Rally Sunday has been moved to September 15. Please see the September 3 update below for this week's updated schedule.
Friday, September 6
Today, as we clear our yards of debris, move sandbags, and turn our porch furniture right-side-up, let us thank God for His protection from a storm which many feared would be catastrophic for the Lowcountry.
While we swiftly recover, though, the people of the Bahamas continue to suffer; 96% or more are reported to be without access to clean water. From Water Mission, one of St. Philip's world mission partners:
Clean, safe water is one of the most important needs for those affected by the storm. With little or no freshwater sources available, reverse osmosis is the only viable way to provide access to safe water. Our disaster response team is working with partners and local municipalities on the ground to mobilize and deploy a reverse osmosis unit capable of providing 10,000 gallons of safe, fresh water each day, as well as generators, water treatment packets, and other much needed supplies
St. Philippians, God is calling upon us to give generously to help Water Mission with these efforts to provide the survivors of this storm with the gift of clean water. And thanks to the Friess family of Texas, who has promised to match up to $1,000,000 in a grant for Water Mission's Hurricane Dorian relief efforts, your donation can have twice the positive impact.
Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you, St. Philip's, and thanks be to God.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
The clergy, staff, and congregation of St. Philip's pray God's blessing on the people of the Bahamas, and we pray that God's hand might steer the hurricane away from the southeastern coast of the United States:
Almighty God, by your Word you laid the foundations of the earth, set the bounds of the sea, and still the wind and waves. Surround us with your grace and peace, and preserve us through this hurricane. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, strengthen those who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill us with the hope of your new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2019 Book of Common Prayer, pg. 654
Dear St. Philip's family,
Due to the governor's mandatory evacuation order, the church office will close today at 1:30 p.m. and reopen Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. Although we expect Sunday's weather to be beautiful, we will be postponing Rally Sunday activities one week. This Sunday, we will have a single service of Holy Communion at 10:30 a.m. We will not have Sunday school, confirmation class, adult Christian formation, or Children's Church.
We understand that this comes as a disappointment, but we know that many of our families may not be returning to Charleston until Sunday, and it is important that we have as much of our church family present for this special day as possible. On September 15, we will worship and glorify God with a full congregation and all of the beautiful voices of the Canterbury and St. Philip's Choirs.
-
Bible studies, classes, and other programming scheduled to begin next week, including Wednesdays Alive! service/supper/classes and the Rector's Thursday Bible Study, will go on as planned. CLICK HERE for our discipleship brochure.
-
Tomorrow's Morning Prayer service, normally held at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel, is cancelled.
-
Tomorrow's men's lunch is postponed until next Wednesday, September 11.
-
Middle- and high-school youth group will resume this weekend, but there will not be supper. CLICK HERE to sign up for youth minister David Gilbert's email updates.
-
There will not be an inSPIRE or eSPIRE this week.
Our clergy are available in the event of a pastoral emergency:
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
UPDATED SCHEDULE
Sep. 6 ~ Middle School Youth Group, 6:00 p.m. (NO SUPPER)
Sep. 8 ~ 10:30 a.m. Worship (no 8:15 service)
Sep. 8 ~ High School Youth Group, 6:00 p.m. (NO SUPPER)
Sep. 9 ~ Regular weekly Bible studies, book studies, fellowship begin (see discipleship brochure for details)
Sep. 11 ~ Men's Lunch (12 noon in Parish Hall; CLICK HERE for info)
Sep. 11 ~ Wednesdays Alive! service, supper, classes resume (5:30 p.m.)
Sep. 12 ~ Rector's Bible Study resumes (12 noon in Parish Hall)
Sep. 13 ~ Middle School Youth Group (6:00 p.m. in Parish Hall)
Sep. 15 ~ RALLY SUNDAY
Sep. 15 ~ High School Youth Group (6:00 p.m. in Parish Hall)
