Easter Worship Services
St. Paul’s will celebrate the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday, April 4 at 7:00 pm. Easter Day (April 5) services will be celebrated at 8:00 am and 10:30 am. Receptions will follow both the Saturday Vigil and the Easter Sunday 10:30 service.
All children are invited to meet in the Blue Room and join in an Easter egg hunt after the 10:30 Easter service. Thanks to Jen Andrus for organizing this fun event.
Easter Receptions
St. Paul’s celebration of the resurrection traditionally includes the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company with festive food and drink. We will hold receptions in McEwan Hall after the Saturday Easter Vigil and after the Easter Sunday 10:30 service. Those who are able are asked to contribute savory or sweet finger foods. The Hospitality Committee requests assistance with set-up for both receptions in McEwan Hall, at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 4.
Passion Sunday Altar Linens
Sunday, March 29, saw the first use of St. Paul’s newest set of altar linens. At Dean Vang’s request, Sandy Lowery and Sandie Feck crafted this set, which comprises an altar frontal, celebrant’s chasuble, celebrant and deacon stoles, veil and platen cover, for use on the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday. The linens are solid red to signify the blood of our Lord’s passion. In keeping with the solemnity of the first Sunday of Holy Week, the design of the linens is simple, with only a black trim at the edge of the altar frontal as ornamentation. Many thanks to Sandy and Sandie for this extraordinary work of love and devotion.
Sandy and Mark Lowery donated the materials for the new linens in memory of loved ones lost, especially Glenn and Shirley Wiggins, Ralph and Dolores Lowery, Catherine Wiggins Sawyer, Norman Wiggins and Katherine Onufer.
Rectory Painting
Spring clean-up efforts will be directed to the rectory this year. We have several rooms to finish painting (no ceilings, no ladders) and windows in need of washing before the rectory is ready to welcome its next occupants. We will be working Tuesdays, April 14 and 21, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Additional sessions will be scheduled as necessary.
All paint, supplies, brushes, rollers, etc., will be provided. If you have a favorite paint brush, please feel free to bring it, but the treasurer will not reimburse any unauthorized expenditures for this work as the parish already owns more painting supplies than it will ever use. Please bring your own lunch. The rectory is located at 85 Mosher Road, Delmar, in the Town of Bethlehem. Please contact Mark Lowery if you have any questions.
Flower Memorials
As we leave the season of Lent, we will once again grace the altar with flowers. If you would like to dedicate altar flowers, please sign the flower chart hanging outside the Blue Room kitchenette door, complete a flower dedication form (also hanging outside the kitchenette) and submit it to the parish office at least three weeks prior to the desired dedication date.
Blood Drive
The Red Cross will hold a blood drive at St. Paul’s from 2:00 to 6:00, Tuesday, June 30. A few volunteers are needed to help with registration and dispensing snacks to donors. If you are willing to help for an hour or two, please contact Mark Lowery.
Scholarship Applications
Applications for the Mall, McWilliam, Funk and Sayles/Hutchinson Memorial Scholarships are now available in the church narthex and parish office. All applications are due in the parish office no later than 4:00 pm, May 31, 2026.
How the Church Changes its Mind
The Episcopal Diocese of Albany School of Spiritual Formation and Education is pleased to offer “How the Church Changes its Mind,” a study of the interaction of the church, the culture, and the Bible. This six-session course considers the principles by which the church and its culture have coexisted over the centuries, each influencing the other for good or ill, and how this has guided the church in its interpretation of the scriptures, especially surrounding culturally controversial issues. The study begins with an introduction that describes these principles and reminds us of the reality that the existence of a Gentile Church itself involves a culturally influenced reinterpretation of scripture. It then continues with three historic case studies.
The Rev. Dr. William Lytle developed this course and has taught it on previous occasions at the parochial level. Fr. Lytle will present the course in person in St. Paul’s library on Mondays at 10:30 am, beginning April 13. Participants may also join via Zoom at the link provided after registration.
IN OUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK
For those who celebrate a birthday.
For those who celebrate an anniversary.
For those in need of healing, guidance, and comfort:
Ty, Elizabeth, Raelynn, Joe, Hilda, Lynn, Matt, Russell, Anita, Laura,
For those who have asked for our prayers:
Bob Cauldwill and the people of All Saints Catholic Mission in Oakland Park Florida.
For our mission partners:
Mother Martha Hubbard and the people of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Albany.
Father Samuel Louis Charles, and the people of Christ the King Episcopal Church and parish school in LaHoye, Haiti.
Father Nicolas Stebbing, and the Tariro orphanages.
For the departed: Richard T. Roberts, Raymond Cook, Margaret Teetz and all of our loved ones.
For the victims of conflict and violence.
For the victims of natural disasters throughout the world and those who suffer from or are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
For the victims of gun violence.
PRAYER FOR A NEW RECTOR
Almighty God, giver of every good gift; Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
