Click the link below to read the St. Philip's eSPIRE, the email version of our weekly inSPIRE newsletter, which is packed with information about all that's going on in the life of our parish....
Each year during Holy Week, we join together on Good Friday to remember Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. We often think that the term “Good Friday” is a misnomer. How can this day be “good” when Roman soldiers mocked Jesus and then crucified Him on a stake that was shaped like a cross? How can this day be “good” when our Savior and Lord Christ cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”? How can it be “good” when the heavens shrouded the world in mystifying darkness for three hours in the middle of the day?...
Join us for worship on the Second Sunday of Easter, when the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, will be preaching and leading us in worship. Read on for in-person and online options. ...
It’s long been my intention to read my Bible regularly. Although it varies at times, I usually read from beginning to end at the daily pace the Lord indicates, noting the application of what seems significant through the practice of journaling. In this way, over the years, I’ve developed a comfortable familiarity with the Scriptures and a conversational relationship with the Holy Spirit....
Join us for worship on Easter Day! The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller, Rector, will be preaching. Our first service is Holy Communion (Rite II) on the lawn at 6:30 a.m. (in-person only). Registration is full, but a waitlist is available. We held a reservation lottery for the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services of Festival Eucharist of the Resurrection (Rite I), and both services will also be livestreamed. If you reserved space, you may get checked in and seated by an usher beginning 45 minutes before the start of each service; the ushers will begin seating those on the waitlist five minutes before each service. ...
Please join us Maundy Thursday at 6:00 p.m. and Good Friday at noon for worship. Both services have in-person and online options, and while there is a waitlist for Good Friday, there is space available at Maundy Thursday....
Join us for worship on Palm Sunday! The Reverend Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
I must tell you just how excited I am about my new calling to serve St. Philip’s Church! When Jeff Miller asked me to serve as his assistant for pastoral care, I felt that God was speaking directly through him and giving me the opportunity to engage in an area of ministry that has always been so close to my heart. Pastoral care is a team effort...
During the past year, the whole world has experienced many struggles and challenges. Never before have we been so united in facing the same unseen enemy yet so separated due to pandemic restrictions. And Haiti was no exception. They too experienced the same uncertainties, but in a very culturally unique way. In March 2020, as the new coronavirus began to spread around the world, Father Jean Madoché Vil, the priest in charge of all 10 of the La Gonâve Haiti Partnership churches and schools, wrote, “We keep in faith and pray so that we are not overwhelmed by this Coronavirus. We are a fragile nation. We do not have the resources to protect and defend ourselves.” ...
Join us for worship on the Fifth Sunday in Lent! The Reverend Justin C. Hare will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options. ...
Descending into the Ukrainian air space on a freezing January day, it looked like we were landing in Siberia. Snow enveloped Kharkiv, a city with a population of 2,000,000 located twenty miles south of the Russian border in far eastern Ukraine. After we landed, custom officials placed Tom and me in separate cubicles. Following serious "pat-downs," the husky, unsmiling customs officer extended her hand. Not for a handshake, but a bribe! “Nyet,” I said firmly, using one of five words I know in Russian....
As the economic effects of the pandemic continue to plague so many of our neighbors, Tricounty Family Ministries (TFM) is partnering with Charleston County to help those who are behind on their bills for COVID-related reasons. TFM will be setting up a computer lab staffed by volunteers to assist clients with online applications for financial assistance, and for this to be a success, TFM needs computers and volunteers!...
Join us for worship on Easter Day at 6:30 a.m. on the lawn (in-person only, by reservation), 9:00 a.m. in the church (online or in-person by reservation lottery), or 11:!5 a.m. in the church (online or in-person by reservation lottery). ...
Join us for worship on the Fourth Sunday in Lent! The Reverend Andrew R. O'Dell will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
There is a dark and evil trend occurring in our world right now. Open Doors USA reported this week that two Christian girls are disappearing each day. Open Doors is an international organization that provides support to persecuted Christians across the world and is a highly regarded source of research and information for the Body of Christ worldwide....
Join us for worship on the Third Sunday in Lent! The Reverend Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options, and remember to join us for our annual meeting at 1:00 p.m. ...
Join us for worship on the Second Sunday in Lent! The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
On Sunday evening, February 21, a large crowd gathered in front of Bill and Carolyn Warlick’s home to bear witness to the faithfulness of God in bringing Bill and Carolyn through a long and unbelievably challenging time. We were there to praise God for his goodness in the incredible healing He has worked already and for the ongoing healing that He is still working in Carolyn. We were there as the body of Christ, rejoicing together in the goodness of our great God!...
Join us for worship on the First Sunday in Lent! The Reverend William K. Christian will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
The St. Philip's Choir has been invited to serve as the resident choir at St. Paul's Cathedral in London the week of August 15–21, 2022, and all parishioners are invited to join us on this exciting adventure––you could even come along as a new choir member!...
It has been said that there are two ways to support missions: to be a missionary, or give financially to support a missionary. But this viewpoint overlooks one of the most vital and important elements of mission, and one in which we can all play a role: prayer!...
Join us for worship on the Last Sunday of Epiphany! The Reverend Justin C. Hare will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
I began tithing sometime after college when I began my first job. Despite being a young believer, I understood that tithing was a way to show God how much I trusted Him to provide for me. Then a speaker came to St. Philip’s in the mid-1980s whose message greatly impacted my thinking about giving. I was challenged not only to tithe, but to see everything I had as God’s and to realize what a blessing it would be to give more and more to the work of the Kingdom, in and out of the church. ...
Join us for worship on the Fifth Sunday of Epiphany! The Reverend Andrew R. will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options. ...
Jesus nudged me to write out the gospel in preparation for a Sharing of Ministries Abroad (SOMA) mission trip to Uganda in May of 2011. On a yellow legal pad I wrote the story of Jesus walking on the shore of Lake Galilee. He watched Simon and Andrew as they cast their nets into the sea and said to them, “Come follow me and I will make you into men who catch people instead of fish!”...
In today's devotion, the Rev. Justin Hare looks at the exorcism that Jesus performs in the gospel passage from this past Sunday, Mark 1:21-28, in order to bring clarity on what it really means to be a Christian....
Join us for worship on the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany! The Reverend Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
Join the Rev. Marc Boutan on Wadmalaw for his final devotion, dedicated to a recently departed servant of God, Gene Lesesne....
Join us for worship on the Third Sunday of Epiphany! The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
Hope and joy seem to be in short supply in our world, but Paul points us to the wellspring of both. As Christians, we have access to a joy and hope that the world does not know but desperately needs....
To help ensure the safety of our parishioners and staff given the current surge in COVID-19 cases in our area and the mayor’s recent announcement regarding city office restrictions, we have made the following changes to our office hours and service and activity schedules over the next two weeks:...
Life at God’s Littlest Lambs Children’s Home in Honduras has been very different during the past several months as our committed staff have worked tirelessly to care for the more than 60 children whose home is with LAMB. They have faced great challenges along the way. We are grateful that through God’s mercy and the diligence of our Honduran staff, we have not had a single case of COVID at the children’s home!...
Join us for worship on the Second Sunday of Epiphany! The Reverend Marc R. Boutan will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
Take a look with the Rev. Brian McGreevy at another great hymn of the church, "To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done" written in the 19th century by Fanny Crosby, who has an unusual and inspiring story. ...
LAMB Institute continues to be on lockdown along with all of Honduras, with the children attending school online or receiving packets from their teachers every week. Staff members at God's Littlest Lambs Children's Home take strict precautions, and the home continues to be COVID-free. Some other LAMB staff members have had to quarantine with mild cases of COVID, but thanks be to God, no fatalities have hit the ministry. Please continue to keep LAMB and Honduras in your prayers as the medical care there is very substandard and it will be a long, long time before vaccines will be available for the general population. ...
Looking back on 2020, we can all say it was more than just a rough year. Vocabulary such as “pandemic” and “quarantine” became commonplace. We missed out on birthday celebrations, graduations, weddings, and funerals. Thanksgiving and Christmas looked very different with smaller family and friends’ gatherings....
