Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; one and his truth enudreth to all generations.
-- Psalm 100
Worship
Sunday ServiceChoral Eucharist 10:00 a.m. fellowship hour immediately follows the service.
Children and Youth
Children of all ages are welcome at St. Philip's! Our church offers a variety of exciting programs enabling children and youth to participate in the life of the parish. In addition to the offerings listed below, children participate regularly in the worship by serving as ushers, acolytes and readers.
Christian Education
St. Philip's supports a strong program of Christian Education for our children. Sunday School provides children from 4 to 18 years old with religious education and the opportunity to discover new ways of expressing their faith. Children study the bible and church liturgy in age appropriate classes, enabling them to participate fully in the lesson, and to strengthen their spiritual development. Older children are encouraged to explore how the tenets of the bible can be applied in their lives. Classes meet at 9:45 a.m. in the Undercroft.
Children's Activities
The talents of our children play an important role in the life of St. Philip's Church. To support that talent and desire to participate, children are encouraged to take part in plays and musical performances during the Christmas season, Black History Month, Youth Sunday, and at other times throughout the year. In addition, our children enjoy fellowship by participating in trips to amusement parks, theaters, skating rinks and other events.
Youth Group
The Youth Group encourages young people to continue their service to the church and community by offering opportunities for planning, decision-making and honing leadership skills that enable them to become productive adults and Christians. The Youth Group also provides the teenagers at St. Philip's with fellowship through a variety of recreational activities. They meet on the second Sunday of each month following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. The Youth Group at St. Philip's is also actively involved in retreats, workshops and other events sponsored by the New York Diocese.
Acolytes
The Order of St. Vincent is open to youth and adults of the parish. Acolytes assist the clergy in leading worship by lighting the candles in the sanctuary and nave, carrying the cross and torches in the procession and helping prepare the altar for Holy Communion. Serving as an acolyte provides young people with the opportunity to enrich their lives by assisting in the life of the church.
Youth Music Program
Our music ministry provides many opportunities for children and youth, from kindergarten through high school, to develop and express their musical talents. Contemporary and gospel music is performed on occasional Sundays by an enthusiastic group of teenagers. Children also participate in the Handbell Choir.
Junior Daughters of the King
The Junior Daughters of the King is an Order of girls from 7 to 18 years old, who are under the leadership of the Daughters of the King.
Sunday School
Children from infants to age 18 are welcome. Children up to age 3 can participate in the day care cooperative from 10:00 A.M. in the undercroft. Children age 4 and up can participate in class each Sunday at 9:45 A.M. in the undercroft.
Counseling & Pastoral Care
Counseling and pastoral care services are available for the troubled and distressed. Counseling before and after marriage, and for problems stemming from any social, vocational, or emotional changes in life, is provided by a member of the clergy. Additional pastoral services are provided upon request in nursing homes and in hospitals.
Church Ministries and Groups
Parish Organizations
- Brotherhood of St. Andrew
- Business and Professional Women
- Candace Organization Credit Union
- Credit Union
- Cultural Affairs Committee
- Daughters of the King
- Discovery & Recovery
- Episcopal Church Women
- Greeters Committee
- Health Care Committee
- St. Philip's Jazztree
- Junior Daughters of the King
- Kaleidoscope Group
- Music Committee
- Order of St. Vincent
- Parish Men's Association
- Public Relations Committee
- Women's Day Committee
- Willing Workers
Guilds
Altar Guild
is responsible for the care, maintenance and preparation of the altar for all services, and the preparation of the Elements for Holy Communion.
St. Anne's Guild
takes care of the choir vestments.
Guild of the Christ Child
prepares parents and sponsors for Baptism.
St. Monica's Guild
prepares and robes the acolytes for each service of worship.
St. Theresa's Guild
orders and arranges the flowers on the altar in accordance with the seasons of the liturgical year.
Rector's Guild
is responsible for supplementing the Rector's Discretionary Fund.
Tither's Guild
promotes the Biblical standard of tithing (giving 10% of one's income) as the standard of giving in the Church.
Usher's Guild
facilitates the smooth operation of liturgies by managing seating, offertory and communion.
Parish Organizations & Guilds
Brotherhood of St. Andrew
is committed to studying God's work, praying, visiting the sick, and giving service to the whole church. Its ministry includes such activities as prison ministry, hospital visitations, home visitations and feeding the hungry.
