~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
June 21, 2020
The Third Sunday after Pentecost
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No printed inSPIRE this week
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The church office is closed and in-person Sunday worship is cancelled through the duration of the present health crisis.
We will be offering worship online during this time.
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An email with printable Sunday bulletins will be coming later in the week.
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Click below to subscribe to our Vimeo and/or YouTube channel, where you may also go to join us for worship online.
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In-Person Prayer and Praise Service Next Wednesday!
June 24 at 6:00 p.m. on the Parish House Lawn
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Plan to bring your own lawnchair, water, and mask, if desired. Further details about this brief service will be emailed and posted
on our website
later in the week.
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A Thank-You Letter from Tricounty Family Ministries
Executive Director Kara Stewart
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The Rev. Kara Stewart (front) with St. Philip's Home Missions Team members Jennie Richardson, Gantt Folline, and Becky Barber
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Dear St. Phillip’s Church partners,
We are so grateful for your support in collecting food last week for our ministry. Our shelves were bare and we were facing a dilemma, not knowing how we would care for the families who would be coming to us on Wednesday. You responded with an overwhelming outpouring of compassion in action with your donations of food and grocery bags. Your donations filled our food pantry and enabled our volunteers to fill bags full of nutritious food for our neighbors in need.
Your gift came just in time. On Wednesday, we saw a record-186 families come through our ministry in two hours. Because of your donations, we were able to give each one of them a bag of groceries, which helped feed 568 members of their households! Each week, we are seeing the number of families experiencing financial difficulties increase. And each week, we see more and more people coming to us for the first time in their lives. Unfortunately, because of the interruptions in the food supply chain, we aren’t receiving as much surplus from our food bank partners. Because of this, your donations mean the difference between having food to share, and sending people away empty-handed.
One family that was helped this week came because the mother has been out of work for two months. The father, who suffers from severe diabetes, has had three surgeries in the last six months to try and save his leg from total amputation. Despite the support of good health insurance, the extra medical bills overwhelmed this family and they were evicted from their home.
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Scheduling conflicts pushed the St. Philip's weekly staff meeting to today at 9:15 a.m. instead of yesterday, so we unfortunately cannot share the shenanigans of any mischievous pets, the final results of The Great Granny Debate, or any further
audio/video proof of the staff's "Happy Birthday"-singing prowess. But we still want to say "hello" to you! Hello!
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We are looking forward to Zoom-ing today and seeing each other's faces, and those of us who are able are looking forward to seeing each other in person at the prayer and praise service next week, and we look forward to seeing many of you, too! But if you are unable to join us and you're feeling isolated, or if you would like someone to talk to for any reason, remember that your clergy and staff, along with many members of our parish, are available and eager to be there for you in any way you might need. You may also call one of the priests directly; they would love to hear your voice!
The Rev. Jeff Miller: (843) 812-0556
The Rev. Andrew O'Dell: (843) 639-9084
The Rev. Marc Boutan: (843) 737-1277
The Rev. Brian McGreevy: (843) 793-9830
The Rev. Ryan Streett: (843) 601-1120
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Red Cross Announces Free COVID-19 Antibody Testing For All Donors
St. Philip's Blood Drive:
Tuesday, June 30, 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. in the St. Philip's Parish Hall
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"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
––John 15:13
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As if giving the gift of life weren't enough incentive to come to St. Philip's Red Cross blood drive, the Red Cross
has announced that beginning June 15, all blood, platelet, and plasma donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. So on Tuesday, June 30, eat a good breakfast and a nice, big lunch and come on down to St. Philip’s to give the gift of life––one unit of blood can save up to three lives! We are hoping for 29 donations, which would mean 87 lives saved––WOW! But we can schedule as many as 37 donors––let's go above and beyond and save as many as 111 lives!
Please consider making an appointment today to be one of those life-saving donors. An appointment guarantees your spot and therefore minimizes or eliminates any wait time. Schedule your appointment by clicking below and selecting "See Times" next to St. Philip's Church. Every donor will receive free COVID-19 antibody testing and a $5 Amazon e-gift card. Walk-ins are also welcome!
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Help us reach our goal of 37 appointments filled!
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The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control to ensure you are completely safe while donating blood. If you can give blood now, please participate in our drive. Your small sacrifice can help save a life during this time of urgent need. Your Home Missions Team has discerned that God has opened a door for us to be salt and light in our community by participating in and encouraging blood donations. Let's seize this opportunity to bless those around us in the name of Jesus. Additionally, we will be distributing take-home cheek swab kits if you would like to join the international bone marrow registry.
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, "Lord, when did we see … you sick … and visit you?" And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." ––Matthew 25:37-40
Can you donate blood and help give the gift of life to a stranger in need?
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Invite a friend to donate! The link below has all the info he or she needs.
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Prayers For Our Friends in Haiti
by Suzanne McCord
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Clay Hershey, Jr., and Carol Robinson distribute dental supplies in Haiti in June 2019.
Usually this time of year Gerry and I are in full-swing packing mode. We would have boxes of toothbrushes and toothpaste that many of you would have donated stacked in one corner. We would have boxes of reading glasses, that many of you would have donated, stacked in another corner.