Today, revisit the Rev. Marc Boutan's April 27 devotion, in which he shared from breezy Wadmalaw Island the story of a woman who once wrote, "You are nearest your possession of this imparted grace when you realize your own helplessness and your complete dependence upon the Lord." Let this message and the message of 2 Corinthians 12:9 hit home as he closes with his rendition of Dennis Jernigan's "You Are My All in All."...
Dear St. Philip’s Family, I began my ministry at St. Philip’s Church in January of 2001, and I’ve spanned the course of 20 years here. On Friday, January 8, I turned 68 years old, and I feel it’s time to scale back. After much prayer and thought, I have come to the decision to retire from full-time pastoral care ministry....
Join us for worship on the First Sunday of Epiphany, the Baptism of Our Lord! The Reverend Justin C. Hare will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options. ...
Join us for worship this Sunday, the Second Sunday After Christmas Day! The Reverend Andrew R. O'Dell will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
Join us for worship this Sunday, the First Sunday After Christmas Day! The Reverend Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options. ...
Join us for worship online on Christmas Eve! Registration for in-person worship has closed, but both our 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. service will be streamed live. The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller, Rector, will be preaching....
St. Philip's is offering a lot of ways for you to celebrate the birth of our Savior this week! We've got two Christmas Eve services this year, and we hope you will join us live online at either 5:00 or 8:00 p.m. if your name wasn't drawn in the reservation lottery. We are also offering a service of Holy Communion on Christmas Day at 10:00 a.m. (in-person only), and our service of Lessons and Carols will be broadcast at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Day!...
Join us for worship this Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Advent! The Reverend Marc R. Boutan will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options. ...
As Christians we live with a foot in two worlds: one illuminated by the victory of the cross and the sure and certain hope of Christ’s victory over sin and the grave, and one where everything has been broken and tainted by the Fall, where with all creation, we await with longing the second coming of Christ, when He will mend all that is broken and make right all that is wrong. Advent is a season that gives us permission to be honest about that deep and desperate yearning for His return and all that it will bring....
In today's devotion, Justin sings little bit of Hebrew as he shares with us one of his favorite texts of Scripture, Psalm 121. This psalm, a Song of Ascent sung by the Jews as they made their way up to Jerusalem, holds deep encouragement for us today....
Join us for worship this Sunday, the Third Sunday in Advent! The Reverend Andrew R. O'Dell will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options. ...
Take a closer look with the Rev. Marc Boutan this morning at Isaiah 40:1-2, which may not mean exactly what you think it means: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins."...
Ever since November 2019, I have been a Leader in Training for the middle school youth group. When lockdowns started and everything became virtual, I missed helping the middle school youth grow in their walk with Christ. Every Friday night, I thought to myself: “What would middle school have been like today if the virus never existed?” When lockdowns were lifted, school started, and the new normal began, I resumed my job as the cameraman for the Porter-Gaud football team. Problem was, the games were on Friday nights...
Prepare for the Third Sunday in Advent by spending a few minutes with the Rev. Brian McGreevy, who will dispel some misconceptions you may have about Charles Coffin's "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry" and show those who long to be free from the shackles of sin that they may have hope....
Join us for worship this Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent! The Reverend Justin C. Hare will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." In today's devotion, the Rev. Marc Boutan reflects on the meaning behind the first song he learned as a young Christian, sharing a story about a 2003 Ford Ranger and a man named Wayne to show us just what living in the kingdom of God means....
In this first devotion of Advent, the Rev. Justin Hare encourages us to prepare our hearts for God with self-examination...
St. Philip's will be offering two services of Holy Communion on Christmas Eve. Because seating is limited, we will be conducting a lottery for both services (5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.). Both services will also be live-streamed. Read on for details and the link to register for the lottery, which opens Tuesday, December 1, at 9:00 a.m....
Join us for worship this Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent! The Reverend Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
Prepare for the First Sunday of Advent by exploring another theologically rich hymn with the Rev. Brian McGreevy, "Wake, Awake, For Night is Flying." Fashioned after the words of the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 and paired with a beautiful hymn tune that was later harmonized by J.S. Bach, this hymn displays Philipp Nicolai's great faith in God and hope for the future during an especially difficult time in Europe's history....
Join us for worship this Sunday, the Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King! The Reverend Justin C. Hare will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
When life is a battle, the Rev. Jeff Miller tells us how we can find comfort from King David in Psalm 3....
“How should Christians understand the warning passages in the Bible? These passages are often hard to hear but can be even more difficult to understand for Christians. In this devotional, Justin examines what it means for a Christian to do what Hebrews 3:13 says: “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”...
The Gospel of John could be described as God's love letter to the world, and the heart of the letter is in chapter 13: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” But what is “new” about this command, which sounds so similar to one of the Old Testament commandments?...
Join us for worship this Sunday, the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost! The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller, Rector, will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
The Compassion Committee of St. Philip’s would like to share with all of you a powerful and important new component of our ministry that was born from one of our church’s recent Spiritual Gifts workshops. After learning about her gifts of encouragement and faith, along with some complementary gifts, Ann Hunley Harrington asked us about joining one of our note-writing teams. Shortly after she enthusiastically joined, she said she had an idea! She asked if it would be all right for her write to the young men and women on our prayer list who are enlisted in our country’s armed forces. Thus began a ministry of note-writing to these brave men and women....
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." These words from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians truly express my gratitude for each and every one of you and for your partnership in the Gospel ministry of this church, most especially during the time of this pandemic. Despite the challenges of these turbulent and uncertain times, the work and ministry of St. Philip’s has continued to prosper and be blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit and undergirded by your generous and faithful financial support....
Let's take a look today at another great hymn of the church, one that we will be singing on Sunday even though we are accustomed to hearing it during Advent. The rich text of Charles Wesley's "Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending" is full of excellent theology...
Join us for worship this Sunday, the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost! The Reverend Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
The Christian life could well be described as being like “staying on the saddle” of God’s will, neither falling to the left nor to the right. Today we look at a set of Proverbs and a reflection from the Psalms to teach us how to do just that....
On Election Day, take a look with the Rev. Justin Hare at one of the All Saints' Day readings, Revelation 7:9-17, for a simple but encouraging truth. "For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."...
Worship with us on All Saints' Day, November 1! The Reverend Andrew R. O'Dell will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
In the next couple of days, you may be surrounded by costumes and pumpkins and all things Halloween, but let's shift focus to the very important day Halloween precedes: All Saints' Day, one of the Principal Feasts in the Church....
Unlike most things that have occured in the year 2020, this year’s Diocesan Women’s Retreat at Camp St. Christopher actually lived up to what it claimed to be, and even more! The overwhelming sense that I felt from the first day to the last was shelter from the craziness of the world we are currently living in. Just walking up to Susannah’s House, where the weekend’s events would be held, was peaceful. The ladies had thought of everything we might want or need. And they greeted us with smiles and happy faces on the porch. ...
Prepare for November 1, All Saints' Day, by exploring the hymn "For All the Saints" with the Rev. Brian McGreevy. Bishop W. Walsham How's theology-rich text was inspired by Hebrews 12:1, and the words pair beautifully with Ralph Vaughan Williams's familiar tune "Sine Nomine."...
A message from the Rev. Kara Joy Stewart, Executive Director of Tricounty Family Ministries. Our neighbors’ needs continue to increase. On October 7 we served 194 families. On October 14, we served 204 families. And we set another record for number of families served in one day on October 21: 263 families....
Worship with us on the Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost, October 25! The Reverend Justin C. Hare will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
Besides Jesus Christ, who was the greatest man in the Bible? Would you think perhaps Moses or Elijah, or someone we know from the New Testament...
2020 never ceases to change things around! After realizing that an in-person event was not feasible or advisable, our incredible staff at LAMB created an amazing virtual event. John and I were able to watch from our den and cast it up on the television just like we’ve been doing for our Sunday services since the “shut down” occurred. I did miss seeing people who I only get to see during events like this and enjoying the fellowship time. This event provided the next best thing to being together!...
