~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
December 12, 2021
The Third Sunday in Advent
|
|
State Supreme Court Hearing Today at 9:30 a.m. |
|
From our diocese: “The importance of this hearing for the Diocese and its Parishes cannot be overstated. For that reason, the clergy and people of the Diocese are strongly encouraged to keep the coming hearing in your prayers as the date approaches. Pray first for the shielding of Mr. Runyan and his legal team as they prepare for this hearing. Pray also that they be granted divine wisdom in preparing their arguments. Pray finally for the Justices (Donald W. Beatty, John W. Kittredge, John Cannon Few, George C. “Buck” James), that they be granted divine clarity in their preparations, in the hearing, and in their final ruling.” |
|
Lessons and Carols and Wassail Bowl This Sunday the 12th
PLUS: Rector’s Forum with Alan Runyan
Note: Nursery is available for children 0-3, but there will not be Children’s Church. Families are encouraged to worship together!
|
|
Sunday’s Schedule:
8:15 a.m. ~ Holy Eucharist (Rite I) with the Rev. William K. Christian III, preacher.
9:15 a.m. ~ Children’s Sunday school
|
|
12 noon ~ Wassail Bowl reception in the Parish Hall. Mix, mingle, and munch! There will be plenty of hot mulled cider––otherwise known as wassail––to go around! New this year: treat share! We are still looking for several more volunteers to bake, buy, or plate up sweet or savory treats!
|
|
Poinsettia Delivery:
Every year at Christmastime, the St. Philip’s Compassion Committee provides poinsettias and cards to parishioners who are especially in our hearts this season. We need your help to get them delivered! As you’re leaving the Wassail Bowl, please go by the downstairs entryway of the Parish House and pick up a plant (or a few plants!) to deliver to someone who lives near you or on your route home. The poinsettias will be sorted by ZIP code and the cards will have complete addresses. Families who have lost loved ones this year are welcome to pick up their own poinsettias.
|
|
Amazon Web Services Outage |
|
The outage that was affecting many larger websites, including Delta Airlines, Netflix, Venmo, and even some parts of Amazon itself, also impacted St. Philip's database and planning center, rendering certain features inaccessible. As of 5:00 p.m. yesterday, the following forms and registrations were among those inaccessible: |
|
Please try again if you were previously unsuccessful.
|
|
This Friday: Help prepare the sanctuary for Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve! |
|
Welcome to the Rectory!
The Reverend and Mrs. Jeffrey S. Miller host their St. Philip’s family for the return of the Advent Drop-In
|
|
Above left: The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller with Nancy McGowan. Above right: Mrs. Kristin Miller with Stephanie Reed (left) and Margaret von Werssowetz (right). Below (front, left to right): Tim Strickland, Liz Strickland, Mia Stafford, Emily Whipple, and Will Stafford (back). |
|
How wonderful it was to gather once again at the Rectory for an Advent drop-in! We were blessed on Saturday with fabulous weather, delicious bites, flowing egg nog, and delightful company. We love our St. Philip’s family! Thank you to our hosts, the Millers, to those who helped prepare and serve, and to our Lord God for his bountiful provisions!
More pictures are available on our Facebook page. Have pictures to share? Message them to us through Facebook or email them to Lea Andrews: landrews@stphilipschurchsc.org.
|
|
Just a Few Days Left to Donate Gift Cards!
Home Missions Angel Tree Project
|
|
|
|
Thank you to all who have already donated gift cards to bless those in need in our community! If you haven’t yet participated in the Home Missions angel tree project and would like to, simply purchase a $25-gift card to Wal-Mart, Target, Family Dollar, and/or Publix, and bring it with you to church tonight or on Sunday (and pick up an ornament if you haven't already!), or drop it off at the church office by Monday, December 13, at 9:00 a.m. |
|
Neighbors Together Christmas Party
Neighbors Together on Cosgrove Avenue in North Charleston,
Saturday, December 18, 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Volunteers will serve hot meals, distribute holiday turkeys, and pass out stockings to the children in attendance. Gift cards from the St. Philip’s angel tree will also be distributed to families during the party. Space is limited, so for more information or to volunteer with our St. Philip’s team on December 18, please contact Jennie Richardson at (843) 364-2912 or jmerr3975@aol.com.
|
|
“Do This for the Remembrance of Me”
First Communion Class
|
|
On Sunday, December 5, six young people participated in a First Communion class led by the Rev. Andrew O’Dell. In November, their parents received several resources to read and discuss with their students at home prior to the class. During the class, Fr. Andrew made connections between Passover in the Old Testament and Christ as our Paschal Lamb, and he covered the mechanics of how to receive communion as well. Stay tuned for information about another class in the spring of 2022.
