Evensong is Sunday at 7pm: Evensong is a rich English choral tradition, based on monastic prayer offices, in which nearly everything is sung. Evensong is cherished by singers and music-lovers alike. During our Evensong, the St. Alban’s Choir will sing works by John Stainer and William Harris.
The psalms are at the heart of the service, sung in traditional Anglican chant as well as Gregorian plainsong. We sing canticles, such as the Magnificat: Mary’s song of acceptance of the will of God and the knowledge that she will bear Jesus, the Son of God. We also hear the Nunc Dimittis, in which the high priest Simeon rejoices after he first sees the child Jesus in the temple. Both canticles are taken from the Gospel of Luke, and are chanted in Gregorian modes.
We will hear readings from Scripture, sing Evening hymns, and pray for the state of the world and the Church, interceding for those we love as well as those we don’t know.
We hope you will join us for this beautiful and meditative worship experience, Sunday, May 26, at 7pm.
Opportunities to Make a Difference: Don’t forget that we are currently collecting toiletries in a drive for Samaritan Ministry, and the ACCA Food Pantry is still seeking volunteers for a special Saturday pilot program.
Year End Sunday School Party: Help celebrate the end of a great Sunday School year (and thank all of our students and teachers) on Sunday, June 9, at 9:15am. All kids and parents are welcome! (Parents are welcome to bring a snack to share, but it is not required!) We’ll have lots of treats and activities and a special “Pentecost” theme. Join the fun!
Get Wild with VBS, July 29 – August 2: Time to sign your kids up for Vacation Bible School. This year, St. Alban’s and our friends at Peace Lutheran will be co-sponsoring this special program to introduce children to the basic concepts of Christian faith and living. It’s going to be a fun time for all, but you need to register now. Learn more and sign up.
VBS Volunteers Needed: Actors, artists, builders, costumers, decorators and designers needed to help with VBS (happening July 29 – August 2). Email Melanie Jillson or Ann Gates, or contact them in person.
The ACCA Food Ministry Seeks Volunteer Shoppers: As a food buyer, you will cover the pantry for one week per month; it will take approximately 6-10 hours per week. On the week you’re in charge, you will be responsible for the food inventory at the pantry, the purchase, and re-stock of fresh food such as milk, cheese, egg, orange juice, carrots, potatoes, hot dogs, etc. (a list of food will be provided).
For more information please contact Tuan Nyugen at 703-563-1456, or 607-727-8915.
Caregivers Workshop on June 8: Join Pete Shrock, nationally known grief and crisis responder, for a special workshop in Alexandria on June 8. The event is free of charge, and sponsored by AARP Virginia, Fairfax County, George Mason University, and other organizations. Learn more and register here.
ACCA May News: Read the latest newsletter from our friends at ACCA (Annandale Christian Community for Action).
Readings for May 26, 2019
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
With renewed national attention to issues of abortion and women’s reproductive health in recent weeks, I’ve been asked by people from across our Diocese about the position of The Episcopal Church on these matters. I write this reflection in response to those questions and in hope that it will be helpful as we think, pray and act as individuals and as a Church community.
Sunday, May 26 — Healey Willan (1880-1968) was born in England but came to Canada in 1913 to head the Theory Department at the Toronto (now Royal) Conservatory of Music. He is often referred to as the dean of Canadian composers.
One Week ’til Evensong: Next Sunday, May 26, St. Alban’s will host a special Evensong for the Sixth Sunday of Easter at 7pm. This is a special meditative service of readings, choral anthems, hymns, chanted psalms, and prayers.
Get Wild with VBS, July 29 – August 2: Time to sign your kids up for Vacation Bible School. This year, St. Alban’s and our friends at Peace Lutheran will be co-sponsoring this special program to introduce children to the basic concepts of Christian faith and living. It’s going to be a fun time for all, but you need to register now. 
Sunday, May 19 — Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) composed or arranged many of our Hymnal tunes, some of which came from English folk traditions. He also wrote nine symphonies and numerous other works in various genres.
St. Alban’s is helping collect toiletries for 
Join Us for Evensong: Mark May 26 on your calendar and plan to join us at 7pm for a special Evensong for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. This is a special meditative service of readings, choral anthems, hymns, chanted psalms, and prayers.
Sunday, May 12 — One of the great musical settings of Psalm 23 is the arrangement by the American composer Virgil Thomson (1896-1989) of My Shepherd Will Supply My Need. The text was penned by Isaac Watts (1674-1748), who is regarded as the father of English hymnody.
Sunday, May 5 — Returning from our post-Easter break, we will follow tradition and sing This Joyful Eastertide, a harmonization by Charles Wood (1866-1926) of a Dutch tune published in 1685. It appears in our Hymnal as No. 192, with a text by the Anglican priest, George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934).