Ministries | St. Paul's Episcopal Church

INTERNAL Ministries:

These are ministries contributing to worship and life at St. Paul's.

Altar Guild

The primary purpose of the Altar Guild is to prepare the altar for Sunday morning by assisting the Rector in preparing for worship. All men and women who have been confirmed in the Episcopal Church are eligible for membership.

Altar Guild members are assigned to a team and instructed in procedures and terminology, the church seasons and colors, vestments, linens, sacred vessels, and parish procedures in preparing the church for worship.

To participate, or for more information, please contact the church office at at 903-455-5030 or .

Altar Service (Lector, LEM (Lay Eucharistic Minister), & Acolyte)

Members of the congregation are encouraged to take an active role in the worship at St. Paul's by reading the Old and New Testament Lessons, the Psalm, and the Prayers of the People; carrying the candles in the procession; assisting at the altar; and coordinating the service as lectors, acolytes, and eucharistic ministers.

To participate, or for more information, please contact the church office at 903-455-5030 or .

Bible Study (7:00 p.m. Wednesday Nights)

We meet in Clardy Parish Hall for pizza, followed by 30-45 minutes of Bible Study. Led by David and Lisa Gish, well known public educators from Greenville, this group is relaxed and friendly. Study focuses on specific chapters of Scripture in its entirety. Ongoing since 2001. Check events calendar for dates and times.

To participate, or for more information, please contact David Gish at

Daughters of the King (Prayer service)

The Order of the Daughters of the King is an order for women of the Episcopal Church and churches in communion with it, with a focus on prayer and service. St. Paul’s Chapter currently has 17 members and meets the third Saturday of each month in the Parish Hall at 9:00 AM. Visitors are welcome.

A sign-up sheet for the monthly DOK prayer list is in the church entry (narthex) every Sunday. To participate, or for more information, please contact Suzanne Taylor at

choir and musicians

To participate, or for more information, please contact David Gish at

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN - ecw

We are Episcopal Church Women of all ages, ethnic origins, and socioeconomic backgrounds who hold various views. However, the common denominator of our members is the love of God and the wish to do His work. We are focused on creating a strong family within the parish of St. Paul’s and serving the community of Greenville, the Diocese of Dallas, and the world as we are called to do as Christians.

media ministry

The Media Ministry produces and broadcasts the 10:30 am Sunday service weekly. We are always looking for those interested in media to join our ministry. We will be happy to teach those interested in audio and video.

Nursery

The church nursery, located in Clardy Hall, is open for infants and children during the 10:30 Service. 10 am - 12 pm.

For more information, please contact Laura Funk at 575-405-0022.

Pastoral Care

Home Eucharist – If you would like communion and have been unable to attend church, or if you would like someone to pray with you before surgery, please contact the church office at 903-455-5030 or .

Prayer Ministry

Church Bulletin Prayer List & Sunday Morning Prayers - To receive prayer for yourself or someone else during the Sunday morning service, please contact the church office at 903-455-5030 or or sign the sheet on the podium in the narthex. Names remain in the prayer list in the bulletin for one month unless otherwise notified or renewed.

St. Joseph's Guild (Men's Fellowship and Church Maintenance)

St. Joseph’s Guild is a group for men that meets once a month for spiritual and social growth as well as performing some maintenance tasks around the church. St. Joseph’s Guild is open to all the men of the parish and their friends. The Guild meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 8:00AM for breakfast followed by a reading of the Gospel and a discussion of its lesson and meaning. The group adjourns after the Gospel discussion to accomplish repairs and/or improvements to the church facilities/grounds as identified by the Jr. Warden. Women who wish to have breakfast, discuss the Gospel, and get their hands dirty working around the church are most welcome.

To participate, please contact Frank McKee at 903-454-4618

St. Paul's episcopal School

St. Paul's Episcopal School is a valuable community asset that has helped prepare a whole generation of children to be responsible and contributing leaders in their communities. We educate students from 6 weeks to 5 years old. We accept school age students for our extended care program during the Fall and Spring, and during the summer months for our Summer Camp Program.

We provide a Montessori-based curriculum along with the integration of creative art, dramatic play, and language. We also offer French, as well as Chapel once a week.

For more information, please visit www.stpaulsepiscopalschoolgreenville.org/, or call 903-455-8775.

Worship Ministries

Our worship ministries team includes Acolytes, the Altar Guild, Greeters and Ushers, Lay Eucharist Ministers and Visitors, Lectors, and Musicians.

Acolytes

Acolytes participate in the procession in and out of the church by carrying torches to light the altar candles, and assist at the altar for weekly Sunday morning services. They also serve at special services such as weddings, funerals, and ordinations. Youth in grades 5 – 12 are encouraged to serve as an Acolyte in addition to adults.

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild is one of the unseen ministries, quiet but important. The primary purpose of the Altar Guild is to prepare the altar for Sunday morning by assisting the Rector in preparing for the worship.

Altar Guild work is a sacred duty and members should strive to make their service an acceptable offering to our Lord. All men and women who have been confirmed in the Episcopal Church are eligible to be a member.

As an Altar Guild member you will be assigned to one of four teams, and provided instruction in procedures and terminology in addition to learning the church seasons and colors, vestments, linens, and sacred vessels, and parish procedures in preparing the church for worship.

Eucharistic Ministers

The Eucharistic Ministers are lay persons who administer the bread and wine at worship services. Eucharistic ministers are scheduled on a rotating basis and must be confirmed members of the Episcopal Church, approved by the Rector and licensed by the Bishop of the Diocese. Attendance at a training session is required before beginning the ministry.

Eucharistic Visitors

The Eucharistic Visitors are lay persons who take the bread and wine to those unable to attend a worship service. Eucharistic Visitors are licensed by the Bishop to deliver the Eucharist to those in the hospital, nursing home or home-bound. The only requirements for this ministry are the enjoyment of meeting and visiting people and some training provided at St. Paul's.

Flower Ministry

What happens to the flowers after the Sunday service? Traditionally, the flower arrangements are taken to shut-ins, the infirmed and those who just need a brightening in their day. St. Paul's needs help in taking these beautiful floral gifts to others to enjoy.

The beauty of God’s creation is a wonder to behold. The beauty of a flower reflects the glory of God.

Lectors

Lectors are members of the congregation who read aloud the Old and New Testament Lessons, the Psalm and the Prayers of the People. Along with LEM's they also lead the Prayers of the People at Sunday Eucharist services.

Interested persons need advanced reading skills, a strong voice, and a public speaking presence.

Ushers

The ushers greet and welcome the congregation and assist with their seating. They distribute the worship bulletins. Ushers arrive early to make sure the church is neat. During the service they collect the offerings, which along with the bread and wine are presented to the celebrant. Ushers are available to assist the congregation with any situational problems which might arise. After each service, they tidy the pews for the next service. Ushers serve on a rotating basis.

To learn more about these ministries please contact one of the ushers or our church office.