Sunday Worship 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. · Details

  401 E. 4th St., Greenville, NC 27858  ·   (252) 752-3482  ·       Give

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
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What to Expect / FAQ

We want you to feel comfortable coming to St. Paul’s for the first time! Whether you are attending your first ever Episcopal service or you “know the ropes,” every church is a little different. Here are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. And if you still have more questions, just ask! We’re a friendly bunch and were all first-timers once.


What do I do when I first arrive?

At St. Paul’s, we understand that some people like to be greeted warmly, and others would prefer to quietly participate without much fuss and slip out without talking to anyone. We honor both groups. We have ushers at every service who will greet you and hand you a bulletin, and we have members of our Welcome team who are available to greet you after service. If you would like to talk to someone, anyone with the bright red name tag is a great person to say hello to, but all of our members know that greeting strangers and friends in the name of Christ is one part of their Christian duty of hospitality.

Is there communion at every service? Can I participate?

Holy Communion is a part of nearly all services; however, St. Paul’s sometimes holds other services without Communion, such as evensong or morning or evening prayer. The Lord’s table is open to all. If you do not wish to partake of the bread and wine you may come forward during Communion to receive a blessing. You would cross your arms across your chest if you are not taking Communion. You may also do this if you wish to receive either the bread or the wine but not the other.

Is real wine used at Communion?

Yes. St. Paul’s uses consecrated wine in remembrance of Christ’s instructions during the Last Supper. Some of our members choose to receive only the bread and not the cup for this reason. Know that Communion is participated in fully in one or both elements.

What is an Episcopal service like?

A priest is the officiant at Sunday services, assisted by other members of the clergy and adult and youth altar ministers. These include: Acolytes, Altar Guild, Choir, Eucharistic Visitors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Lectors who read Scripture and Prayers.

More Info on What Worship is Like

What if I don't know what to do during the service?

Don’t worry. You won’t be embarrassed or singled out. We provide a service bulletin during each Sunday service. It guides you through the service and provides basic instructions for participation. You can choose how much or how little you participate, no one will question you for staying seated when other people rise. Once you’ve been to a few services, it will seem like second nature to you.

Are children welcome and is there childcare available?

Children (and grandchildren) are always welcomed to participate in church services. On Sunday mornings, Godly Play is offered during the 10:30 service, which is for children from age 4 through 5th grade, with children rejoining the main service for Communion. On Sundays during the program year, during our Christian formation hour from 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. there are classes available for every age and stage of development, from children through adult. Our nursery is open during the Christian formation hour and during the 10:30 a.m. service. The nursery is on the second floor of the preschool building, and children from birth through age 3 are welcome there.

Other special events for children occur throughout the year, such as vacation Bible school, our Christmas pageant among others.

Check out a map to see where the nursery is.

Where do I park?

Parking information

What should I wear?

St. Paul’s offers a peaceful, relaxed worship environment. Some of our folks dress up in their “Sunday best,” but you are always welcome to come as you are. Wear what is comfortable.

Is the church accessible to disabled people?

The church, chapel, and office building are accessible for wheelchair users by the ramps both on 4th street and behind the parish hall. Check our parking page to see information about how to access our buildings.

In the church, there are designated areas in the seating area for wheelchairs, and wheelchair users have access to the main altar space by using the ramp that is behind the altar. The pulpit is not wheelchair accessible, but we set up a portable lectern and microphone for use by our lectors and preachers who cannot climb stairs.

The chapel is accessible on the right side by a ramp. There is no designated wheelchair seating, but there is an area in the back with half-sized pews so wheelchair uses can comfortably park.

Staff offices are on the third floor of the office building, which is up one flight of stairs. We have several accessible meeting areas on the second floor of various sizes.

Disability-Accessible Parking and Map

How can I meet other church members?

Every Sunday after our services you are welcome to linger outside. Most Sundays, weather permitting, we will serve Lemonade on the Lawn, and parishioners and visitors will linger and mingle over a snack.

How are decisions made at St. Paul's?