What does it mean to "live into" one's baptism? Spend a few minutes with the Rev. Justin Hare this morning and learn about this sacrament that, though widely known, is not very well understood. "Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great mercy saved Noah and his family in the ark from perishing by water, and also safely led the children of Israel through the Red Sea, prefiguring the sacrament of Holy Baptism, and by the Baptism of thy well-beloved son Jesus Christ in the River Jordan, did sanctify water to the mystical washing away of sin." ...
Worship with us on the Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost, October 18! The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller, Rector, will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
Dear St. Philip’s family, On March 7th of 2021, we will hold our Annual Parish Meeting. During that meeting, we will elect the next “class” of leaders to serve on the Vestry. At our September meeting, the Vestry appointed Martha Freshley (Senior Warden), Todd Brown (Junior Warden), Reid Davis, Guv Gottshalk, Robby Marion, Connie Rink, Sam Robinson, and Bill Warlick to serve as a nominating committee. ...
Learn today about another great hymn of the Church, "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation," which was originally sung in Latin and, after it was written as early as the 500s, was regularly sung at the dedications of new church buildings, including many of the European churches we are familiar with today. The Rev. Brian McGreevy explores the theology of the text and shares some of the story of John Mason Neale, who was able to translate the original Latin into English, remarkably keeping the same meter so that it could be sung equally well in either language....
It began with a simple question to Martha Freshley, the Senior Warden of St. Philip's Church, from parishioner Dr. Heather Dawson. “With the struggles that St. Christopher is having as a result of the pandemic, would the Vestry consider having a St. Philip's work day at St. Christopher?” Martha brought the question to the Vestry at our September 2020 meeting. I serve on the St. Christopher board, so I volunteered to explore the idea with Father Bob Lawrence, the Executive Director of St. Christopher. After the Vestry meeting, Vestrymen Todd Brown and Robby Marion approached me and indicated they would be glad to donate an afternoon to go out to do "yardwork" at St. Christopher. I called Bob Lawrence to discuss the idea and then put Robby Marion in touch with him to schedule a time for Robby and Todd to go to St. Christopher....
Worship with us on the Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost, October 11--the Reverend Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching. We are offering in-person worship with services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and Morning Prayer at 10:30 a.m.! If you reserved space, you may get checked in and seated by an usher beginning 45 minutes before the start of the service; the ushers will begin seating those without reservations on a first-come, first-served basis five minutes before each service....
To make Jesus the cornerstone of your life, you must learn how to communicate with him and get to know him. Today, the Rev. Andrew O'Dell offers you a practical, step-by-step guide to making that happen, no matter where you are on your journey. "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me...'" ...
Over the past two weeks, you’ve likely noticed our increased use of the piano and the gallery organ at the back of the church. The reason for this change was that our main organ console, located in the chancel, had been gutted and sent to the organbuilders’ shop in Denver, North Carolina, for refurbishment. This organ, our third in this building, was built in 1978 by the firm Casavant Frères of Ste. Hyacinthe, Quebec. Earlier this year, St. Philip’s contracted with Cornel Zimmer Organ Builders of Denver to refurbish the 1978 console. This same firm has been at work over the past years bringing the Citadel’s Summerall Chapel pipe organ back to life....
In today's devotion, the Rev. Justin Hare expands on the topic of his September 27 sermon, exploring beyond the humiliation to the exaltation of Jesus Christ in Philippians 2:5-11. What encouragement do we get from Jesus' exaltation, beginning with his death on the cross? "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."...
Worship with us on the Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost, October 4...
While St. Paul was imprisoned, he wrote in his letter to the Philippians, "It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more." You may be feeling out of sorts, but don't let that make you ignore God's calling, because if there was ever a time that the people of God need to be the people of God, it's right now....
Learn today about Joseph Addison, a famed British essayist and the author of Cato...
That title sounds like it belongs to a science fiction novel, one that would open, “It all started while the world was still spinning but suddenly came to a halt. It seemed that all social mores were lost as the gravity of the pandemic gripped the once bustling planet. A silent planet it became, for the noise of machine and man came to a rest. Birds once forgotten could be heard as if brand new, and families once separated by the tyranny of busyness were secluded into their homes by the sudden rush of stillness. They were forced to create a new pattern of normal.”...
We are offering in-person worship with services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m.! If you reserved space, you may get checked in and seated by an usher beginning 45 minutes before the start of the service; the ushers will begin seating those without reservations on a first-come, first-served basis five minutes before each service. Note that the 10:30 service did reach maximum capacity, but there is still space available at the 8:15 service, and registration has been extended. ...
Today, the Rev. Brian McGreevy shares the story of Isaac Watts, a prodigy who became perhaps the most prolific hymn writer of England, writing at least 750 hymns after his father, a minister, challenged him to make a change to church music. "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," like all of Watts's hymns, is loaded with good theology, and it is an intensely personal hymn that was written in an age when most hymns were impersonal. ...
As you can imagine, a 300+ acre beachfront property like St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center needs to be well cared for. As you can also imagine, in the middle of a COVID world where the Barrier Island Environmental Educational program, summer camp, and other year-round event income abruptly stops, you are forced to make tough decisions. St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center has had to furlough or lay off close to 80% of their staff, including most of the maintenance crew, but the maintenance work is never ending. This situation is what several St. Philippians drove into a couple of weeks ago!...
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....
Today's devotion was recorded in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and although several months have passed, many are still wondering in this ever-changing landscape: Are we safe? Using Matthew 10:16-31, the Rev. Justin Hare helps us to understand our fear, to actively seek wisdom, and to trust God, in whose hands we are safer than we could ever be anywhere else....
Many successful businessmen reach the peak of their church service when they assume the vaunted role of usher. This is not the men’s fault, of course — it is a tradition stretching back more than 2,000 years to when a little-known apostle named Fred served as the usher for the Last Supper, then slipped out before communion....
Worship with us on the Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost, September 20...
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 42:5,11; 43:5) God loves you, and even when you're going through difficult times of sadness, discouragement, or aimlessness, he never forgets you, and he never stops treasuring you...
Join the Rev. Brian McGreevy to learn how the most unlikely hymn writer in history, John Newton, went from being "the most profane, obscene, and obnoxious young man" to being the ordained priest who penned the words to "Faith's Review and Expectations," the hymn we know now as "Amazing Grace."...
Worship with us on the Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost, September 13...
Collect for the Commemoration of September 11: Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, and no strength known but the strength of love: We pray thee so mightily to shed and spread abroad thy Spirit, that all peoples and ranks may be gathered under one banner, of the Prince of Peace; as children of one God and Father of all; to whom be dominion and glory now and for ever. Amen. You remember where you were on September 11, 2001, and you remember the confusion you felt that soon turned to horror and fear. You may have been looking for answers even as the nation came together, and today, the Rev. Justin Hare uses Psalm 77 to show us that to feel true hope in the midst of suffering and despair, we must put our trust in God....
"Come, thou fount of ev'ry blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace." Today, let's contemplate the transformative power of the Holy Spirit as we revisit the Rev. Brian McGreevy's May 28 reflection on "Come, Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing," which is also part of this Sunday's 10:30 service, and prepare for worship by stepping back in time to the mid-18th century to meet Robert Robinson, the young troublemaker who would go on to write this great hymn. ...
Worship with us on the Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost, September 6...
Jesus said in Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." But there's more to salt than its flavor. Using the Rev. Dr. Timothy Keller's keynote address at the 2018 National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast as a guide, the Rev. Justin Hare explores what Christianity can offer our society in the 21st century, a time when most are focused on self-actualization instead of self-sacrifice. ...
The human brain is a fascinating subject, capable of so many extraordinary things...
This week we came close to breaking our record for number of families served during the pandemic. We stayed open longer than usual to accommodate the crowds––204 families came to us for help. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to share canned goods, fresh produce, frozen meat, breads, milk, and cooked meals. We also were able to share bagged lunches made by our partners at Westminster Presbyterian Church. All in all, we supported 700 members of their families....
