Ministries
Love, Feed, Serve is not slogan; it is mission, it is purpose, and it is identity. St. Philip is an active community of faith, compelled by God’s grand gift of love to share that same love with others. We are intent upon sharing grace with local community through ministries like Elijah’s Backpack, Feast at Philips, Witnessing Paws, Community Day of Service, food drives for food pantry, meeting space for local organizations, and more. We are equally enthused about ministry across the state, the country and the world through ministries like the American Red Cross blood drives, global partnerships in Malawi, Africa, and more. In order to truly love, feed, and serve, St. Philip purposefully engages in ministry to LIVE LIKE THAT.
Faith Formation
Life following Jesus is a journey; a journey of relationship, discovery, and learning. St. Philip seeks to be a community that equips the saints to grow in discipleship along that journey. Check out the most recent newsletter for opportunities.
- For adults for bible study, book study, interactive devotions, and faith sharing.
- For children on Sunday mornings and other resources through a variety of media. Be sure to check out the children’s resource table just outside the sanctuary doors.
- For youth with regular monthly gatherings and retreats.
Elijah’s Backpack
Many families struggle to eat healthy meals and snacks every day. Elijah’s Backpack, a free community ministry sponsored by St. Philip Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia, helps families eat more healthy meals and snacks through their local elementary school.
Each Friday afternoon elementary school children receive a pack of healthy food and snacks in their backpacks. Elijah’s Backpack may include the following items: cereal, breakfast bars, oatmeal, juice, tuna kits, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter crackers, soup, apple sauce, fruit cups, ravioli, vegetables, milk, and other nutritious food.
Global Missions
The global missions team seeks to accompany our siblings in Christ throughout the world seeking peace, justice, and care of creation. We educate the community about the diverse needs of the world to which we all belong. We as Christians wish to share the many blessings that God has so graciously given.
Our current mission partner is Malawi, Africa. We are active in our partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malawi.
Grocery Bag Ministry
The need at St. Mark’s Lutheran Food Pantry continues to grow. With food insecurity a significant challenge in our local community, there is a constant need for pantry items. The goal of this partnership is to provide for those who may not have enough to eat while valuing those who participate with dignity and care. Needed items include hygiene products, paper products, and food of all kinds including perishables like eggs.
Day of Service
Each fall a crew from St. Philip connects with a local organization to provide the people power for projects that might enhance the ministry of the organization.
Witnessing Paws
We have gone to the dogs, horses, and cats! St Philip serves as an evaluation site for Pet Therapy Teams via Pet Partners, Inc.
Pet Partners is the leading national organization to serve as training host, registration, licensing, and outreach coordination for Pet Therapy Teams. Locally we have partnered with THERAPETS to share evaluator resources to support the renewal process for existing teams and also to establish new teams to engage in animal assisted interactions.
You may see teams volunteer their time in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement homes, hospice settings, schools, and at facility events. Miracles of compassion, healing, and wholeness truly take place as animals are guided to share their unconditional love!
Music Ministry
Following the tradition of Martin Luther, music is a very important part of worship. We emphasize the Word in the sung liturgy and hymns. We remember God’s love and grace so freely given through the risen Christ. St. Philip purposefully uses a wide variety of musical genres, instruments, and musicians to worship God blending traditional and contemporary resources.
The Altar Choir is open to anyone who enjoys singing. Rehearsal is on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. They offer an anthem each Sunday at the 9:30am service. There are also solos, duets and trios during the year. Contact music@stphiliplutheran.net and ask questions.
The St. Philip Praise Band leads worship monthly using a wide variety of instruments and more contemporary music settings.