~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
February 16, 2020
The Sixth Sunday of Epiphany
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John Dickson Returns Sunday
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The first of Australian author and speaker John Dickson’s two Sundays at St. Philip’s could not have been scheduled any better, as it coincided with a day when the children’s choirs of St. Philip’s were singing. “Kids sing” Sundays always put a few more folks in the pews, and sometimes those folks are people who have not heard very much about the Christian faith, perhaps even some who haven’t heard the facts of our savior’s very existence.
The Rev. Dr. John Dickson took the time in his sermon, entitled “Gospel Certainty,” to explain just how we know Jesus was here on Earth and how we even know exactly
when
he was here on Earth. He also shared a story about his relationship with an elderly French atheist named Marie, a friendship he described as “one of the most endearing and surprising” of his entire life. Marie, whom he laughingly described as “a bit of a snob,” studied and “devoured” the works of atheist philosophers for years and “lived the life of experience.” While she was serving as an academic at Sydney University and she first met a member of Dr. Dickson’s church, someone who shared just a little about the Christian faith her, “she was initially quite scoffing,” Dr. Dickson said. “That was beneath her.”
If you missed Dr. Dickson’s sermon and the conclusion of Marie’s faith story, please
check out our “Sermons” podcast
or click below to listen on our website.
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Part one of Dr. Dickson’s two-part Rector’s Forum talk, “Promoting the Gospel in a Post-Christian World,” is
available on our "Rector's Forum" podcast or through the link below. He will deliver part two this Sunday, February 16, at 9:30 in the Parish Hall in between preaching at both services.
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Dr. Dickson’s special mid-week event, “A Doubter’s Guide to the Christian Faith: A Defense of the Things All Christians Agree On,” will be available through the “Other Classes and Offerings” link on the
Sermons and Classes page on our website, or on your favorite podcast app.
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Avocado Trees for the Children!
by Martha Vetter, World Missions Committee
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Each Saturday, the Dufatanye Organization (DO) in Rwanda holds a Children’s Bible and Breakfast Club at our ministry center. Using flannel boards and over 600 colorful flannel pieces, we teach a Bible lesson and then serve the children a breakfast of porridge or milk and bread. Sometimes, we have up to 250 children in attendance! We divide the children according to age, and one group plays games outside while the other group participates inside. Then, we switch the groups. It’s always a sweet time—eating, learning, singing and, as you might imagine, making a joyful noise unto the Lord!
Remember when you, your children, or grandchildren were young and would grow grass in a little cup that they had colored to look like a face? It was always exciting to watch the grass grow! It usually came out looking like a green crew-cut on top of the cup’s delicately drawn face.
Over the last two weeks, we didn’t grow grass but instead gave away 290 avocado tree saplings to the children at our Bible and Breakfast Club!
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Discover Your Gifts for Ministry!
Two-Part Spiritual Gifts Workshop
Friday, March 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m., and
Saturday, March 7, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in the Parlor
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Did you know that God has given you (yes, you!) gifts for ministry? Experience the joy of discovering just what those gifts are at this two-day workshop led by Brian McGreevy, Andrew O’Dell, and Frenchie Richards. Register online by clicking below, and find out what God has planned for you!
“Now 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
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Men, Don’t Miss This Opportunity!
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“The Father’s Blessing” at Camp St. Christopher
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Throughout the Old Testament the passing of the Father’s blessing was a much sought-after highlight of a young man’s life. In Mark 1: 11, Jesus receives his Father’s blessing immediately after his baptism with these words: “Thou are my beloved son; with thee I am well pleased.” Those words continue to be much sought after today especially from father to son.
The father’s blessing imparts acceptance, love, devotion and confidence from father to son. The blessing contains a mystery, a power, and a transformation between a father and his son. We intend this weekend to be a time of blessing for all men, young and old, in order that all men may thus be transformed and more fully equipped to build God’s kingdom, man to man.
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Help Us Surpass Last Year’s Numbers:
Water Mission’s Walk for Water
Saturday, March 21, at 9:00 a.m. at Riverfront Park in North Charleston
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St. Philip’s 2019 Walk for Water team raised more than $2500 and was six times bigger than the 2018 team--but there’s still room to grow in 2020!
We hope you’ll consider supporting the St. Philip’s Church team by making a donation and/or registering to walk with us. Do both and learn more
From watermission.org:
Inspired by the burden that millions of women and children bear every day walking an average of 3.5 miles to collect water that’s not safe, Water Mission’s “Walk for Water” raises awareness of the global water crisis and funds that save lives. On March 21, thousands will rally together in Charleston to give hope to those who lack access to safe water. It’s more than a Walk. It’s an event that will impact people around the world forever by providing solutions that save lives. Join Water Mission as we Walk so others won’t have to.
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The church office will be closed and the sanctuary and cemetery will be not be open to visitors on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents' Day.
In the event of a pastoral emergency, please call the
Rev. Marc Boutan at (843) 501-7754 or text him at (843) 737-1277.
