~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
September 27, 2020
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
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No printed inSPIRE this week
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Holy Communion at Both Services This Week
8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., September 27
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St. Philip's Church is pleased to offer two services of Holy Communion this Sunday, September 27. The document below outlines all of the precautions that the celebrant and other clergy will take, along with guidelines for those who will be receiving the sacrament. Here are a few notes:
- The celebrant and other priests distributing communion will use hand sanitizer after receiving communion themselves and before distributing to the congregation.
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The celebrant will receive Holy Communion in both kinds (bread and wine), but the other priests and the congregation will receive bread only.
- Ushers will direct communicants to communion stations. Communion will not be administered at the altar. Please remain six feet apart while in line.
- Those who prefer not to come forward for Holy Communion and those worshipping from home are encouraged to participate in Spiritual Communion and to pray the included prayer for such circumstances.
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You may also call the church office at (843) 722-7734 to reserve.
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Sunday Morning Greeters Needed
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Are you available on occasion on Sunday mornings to offer a warm St. Philip's welcome and a bulletin to those coming to worship? We are currently working on expanding our greeter teams for both 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. services, so if hospitality is one of your spiritual gifts and you're ready to use it, please call the church office at (843) 722-7734 or click below to email Felicia Lescow.
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Spiritual Gifts:
A Weekend of Discovery and Friendship
by Coleman Bowles
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There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
While studying the book of 1 Corinthians, our men’s Bible study group became intrigued with the subject of spiritual gifts. Many voiced concerns that they did not understand what these were or if they actually possessed any spiritual gifts. The Reverend Andrew O’Dell graciously offered to conduct a workshop to explore this topic, and thanks to much effort on the part of Andrew, Jimmy Bailey, and Bryant Bair, a retreat was born.
On the weekend of September 12th, our group set off to McLellanville to “The Fritz-Carlton,” as Beth Bailey’s family home has come to be known, to discover our spiritual gifts and learn how we could best use these gifts to further God’s ministry. Along the way, we also discovered our personal style of effectively using our gifts and learned how to identify our spiritual passions, how to use our gifts interdependent and in conjunction with other disciples, and how to strengthen the church and share God’s word.
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Youth Confirmation Class to Begin September 2021 With Both Seventh- and Eighth-Graders
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Sunday morning Christian formation is currently suspended, but clergy and other leaders have set a plan for youth confirmation class, which normally runs for the entire school year. St. Philip's will offer a class for BOTH 7th- and 8th-graders in person beginning September 2021.
While this delay may not seem ideal for our eager current 7th-graders, it will be quite worth the wait, as Al Phillips's legendary teaching style is best appreciated in person!
If you have questions about confirmation, please email Joy Avera, Sacramental and Liturgical Coordinator, or call her at (843) 722-7734, ext. 269.
Pictured above: Al Phillips and wife Kat (right) with friend Lucy Buxton. Photo courtesy of Carolina Compass staff.
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Rector's Bible Study Resumes Via Zoom Next Week!
Thursdays at noon via Zoom beginning October 1
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All are invited to join the Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller for the Rector's Bible Study online next Thursday, October 1! Just fix yourself a sandwich, grab your Bible and a seat on your couch, and click the link in next week's eSPIRE to gather and dive back into the Gospel according to Matthew.
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Welcome to the Fold, Confirmands!
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On Saturday, September 19, the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, presided over a service of Confirmation at St. Philip's for those who completed the Rev. Andrew O'Dell's "Foundations" class in the spring. Twenty-six adults confirmed their faith in Jesus Christ, two reaffirmed, and one was received.
Almighty and everlasting God, let your fatherly hand ever be over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Choristers: Are you registered?
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All singers please register here for choir rehearsals, which begin Wednesday, October 7, and Thursday, October 8:
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Weekly Schedule
Wednesdays (beginning October 7):
Cherub Choir (ages 3–4): 4:00–4:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)
St. Nicholas Choir (ages 5-6): 4:30–5:00 p.m. (Parish Hall)
St. Cecilia Choir (grades 2-3): 4:15–5:15 p.m. (Choir Room, second floor of the church office building)
Thursdays (beginning October 8):
Canterbury Choir (4th grade–high school, unchanged voices): 6:00–7:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)
St. David Choir: (7th grade–college): 7:00–8:00 p.m. (Parish Hall)
Masks are required for all. On Wednesdays, children will gather on the playground as usual and will be dismissed also from the playground by 5:30. Parents, please sign your child in and out.
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Book Study: "How to Pray" by R.A. Torrey
Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. beginning October 6, Bell residence
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An invitation from Georgia Bell
These past months have been a time of loneliness and, for many, a time of living alone. If you are an extrovert, it has really been hard! I value fellowship, friendship, and togetherness. But during these past months, I have learned––even more––how much I value prayer. Through a book written in the late 1800s by an evangelist named R.A. Torrey, I have been learning a deeper and more meaningful way to pray.
I would like to invite you to come to my home (we can wear masks if you feel more comfortable), study this book, and enjoy wine and cheese together––and tea and cookies!
The book is "How To Pray" (R.A. Torrey worked alongside Dwight Moody in Chicago––ask our clergy about him if you are unfamiliar), and we will meet in my home, 192 Tradd Street. We will keep it to an hour for those who need to get back home. It is a fairly short book, only 10 chapters, but what a wonderful 10 chapters they are.
