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~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
November 19, 2023
After Pentecost: Proper 28
no printed inSPIRE next week
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Advent Wreath Fellowship
Sunday, November 26 ~ 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall
(No Sunday School or Rector's Forum Sunday after Thanksgiving)
Join us for an Advent wreath fellowship! Sign up to receive a wreath kit (candles, greenery, and wire wreath frame), or bring your own ring and sign up for just candles and greens.
Breakfast treats and coffee and tea will be provided to sustain you!
Please register by Monday, November 20.
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55+ Outing to Crèche Festival and Middleton Place
Thursday, November 30 ~ meeting at 8:30 at the church
Get ready for Advent with a peaceful visit to the Crèche Festival at Mepkin Abbey with your St. Philip’s family! Then enjoy lunch at Oscar’s in Summerville and head to beautiful Middleton Place before taking the coach back to St. Philip’s. Call the church office at (843) 722-7734 or click the link below to register.
Please register by Wednesday, November 22.
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Lowcountry FCA Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser
Tuesday, December 12, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
For the fourth year, the Lowcountry Fellowship. of Christian Athletes, one of our Home Mission ministry partners, will be presenting an excellent chance to compete while helping to raise money for their ministry. You can expect a great experience at the Bluefield course along with lunch, gifts for each shooter, prizes, and a special message from FCA staff and volunteers.
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Mere Anglicanism Conference
January 18–20, 2024
Charleston Music Hall
Speaking the Truth in love is a scriptural mandate for Christians, yet our culture today often sees Truth and Love as incompatible. In seeking to engage a hurting world, how can the Church share the Truth of God's Word that makes for human flourishing while speaking from a place of deep empathy and compassion and humility? World-class theologians and scholars will help us engage this challenge both philosophically and practically at this year's conference.
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Thanksgiving Week Schedule Changes | |
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Wednesday, November 22
Church office closes at 1:00 p.m. (reopens Monday)
Wednesday, November 22
No choirs or Wednesdays Alive! service, supper, or classes
Thanksgiving Day
Holy Eucharist at 9:00 a.m.
Friday, November 24 & Sunday, November 26
Youth group in Thanksgiving recess
Sunday, November 26
Sunday school and adult offerings (including the Rector’s Forum) are in Thanksgiving recess. All are invited to make Advent wreaths at 9:15 in the Parish Hall instead! (Nursery and children’s church are still available during 10:30 service.)
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Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing Speaks at the ECW Fall Social
The ladies of St. Philip's and other friends from our diocese and community had a fabulous time at last night's ECW fall social! Ahead of her talk, British author and theologian Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, who is one of the speakers at the 2024 Mere Anglicanism Conference, mingled with the crowd on the Parish House lawn, which was beautifully decorated with string lights, floral displays, cocktail tables with white linens, and a center table laden with smoked salmon, baked brie, ham biscuits, shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, meatballs, and more.
Click the link below to watch Dr. Orr-Ewing's presentation on Mary's Voice, her new Advent devotional about that most highly favored woman who was chosen to play a huge role in the redemption of the world.
| Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing with ECW president Caroline Fitzgerald, Courtney Brown, and the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller, Rector. | | | |
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A Missionary Ministry at Our Doorstep!
Would you like to help change the world by sharing God’s love?
by the Rev. Brian K. McGreevy
Each Sunday, we hear the familiar words of what Jesus says is the Great Commandment: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. In a world where there is much brokenness and where many are not seeking after God, we may find ourselves asking, “What can I do to help share God’s love?” This can seem particularly daunting when we realize that our immediate circle of friends is mostly Christian.
One of the great blessings God has given us at St. Philip’s is our beautiful and iconic church building that dominates the Charleston skyline and the view up Church Street. We are one of the few churches in America that has literally hundreds of people a week knocking on the door, asking to come in.
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Christmas Gift Ideas for Children and Grandchildren
Books to be displayed in the Parish House
Before and after services on Sundays, December 3 and 10, and Wednesday evening, December 6, Generations Ministry will be displaying faith nurturing books for your review to consider giving as Christmas gifts to your children or grandchildren. What a great way to nurture the faith of the next generation by offering them a vehicle to focus their minds on scripturally based literature. Gifting a book will give you the opportunity to open a discussion about the book with your children or grandchildren so you and the Holy Spirit can help them incorporate God’s message into their lives.
Books will be displayed according to age groups (preschool/elementary, middle and high school, college and young adult). The display table will be on the second floor of the Parish House outside of the Parish Hall. All books may be purchased on Amazon. After December 10, books will be placed in the Generations Ministry library and available for year long review and borrowing. The library is located in the church parlor on the shelf labeled “Generations Ministry.”
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We Filled the Pantry at Star Gospel!
Thank you, St. Philippians, for responding to the call for canned goods for Star Gospel Mission, one of our Home Missions ministry partners! Our Home Missions Team handed out about 250 grocery bags and received back seven carloads of canned goods, rice, and pasta––three of those carloads were in Suburbans! The Home Missions Team was also able to give them a check to purchase fresh meat––thanks be to God.
The food filled Star Gospel’s pantry as well as another closet. The Star Gospel team was overwhelmed with gratitude, and the Rev. Dr. Marion Platt, Executive Director, said, “We should have enough for 12 months!”
Home Missions Team member Gantt Folline said that the drive exceeded all of their expectations and shared, “I’m simply moved by how the Spirit moved this project to fill an important need for Star Gospel Mission. Thank you, thank you, and thank you, Lord!”
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The Angel Trees Will Be Here Next Week!