Congratulations to Frances McLaurin, Lyley Gale, and Claire Finland (front row, left to right), and Ebbs Gale, Hayes McLaurin, and Scottie Parker (back row, left to right)!
|
|
Christmas Flower Memorials and Thanksgivings
Deadline to submit is one week from today
|
|
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 15. 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, Christmas Flowers
142 Church St.
Charleston, SC 29401
|
|
House of Prayer: December Prayer Points
by Frenchie Richards, St. Philip’s Prayer Ministry
|
|
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” ––Isaiah 56:7
“The effective fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.” ––James 5:16a
Prayer Points for Local Needs
1. For good health and protection for our clergy and their families and for extra energy for the Advent and Christmas season.
2. For the Dec. 8th hearing by the State Supreme Court. That they would rule in our Diocese’s favor and make the decision quickly. For wisdom and excellent presentation by our lawyers, Alan Runyan and Mitchell Brown, and for protection for them and their families.
3. For the many new people joining our church to transition in nicely.
4. For the Foyer Groups to be a blessing to those attending and hosting.
5. For the reopening of the church to visitors on weekdays to be well received, and for many to take time for prayer ministry.
6. For Charleston to reclaim her inheritance as The Holy City and for Revival to come in God’s timing.
- For our leadership (the mayor, city council, and our governor).
- For safety for our police.
- For solutions to the backlog concerning shipping issues.
Prayer Points for All Nations
1. For Afghanistan:
- For the Americans and Afghan helpers still there to be rescued.
- For those Afghans who have been evacuated to America to transition into their new homes and communities.
- For rain to come so crops can recover and the people may be fed.
- For our military persons that served there to be healed physically and emotionally.
2. For Haiti:
- For the 15 people who are being held for ransom to be released and for their needs to be met while they wait.
- For the gangs to break up and lose their power.
- For the interim president to care about the people and be effective.
Answered Prayer: Five of the hostages have been released as of December 6.
|
|
December 12
Last Sunday School, Rector’s Forum (resume Jan. 9)
December 15
Last Wednesdays Alive! service/supper/class (resumes Jan. 12)
December 15
Last inSPIRE/eSPIRE mailing (resumes Jan. 12)
December 16
Last Rector’s Bible Study (resumes Jan. 13)
December 17 and 19
Last Youth Group meetings (resume Jan. 7 and 9)
The church office will close at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 23, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, January 3.
|
|
Tea Room Planning Is Underway!
May 2-6, 2022 ~ 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily
|
|
Folks, the 2022 Tea Room IS ON! Many of you already know that the delicious lowcountry Tea Room lunches and desserts don't make and serve themselves––Tea Room requires many helping hands: servers, hostesses, kitchen helpers, bakers, etc.
But did you know that many folks are involved in the planning process, too? The planning is going on NOW, and Tea Room co-chairs Amanda Ayers and Ashley Warnock would love your help! Contact Amanda at (843) 696-1852 or amandabear79@yahoo.com to get involved!
|
|
Art Auction to Benefit St. Philip’s Choir
with the Rev. Jeff Miller, auctioneer
|
|
|
|
Mark your calendar for January 15 at 5:00, and if you have artwork to donate, contact Pat Gould at pgould@stphilipschurchsc.org or (843) 364-9552––and please invite your artist friends to donate, too!
|
|
Receive Email Updates, Remote Viewing Options |
|
If you would like to receive updates such as schedule changes and weather-related cancellations and you are not already on the Rector's Bible Study email list, please join by filling out the form at the link below. |
|
Come to Youth Group This Weekend!