There would be huge trash bags of used tennis balls, boxes of toys, grocery bags full of art supplies, all sorts of over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies for our health care workers and donated musical instruments stacked everywhere. Everything would be carefully inventoried and arranged in old suitcases and duffle bags to be hand-carried by mission team members, usually about 10 of us. We would be leaving early on a Wednesday morning and traveling to the island of La Gonâve, Haiti, to visit our Partnership friends and celebrate St. John the Baptist feast day (June 24th) with our sister church, St. Jean Baptiste!
But none of that is happening this year––this 2020 year that has been so different for us all. All these supplies, the hugs, the laughs, the joy will not be delivered this year.
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"Screwtape Letters" Class TONIGHT
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The Rev. Brian McGreevy continues with his exploration of C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.! You may stream the class on our streaming site,
saintphilips.online.church, where you will be able to chat with others before and after class, or you may watch at your convenience
on YouTube beginning at the same time.
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Final Rector's Bible Study Before Summer Recess TOMORROW
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All are invited to join the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller online for the final Rector's Bible Study before summer recess! If you can't join us at noon, be sure to sign up for the emails so you get a link to the recording. And if you can join us for what is still THE best way to spend your lunch hour in Charleston or wherever you happen to be, fix yourself a sandwich, grab your Bible and a seat on your couch, and click the link below a few minutes before noon tomorrow to join!
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Preschool Summer Camp Session 1 Starts Next Week!
Session 1: June 22-26 ~ Session 2: July 13-17
Open to St. Philip's Preschool Students AND the Surrounding Community
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We are pleased to announce the return of Preschool Camp for babies through age three! Two sessions will be offered this summer: June 22-26 and July 13-17 (campers must have been born after September 1, 2015).
The fee per child is $250, and campers do not have to be St. Philip's Preschool students to attend. Space is limited, with preference given for church members and for full-week camp attendance.
A note about safety: Cleaning is something we have always taken very seriously at St. Philip’s Preschool. We will clean and sanitize daily during camp, and we will also be using air purifiers. We would be happy to share our cleaning protocol with you upon request.
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Our diocese is seeking high school students (preferably rising juniors and seniors) who demonstrate spiritual maturity and leadership gifts to apply for the diocesan Youth Commission. This team serves at diocesan youth events and at Diocesan Convention each year. The diocese provides training for leading Bible studies, small groups, prayer, activities, and sharing the gospel. Applications are now available. Youth Commission is a selective process. Deadline for applications is July 15th.
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Hurricane Season: Get Prepared and Get in Touch!
St. Philip's Disaster Relief Team helps in times of hurricane, tornado, flooding, earthquake, fire, or any other disaster
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The Disaster Relief Team's mission is to provide help, assistance, and hope to our parishioners and neighbors in times of extreme crisis by offering comfort and minor emergency repairs.
We have a network of parishioners who are willing and able to respond when they are called via our phone tree. We have two points of the phone tree and geographic coordinators for most of the tri-county area already in place. We are always happy to welcome new volunteers!
Get Prepared
And Get in Touch
We have members throughout the tri-county area available to provide immediate assistance whenever a crisis occurs, whether it be a hurricane, tornado, flooding, earthquake, or fire. We're here to help you!
Click here if you believe you may require assistance before (preparation) or after a disaster (e.g. cleanup).
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
––Matthew 25:40.
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Daily Devotions from the St. Philip's Clergy:
New Schedule Begins Next Week
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In his final reflection before he heads off to Madison, Mississippi, the Rev. Ryan Streett looks to Psalm 16:11 to conclude his series about cultivating a heart of worship by learning more about God, the object of our worship, this time focusing on God's attribute of blessedness.
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Since Holy Week, these reflections have been posted to the news section of our website (
stphilipschurchsc.org/news
) Monday through Friday at 7:00 a.m., but you may also sign up to receive links in your inbox by clicking the link below. As we move into our summer scheduling next week, the devotions will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and beginning the first full week in July, they will be posted Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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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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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: Kelsey Brockbank, Abby Burgess, Katie Burris, Howard Dayton, Elizabeth Flowers, Mary Forbes, Robert Gould, Janet Hanger, Jonathan Hanger, Amy Kittrell, Joe Livesay, Ernie Long, Mason Paul, Benjamin Schools, Richard Scott, Lavinia Thaxton, Mike Walsh, and Lindsey Wing.
We grieve with and pray for Bonnie and Teddy Gilbreth and family on the death of her father, Vernon Brake, on June 6.
We pray for our expectant parents: Henslee and Van Elliott, Ralph and Anna Gray Baker, Torrey and Ryan Knapp.
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, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, 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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Collect for
Sunday:
O Lord, we beseech thee, make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name, for thou never failest to help and govern those whom thou hast set upon the sure foundation of thy loving-kindness; 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
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- Jeremiah 20:7-13
- Matthew 10:16-39
- Psalm 69:1-18
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ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH
142 Church Street | Charleston, SC 29401
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HERE
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