fellowship crew! A career in axe-throwing is not guaranteed, but laughter, great food, and great discussions are. The group meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. (following the Wednesdays Alive! service at 5:30) in the Youth Room on the second floor of the Parish House (on the corner of Church and Cumberland Streets), and they occasionally mix it up with off-campus adventures. Questions? Contact Justin at jhare@stphilipschurchsc.org or (843) 478-3443.
Christopher Robin Visits St. Philip's
Parishioners of all ages enjoyed a socially distanced but cozy evening under the stars watching "Christopher Robin" at the Family Movie Night on the Lawn at St. Philip’s on November 13. Boxed dinners of chicken nuggets and mac and cheese were a hit, as were the popcorn and Chef Connie Stahl's famous chocolate chip cookies. Officer Karen Nix served as photographer and gatekeeper as interested tourists peered in at the festivities. Keep an eye on your eSPIRE so you can be sure to join us for the next fun family activity!
In Recess This Week
C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity"
Resumes next Wednesday, December 2, at 7:15 p.m. on Zoom
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!
In Recess This Week
Rector's Bible Study
Resumes next Thursday, December 3, at 12 noon on Zoom
Do You Follow Us On Social Media?
If you follow us already, great! You're one of the first to hear about breaking news such as the latest items found in pews, on side tables, on the backs of toilets, and other interesting places. If you don't follow us and you have a Facebook or Instagram account ... well, why not? Click the buttons below to like or follow us now, and if any of the above items are yours, message us!
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
  • November 30: "Fun, Meaningful, and Creative Ideas for Christmas––Favorite Holiday Traditions," presented by Tina Houser
  • December 7: " Grandparenting Screen Kids––How to Help, What to Say, and Where to Begin," presented by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane
  • December 14: "Spiritually Impacting Grandkids at Christmas," presented by Larry Fowler
Daily Devotions from the Clergy of St. Philip's
Last Thursday, the Rev. Jeff Miller told us how to look to Psalm 3 and find comfort from King David when life is a battle. Yesterday, the Rev. Brian McGreevy helped us prepare for the First Sunday of Advent with an exploration of the great hymn "Wake, Awake, For Night is Flying." Click the images above to watch!

Devotions are posted to the news section of our website at 7:00 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (no devotion on Thanksgiving Day). 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 now closed)
December 16 ~ Tricounty Family Ministries Christmas Party (volunteers needed)
December 18 ~ Greening of the Church and Tea Room Bake Sale
December 24 ~ Christmas Eve services (5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.)
December 25 ~ Christmas Day service (10:00 a.m.)
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: 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, Carolyn Warlick, Lindsey Wing, and Vereen Woodward.

We grieve with and pray for Clark Hanger and family on the death of his mother, Sudie Clark Hanger, on November 23.

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 God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Readings for Sunday:
  • Romans 8:18-25
  • Psalm 80:1-7
  • Mark 13:24-37
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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