St. Paul’s is an Episcopal Church. The word “Episcopal” means a church governed by bishops. We call our local churches “parishes,” which are governed by an elected “vestry” of ordinary people who help lead the church and make important day-to-day decisions. A "rector" is the priest who is in charge of the spiritual care of the parish. The rector makes decisions about other staff members hired to manage the parish's programs.

Our Leadership

Can Episcopal priests marry and have children?

Yes. Our rector is married and has two children.

Can women serve as priests in the Episcopal Church?

Yes. People of all genders can serve as priests, deacons, bishops and many other positions in the Episcopal Church today.

Inclusion

Are LGBTQ+ people welcome?

Yes. We believe that God loves you - no exceptions. We celebrate the uniqueness of all people as God’s beloved creations. We welcome and celebrate all, regardless of color, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, social or economic class, and nationality, because of Christ’s calling to treat others as we desire to be treated. We are committed to creating a community built on mutual respect, hospitality, and warmth, where no one is a stranger, and all may flourish.

Inclusion

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Welcome Who We Are Inclusion Our Leadership What to Expect / FAQ A Rich and Colorful History The Episcopal Church

Newsletter

Weekly Services

Sundays - 8 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
Sundays - 10:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
Wednesdays - 5:30 p.m. - Holy Eucharist


St. Paul's Episcopal Church
401 E. 4th St.
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 752-3482 • Contact Us


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Service Times

In Person Worship

Sundays

  • 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist. No musical accompaniment.
  • 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist. Choir accompaniment. Godly Play for age 3 through grade 5 is held during this service.

Wednesday Evenings

  • 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist, in the chapel. No musical accompaniment.

Live Stream

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist streamed live on our website, Facebook, and YouTube. Be further assured that, wherever you may be, God will be present with all of us, continuing to gather us as the community we have been called to in St. Paul’s.


Location

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
401 E. 4th St.
Greenville, NC 27858

Contact Us
(252) 752-3482

Newsletter Signup

Stream Worship Service

Click here to stream our service beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Welcome Life Events/Sacraments Our Leadership The Episcopal Church

Whoever you are, wherever you are on your spiritual journey, and whatever else it is that you seek in a Church community, it is our sincere hope that you find God’s gracious welcome with us at St. Paul’s. In so many ways, we do not all look alike, think alike, or even act alike here. But in one thing we are certain that we are all the same: God graciously welcomes us all.

A Word of Welcome Visitor Card Parking What to Expect

In the Episcopal Church we acknowledge that God is present in every occasion of our lives. Some of these we mark together with special celebrations of worship to highlight the ways in which God is always at work throughout the events of our lives. As Episcopalians, we believe that these observations reveal God's grace to us in new ways.

Baptism Confirmation & Reception Marriage Burial

As Episcopalians, we believe that all baptized people are called to minister in the Church. Everyone has a different role. Our clergy serve as the spiritual leaders of our congregation, our staff is responsible for overseeing our program ministries and day-to-day responsibilities, and our vestry is responsible for parish decision-making.

Meet Our Leadership

We as Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. St. Paul's is part of the Episcopal Church, a church that is both rich with ancient tradition and relevant to life in the 21st century. We believe that God loves you - no exceptions.

We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the whole world.

Our parish's motto is this: "To Know Christ and to Make Him Known."

The Episcopal Church Diversity & Inclusion

Give Online Why Give Annual Commitment

"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work."

- 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Give Now

As Christians, we acknowledge that what God has generously offered us is nothing short of life through Jesus Christ. Participating in that life means learning to generously offer our lives. Each time we gather we are presented with the opportunity to support others in recognition of God’s offerings. This support takes shape in many forms with financial gifts being the backbone that builds our church community and generates opportunities to offer our lives in our parish. All are encouraged to participate in giving money for the ministries of our parish as a sign of our share in God’s work among us and through us.

Learn More

Annual commitments pledged to St. Paul’s support our operating budget, which directly supports worship, formation, community and global outreach, building and grounds, staff and other programs. Annual commitments are crucial to the work of St. Paul’s. We strive to maintain a balanced budget each year, with every dollar accounted for and put to good use in the people, places and plans of our parish.

Annual Commitment