SOLES FOR SOULS SHOE DRIVE

               FEBRUARY 14^TH – MARCH 28^TH

  We will continue to collect new or gently shoes throughout Lent.  Please include $1.00 per pair to help cover shipping cost.  Cash donations are also being accepted to help with shipping cost.  For more information contact Millie Hart at 457-5643.

PARISH TRIP TO NEW BERN

SATURDAY, APRIL 17^TH

On Saturday, April 17^th we will depart for a day long trip to New Bern, NC.  We will tour the Tryon Palace, visit historic Christ Church and enjoy a 1 ½ hour trolley tour of historic New Bern.  Bus transportation will begin at 7 AM departing from and returning to the Howe Street side of Wal Mart parking area.  Your check in the amount of $50 made payable to St. Philip’s with “New Bern Trip” in the memo is your reservation.  Deadline is March 15^th.  You may place your check in the alms basin, deliver to the parish office or mail to P.O. Box 10476, Southport, NC  28461.  For more information contact Elsie Hinkhouse at 910-278-1695. **$50 Payment does not include the cost of lunch at Chelsea Restaurant.

Reminder. . .EASTER LILY MEMORIALS ARE DUE MARCH 21^ST. 

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INTERCHURCH FELLOWSHIP LENTEN SERVICES

The Southport Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship will sponsor services each Wednesday during the first six weeks of Lent, beginning Ash Wednesday, February 17^th.  Services begin at noon, and host churches serve a light lunch afterward.   The Lenten worship schedule is as follows:

March 10^th – First Baptist Church of Oak Island

Speaker (Reverend Ray Murray)

March 17^th – St. James AME Zion Church, Southport

Speaker (Reverend Charlie Carter)

March 24^th – Southport Presbyterian Church

Speaker (Reverend David Williams)

VOCATION DAY - March 13^th, 2010

Ever given any thought to whether you might be called to ordained ministry?  Have you ever wondered about what a vestry person actually does?  Do you know what 'SWEEPS' stands for?  Did you know that the Episcopal Church has religious orders and communities?  Want to know more about the Stephen Ministry, our newest endeavor in Pastoral Care?  Did you know that there are openings for interested laity on many of our diocesan and Episcopal Church commissions and committees?

On Saturday, March 13th, from 9-Noon in St. Philip's Parish Hall we will answer those questions and more.  You are invited to join us as we take a more comprehensive look at the many opportunities to serve in Christ's Church.  If you're interested, please call the church office at 457-5643, so we can have some idea of how many we need to prepare for.  Coffee and refreshments will be provided.

Do You Enjoy Knitting?

St. Philip's prayer shawl ministry group meets at 10:00 AM on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays in the Parish Hall.  The gathering is open to all, but if it doesn't fit your schedule or you are unable to attend, you can still participate.  You can knit or crochet shawls and drop them at the church office.  Shawls should be of washable material and approximately 17 to 22 inches wide and 50 to 70 inches long.  While making this shawl may seem like a small gesture, this special ministry repeatedly receives messages that wearing or holding their prayer shawl makes the recipient feel calm, peaceful and strengthened.  Please join in to reach out to people in times of need.  Knit one, purl one, comfort one.  For additional information please contact Evelyn King (278-3220) or Danice Paxton (253-5230).

SPRING FORWARD – SUNDAY, MARCH 1

4^TH

Daylight savings time begins Sunday, March 14^th so remember to set all of your clocks forward by one hour Saturday night before you retire or you will be late to church services Sunday morning!  This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

2010 BAZAAR

An enthusiastic 2010 St. Philip’s Bazaar committee had their first meeting this past week and set the date for the annual event as October 2^nd, 2010.  That may sound like a long time away but not to this group.  Some workshops are already being organized.  We are eager for your input and ideas for any new crafts or workshops.  We need you!  Please consider helping in any way you can.  Contact Cathie Courtnage at 253-9159 or ccourtnage@ec.rr.com.

RECTOR’S FORUM TOPICS

We continue our study on Sunday morning with a series of short 12-15 minute DVD’s dealing with contemporary, every day life, issues for Christians.  Unlike past generations, we now live in a world where we can generally get anything we want, from anywhere in the world, whenever we want it.  Still, our lives, and the challenges we face, are not that much different than those of our ancestors.  What is different, is our time.  We want spiritual direction, but it has to be real for us in our new, technological world - and available when we need it.  The DVD’s we will watch, and then share our response to, are part of a new ‘emerging church’ approach to the challenges inherent in finding God relevant and present in our 21^st century lives.

Sunday, March 7^th – No Class “Rector on Vacation”

All classes will meet in the Parish Hall at 9:15AM unless otherwise indicated.

GIFT NOOK

The Women’s Group is proud to announce the establishment of a “Gift Nook” in the Bell Tower Narthex.  We will be using the breakfront for our display.  We will be offering the Book of Common Prayer, 2 books about baptism, 2 books of prayer for young children and a

 teen prayer book.  We will have birthday, sympathy and Christmas cards. We will also have various note cards and bookmarkers.  Use of the Gift Nook will be on the honor system and we ask for exact change or a check.  Please make checks out to St. Philip’s Women Group.   Please take a few minutes to come by the Gift Nook.  For more information or questions please call Heather Adams 253-9392.

 FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS NEEDED

The Southport Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship Food Pantry is currently in need of donations.  The food pantry accepts non-perishable food items (canned fruits and vegetables, rice, pasta, soup, etc.) and paper goods.  If you can, please help those that are in need.  Donations may be dropped off anytime at St. Philip’s office or before service on Sunday.  For more information call 269-1034.

BE A BIG BUDDY. . .

If you are interested, have the time, motivation, skills, and the heart to help less fortunate local grade school kids, please read on.  We are getting a new program off the ground called "Big Buddy"!  This is a chance to turn on the light in a child's life that otherwise, most likely, jhoppin1@aol.com.

will be filled with darkness. We need adults that will work one-on-one with a child 2 hours per week.   We are looking for male and female volunteers.  Please contact Jim Hopkins at 910-755-6900 or email me at

COMMUNION AT HOME

If you cannot come to church, church can come to you. Parish members who are Eucharistic Visitors bring Sunday communion to homes and assisted living residences regularly. They would be glad to include you. Some receiving communion where they live make one-time requests; others are regulars. If you would like communion brought to you or a family member, please call the Parish Office 910-457-5643.

St. Philip’s Now Has An Established Endowment Fund

With an endowment gift, you can be a part of the future mission and ministry of St. Philip’s.  It is easy to make an endowment gift.  It can be done with a current gift or one at your death by putting a provision in your Will or Trust, or by a beneficiary designation of a portion of your retirement account or life insurance policy, or by any number of other creative ways.  For more information please contact the church offic

On Sunday, March 21^st, at 9:15 AM (between morning services) Father Barry will host an information session for our next Newcomers/Confirmation Class.  Anyone who has recently joined St. Philip’s, has not yet been confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, or is simply interested in brushing up on who they are as Anglicans/Episcopalians, is invited to attend.