I will have books for anyone who wants to come. Due to COVID, we will have to limit to about seven or eight people, so please let me know if you are interested. My number is (843) 568-1601. My email is georgiabell12@gmail.com.
I hope to hear from you!
In Him,
Georgia Bell
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Women's Bible Study:
Imaging Christ with the Light of God's Glory
Mondays at 9:00 a.m. in the Parlor, beginning October 5
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Last year, our small-group Bible study examined the account of Moses when he met God on Mt. Sinai and returned to the camp with a shining, transformed face from this amazing encounter. We also studied 2 Corinthians chapters 3 and 4, where Paul highlights seeing the “light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
This fall, we will review some of these themes from our previous Bible study. Then we will branch out to study how seeing God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ helps to transform our hearts so that we might image Him more dearly and clearly to others. Join us as we examine these themes and more using the stories of Scripture to inspire and encourage us. All are welcome!
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College Fellowship TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m.!
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room, 2nd Floor of the Parish House
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College-aged (and beyond!) St. Philippians and friends, join your peers and the Rev. Justin Hare for food and conversation tonight at 7:00––bring a pal! Questions? Call/text Justin at (843) 478-3443 or click below to email him.
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Thursday, October 8:
The Gathering 2020 is Virtual!
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Youth Group This Weekend:
All 6th-12th Graders Welcome!
**Masks Required**
Middle School: Friday 6:00-8:00 p.m.
High School: Sunday 6:00-8:00 p.m.
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Youth in 6th–12th grade, your fearless leader (whose hair was once luxurious, we hear) has the wipes, hand sanitizer, and BRAND-NEW BULLHORN ready for you! Come on down to the Parish Hall for an evening of prayer, music, and games.
Parents, please read the complete guidelines below, which contain safety requirements and drop-off/pick up protocol, and contact St. Philip's Youth Minister David Gilbert (843-708-3795) or Associate Youth Minister Sarah Silcox (843-566-2805) with questions. Note that we are not currently serving dinner.
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Connect with St. Philip's Youth Group on Instagram!
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God, Please Save My Marriage:
A Confidential Discussion Group For Women
Zoom: Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. OR Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. beginning in October
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Who: You, participating in a Zoom-based class led by Pringle Franklin, author of Hope & Healing in Marriage; Pringle has taught marriage seminars/classes in church settings in Charleston, SC, and Paris, France.
What: A nine-week study of the stories of real couples dealing with a mixed menu of struggles and issues such as infidelity, alcoholism, abuse, loss of love, destructive anger, the death of a child, and chronic illness.
When: Two class sections are available: Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. or Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Classes run from the first week in October to the second week in December.
Where: Join via Zoom from home or wherever you happen to be.
Why: To gain inspiration, hope, encouragement, and insight; to strengthen your marriage and your relationship with God.
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Daily Devotions Remain on Tuesday/Thursday Schedule
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Last Thursday, the Rev. Andrew O'Dell reminded us that God loves us, and even when we're going through difficult times of sadness, discouragement, or aimlessness, he never forgets us, and he never stops treasuring us––and everyone around us. But are our hearts working the way God made them to work, loving in the way He intended? Yesterday, the Rev. Justin Hare shared with us a talk he gave in May, when he was a campus minister at Clemson. Using Matthew 10:16-31, he helped us to understand our fear while teaching us to actively seek wisdom and to trust God, in whose hands we are safer than we could ever be anywhere else.
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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Connecting to One Another Through the Stillness:
Centering Prayer Meets Thursdays on Zoom
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Are you looking for a deeper way to connect with the Body of Christ during COVID-19? Consider joining the Thursday morning Centering Prayer group in its weekly Zoom meeting at 8:00 a.m. This group convenes for one hour, and the heart of the meeting is an opportunity to practice 30 minutes of contemplative (silent) prayer, resting in the presence of the Christ with others who are also earnestly seeking Him. Afterwards, group members discuss their experiences and share insights and prayer requests. This is an opportunity to bond with the Lord and a group rooted in peace.
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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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Connect With Your St. Philip's Family on Social Media!
Start by following St. Philip's on Instagram and liking our page on Facebook. You'll receive lots of suggestions for connecting with other St. Philippians!
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Save the Date
September 27 ~ Holy Communion at 8:15 and 10:30 services
October 1 ~ Rector's Bible Study resumes (12 noon via Zoom)
October 3 ~ Diocesan Convention (online)
October 7, 8 ~ Choir rehearsals resume
November 1 ~ Diaper Drive for Lowcountry Pregnancy Center
November 7 ~ 13th Annual Lowcountry Walk for Life
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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: Harold Arnold, Jr., Dotsy Boineau, Kelsey Brockbank, Katie Burris, Hal Dyer, Elizabeth Flowers, Mary Forbes, Robert Gould, Janet Hanger, Jonathan Hanger, Dan Kohn, Reed Kurtz, Mac Leppard, Joe Livesay, Alan McNeel, Rogers Moore, Mason Paul, Harold Robling, Benjamin Schools, Mike Walsh, and Lindsey Wing.
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:
O God, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running to obtain thy promises, may be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings for Sunday:
- Philippians 2:1-13
- Matthew 21:28-32
- Psalm 25:1-14
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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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