The links to reserve space at one of the September 6 services are below. The Rev. Justin Hare, the newest addition to our clergy team and the officiant at yesterday's services, will give his first sermon at St. Philip's. Please note the change from earlier announcements: Childcare will not be available this week and will instead begin on September 13. ...
Worship with us on the Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, August 30! The Reverend Andrew R. O'Dell will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options....
In his first devotion for St. Philip's, the Rev. Justin Hare introduces himself by sharing one of his favorite passages, taken from the third chapter of St. Paul's letter to the Philippians. As he unpacks the passage, learn what he has in common with St. Paul and what God's grace can do for your weary heart....
"If God loves us and cares for us, why does he allow affliction and difficulty to come into our lives?" Using Scripture as a guide, explore this age-old question of suffering and the problem of pain with the Reverend Jeff Miller, and find out how God can use the suffering in our lives for his glory and our greater good. ...
While you look forward to tomorrow's devotion, you might enjoy rewatching some past devotions at the links below. On May 6, the Rev. Jeff Miller explored the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke chapter 10, and on May 22, the Rev. Andrew O'Dell looked at 1 Corinthians 13, reflecting on what St. Paul is telling us about the building up of the Church. Happy watching, and blessings on your day!...
The links to reserve space at one of the August 30 services are below. To ensure that we seat as many people as we are safely able to seat, we will honor these reservations until five minutes before the start of each service, at which point we will seat those waiting on a first-come, first-served basis until we are at capacity. ...
Worship with us on the Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost, August 23! The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller will be preaching; read on for in-person and online options. We are resuming in-person worship tomorrow with services of Morning Prayer at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m.! If you reserved space, you may get checked in and seated by an usher beginning 45 minutes before the start of the service; the ushers will begin seating those without reservations on a first-come, first-served basis five minutes before each service....
St. Paul said in his letter to the Romans, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." In today's devotion, the Rev. Andrew O'Dell makes the case for wearing one's "Sunday best" to worship...
Early in the days of the pandemic, the Dufatanye Organization joined forces with partner organization ZMission to provide emergency relief to desperate people in Rwanda. At that point, I was skeptical that we’d be able to raise the funds to make even a small dent in such an overwhelming need, and I told one of my friends that I would be surprised if we could donate provisions for six weeks. But between March 26 and July 20, we gave away 198,836 pounds of maize flour, 97,911 pounds of beans, and 9,901 twelve-inch bars of soap to 50,565 people in 941 families! Let us rejoice in what great things God has done!...
In his last devotion before his 12-week sabbatical, the Rev. Marc Boutan reflects on the comforting words of John 14:2: "In my Father's house are many rooms ... I am going to prepare a place for you." But the promise of the Father's house is more than a promise of Heaven, because that place of welcome and promise is a place that God wants for us right now....
The links to reserve space at one of the August 23 services are below. To ensure that we seat as many people as we are safely able to seat, we will honor these reservations until five minutes before the start of each service, at which point we will seat those waiting on a first-come, first-served basis until we are at capacity. Those unfamiliar with making online reservations may call (843) 471-0544 to reserve space. Please also share this number with family or friends who might prefer to call, especially those who don't receive St. Philip's emails....
Join us for worship on the Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost, August 16! The Reverend Andrew R. O'Dell will be preaching. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may watch at your convenience on our Vimeo Channel beginning at the same time. You may also watch on our YouTube Channel beginning at 8:15 a.m. ...
St. Philip's is pleased to offer in-person worship once again beginning August 23 at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.! For the safety of all of our St. Philip's family and friends, several modifications are in place. Please be sure to read the complete guidelines at the link below to ensure that your return to worship is as smooth as possible....
I stand before you a proud daughter and granddaughter of two United States Marines. I am very proud of my military heritage and the service of these two great men in my life. I'm proud of my brother, who also served in the United States Marines. But above all I am proud of the young people of our church who have stepped up and answered their country’s call to join the armed services and serve our great nation here at home and abroad. ...
Today the Rev. Jeff Miller continues the conversation begun earlier this week by the Rev. Andrew O'Dell on the theme of waiting. How did Jesus' disciples spend their time during a season of waiting, and how might we imitate their example during our own present situation?...
There is much anger and shouting in the world around us. Certain words and concepts are repeated over and over. One particular word encompasses others and has taken root in the culture. That word is Diversity. The cry of the crowd is for “greater diversity,” that “diversity is our strength.” Diversity denotes the division of people into groups based on the differences between them. Current calls for diversity focus primarily on race, sexuality, gender, identity, age, class, and ethnicity....
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14.) The Rev. Andrew O'Dell is back from the mountains of North Carolina to share a message with you: When you are in Christ, waiting time is never wasted time....
Join us for worship on the Tenth Sunday After Pentecost, August 9! The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller will be preaching. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may watch at your convenience on our Vimeo Channel beginning at the same time. You may also watch on our YouTube Channel beginning at 8:15 a.m. ...
"Mortals, join the mighty chorus, which the morning stars began; Father-love is reigning o’er us, brother-love binds man to man. Ever singing march we onward, victors in the midst of strife, Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life." JJoin the Rev. Brian McGreevy this morning to hear the story of and inspiration behind "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," Henry Van Dyke's glorious hymn of praise that's set to "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's 9th Symphony....
"God loves you. He's on your side. He's coming after you. He's relentless." This morning, join the Rev. Marc Boutan on Wadmalaw and learn why he closes almost all of his devotions with this message, and listen to his offering of Stuart Townend's "The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)."...
Join us for worship on the Ninth Sunday After Pentecost, August 2! The Reverend Marc R. Boutan will be preaching. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may watch at your convenience on our Vimeo Channel beginning at the same time. You may also watch on our YouTube Channel beginning at 8:15 a.m. ...
"Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see: all I have needed thy hand hath provided-- Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!" In today's devotion, hear the story of Methodist minister Thomas Chisolm's hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," inspired by Lamentations 3:23-24, and the reason this hymn holds a special place in the Rev. Brian McGreevy's heart....
Hello, Tricounty Family Ministries family. This week’s numbers continued to decline, if only by a little. We served 153 families which supported the lives of 503 family members. Thanks to our amazing volunteers in the kitchen, we were able to share 304 cooked meals to-go, in addition to 88 sandwiches we shared. Our new method of clothing distribution is beginning to hum along. After many dedicated volunteers spent hours in the clothes room, we have finally been able to sort and bag almost all of the warm weather clothes so that we can share them with people in need. This Wednesday, we gave out 40 bags of either shirts or pants to both men and women, which amounts to 80 items of clothing!...
Earlier this summer, members of the Home Missions Team reached out to the Rev. Matthew Rivers, Pastor of partner ministry St. John's Chapel, seeking a dialogue about race and justice in the light of biblical teaching. This led to two meetings by Zoom of members of the Home Missions Team and members of St. John's Chapel, a mission of our Diocese that is predominantly an African-American congregation. ...
What is love? Join the Rev. Marc Boutan on Wadmalaw this morning as he explores that question using verses from Scripture and commentary from author Frederick Buechner, along with Johnson, Riddle, and Gifford's song "One Thing Remains." Higher than the mountains that I face, Stronger than the power of the grave, Constant through the trial and the change, One thing remains, one thing remains....
Join us for worship on the Eighth Sunday After Pentecost, July 26! The Reverend Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may watch at your convenience on our Vimeo Channel beginning at the same time. You may also watch on our YouTube Channel beginning at 8:15 a.m. ...
In this morning's devotion, take a look with the Rev. Brian McGreevy at "O Worship the King All-Glorious Above," another hymn that helps us focus on the attributes of God, find the words to praise God in our prayers, and fire our souls with the beauty, magnificence, and wonder of who God is. "O tell of his might and sing of his grace, whose robe is the light, whose canopy space. His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, and dark is his path on the wings of the storm."...
