St. Mark's conducts worship services at the Historic Union Church, located at 1004 11th Street in Port Royal, SC. Sunday worship is at 9am and 11am and our Wednesday service of Holy Eucharist is at 5:30pm.
St. Mark's provides service bulletins so that all can follow the readings and prayers taken from the Bible, The Book of Common Prayer, and other approved liturgies of The Episcopal Church.
VOLUNTEER!! Would you like to join other St. Markers who are ushers, Gospel bearers, acolytes (all ages), lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, sacristans, and choir members? Training is minimal and newcomers are especially encouraged to sign up. We need you! Please contact the office.
To access the SCHEDULE FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERS, click here.
To access the MASTER LIST OF SERVERS, click here.
To access the Handbook for Liturgical Ministries, click here.
To access the Altar Flowers Schedule, click here.
To access the Altar Flowers Reservation Form, click here.
Acolytes
St. Mark's is fortunate to have both adult and youth acolytes. In general, acolytes are involved in most all of the movement phases of the service, including the initial lighting of the candles, the processional, the Gospel procession, the offertory, the preparation of the altar for Holy Eucharist, post-communion clearing of the altar, and, finally, the recessional and extinguishing of the candles.
Gospel Bearers
The Gospel Bearer is responsible for processing the Gospel book in at the commencement of the worship service and out at the conclusion, as well as processing and holding the Gospel book during the Gospel reading.
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic Ministers administer the chalice of consecrated wine during the Eucharist. This is a ministry licensed by the Bishop of the Diocese. Guidelines for Licensed Ministries can be found here.
Lectors
Lectors read the appointed lessons, the Psalm, and the Prayers of the People.
Music & Choir
Hymns during services are from both The Hymnal 1982 and its addendum Wonder Love and Praise. Our choirs, under the leadership of Music Director Karen Harmon, offer the opportunity for anyone who likes to sing to join the group at either Sunday morning service. It is not necessary to be able to read music in order to participate. Come and sing!
Sacristans
Sacristans (aka Altar Guild) are charged with care of the sacristy, the church, the sacred vessels, and the vestments. The sacristan performs the altar set-up and clean-up before and after the service. There is a single sacristan assigned for each service.
Ushers
Ushers are responsible for greeting, providing bulletins (as well as activity packets for children), processing the communion bread and wine to the altar, collecting the offering, directing congregants to communion, counting and recording attendance, and counting and securing the offering after the service.