Please join us this Sunday, April 2nd, at 9:30 AM, for the Sunday of the Passion, the Palm Sunday Service. For those of you who are joining us for Service from home, please join us via the Church’s Zoom link or on our Facebook page. Come Celebrate Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week, with Us.

Our Readings etc. are as follows:

The Liturgy of the Palms

Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11

Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now proclaim, *
“His mercy endures for ever.”
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the Lord.
20 “This is the gate of the Lord; *
he who is righteous may enter.”
21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 On this day the Lord has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Hosanna, Lord, Hosanna! *
Lord, send us now success.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord; he has shined upon us; *
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
28 “You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you.”
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.

It’s that time again, when we prepare to Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, with Holy Week culminating in Easter Sunday. We have various Services all week via either Zoom/Facebook or In-Person or both. Feel free to join us in any way that is convenient for you. Come Celebrate with Us.

Please join us this Sunday, March 26th, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, for Sunday’s Holy Eucharist Service, at 9:30 AM. The ECW (Episcopal Church Women) will meet Sunday March 26 after service. We will be discussing the possibility of a community yard sale this summer. If you are a Woman and attend our Episcopal Church, then you’re in the club, so please come and join us. For those of you who are joining us for Service from home, please join us via the Church’s Zoom link or on our Facebook page.

Our Readings etc. are as follows:

The Collect:
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Psalm: Psalm 130

Epistle: Romans 8:6-11

Gospel: John 11:1-45

Please join us this Sunday, March 19th, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, for Sunday’s Holy Eucharist Service, at 9:30 AM. Joining us this Sunday, will be the Bishop of the Oregon Episcopal Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Diana Akiyama. She will be joining our own Reverend Robert Morrison, in Celebrating the Rite of Confirmation for 2 of our Members. For those of you who are joining us from home, please join us via the Church’s Zoom link or on our Facebook page.

Our Readings etc. are as follows:

The Collect:
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Psalm: Psalm 23

Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-14

Gospel: John 9:1-41

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone, the feast day of St. Patrick. Here’s a little background on the Famous Green Infused Holiday.

St. Patrick’s Day, feast day (March 17) of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned about 432 CE to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts.

It was emigrants, particularly to the United States, who transformed St. Patrick’s Day into a largely secular holiday of revelry and celebration of things Irish. Cities with large numbers of Irish immigrants, who often wielded political power, staged the most extensive celebrations, which included elaborate parades. Boston held its first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1737, followed by New York City in 1762. Since 1962 Chicago has colored its river green to mark the holiday. (Although blue was the color traditionally associated with St. Patrick, green is now commonly connected with the day.) Irish and non-Irish alike commonly participate in the “wearing of the green”—sporting an item of green clothing or a shamrock, the Irish national plant, in the lapel. Corned beef and cabbage are associated with the holiday, and even beer is sometimes dyed green to celebrate the day. Although some of these practices eventually were adopted by the Irish themselves, they did so largely for the benefit of tourists.

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica updated by Amy Tikkanen.

St. Alban’s has a long tradition of serving our neighbors through annual outreach programs. This year we will continue supporting dedicated monthly campaigns. To assist you in your annual planning, you will find this year’s list of agencies for your consideration.

Our church family continues to navigate the challenges of this global pandemic; while finding ways to preserve our beloved community and continue to help our neighbors. Look for the return of our “Pennies for More Possibilities” Jar every Sunday in the Narthex. It’s fun and painless.

In addition to your monthly pledge, you are encouraged to contribute dedicated financial support to the campaigns of your choice.

Outreach Campaign 2022

January – St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen

February – ABC House

March – Linn Benton Food Share

April – Sarah’s Place

May – CASA of Linn County

June – FISH

July – Helping Hands of Albany

August – Jackson Street Youth Center

September – Options School Supply Drive / Family Relief Nursery

October – CARDV

November – In-Reach

December – In-Reach

Please send dedicated funds to: St. Alban’s PO Box 1556 Albany, Oregon 97321

Memo line: agency name

Working together in God’s Love, we can make a difference.