Join the Rev. Marc Boutan on Wadmalaw this morning as he illustrates the transformative power of God's love with stories, Scripture, and a song, "You Are My King," by Billy Foote. "I'm forgiven because You were forsaken. I'm accepted, You were condemned. I'm alive and well, Your spirit is within me because You died and rose again."...
Join us for worship on the Seventh Sunday After Pentecost, July 19! The Reverend Marc R. Boutan will be preaching. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may watch at your convenience on our Vimeo Channel beginning at the same time. You may also watch on our YouTube Channel beginning at 8:15 a.m. ...
Most people find it easy to take requests to God, to offer up what's in their hearts and minds...
The first day of June marked the official start of hurricane season and according to experts, the season is off to a historically fast start. Natural disasters are occurring more often and with more severity than ever before. According to the United States Geological Survey, more droughts and intense storms are expected. ...
What is the difference between the wrath of God and the love of God? Join the Rev. Marc Boutan on Wadmalaw today as he explores a hymn he has a personal connection with, Townend and Getty's "In Christ Alone."...
On July 9, 2020, the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, who has served as the Bishop of The Anglican Diocese of South Carolina since January 2008, announced his plans to call for a Bishop Coadjutor who will step into the role of Bishop of the Diocese at some time in the next 18 to 24 months....
Join us for worship on the Sixth Sunday After Pentecost, July 12! The Reverend Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may watch at your convenience on our Vimeo Channel beginning at the same time. You may also watch on our YouTube Channel beginning at 8:15 a.m. ...
Take a look this morning at the great hymn "O Word of God Incarnate" and its author William Walsham How, an Anglican priest who wrote his first hymn at the age of 12. O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky, We praise thee for the radiance that from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age....
"Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here." Visit with the Rev. Marc Boutan today as he considers the importance of contemplative prayer....
"Do you want to be made whole?" This is the question Jesus asked a man who had been sick for 38 years in John chapter 5. What does this miraculous sign point to in our own lives?...
In today's devotion, explore another of Charles Wesley's great hymns, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," which has some unexpected influences. "Pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love."...
Thank you, St. Philip's, for your generous support of our blood drive! The Red Cross set up in the Parish Hall yesterday from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. and collected 41 pints of blood. All 37 appointments were fully booked a week in advance. A few people were not able to keep their appointments, but walk-ins filled their spots. Members of the Home Missions Team coordinated the drive and provided volunteer support throughout the afternoon. ...
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship his holy name." Praise the Lord this morning with the Rev. Marc Boutan while exploring Psalm 103, one of Father Marc's favorite psalms, and the song "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" by Matt Redman. ...
Hello, Tricounty community. This past week we served record numbers of families. On Wednesday, we saw 186 families and at our first Second Saturday food distribution, we saw 73 families. We were blessed to be able to support so many families – over 800 people in their households! But now our food panty shelves are bare. We expect to receive black beans and cereal from the Food Bank this week. We are relying on you to provide other nutritious food....
"We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." (2 Corinthians 5:20) What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ? As we as ambassadors reach out across boundaries, how do we ensure we don't undermine our mission by being accidentally hurtful?...
Our names are engraved on the palms of our Lord's hands. Explore the permanence of God's love for us with Marc Boutan as he gives his musical offering, Charlie Lees Bancroft and Vikki Cook's "Before the Throne of God Above."...
A few years ago, I sat in a question-and-answer session with Jeff, who was still early in his ministry at St. Philip's. One question was about his vision for our church. Among other things, he talked about the importance of getting to know one another, practicing hospitality, the church being a family, and becoming the type of community where we “bear one another’s burdens.” ...
Explore with the Rev. Brian McGreevy today the great hymn "Lift High the Cross," including the background of its author, George Kitchin, and the inspiration behind it. "Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name."...
Today, Judge Edgar W. Dickson, Judge of the First Judicial Circuit in the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas, issued an Order finding that St. Philip’s did not accede to the 1979 Dennis Canon and is thus the owner of its property. He further found that no other Parish acceded to the Dennis Canon and thus no trust was ever created in favor of The Episcopal Church (TEC). This is the ruling for which we have been praying....
Join us for worship on the Third Sunday After Pentecost, June 21! The Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller, Rector, will be preaching. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may watch at your convenience on our Vimeo Channel beginning at the same time. You may also watch on our YouTube Channel beginning at 8:15 a.m. ...
The apostle Paul said in his letter to Timothy that "in later times, some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." When we look to our leaders in these turbulent times, and as we seek to be change-makers, how do we ensure we are aligning ourselves with movements that are walking in the way of the cross?...
“What is truth?” This question posed to Jesus by Pontius Pilate in John chapter 18 is still being asked today, with a myriad of answers and implications. What is the truth about truth, and what does it mean for Christians today?...
In today's devotion, learn about the text and tune of "Praise to the Living God," one of the great hymns of the church that actually has its origins in a Jewish doxology. "Praise to the living God! All praisèd be His name, who was, and is, and is to be, for aye the same!" ...
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! ...
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." In his final daily devotion, the Rev. Ryan Streett looks to Psalm 16:11 as he concludes 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....
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....
Join us for worship on the Second Sunday After Pentecost, June 14! The Reverend Andrew O'Dell will be preaching. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may watch at your convenience on our Vimeo Channel beginning at the same time. Starting this week, you may also watch on our YouTube Channel beginning at 8:15 a.m. ...
God loves the whole world and cares about every need, and he has put those cares, those little pieces of his heart, into the hearts of his children so that the needs of the world may be met. What is the Church's role in meeting the infinite needs of the world? What is YOUR role?...
The apostle Paul says in the third chapter of 2 Timothy that in the last days, "people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive ... treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power"...
"Amazing love, how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!" In today's devotion, learn about renowned British hymn writer Charles Wesley, who was the 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and who at least once worshiped at St. Philip's during a journey to the southern United States. Then reflect with the Rev. Brian McGreevy on Wesley's hymn "And Can It Be."...
We loved seeing your smiling faces at the drop-off point Tuesday morning! Thank you, St. Philippians, for another outpouring of love and support with canned goods and monetary contributions for Tricounty Family Ministries. Chef Connie Stahl was also able to clean out the fridge and freezer in the Parish Hall kitchen and donate casseroles and other items. We delivered one truck and three SUVs full of your donations!...
Continue cultivating a heart of worship by learning more about God, the object of our worship, focusing this week on Psalm 2 and God's sovereignty over our lives. "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession."...
Have you ever felt pushed out of your comfort zone into uncertainty and wondered whether God would be there to help? Reflect today on Psalm 91 and the song "On Eagle's Wings": And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His Hand....
Join us for worship on Trinity Sunday, June 7! The Reverend Ryan T. Streett will be delivering his final sermon at St. Philip's, "Crowned with Universal Praise," before he goes on to serve as rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, Mississippi. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may choose to watch on our Vimeo or YouTube Channel....
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." As we think about what's happening in the world around us, let us remember three things: to pray, to listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd, and to listen to the voices of those who are hurting....
In Matthew chapter 15, Jesus effectively diagnoses the problem in society and in the world: the corruption of the human heart. What does Scripture say is the cure? The responsibility lies with us as Christians: to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel, which alone can turn stony hearts into hearts of flesh....
Dearest People of God in the Anglican Church in North America: I write you with a tremendous heaviness in my spirit and soul as I observe and participate in what is happening today in the United States of America. If ever there is a time for the people of God to fall on our faces before God and plead for his mercy and intervention, now is the time. As believers, we are given the privilege of coming to the Throne of Grace with our petitions and requests, and he promises to hear us (1 John 5:14,15)....
"I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three." This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, and in today's reflection with Brian McGreevy, learn about the fascinating life of the often-misunderstood St. Patrick, who wrote the hymn most know as "St. Patrick's Breastplate."...
Hello, Tricounty supporters. I’m so grateful for the support we’ve received from so many of you. We could not continue this ministry without you. Responding to the initial threat of the virus was challenging, and now, as we cautiously start to reopen more of our services, we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people who are coming for the first time....
Would you like someone to pray with you, or would you like to request prayer for someone else?...