Middle School: 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. on Fridays in the Youth Room
High School: 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. on Sundays in the Youth Room
|
|
Youth group is open to all 6th–12th-graders of St. Philip’s and the surrounding community. Plan to play hard and pray hard. Questions? Contact youth minister David Gilbert at dgilbert@stphilipschurchsc.org or (843) 708-3795.
|
|
This Week's Service Information |
|
The Rev. William K. Christian will be preaching this Sunday at our service of Holy Communion at 8:15. Our Festival of Lessons and Carols will be at 10:30 a.m. |
|
Caption Contest Winner: “Straight Outta Advent” |
|
Based on audience response, we have a clear winner for the caption contest posted on Instagram and Facebook on Sunday! Congratulations to Jeff Martin of Greenville, SC, for submitting the winning caption, “Straight Outta Advent”! Mr. Martin is one of the Rev. Brian McGreevy’s Wednesday night distance learners, and we are so grateful that he also follows St. Philip’s on Instagram––he gave lots of folks a much-needed laugh!
Responses to Mr. Martin’s submission included “Omgosh,” “This is by far the best yet,” 💯,👏, and 😂. We are thankful to Nancy Egleston for submitting this fun picture (the sunglasses were added in later) and to Emily Yoho (who has moved away––we love hearing from her!) for suggesting a caption contest! Shout-out also to Dorothy Lancaster, who submitted the runner-up caption, “Purple Photo Bomber!”
If you missed out on the fun, how about you stop missing out and go give us a follow right now?
|
|
Would You Like Someone to Pray With You? |
|
To pray WITH someone:
Contact Frenchie Richards, who will connect you with a prayer minister for a private appointment: frichards7@aol.com or 843-345-8797.
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.
|
|
Save the Date
Dec. 24–Jan. 2~ Church office closed
Dec. 24 ~ Christmas Eve services (4:30, 7:30; 10:30 p.m.)
Dec. 25~ Christmas Day service (10:00 a.m.)
Dec. 26 ~ No 8:15 service (10:30 only)
Jan. 12 ~ Monthly Wednesday Men's Lunch (12 noon in the Parish Hall)
Jan. 15 ~ Art Auction (choir fundraiser, 5:00 p.m.)
May 2-6 ~ St. Philip’s Tea Room
|
|
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: Harry Carr, Sally Fayard, Mark and Cindy Fields, Elizabeth Flowers, Mary Forbes, Mary Anne Hanckel, Susan Hemminger, John Jerger, Kevin Kane, Claudia Kolster, Joe Livesay, Fritz Lloyd, Connor Lowndes, Ann Marion, Gerry McCord, Beverly Melvin, John Murray, Karen Nix, Juanita Orvin, Olivia Palmer, Isla Pearce, Owen Ravenel, Fred Riley Jr., Fran Sanders, Jay Schrimpf, Larry Scoville, Lynne Scoville, Jason Stryker, Lawrence Timoney, Hope Walters, Lindsey Wing, Libby Wright, and Richard Wright.
We grieve with and pray for: The family of Marshall Ann Thomas Lynch, who died on November 26.
We pray for our expectant parents: Kimbrell and Bruce Blackwood, Katie and Ruben Perez-Phillips, Lauren and Ashton Phillips.
We pray for protection for Becca Baird, Chris and Julia Beasley, Graham Blunt, Henry Clayton, Ben Colyer, David Daughtridge, Tripp Hathaway, Morgan and Mason Herring, Horry Kerrison, Frazier Kulze, John Mason, Zach McFadden, Philip Middleton III, Jackson Miller, Edward Pritchard, Nathaniel Rollings, and David Scott serving in our Armed Forces.
We pray for our home missions: Star Gospel Mission, Neighbors Together, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, and St. John's Chapel.
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, for The Persecuted Church, and for St. Jean Baptiste, our sister church, and the schools in Haiti.
|
|
Collect for Sunday:
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Readings for Sunday:
- Philippians 4:4-9
- Psalm 85
- Luke 3:7-20
|
|
|
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
|
|
Click HERE if you would like to opt out of receiving the printed mailing of the newsletter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