The Home Missions Team elves have been busy making ornaments for the past several weeks, and they will soon be placing them in their new home on the Angel Trees in the narthex––before they reach their next destination to a parishioner’s Christmas tree!
When you come to church on November 26, please bring a $25 Walmart gift card for Star Gospel Mission, or have your phone ready to scan the QR code that will take you to Lowcountry Pregnancy Center’s Amazon Wish List or to the Lowcountry Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s donation page. Choose an ornament from the tree as a thank-you for your gift, or let it serve as a reminder to bring a gift card next time or to scan the QR code (provided on your ornament tag) at a more convenient time.
The Home Missions Team appreciates your support in the St. Philip’s Angel Tree project, which will offer hope and encouragement to those in need in our community, particularly those served by Lowcountry Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, and Star Gospel Mission.
Please visit stphilipschurchsc.org/angel-trees for complete details of this Home Missions project.
Home Missions Volunteer Opportunity
Want to be an Angel Tree elf? Please click the link below to volunteer to collect gift cards and assist with QR code scanning before and after Wednesday and Sunday services!
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Regular Weekly Services/Classes | |
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This Morning: Morning Prayer
Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel
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This Morning: Moms' Bible Study:
The Book of James
Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. in the youth room
NOTE: This group will not meet next Wednesday, November 22
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TONIGHT: Wednesdays Alive!
5:30 p.m. worship followed by fellowship supper and C.S. Lewis class
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Tonight's Supper: Chicken Marbella
No Wednesdays Alive! next week (11/22)
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TOMORROW: The Rector's Bible Study
12 noon in the Parish Hall ~ No Rector's Bible Study on Thanksgiving!
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FRIDAY: Middle School Youth Group
SUNDAY: High School Youth Group
Note: No youth group the weekend after Thanksgiving
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This Sunday's Service and Class Information | | |
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The Rev. Justin C. Hare is preaching at our services of Holy Eucharist at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school for children of all ages begins at 9:15 a.m., and adult classes, including the Rector's Forum, begin at 9:30 a.m. | |
If You Love Your Yeti, Tervis, Stanley, Hydro Flask, or Good Ol' Fashioned Thermos, This News Is for You | |
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You have probably noticed that over the past several months, our church campus has undergone some upgrades: we've refinished the sanctuary doors, added interior lighting, and repaired the parapet of the church––which means that our gates are now wide open and welcoming to all during the week. Alleluia!
But last week, an upgrade surpassing all other upgrades happened in the church office: the water fountain, which for years has struggled to offer the few-and-far-between thirsty a sip or two of water, has been replaced with a water bottle filling station!
The 8-digit counter that tracks its use is still in the low 30s six days in, but we expect that number to rise dramatically as our staff members and parishioners learn the health benefits of hydration––and those with emotional support water bottles learn of the station's existence.
If you follow St. Philip's on social media, you already knew about about this particular upgrade. But if you don't, why don't you take a minute right now to give us a follow so that you, too, can be among the first to hear about schedule changes, special events, and exciting campus developments?
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Important Dates
November 22 ~ Church office closes at 1:00 p.m., no Wednesdays Alive! service, supper, class (office reopens Monday at 8:30 a.m.)
November 22 ~ No inSPIRE or Wednesdays Alive! Thanksgiving week
November 23 ~ Thanksgiving Day Holy Eucharist (9:00 a.m.)
November 26 ~ Vestry Nomination Deadline
November 26 ~ Advent Wreath Fellowship (9:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall, no Sunday school or Rector's Forum)
November 30 ~ 55+ Outing (Crèche Festival at Mepkin Abbey, Middleton Place)
December 6 ~ Monthly Men's Lunch (12 noon)
December 8 ~ ECW Advent Luncheon (12 noon)
December 9 ~ Advent Drop-In at the Rectory (3:00-6:00 p.m.)
December 10 ~ Lessons and Carols (10:30 a.m.), Wassail Bowl (about noon)
December 15 ~ The Greening of the Church (9:00 a.m.)
January 18–20, 2024 ~ Mere Anglicanism Conference
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We pray for the sick: Tabitha Brockbank, Beau Brogdon, Diane Christensen, Karen Collins, Silas Cressman, Steve Darling, Sally Fayard, Mary Forbes, Pat Gould, Steve Graudin, Emily Meyer Hall, Jason Hamshaw, George Hooks, Ken King, Marvin Kirkland, Nancy Love, Stephen Lutz, Rena Mack, Rene Meyer, Eric Panizza, Lou Parker, Meredith Repik, Fran Sanders, Pete Sperr, Ginny Townsend, and Lindsey Wing.
We grieve with and pray for the family of Barbara Banks Lisle, who died November 5.
We pray for our expectant parents: Becca Baird and Louis Duffie, Katy and Andrew Brown, Liesl and Luke Cressman, Jill and Alton Phillips, Amy and Michael Rabb.
We pray for protection for those serving in the armed forces: Becca Baird, Janie Baird, Henry Clayton, David Daughtridge, Eric Gaines, Andrew Kane, Quin Kane, Horry Kerrison, Frazier Kulze, John Mason, Philip Middleton III, Jackson Miller, Edward Pritchard, Nathaniel Rollings, and David Scott.
We pray for our home and world missions: Lowcountry Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, Star Gospel Mission, Suzy McCall and LAMB, for the medical missions to Honduras, for ministry to victims of genocide and AIDS in Rwanda, for the Persecuted Church, for Anglican Frontier Missions, for Uganda Christian University Partners, 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:
Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people, that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ cometh to restore all things; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Readings for Sunday:
- Zephaniah 1:7–18
- Psalm 90:1–12
- Matthew 25:14-30
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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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