"For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps." Revisit with the Rev. Ryan Streett the theme of cultivating a heart of worship by learning more about the object of our worship, this time reflecting on Psalm 135:5-6 and God's omnipotence, his absolute power versus his ordained power. ...
A Message from the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina: Please keep the family and loved ones of the Very Rev. Dr. Peter Moore, Director of the Anglican Leadership Institute, in your prayers. Peter died on the Eve of Pentecost, May 30, following a battle with cancer. Details for a service have not yet been announced. The following is a message from the Rev. Al Zadig, Rector of St. Michael's Church Charleston, where Peter served as Scholar-in-Residence. ...
"You have forsaken your first love ... Repent, and do the things you did at first." (Revelation 2:4-5.) In today's devotion, the Rev. Marc Boutan reflects on the enthusiasm he expressed in his early days as a "happy-clappy" Christian....
Our preacher this Sunday will be the Rev. Brian K. McGreevy, and we will be celebrating Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, with Spiritual Communion. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may choose to watch on our Vimeo or YouTube Channel....
When the trials of this life begin to get you down, whatever those trials may be, remember the words of St. Paul in the 8th chapter of his letter to the Romans: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."...
"Come, thou fount of ev'ry blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace." Prepare for Pentecost by stepping back in time to the mid-18th century to meet Robert Robinson, the young troublemaker who would go on to write this great hymn....
We all want to be great. We all want to make a positive impact, no matter our vocation in life. But what does it mean to be great in the sight of the Lord? What did Jesus mean in Matthew chapter 18 when he said we must become like little children to be great in the Kingdom of God?...
If not for the pandemic, many in our parish family would have spent last weekend or a weekend coming up celebrating a loved one's graduation. There would be ceremonies: caps and gowns, deans and diplomas, confetti and car keys (maybe), kisses and hugs from family, and hugs and handshakes from the families of fellow graduates....
"Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in." On Sunday, we looked at the Ascension from the point of view of Jesus' departure (Luke 24), but today, see the Ascension from the point of view of his arrival at the gates of Heaven by looking at Psalm 24 with the Rev. Ryan Streett....
"Day by day, oh dear Lord, three things I pray: To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly..." Visit Wadmalaw Island and sing and pray along with the Rev. Marc Boutan today....
Our preacher this Sunday will be the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller, and we will be celebrating the Feast of the Ascension. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may choose to watch on our Vimeo or YouTube Channel. ...
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude." In today's devotion, take a closer look at the context of the familiar words of 1 Corinthians 13 and learn what St. Paul is telling us about the building up of the Church....
Today, on the Feast of the Ascension, the Rev. Brian McGreevy shares some unexpected facts about W. Chatterton Dix, who wrote the profoundly moving words of "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus" in 1866. Alleluia! not as orphans are we left in sorrow now; Alleluia! he is near us, faith believes, nor questions how: Though the cloud from sight received him, when the forty days were o’er, Shall our hearts forget his promise, “I am with you evermore”?...
What must a person do to be saved? Explore Acts chapter 16 with the Reverend Jeff Miller to find Saint Paul's answer to this most important question....
This spring I found a packet of tomato seeds in my desk drawer that was dated 2013. Someone had sent me the seeds in the mail as an advertisement for a survivor supply retailer. They were Heritage tomatoes of the Rutgers variety. Since my dad used to plant that kind every year, I decided to plant the seeds with very little thought that any of the "old" seeds would even sprout. I was not surprised that after a couple of weeks in the flat, I still saw nothing green. ...
Today, work again with the Rev. Ryan Streett at cultivating a heart of worship, this time exploring God's infinitude and our difficulty...
Join the Rev. Marc Boutan on Wadmalaw Island this morning as he shares his appreciation for the flavor of Celtic Christianity and its emphasis on the Trinity. Then sing along to the hymn "Be Thou My Vision," set to the familiar Irish tune "Slane."...
God said to his people, exiled from their homeland in Babylon, “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7) The Rev. Marc Boutan prayed these words in the conclusion to his May 17 sermon: ...
Our preacher this Sunday will be the Rev. Marc R. Boutan. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may choose to watch on our Vimeo or YouTube Channel....
Many are eager for our church to get back to business as usual. Join the Rev. Andrew O'Dell today as he reflects on moving forward faithfully, using Joshua 1:9 and Galatians 6:2 as a guide....
Today, take a closer look with the Rev. Brian McGreevy at the imagery of one of the great hymns of the church, one that dates as far back as the 6th or 7th century. Within the words of "At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing," you will find the explanation of God's love and the wonder of what Jesus accomplished on the cross....
Join the Rev. Jeff Miller for a reflection on John Chapter 12, verses 1-8: The Anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany. What can we learn from the example of Mary, the woman who was always found sitting at the Lord’s feet?...
“Hi, Miss Em!” “Hello, Carole!” “I like that painting behind you, Cam!” “Why can’t I see everybody’s faces?” “You have to click on gallery view.” “Are you really in Nebraska?” These are samples of conversations among those who joined the Rector's Thursday Bible study last week. Everybody was so happy to be together again, and many signed on early so that they could chat. At the end of the study another opportunity was given for people to visit. What joy we all experienced to be connected this way on the marvel of Zoom....
Knowing something about God, the object of our worship, is one way to begin to cultivate a heart of worship, and we can learn a lot about God through the psalter. Take a look at Psalm 27:4 with the Rev. Ryan Streett this morning and explore the beauty of God....
Dear St. Philip’s Family, This past week, Bishop Lawrence announced to the clergy of our diocese a new set of guidelines intended to direct the next phase of our worship planning in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines go into effect on May 17 for all parishes hoping to resume public worship. It is important to understand that these are guidelines and not a one-size-fits-all solution for every parish in the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. The following excerpts are of particular importance:...
In today's reflection, the Rev. Marc Boutan offers you Andrew Peterson and Ben Shive's "Is He Worthy?". "Does our God intend to dwell again with us? He does."...
Our preacher this Sunday will be the Rev. Andrew R. O'Dell. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may choose to watch on our Vimeo or YouTube Channel....
The apostle Paul said in his letter to Timothy: "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life." Join the Rev. Andrew O'Dell as he reflects on these different types of prayer and the importance of praying for ALL of our leaders....
On the National Day of Prayer, the Rev. Brian McGreevy shares the story of Henry Lyte, who wrote the great hymn "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" and many others following a revival of his faith....
Join the Rev. Jeff Miller today for a reflection on the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10. “It’s only because Jesus was the Good Samaritan to us that we are empowered and given the strength to be good samaritans to others.”...
I did it! I stepped out and volunteered my time and energy to help prepare food for the weekly giveaway at Tricounty Family Ministries. My job today: prepping peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to be given out tomorrow! Could there be a better job for a mother of three boys than prepping PB&J?...
"For you are with me." While people use many different psalms in times of trial and adversity, Psalm 23 is often reserved for the lowest valley, the sharpest pain. In today's reflection with the Rev. Ryan Streett, take a closer look at what's at the heart of this strong medicine for the weary soul....
God is a loving father, and he loves YOU. Today, the Rev. Marc Boutan shares the ways he stays in God's love, including reading his Bible as well as messages rooted in Scripture, and he offers up Pat Barrett and Tony Brown's "You're a Good, Good Father."...
Our preacher this Sunday will be the Rev. Ryan T. Streett. You may stream the service at the link below beginning a few minutes before 10:30 with the prelude, or you may choose to watch on our Vimeo or YouTube Channel....
The apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:12, "I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service." Check in today with the Rev. Andrew O'Dell, who is offering some encouragement and guidance to all, especially those whose well might be dry during these stressful times....
"I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine forever." In preparation for Good Shepherd Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, explore with the Rev. Brian McGreevy the history and meaning of the great hymn "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," a mixture of Psalm 23 and the great Good News of Jesus himself being our Shepherd....
Join the Rev. Jeff Miller as we read Mark 1:40-45 and consider the account of Jesus healing a man with leprosy. What does this story teach us about Jesus Christ, the Great Physician?...
