Ministries and Fellowship Groups:
Acolytes - The acolytes are the young people who assist during the service by caring for such duties at lighting and extinguishing the candles, receiving the offering plates, and assisting the celebrants ministering at the altar and in the sanctuary. If you are interested in joining the acolyte group. Please speak with Rev. Lisa or call the parish office at 847-358-0615.

Altar Guild - The altar guild is an essential ministry in every church. The members are appointed by the rector, and their main purpose is to serve the rector by assisting him and help prepare all those things necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist. They are the back stage crews, so to speak, for all the church services. At St. Philip's we are fortunate to have such loyal, dedicated and caring members who work diligently every week for the glory of God.

Choir - We are currently experiencing a growth in our choir and are eager to welcome anyone who would like to join us. Rehearsals are usually on Thursday evenings, and if you play an instrument please let us know so we can include your talents in our plans. We welcome new choir members all year long, please speak to Rev. Lisa or to Cindy McIntosh.

Green Thumbs - The green thumb group meets twice a month from March to October and gives its talents to keeping the grounds of St. Philip's looking their best. Over the past several years we accomplished many projects, including: building 2 compressed pebbled meditation areas near the park benches, added plantings in the meditation garden to supplement the Serenity Walk and Meditation Garden, kept all the bushes and trees pruned, planted seasonal flowers in the pots and near the Wood St. entrance portico. Any parish members who would like to contribute time and talent for the beautification of St. Philip's grounds are welcome to join us.

Greeters and Ushers - The greeters and ushers are responsible for greeting our members at the entrance of the church, handing out the program for the service, and passing the collection plates during collection. We have had a very successful year, thanks to those who have volunteered their services for this program. We welcome any newcomers who would like to serve on this program, and could always use more greeters for the 8:00 am service! Please speak with Rev. Lisa or call the parish office at 847-358-0615.

Lay Readers - The lay readers are those volunteers who serve our Lord weekly during the service by reading the Scripture Readings for each service, the intercessory prayer for each service, and assisting during communion by acting as chalice bearers. We have a variety of vested lectors, first and second chalice bearers, first and second readers, youth readers and intercessors. Our services could not go on without their assistance! We also have licensed Eucharistic ministers who assist in serving our shut-ins. Please speak with Rev. Lisa or call the parish office at 847-358-0615.
 
Catechesis of the Good Shepard - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a religious education program for children. It was started in Italy and has been heavily influenced by the Montessori method. This is a hands-on, low-keyed approach, but is highly structured.
Part I centers on The Good Shepherd Story and is for three- to six-year-olds.
Part II centers on the True Vine and is for six- to eight-year-olds. It builds on what was covered in Part I.
Part III centers on God’s Plan and builds on the previous two programs. It is designed for nine- to twelve-year-olds. Saint Philip’s Church has been offering the program long enough to have had children come all the way through all three levels of the program.

Beginning on the 3rd Sunday of September, all three levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd are offered. This coincides with the 10 AM service for adults, which includes music and hymns. A nursery is also provided at the time of this service. Coffee Hour follows the 10 AM service.

Youth Group - The youth group is formed of both the junior and senior high students in the parish.  Please speak with Mark Raymond or Christine Moore about participation in this group.

Outreach:
The Angel Tree and the Apple Tree - The Angel Tree is a ministry that St. Philip's Church supports in conjunction with the Palatine Township Authority and a number of other churches in the northwest community around Palatine. Local community service agencies obtain names of needy families that require assistance in providing Christmas gifts for themselves and their children. St. Philip's makes up "angels" with each request on one angel. These are hung on a tree for parishioners to look over, select, and buy the requested gift. The gifts are brought to St. Philip's where they are then taken to the local public service agency for distribution to the needy family. About 125 to 150 gifts are purchased by the parish every year. In the fall we do much the same thing with "apples" on a tree which carry requests for school supplies for needy children.

PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) - PADS is a coalition of area churches which provides food and shelter to the homeless from October 1st to April 30th of every year. Our church facility is not used for this program, but members of our congregation volunteer their services at various church sites.

Palatine Township Food Pantry - There is a special container in the back of the church that holds donations to Palatine Township Food Pantry. Volunteers transport the food items from Saint Philip's to the township building. The second Sunday of every month is dedicated

Food for the Poor - This year we have begun supporting Food for the Poor, an organization which provides food and shelter for needy families in third world countries.