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Duke University Chorale Concert
Hosts Needed for One Night After Concert
Concert in the Church ~ Friday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m.
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The Duke University Chorale is coming to St. Philip’s on March 13! We are still looking for several more volunteers to help house them for one evening following the concert. Are you able to open your home to two or three of them?
Let’s show our wonderful St. Philip’s hospitality and God’s amazing love to these visiting students! Provide an after-concert snack, a warm bed, and breakfast, and then bring them back to the Ministries Hall (church office) in the morning.
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February 26: Ash Wednesday Service Schedule
Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
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8:00 a.m. ~ in the Chapel
(spoken)
12 noon ~ in the Church
(with hymns)
5:30 p.m. ~ in the Church
(with the St. Philip’s Choir)
Fellowship and light supper in the Parish Hall to follow 5:30 service
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Register Your Child for Summer Camp at Camp St. Christopher!
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About the camp (from stchristopher.org):
Our goal is for campers to return home with a better understanding of who they are as individuals created for a purpose within God’s plan. Our staff of well-trained, college-age, Christian leaders works to see campers’ lives formed by the power and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
During the day, campers participate in activities such as hiking through our pristine maritime forest, sailing and kayaking in the estuary, team building, seining, rock climbing, games, and much more, along with daily chapel and small-group Bible study.
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We’d love to feature YOUR story
in the next inSPIRE!
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If you’re not sure what to write about, use one of the following topics for inspiration!
My Faith Story: How did you first come to know God? Have you had any ups and downs in your relationship with Him?
My St. Philip’s: Has your family been a part of St. Philip’s for generations or are you a newcomer (or somewhere in between)? Tell us about your experience in the parish.
Everyday Miracles: We never know what God has in store for us, and sometimes things work out in ways we could never have imagined. Tell us about something you’ve seen that’s made you think, “Thank God!”
Questions? Email Lea or call her at (843) 722-7734, ext. 232.
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Tonight's supper: Meatloaf
Next week's supper: Taco Bar
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Would you like to take another listen to Sunday's sermon? Or were you out of town and you missed it the first time? Sermons, the Rector's Forum, and more are available on our website,
stphilipschurchsc.org/sermons-classes.
Accompanying slide presentations for certain classes are also available for download.
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Never miss a sermon! Click below to subscribe to our Sermons podcast.
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SAVE THE DATE
Feb. 17 ~ Presidents' Day (church office closed)
Feb. 25 ~ Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (5:30 p.m.)
Feb. 26 ~ Ash Wednesday (services at 8:00 a.m., noon, and 5:30 p.m.)
Mar. 1 ~ Parish Annual Meeting and Luncheon (no 8:15 service)
Mar. 6-7 ~ Spiritual Gifts Workshop (
click here
to register)
Mar. 10 ~ ECW Spring Dinner (6:00 p.m.)
Mar. 15 ~ Missions Sunday with guest preacher and speaker the Rt. Rev. Alden Hathaway
Mar. 21 ~ Parish Oyster Roast (3:30 p.m.)
May 31 ~ Choral Evensong (5:30 p.m.)
June 15-18 ~ Vacation Bible School (VBS)
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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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Do you have a loved one you would like added to our prayer list?
Please provide his or her name by calling the church office, 843-722-7734
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We pray for the sick: Walton Avery, Katie Burris, Kelly Corlett, Ed Dibble, Elizabeth Flowers, Meredith Gale, Robert Gould, Janet Hanger, Jonathan Hanger, Jane Jilich, Barbara Lisle, Joe Livesay, Kimbrough McEniry, Peter Moore, Harold Patteson, Benjamin Schools, and Lindsey Wing.
We grieve with and pray for: Ann Rhett and family on the death of her sister-in-law, Rosamond Ravenel Bee, on February 2.
We grieve with and pray for: The family of Tracy Graudin, who died February 4.
We pray for our expectant parents:
Oliver and Courtney Iselin, Andy and Emily Yoho.
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,
Ned Montgomery, Edward Pritchard, and David Scott serving in our Armed Forces.
We pray for our home missions:
Star Gospel Mission, Tricounty Family Ministries, Life Resources, St. John's Chapel, and the Open Door Committee.
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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St. Philip's Regular Weekly Worship Services
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Collect for
the Sixth Sunday of Epiphany:
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in thee: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments we may please thee both in will and deed; 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
:
- Genesis 22:1-14
- 1 John 4:8-11
- John 12:44-50
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Sundays
8:15 a.m. – Holy Communion: Rite I, in the Church
10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion: Rite I, in the Church (on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays)
10:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer: Rite I, in the Church (on the 2nd and 4th Sundays)
Wednesdays
8:00 a.m. – Morning Prayer, 1928 Prayer Book, in the Chapel
5:30 p.m. – Wednesdays Alive! Holy Communion: Rite II, in the Church (Sept.–June)
Lay server schedules are sent out quarterly, one month prior to the start of each quarter.
If you are unable to serve, please make an effort to find a substitute, and let
Felicia Lescow
in the church office know who will be substituting for you.
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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
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