Lenten Worship Services
Through Lent, Dean Marshall Vang is preaching a sermon series, The Instruments of Our
Lord’s Passion, at Sunday services.
Maundy Thursday service, April 2, will be celebrated with the choir at 7:00 pm, preceded by
a light supper of soup and bread at 6:00 pm. Please email Lisa Walker if you plan to attend
the supper to let her know how many will attend.
A sign-up list for The Watch Before the Altar of Repose is available in the narthex. The
Watch will begin at the close of the Maundy Thursday service and conclude that midnight.
Good Friday service will be offered on April 3 at 12:00 pm only. St. Andrew’s will celebrate
the Good Friday Liturgy at 7:00 pm.
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.
In addition to the regular celebrations of the Holy Eucharist at 8:00 am and 10:30 am every
Sunday, the Eucharist is also celebrated most Wednesdays at 12:10 pm in the chapel.
Morning Prayer is said in the chapel on most Tuesdays at 9:00 am and at 10:00 am on most
Thursdays. Check the parish calendar to confirm days and times of these services.
Lenten Bible Study
Deacon Alicia Todaro is leading Bible Study in the library following the 10:30 service,
Sundays in Lent. This series is titled, “Christ’s Last Week.”
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 the Blue Room
after the Saturday Easter Vigil and in McEwan Hall 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 at 11:00 am, Saturday,
April 4.
Confirmation Class
The diocese is offering an online confirmation class designed for individuals from parishes
without clergy seeking to be confirmed and those interested in connecting with a wider
community of learners. See https://albanyepiscopaldiocese.org/confirmation/ for full
information and to register. Participants must register by April 1.
Buckets of Blessings
The SNAP program does not cover cleaning supplies, and the costs can add up quickly for
many of our neighbors. As part of its Easter celebration, Loaves and Fishes is providing
buckets filled with the essentials families need to refresh their homes and reclaim a sense
of well-being. Sponsor a bucket between now and April 3rd to help our neighbors welcome
spring with hope. For information and to donate, see L&F’s Facebook page.
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, even if only 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. Scholarship rules are detailed on
the application. 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.
Diocesan Mission Conference
All are invited to the 2026 diocesan Mission Committee’s conference, “Walking the Way of
Micah 6:8: Justice, Mercy and Humility,” Saturday, May 2. Information and registration.
Volunteer Opportunities
St. Paul’s can only accomplish its multi-faceted mission with the help of volunteers. At this
time, we are seeking assistance in the parish office and with minor maintenance tasks,
e.g., floor tile replacement, drywall repair, painting and kitchen appliance upkeep. Contact
Mark Lowery if interested.
Canon Revisions
The Committee on Constitution and Canons has posted the second draft of the proposed
revision to the Canons of the Diocese. Please submit questions or comments to Canon
Neal Longe at nlonge@albanydiocese.org by Monday, April 13. The Committee will then
consider any feedback received and will release another draft (if needed) for further
discussion. Click here to view the proposed canons.
Community Needs
Donations collected in the baskets in the narthex are delivered to St. John’s/St. Ann’s Food
Pantry, which provides emergency supplemental food for residents in the South End of
Albany. Donations of non-perishable food, toiletries (which cannot be purchased with food
stamps), infant formula, baby food and diapers may be placed in the baskets located in the
narthex. Donations are acknowledged at the offertory during the 10:30 a.m. service and
delivered to the St. John’s/St. Ann’s Outreach Center on Fourth Avenue. www.sjsacenter.org
Please contribute generously to the food baskets in the narthex and to ministries such as
Loaves and Fishes and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.
Albany Blooms
The Albany Blooms Thriving Parish Initiative is a diocesan effort to support, equip and
strengthen the work and ministry of the parishes of the diocese. A facilitated Lectio Divina
session is held weekly in St. Paul’s library weekly at 11:30 am, Wednesdays, prior to the
12:10 pm service. Benedictine Reading and Lectio Groups meet weekly (Tuesday
afternoons in person in Greenwich, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings online). The groups
are always open to additional participants. More information about that can be found at
https://albanyblooms.org/grow .
Deacon’s Discretionary Fund
You may contribute anonymously to the deacon’s discretionary fund through a loose plate
offering on a first Sunday, or you may make a directed donation by check or cash placed in
an envelope.
Pastoral Care
If you or a loved one are in need of pastoral care, or would like to add yourself or a loved one
to the prayer list, please contact the parish office (518-463-2257) or email
StPaulsEpAlbany@gmail.com during office hours.
Office Hours
Parish office hours: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, Monday-Thursday. Voice mail left at the church
office (518-463-2257) and emails sent to StPaulsEpAlbany@gmail.com will be checked on
those days. In case of emergency, call or text 518-339-9466.
