Episcopal Church of the Advent, Spartanburg

Begin your Independence Day in prayer, thanksgiving, and worship.

As our nation marks its 250th year, join us for Holy Eucharist as we give thanks for our country and pray for its people. We invite you to gather with us on Saturday, July 4, at 10:15 AM in the Church Nave as we celebrate God's blessings and seek God's peace for our nation and the world.

"Heal us... Forgive us... Inspire us... Enlighten us... Renew us." is taken from the Book of Common Prayer, page 838, "Thanksgivings for National Life - #5 For the Nation" as our responses in the prayers.

This Sunday Services: 8:00 & 10:15 AM

As we continue to reflect on the stories of Hebrew scripture that shape us, we have an opportunity to consider those whose names are less familiar - and those whose place in history is often overlooked. This week’s reading tells the story of Hagar - a slave of Sarah - and of Ishmael - Hagar’s son fathered by Abraham.

We know little of her story. Even the meaning of Hagar's name is uncertain, but scholars have proposed several possibilities.

The most common interpretation is that Hagar may be related to an Egyptian word meaning "flight" or "fugitive," which is striking given her story of fleeing into the wilderness. Others suggest it may mean "stranger" or "sojourner," reflecting her status as an Egyptian living among Abraham's family and later as an outcast wandering in the desert.

Because the name's exact origin is not known with certainty, most biblical commentaries are cautious about assigning a definitive meaning. However, the themes associated with the proposed meanings fit Hagar's life remarkably well. She is a foreigner, a displaced person, and one who experiences exile and wandering. Yet she is also the recipient of God's care and attention.

More significant than the meaning of her own name is the name she gives to God in Genesis. After encountering the angel in the wilderness, Hagar calls God El Roi, which means "the God who sees me." This is one of the most moving moments in Scripture. Hagar, a servant with little social status, discovers that she is fully seen and known by God.

For many readers, Hagar's legacy is therefore less about the uncertain meaning of her name and more about her testimony that God sees those who feel invisible, forgotten, or cast aside.

Mtr. Paula+

A Way Home is at The Advent next week, and we need your help!

We especially need helpers for Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday.

Sign up today and join us in offering meaningful hospitality and care to these families as they journey from crisis to stability. Your presence can make a lasting difference.

Sign Up: https://churchofadvent.org/a-way-home/

🚨 Worship Location Change for This Morning, June 14

Due to bees that have made their way into the church, all worship services this morning will be held in the gymnasium of the Parish & Community Life Center.

Please come directly to the Parish & Community Life Center when you arrive. Thank you for your flexibility as we address this situation, and we look forward to worshiping with you this morning.

This Sunday services: 8 AM & 10:15 AM

God’s covenants are a central theme throughout the Bible, revealing God’s relationship with humanity, God’s faithfulness, and God’s plan for redemption. A covenant is a sacred agreement between God and people, often including promises, responsibilities, and signs.

As we continue to hear the story of Abraham, we will read of God’s covenants once again.
God later made covenants with Abraham, promising to make him the father of a great nation, to bless all nations through his descendants, and to give his offspring the land of Canaan. The covenant with Abraham is significant because it lays the foundation for the history of Israel and the broader biblical story.

We read the story and know the proverbial “rest of the story.” Abraham and Sarah did not have that luxury. Scholar Walter Brueggmann says this story reminds us just how difficult keeping faith can be. He says faith is a scandal. “Faith is not a reasonable act which fits into our normal life.” Because of the character of God and because of the saving love of Jesus Christ, wonderful things are possible—but we often have to stay through the dark night of our barrenness with God trusting that the God who has been faithful in the past will be faithful in the future.

Mtr. Paula+

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for worship, the Bell Tower Entrance, Cloister Entrance, and South Transept Entrance will be locked five minutes after the start of each Sunday morning service – at 8:05 AM for the 8:00 AM service and at 10:20 AM for the 10:15 AM service.

You are always welcome to enter through the Front Entrance of the church or the Pendleton Hall Entrance, where ushers or greeters will be available to assist you as needed. Please note that the locked side doors will not be opened from the inside during the service, so we kindly ask that you do not knock on those entrances.

For those who may benefit from additional accessibility, the Pendleton Hall Entrance is equipped with an automatic door operated by a push-button opener, providing easier access for individuals with mobility needs.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. We look forward to worshiping with you!

This coming Sunday, our scripture lessons will present us with two call stories – the call of Abram (Genesis) and the call of Matthew the Tax Collector (Matthew). What a wonderful pairing of text for us to wrestle with as we begin our Summer Series, The Stories That Shape Us. And I can’t think of a better way for us to begin a series about how God works through people and their “call stories” than to have one of our very own – Laura Jennings Estevez – share with us her call story. Like Abram and Matthew, Laura heard/felt/sensed that God was calling her to a special place at a special time to participate in God’s holy work. She and her husband Jorge are leaders of Second Chances Ecuador in Quito, Ecuador, which partners with Education Equals Hope.

Laura will be preaching at both services this Sunday, and in between the services, she will offer a presentation on what God’s Holy Spirit is up to in Ecuador (9:10am in the PCLC Dining Room A). I can’t wait for us to hear and see and experience how God raised up this child from The Advent and sent her into the mission field to share and experience God’s almighty power, love, and grace.

See you Sunday!

Fr. Richard+