Dear Friend, Welcome to St. Philip's Lutheran Church. We are so pleased that you have taken the time to visit our website. Several years ago, our congregation adopted a new mission statement: "As an inclusive and caring congregation our mission is to make disciples, praise God, and serve the community." The intent of this new mission statement was to refocus the work and ministry of our congregation on growth. We have sought to grow the number of people who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ in the world and in our congregation. We have sought to grow the style and variety of worship experiences on Sunday morning. And we have sought to reach out to proclaim the gospel to the world around us by touching lives where the need is the greatest.

What has resulted is a community of faith that is becoming ever more engaged in worship, prayer, learning, and service. We want to make what we do on Sunday morning and in small group studies relevant to our everyday lives whether that is at work, school, home, or wherever we interact with others.

Let me personally welcome you to visit us at any time, but particularly on Sunday mornings. After all, Sunday mornings demonstrate what we do best: learn, worship, pray, and serve.

Finally, my prayer is that this website will be a good introduction to our ministries and who we are as a congregation, but also that it would be interactive for you and for our members so that we might better communicate with one another and share the joy that is our faith in Jesus Christ.

I look forward to seeing you this week.

God's Peace,

Rev. Patrick V. Downes

Pastor