Blessings from your Outreach Committee,

Rev. Peggy Bernhard, Melissa Saylor, Pam Reiner, Sharon Reid, and Barbara Gault

This Sunday we mark the Feast of St. Francis. During Morning Prayer at 9:30 a.m., we will ask a blessing on the pets whose names and photos are sent to me – by Saturday morning at the latest, so that we may have photos on our wall.

If the weather is cooperative, we will hold a pet blessing in the parking lot of the church building at 12:30 p.m. We ask everyone to please space ten feet apart with their pets kept on a leash so that there is six feet between the animals. Should the weather be uncooperative, we may cancel this. If so, I will announce it during the zoomed Morning Prayer.

Please join us for Morning Prayer via Zoom or Facebook.

Hello!

Because of the surge in positive cases of COVID-19 and low availability of hospital rooms, as of 25th August 2021, there will be no in-person services until further notice.

Meanwhile, starting on 5th September, our services will resume live streaming on our Facebook page at 9:30 am.

Morning prayer will continue to be streamed live on Wednesdays at 10:00 am on Facebook.

Should you have questions or need to reach me, please call or email the church office at 541 967-7051 / office@stalbans1.comcastbiz.net. Messages are checked at least twice weekly.

We look forward to meeting together in person again soon.

Blessing for your health and wellness!

Father Bob

In line with state efforts to reduce the spread of this virus, Bishop Michael Hanley of the Diocese of Oregon has asked that all public Sunday worship services be cancelled through the end of March. St. Alban’s is also cancelling all weekday worship services and activities.

St. Alban’s will remain open most weekday mornings from 9am – noon in case individuals need a place to pray, talk with Father Bob, or worship on their own while practicing social distancing. Our goal is to stay healthy!

St. Alban’s is hoping to hold online worship services in the near future. Watch for information here.

From Father Bob: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those whose volunteer work enhances our spiritual life. These individuals and groups will be able to take a well-earned break – lectors, eucharistic ministers, acolytes, torch bearers, altar guild, choir, and coffee hours hosts. Thank you all again!

Below please see the bishop’s letter dated 13 March:

Dear People of God:

Following discussions this day with several diocesan clergy and others, I am directing all Episcopal Churches in the Diocese of Oregon, beginning on March 22, to discontinue all public Sunday services for the remainder of the month.

I also ask that you take other measures you deem necessary to safeguard the people in the church, keeping in mind the request to practice social distancing. This may include closing the church during the week as well and canceling midweek services.

As I continue to monitor the situation with the COVID-19 virus, watching for signals from national, state, and local officials and listening carefully to my sister and brother bishops in neighboring dioceses, it has become apparent to me that we must do all in our power to slow the progress of the spread of this virus. It is in that spirit that I make this directive.

Many congregations here in Oregon and across the country are already making the decision to close for a limited period of time and I invite you to consider this a Lenten fast from the practice of regular Sunday attendance at worship. I hope that you will watch for news from your local congregation about ways the leadership is working to keep us in touch with each other during this period of time.

As these weeks unfold we will see if this directive needs to be extended for additional time. We are a resurrection people and Easter is coming. Let us continue to walk the way of the cross, the way of Jesus, and to pray for the safety of those most vulnerable.

You remain in my prayers,

Bishop Michael Hanley Episcopal Diocese of Oregon

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Please join us as we worship this Christmas season. Advent begins Sunday, December 1st. What a wonderful time of the year!

All Advent Sunday services begin @ 9:30 am through December 22nd and include the lighting of the Advent wreath and the placing of symbols of our faith on our Jesse Tree.

On Sunday the 1st we will have Lessons, Poetry and Hymns in the evening starting at 7:00 pm. This is a perfect opportunity to invite your friends and family to join with us.

Weekly Advent classes will help us celebrate and appreciate the gift of our Savior. Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm and Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am this month.

Our Christmas Eve service will include beautiful prelude music and congregational hymns at 7:30 pm, with the service following at 8:00 pm.

On Christmas Day at 9:30 am, we will worship with Christmas hymns and the Holy Eucharist as we celebrate the Holy birth.