St. Philip’s Children’s Choir program brings together almost one hundred children who actively serve the Lord in rehearsals on a weekly basis September through May. The joy and love of serving the Lord in song begins early at St. Philip’s with the three- and four-year-olds of the Cherub Choir. These children grow in their love of the Lord and in their service to the Lord in song throughout their many years in the choir program. During the last two years, the Canterbury and St. David Choirs were involved in mission trips, singing at the convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 22, 2018, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these choristers....
Explore with the Rev. Ryan Streett Psalm 119:9,11. We all know to use our Bible in the midst of trials and difficulty, but do you know that it's more important to use it as a tool in preparing for those times?...
"My grace is sufficient; my power is made perfect in your weakness." Join the Rev. Marc Boutan on breezy Wadmalaw Island as he illustrates the message of 2 Corinthians 12:9 with Dennis Jernigan's "You Are My All in All."...
I’m so excited to report to you that yesterday at our food distribution, we served 129 individuals by giving out 229 bags of groceries, along with toiletry kits and diapers, and helped to feed 420 people. But more than the numbers, the true story was in the faces of the people we served: the joy on the face of a mom who wasn’t sure if we would have diapers to share, the relief of a man who requested ready-to-eat food, the excitement of the kid who was riding his bike down our street and got to take groceries home to his family. We are making a difference, one life at a time, and that is how we will rebuild our community....
This morning, take a closer look with Brian McGreevy at one of the oldest Easter hymns, "That Easter Day With Joy Was Bright," which has been used in worship since at least the 8th century and is likely even older than that....
A note from Kara Stewart, Executive Director of Tricounty Family Ministries: I hope that you are all safe and healthy in these extraordinary times. Tricounty has experienced many challenges with the spread of the virus in our community. We shut down our services, including our food distribution, out of an abundance of caution. Most of our staff and many of our volunteers fall in the higher-risk categories, and so we wanted to protect everyone from this deadly virus. We have spent the last three weeks strategizing, learning more about the virus and its spread, seeking guidance on safety protocol, and thinking creatively about how we can pursue our mission to provide basic needs during this crisis....
John 14:26: "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." What does Scripture say about the Holy Spirit? John 14-16 tells you a lot. I suggest you study and meditate on these chapters. Here are a few more job descriptions to ponder: He is equal with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19-20). He has a mind and knows the will of God (Romans 8:27). He leads (Acts 16:10). He speaks (Acts 8:29). He loves (Romans 15:30). He prays for us (Romans 8:26). He is the Spirit of truth (John 14:17)....
For quite a while now, this small, humble poster (“laminated” with clear boxing tape) has been strategically positioned on a counter in our kitchen where we prepare tea and coffee. It’s been there long enough that I’ve forgotten the details of why I originally made it and placed it there. Time and again, it has caught my eye at just the moment when I am tempted to worry about someone or something....
On Thursday of Easter Week, explore with the Rev. Brian McGreevy how "Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain," a glorious hymn written by St. John of Damascus in the 700s, encourages us to live in the light and joy of the Resurrection....
If we are honest, I think it would be safe to say that most of us are focused on our own needs at this incredibly unpredictable and challenging time. Some are out of work, parents are having to homeschool for the first time, some are sick with the virus, and all of us are experiencing a level of uncertainty like none before. Yet while we here in America are facing this difficult time, let’s consider the level of need in the lands where we have beloved ministry partners...
I spent Maundy Thursday reading Exodus 11 & 12 plus the final chapters of the four Gospels, beginning with the Passover meal in Jerusalem celebrated by Jesus with his disciples that was his Last Supper, continuing on to his crucifixion and then concluding with his resurrection and ascension. In conjunction with the readings, I prayed for all of us and for our families and loved ones, that all may be protected during this time of disease, that the blood of the lamb shall “be on the houses where you are…and no plague will befall you to destroy you.” (Exodus 12:13)....
Dear Friends, As we continue our way through Holy Week, I trust you are benefitting from the Daily Devotions offered by the clergy. Although they are a far cry from the services we customarily offer, I hope you find them to be a blessing and encouragement. As I mentioned in an earlier communication, we will not be offering a Maundy Thursday service this year, but we will be broadcasting the Good Friday liturgy at noon tomorrow, April 10, and an Easter service on April 12 at 10:30 a.m. ...
On Maundy Thursday, explore with the Rev. Brian McGreevy one of the great hymns of the church, "Pange Lingua," which has been sung faithfully by Christians in the midst of plague, war, and every single horror the human race has endured since it was written in the year 569....
If you are anything like us, you are finding the Sunday morning St. Philip's services an enormous blessing during these days of uncertainty and isolation! At the end of a long week where bad news seems to abound, it has been so reassuring and comforting to hear some good news on Sunday mornings...
Dear St. Philip’s Family, During this time of isolation, the members of the clergy and staff want to stay connected with you and continue to meet your spiritual needs. We realize there is a great deal of anxiety and fear, and being separated from your church family can be particularly painful. In an effort to best serve you, we have compiled a questionnaire that we hope you will take the time to complete. Rather than speculate as to what you need at this time, we are eager to hear from you! ...
If there was ever a time to pray, it's NOW. There are so many things that need prayer coverage that it's hard to know where to start. First of all, it's vital that you start by enriching your own prayer life. During this time when we are quarantined at home, perhaps you can increase your dedicated time with Him in prayer....
In the midst of this time of uncertainty, I hope you are well. May you find safe shelter not only in “social distancing,” but especially in drawing close to Him who is our true Dwelling Place...
St. Philip’s is assembling a response team for our church members while we are all experiencing the challenges of COVID-19. This is a united effort of the Compassion Committee, the Home Missions Team, the Disaster Relief Committee, and our clergy. We are here to help each other!...
Dear St. Philip’s family, This past week of social distancing has been a surreal and difficult experience for the majority of Americans. Many are beginning to think that if the coronavirus doesn’t get them, “Cabin Fever” will. Not since World War II or the polio epidemic of the 1940s and 50s have the American people been so inconvenienced or threatened with long-term confinement and financial ruin. It reminds me of the following story shared by the Very Reverend Laurie Thompson, Dean of Trinity Seminary. ...
We celebrated Mission Sunday last week and had the opportunity to highlight the many ways that we as a congregation at St. Philip's are “doing mission,” or reaching out to others with the love of God in the name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mission is an integral part of what God calls us to do as Christ-followers. While the Great Commission is commonly thought to be the Bible’s one mandate to mission, if we read scripture carefully, we will hear God’s heart for the world woven powerfully throughout all of the Bible. Jesus’ command that we take the Gospel to those who have not yet heard it was not simply an afterthought at the end of his earthly ministry. It was a continuation of the message we find consistently throughout Scripture: God loves us. Despite our rebellion, He went to unfathomable lengths to make it possible for us to know Him and His great love for us and for us to be with Him for all eternity. ...
We dotted all our I's and crossed all our T's; we had every hair in place and all our ducks in a row, but we weren't prepared ... for breaking the Internet! Thanks to everyone who joined us for worship on Sunday! Even though the service didn't come to your living room in quite the mode we were expecting, you were unfazed, and most of us were able to worship together just as we'd planned. Praise God!! Here's a note we received from our streaming platform on Sunday afternoon: Church Online Platform When the Church broke the Internet. This is an unprecedented time for the global Church and for online ministry. For most churches running the Church Online Platform, services went smoothly, and we praise Jesus for the lives that were forever changed! For some churches, though, services went out around 9:15 a.m. CDT/10:15 EDT. In anticipation of the highest-traffic weekend in history, the team had done in-depth load testing and purchased additional server and database capacity to meet the projected demand. But, with today’s traffic, an unanticipated variable arose that caused some issues with chat and with pages loading....
