Philip appears only eight times in the Gospels, The Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (1:13) mention him but only the Gospel of John supplies us with any details (1:43-51). He was from Bethsaida,probably a fisherman, and he was a follower of John the Baptist. Jesus found Philip in Galilee and asked him to come with him. Philip's longest recorded speech came after spending the day with Jesus. Philip went to his friend Nathaniel and told him, "We have found the one whom Moses wrote in the book of the law, and of whom the Prophets also wrote. He is Jesus, the son of Joseph of Nazareth." A skeptical Nathaniel inquired what possible good could come from Nazareth. Philip replied, "Come and see." Philip also asks Jesus to show the Father to himself and the others to which Jesus' reply is recorded in John 14:8ff. We are not sure why the founders of St. Philip's Episcopal Church took Philip as their patron saint. Perhaps it was because their faith, like Philip's, was simple, practical, sincere, and approachable.
One hundred and fifteen years after the difficult task of building an Episcopal church in Beeville, we still find ourselves in a doubting, fearful world. We, the people of St. Philip's, will continue to answer such doubt and fear with the invitation fromthe Apostle Philip, "Come and see."
A Short History of St. Philip's Episcopal Church
Though not yet named, St. Philip's began on October 2, 1888, when Bishop Steptoe Johnston held the first Episcopal service in Beeville, in the Methodist Church. Inspired by the dynamic Bishop, these pioneer churchmen continued to hold services in various host churches. In 1893, they became a mission in the Diocese of West Texas, chose their patron saint and began building a church of their own. Although construction was not to be completed until 1911, the first service in St. Philip's Church was held on May 21, 1894. In 1951, after 58 years as a mission, St. Philip's was granted parish status with the congregation's first priest in residence. In 1993, the parish celebrated its centennial.
"COME AND SEE" our orderly approach to Spiritual Life.
Eucharist
The Eucharist, is an act of thanksgiving, has been the central act of Christian worship for over two thousand years.
All Christians, no matter the age or intellectual development, those who are baptized with water in the name of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are invited and are welcome to receive the bread and wine of our Eucharist.
The Church believes that the bread and wine bear the real presence of Jesus, for our and the world's benefit.
Eucharistic Services are held every Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 am in addition to other worship times.
No person led by God to receive the bread and wine will be turned away.
Baptism
Baptism is initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church.
Baptism ushers a person into the ministry of presenting Christ to the world in all that they do.
The bond with God established in Baptism cannot be undone.
It is appropriate to administer baptism with in the Eucharist on a Sunday and is preceded by personal preparation.
In the course of Christian development, those baptized at an early age are encouraged to make a public commitment to their baptismal responsibilities in Confirmation.
The same is true of those baptized as adults are asked to make a public affirmation in the sacrament of Confirmation.
The day and time of confirmation are determined by the availability of the Bishop.
The Bishop's visitation is normally once a year.
Marriage
Christian marriage is a public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God.
In the Episcopal Church requires that at least, one of the parties be a baptized Christian.
The ceremony is to be witnessed by at least two people and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church.
The couple is to engage in a series of prenuptial conferences before the marriage.
Memorial and Burial Services
These services are to Celebrate life, which finds its meaning in the resurrection of Jesus.
As Jesus was raised from the dead and we too are raised.
These services are characterized by joy, in the certain hope that neither death, nor life, nor principalities of any kind, can separate us from the love of God.
Joy does not make human grief unchristian.
The love we have for each other brings deep sorrow when our relationships are interrupted by death.
Jesus wept at the grave of his friend.
e have entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we share in the pain of those who mourn.
The burial service is usually conducted in the Church and arrangements are made through the church, rather than in the funeral home.
Reconciliation
The ministry of reconciliation was given by Christ to his Church and is exercised through the care that we as Christians have for each other.
Reconciliation is accomplished through common prayer of Christians assembled for public worship, and through the Church and its ministers declaring absolution.
The Reconciliation is available for all who desire it yet is not required.
It is not restricted to times of sickness.
Confessions of Reconciliation can be at any time or place.I
t is confidential, and for many people a normal part of a spiritually healthy life.
Appointments can be made for a individual reconciliation.
Healing
It was a ancient Jewish custom to offer prayer for the sick and to anoint them with olive oil, a common medicine of the time.
Holy Scripture commends this practice by the confession of sins, prayer, laying on of hands by the ordained ministers and the anointing with oil.
The act is sometimes called unction and is an act of Christ's Church for the benefit of the sick and may take place in either a public worship service or in private.
Anointing of the sick can be administered at anytime or place.
Together
Our Sunday services are at 8:30 and 10;30 a.m.
St. Philip's is a eucharistically centered parish celebrating the Eucharist as often as possible.
If you are a Christian, regardless of denomination or faith tradition, are invited to share communion with us.
If you have been baptized with water in the name of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are invited to partake in our communion.
We believe the bread and wine to bear the presence of Christ Jesus.
Any person, no matter the state of their faith, who is lead by God to receive the bread and wine will not be turned away.
An adult bible study class takes place Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in Chambliss-Braly Hall.
The adult class is mentored by Kinkier Handly, a local attorney, lay reader, and graduate of Education for Ministry (EFM is a coarse offered through the University of the South's School of Theology.)
On Wednesday, we have Evening Prayer at 6:30 pm.
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