Another Rally Sunday is in the books, and what a glorious day of worship and fellowship it was! Children and youth kicked off the day with their first session of Sunday school, while adults gathered in the Parish Hall for a ministries fair, enjoying coffee, breakfast treats, and fellowship while adding their names to sign-up sheets. We can’t wait to see  fresh and returning faces ushering, reading lessons, acolyting, supporting our mission partners, and making coffee! (On that note, we hope someone other than the Rev. Andrew R. O’Dell signed up for occasional coffee duty, because the best he can do while his Foundations class is in session is sample the coffee, and the Perky People need folks who can  actually make the coffee.)

.  

Worship greatly glorified God with bagpipes, brass, and beautiful choral music featuring the St. Philip’s Choir and our 4th–12th-grade choristers, along with violin accompaniment by Paul Reese, who recently joined the music ministry team as Assistant Director of Music and Organist. Our rector, the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller, preached on Matthew 18:1–4, in which Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” While many of us feel secure in our routines of affirmation––of weekly worship, speaking the words of the Creeds, and staying involved in the life of our church, for example, all of which are indeed important––that affirmation means nothing without transformation. We must be transformed by the Holy Spirit from selfish, self-interested men and women into children of God who seek nothing but the Glory of the Father.

Following the service, we enjoyed our traditional Rally Sunday meal: Jimmy Hagood’s BBQ and Chef Connie Stahl’s delicious sides and famous cookies! The rain that had been falling during the service had moved away, so the children were able to bounce around to their hearts’ content in the jump castle, even pulling bunches of balloons in with them while gleefully chanting, “No grown-ups allowed!” (Don’t worry, kids––no offense taken, we suppose?) Yes, it was a spectacular day for all, and one parishioner said of the music, sermon, and fellowship: “Just have to pinch yourself as to how incredibly blessed we are!”

Rally Sunday marks the official opening of our 2023–2024 programming––keep an eye on your inSPIRE and get ready to add to your calendar. We’ve got so much great stuff heading your way!

View more pictures on Facebook