Last Thursday, March 12, the jet landed in Charleston carrying our returning members of the St. Philip’s––St. Michael’s mission team to LAMB in Honduras. What a fantastic week! Mission accomplished: ninety dental patients treated––mostly children and some adult support staff––at the LAMB Children’s Home in San Buenaventura, and two buildings on site painted to completion. From an earthly perspective, the trip was a resounding success. It is, however, the spiritual blessings that each team member received that will remain with us forever. ...
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of this talk on a Wednesday evening at St. Philip’s, except that it would be relatively short and sweet. Really, the word “doubters” in the title caught my attention. I have many people in my life who question the Christian faith and some who claim to be atheists, so I attended hoping to pick up a few tools in defense of the faith that I love. I was not disappointed. Listening to Dr. Dickson of Sydney deliver his carefully concise message, his humor woven throughout with his Strayan accent and lingo, I was delightfully entertained. He discussed what exactly the basis of our Christian faith is and proceeded to clarify and dissect the Apostle’s Creed. Now, although I’ve been reciting the Creed since my youth, he explained some things I had never realized about the three fundamental beliefs in the Apostle’s Creed that unify all Christians....
Dear St. Philip’s Family, Yesterday afternoon, Bishop Lawrence ordered the closure of all churches in the Diocese for the next two weeks in an effort to comply with the government’s call for social distancing to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. In compliance with that directive, ALL activities at St. Philip’s Church are cancelled, effective immediately, through March 31. Like many of you, I am very disappointed that it has come to this–– especially during the Lenten Season––but I understand that extraordinary measures are required, and I fully support the decisions of those in authority. ...
Hello, Tricounty Family Ministries supporters. Due to the new information about the spreading virus, we have made the decision to suspend our normal services through the end of the month. All regular volunteer duties are suspended through March 31. We would like to be able to pass out emergency grocery supplies on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and we can set up a safe distribution area outside. Unfortunately, most of our regular staff and volunteers are over the age of 50 and at increased risk for complications due to the virus. In order to continue our grocery distribution, I am looking for volunteers who are under the age of 50 and in good health. ...
Dear St. Philip’s Family, We all share a justifiable anxiety about the threat posed by the spread of the novel coronavirus, and as your Rector, I want to assure you that we are monitoring the situation closely and saying our prayers daily. We are also taking some precautionary measures to ensure the safety and health of our parishioners in worship. We believe that God is the sovereign Lord of the universe and that none of this has taken Him by surprise, but we also recognize our need to be responsible citizens and to care for the most vulnerable members of our community. To that end, we will be implementing the following changes to our worship and parish schedule effective this Sunday....
“There is no way I could relate to or be effective with clients here.” That was my initial reaction when I finally agreed to go in to volunteer at the Lowcountry Pregnancy Center. After years of supporting them in other ways and then being encouraged to actually volunteer by a friend who had served on the board, I decided to answer that call with the idea that I could offer to do clerical volunteer services (a much needed offering). After an interview, when the director said she felt I was best suited to be trained as a volunteer counselor with the clients coming in for pregnancy testing and counseling, the above was my reaction. ...
Last Thursday, March 5, our St. David Choir, which is composed of mixed voices 7th-grade and above, sang the Welsh national anthem and other Welsh pieces at a banquet for the St. David Society at the Carolina Yacht Club for the 21st consecutive year, the 13th with director Jolene Hethcox. Along with the rest of St. Philip’s children’s choirs, this dedicated group will also be singing during the 10:30 service this Sunday, March 15. ...
Several hundred men from St. Philip’s, churches across the state, and as far away as Kenya attended the Christian Men’s Conference at Camp St. Christopher February 21-23. I was blessed to be among them. The theme of this year’s conference was “The Father’s Blessing,” and the goal was for the 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.” Anglican Chaplain to the Corps of Cadets at The Citadel Rob Sturdy, looking like an apostle with his full beard and long, bushy hair, brought a passionate and well researched message over four sessions. Rob talked about the cultural view of masculinity being precarious: hard to earn and easy to lose versus the biblical view of masculinity being a gift from God. He talked about God being present, proud, and pleased with his son, Jesus, when he was baptized by John and how this blessing is extended to each of us just because we belong to him....
Last Thursday night at the Country Club of Charleston, over 150 people gathered together in fellowship to celebrate 25 years of mission and ministry service on the island of La Gonâve in Haiti. Our “Friends of Haiti” sponsors and guests, who so graciously supported the event, viewed photos, heard stories and testimonials, sang songs, and celebrated the many blessings of St. Jean Baptiste’s sister-church relationship over the years with St. Philip’s Church, Haitian American Partnership Program, Inc. (HAPPI), Haitian Island Ministries (HIM), and La Gonâve Haiti Partners. ...
I went to Porter-Gaud Bible Study on Wednesday not just for pizza and an Australian accent, but also for the wise words of John Dickson. I am the type of person who tends to follow my head not my heart. Therefore, I found the intellectual logic and information that Dr. Dickson offered particularly satisfying....
Grandparents, are you ready to be encouraged and equipped to influence your grandchildren spiritually? To make them disciples of Jesus Christ and to get to know other grandparents who are doing the same thing for their own grandchildren? Join us on Thursdays following the Rector’s Bible Study as we pray and gather in small groups, using the Legacy Coalition’s guide, “Grandparenting Matters.”...
One day in late November, a staff member discovered a crab and a giraffe left behind in the Parlor. They were siblings––we could tell by the way they bickered with each other. We tried to find their home through Instagram, but no one came forward. Some weeks later, we tried again. Still no luck. Although they were doing well with us, clearly trying to be on their best behavior while finding ways to be helpful around the office, we knew they missed their family (and they themselves were surely missed!), so we tried one last time. ...
I had an amazing time at the March for Life even though I was a little nervous going into because I didn’t know everyone going with St. Philip’s (or the other 800,000 people who were there). Just as I arrived at the airport, I received a text saying that our flight was delayed but that we should still head on over, which was an interesting start to my experience. At the airport, we prayed as a group, took lots of pictures, said our goodbyes to parents and loved ones, and headed to our gate. We made it through security even though there was an extra L in Lily’s name on her boarding pass. At the gate, we played Spicy Uno (which is Uno with interactive rules like “no talking when someone puts down a 7” or “slap the pile when someone puts down a 6”) and Catchphrase. ...
Evangelism. Up until one week ago, I was scared of that word. It carries so much meaning, so much responsibility. On Sunday, January 20, Canon J.John came and spoke at the Rector’s Forum and preached that morning. While I was unable to hear his talk at the Rector’s Forum (I’m definitely listening to it this week!), I heard his sermon. It was so spirit-filling and encouraging that I knew I had to attend his talk the following Tuesday. ...
When my son was in a terrible car accident in 2011, his life was in the balance, and with one phone call, the St. Philip’s prayer chain was alerted and I was able to get many people praying fast. I believe that through these prayers and many more throughout his recovery, he was saved and is now healed. St. Philip’s has had a prayer chain for about the last twenty years, and many of us have taken great comfort in knowing that our situation is getting prayed over “right now.” But now we have a new and improved prayer chain....
If you know of a parishioner who is sick, hospitalized, homebound, or otherwise in need of pastoral care or prayer, please call the church office at (843) 722-7734. ...
In only the second game they've played (two were rained out and one was forfeited), the St. Philip's adult co-ed softball team, led by team captain Ryan "One-Way" Streett and manager Benjamin Singleton, notched their first win of the season last night! After being down 4-2 after the first inning, the Slayers brought in six runs against the Crushers, establishing a lead they never gave up. Congratulations, St. P's!...
Looking back on 2020, we can all say it was more than just a rough year. Vocabulary such as “pandemic” and “quarantine” became commonplace. We missed out on birthday celebrations, graduations, weddings, and funerals. Thanksgiving and Christmas looked very different with smaller family and friends’ gatherings....
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Wednesday, October 9, was a beautiful fall afternoon in Charleston! If you happened to walk down Church Street, you would have seen the Red Cross Blood Mobile parked between the church and the Parish House. You would also have seen some of St. Philip’s Home Missions Committee members checking parishioners in to give blood for St. Philip’s First Annual Blood Drive in pa...
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