Business and Professional Women
are active in community affairs.
Candace Organization
plans fellowship and fund raising events.
St. Philip's Church Federal Credit Union
was organized in 1951 to enable parishioners of St. Philip's Church to invest their savings and obtain credit on affordable terms. Responding to the difficulty faced by many African-Americans in saving or borrowing money at commercial banks, the founders of the Credit Union started the organization with only $100. The Credit Union is a federally-chartered financial institution. All deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Over the years, the Credit Union has grown to over $1.5 million in assets. Its mission is to encourage thrift among its members, and to assist them in developing a sound financial understanding. Membership in the Credit Union is open to all members of St. Philip's Church. Parishioners can earn competitive rates on their savings, and borrow at reasonable interest rates for a variety of purposes.
The Credit Union is affiliated with St. Philip's Church, but is independently managed by a Board of Directors composed of eight members of the church. The Credit Union is open on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 12:00-2:00 p.m Cultural Affairs Committee encourages interest and participation in African American arts and literature.
The Daughters of the King
is an Order of women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, or churches in communion with it, and churches with the historic Episcopate organized in 1885. Every Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of study, prayer, service, and personal evangelism, dedicated to the extension of Christ's kingdom and to the strengthening of the spiritual life of her parish. Each member wears the emblem of the Order, a silver Greek cross, at all times. The initials FHS, at the base of the cross, remind them that everything is done "For His Sake." Junior Daughters of the King includes girls up to 18 years old (scroll down for more info).
The St. Philip's Chapter of the Order was chartered on June 10, 1935. It was the first African-American chapter in New York City. Today, their mission focuses on hospitality, evangelism and service. Members of the Order participate in church-related activities such as preparing breakfasts, providing refreshments for the fellowship hour, assisting with Baptisms and other special activities of the church. Daughters from the St. Philip's Chapter have also been active in the National Council, Provincial Region 2, and the Diocesan Assembly of New York City.
Discovery & Recovery Committee
recovers former members of St. Philip's who have not been attending church and encourages new membership from among visitors, friends and family.
Episcopal Church Women
support the missionary work of the church and participate in programs for spiritual growth throughout the world.
Greeters Committee
greets visitors to the church and follows up their visit with information about the church.
Health Care Committee
provides information and plans programs on health issues facing our congregation and community.
Junior Daughters of the King
is an Order of girls from 7 to 18 years old, who are under the leadership of the Daughters of the King. These devoted girls commit themselves to the same promises of study, service, prayer and personal evangelism as do the adults. Junior Daughters assist the Daughters with hospitality and participate in other activities, such as the Christmas Toy Drive. Being a Junior Daughter provides girls with an opportunity to assist with activities in the church, and to participate in strengthening the spiritual life of the parish.
Kaleidoscope Group
assists the church in planning for constructive change in order to meet the challenge of theological, liturgical, gender, generation, and ethnic diversity today.
Music Committee
assists the minister of music, clergy, and choir in continuing the tradition of promoting the highest caliber of music in worship and outreach to the glory of God.
St. Philip's Jazztree,
started in August 1988. The mission is to bring live jazz back to the Harlem community and expose the younger generation to a true American art form. Concerts are held four times a year (check calendar for dates) from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Undercroft of the church.
Order of St. Vincent
is responsible for performing special duties as acolytes and assisting priests during the liturgies. The Order is open to adults and youth of the church.
Parish Men's Association
unites the men of the parish in a bond of love and fellowship that will magnify the glory of God. Its ministry includes such activities as hosting the pancake supper and church cookout, and holding fundraising events to benefit the church.
Public Relations Committee
compiles information and current events for publication of the church newsletter and assists the church in the preparation of brochures and press releases.
Willing Workers
are responsible for hospitality at special events at the church.
Women's Day Committee
plans programs for Women's Day at the church.
A Tradition of Mental Health Services
St. Philip's has an historic legacy in the Harlem mental health community. In 1946, the LaFargue Clinic in the basement of St. Philip's was the first psychotherapy center in the world to provide services to African-Americans. Weston United was created in 1979 as a grassroots effort by community members with expertise in housing and mental health. The agency was formalized in 1985 by its namesake, the late Rev. M. Moran Weston, Ph.D., the 6th rector of St. Philip's, who formed the organization's board of directors with the church's lay leadership
