St. Paul’s Cathedral: Easter 4

EASTER 4 – APRIL 21

SJAT Earth Day Action!

Today the Social Justice Action Team joined an Earth Day effort to clean our waterways and focused on a section of the Scajaquada Creek – which is now clean! It was a sunny, windy day and 11 SJAT members filled 27 bags, with help from a few others joining in. Gary and Jonathan demonstrated great team work. The crew made a hearty attempt at a “spring” picnic, despite being snowed on. Thanks to those who organized the event and all who turned out to help make this possible. Are you interested in social justice ACTION? Talk to anyone from SJAT -- you can usually find them at coffee hour and, especially, washing dishes afterwards so we can use “real” cups and plates instead of consuming paper.

Worship this Sunday: 8 and 10:15 am

• View or download the bulletin here • Read the lessons here

• Watch the livestream on Facebook or YouTube

Funeral Services Scheduled

We give thanks for the lives of John Goodman and Monica Lawrence, both who died recently. Services will be held at the Cathedral and all are welcome to attend.

• 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27 – John Goodman

• 1 p.m. Saturday, May 11 – Monica Lawrence

Please keep the families of John and Monica in your prayers. If you are able to serve in any way, please contact Dean Twila.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servants. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, sheep of your own fold, lambs of your own flock, sinners of your own redeeming. Receive them into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Garden of Love Sorting Saturdays

The Garden of Love will hold two more “Sorting Saturdays” this spring – 10 am to noon, May 4 and May 25 – so it’s time to start sorting through your closets and such for warmer weather items to donate for our neighbors in need. On sorting days, volunteers go through donations and prepare racks of clothing to distribute in the weeks ahead. Donations can be brought to the first floor of the ministry center (at the Main Street end of Cathedral Park) on the sorting days or email Canon Mike to arrange another time during the week. Clothing is distributed at the Garden of Love ministry on Tuesdays, 11:30-1. As the weather warms, we need washable, easy-care clothing items, especially for men, including light jackets, hoodies, and rain gear; gently-word athletic shoes, jeans and pants, shirts and tees. Light, washable blankets, hats, umbrellas, belts, and bags are also nice to have on hand.

Dean Search

Please pray for the Search Committee and Vestry: Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Dean for this Cathedral that we may receive a faithful priest who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Worship Through the Week

Thursdays, Holy Eucharist – 12:05 Holy Eucharist on Thursdays, meeting in the Oratory Chapel (upper level of the church, near the pulpit).

On Social Media – Follow the Cathedral Facebook for prayers and devotions through the week, including a brief, Monday morning devotional on Facebook Live.

Save the Date: Ordinations May 18

Persons needed to assist – including hospitality and as greeters/ushers

One of the wonderful roles for a Cathedral is to host Diocesan Partnership worship services and we will be the site for ordinations at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18. We need volunteers to serve in a variety of ways, including with hospitality and as greeters/ushers. We cannot yet announce who will be ordained, but please consider joining a Cathedral crew to help make this a memorable day for them.

SJAT: Earth Month

From Bill Siener for the Social Justice Action Team

April is Earth Month at St. Paul’s. The Social Justice Action Team will be providing

opportunities at coffee hours to raise awareness about environmental issues, and to

discuss ways we can take action. A number of us will be joining Buffalo-Niagara

Waterkeeper for an Earth Day cleanup of part of Scajaquada Creek on Saturday, April 20.

The Episcopal Public Policy Network also notes that “By working to help the

environment, we are also helping all people live healthy lives.” Toward that end, it is

urging us to support The Green New Deal for Health Act. The act would provide

funds over 5 years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. public health care

facilities April 22nd marks the 54th celebration of Earth Day. As Episcopalians, we value the care of God’s creation and its connection to human health. By working to help the environment, we are also helping all people live healthy lives. Please join us this Earth Day by asking your members of Congress to support the Green New Deal for Health Act, which seeks to improve and strengthen our public healthcare system while reducing emissions. This will help ensure access to healthcare facilities, especially in low income communities, before, during, and after extreme weather crises, and invest in nature base solutions to improve air quality.

To learn more about the Green New Deal for Health Act, and to contact your

Senators and Representative to show your support, visit this link.

Learning Opportunity 1-2 p.m. Friday, April 26

Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Office of Government Relations is hosting a learning opportunity this week to better understand immigration issues for persons who are LGBTQIA2S+. Sign up to join this free program.

Serving in Worship

Persons needed for 10:15 a.m. worship, to serve at the chalice

The desire has been expressed to continue offering an option for communion at the high altar and to do so, we need two persons each week to serve at chalice, a role known as a Eucharistic Minister. Are you willing to serve in this way? Training is provided. Contact Dean Twila to volunteer or for more information. We also have openings to for people to help launder the small linens we use for communion each week.

Prayer and Pastoral Care

We lift up the following in prayer: Judy, Thomas, Mark, M’Lou, Patrick, Lisa, David, Judy, Michelle, Amir, Martha, Leonard, Leann, Josephine, Billy, Margaret, Betty Lou, Linda, Barbara, Len, Lenny, Michael, Heather, Gail, Rob, Galen, Elaine, Viola, Albert, John, Lindsay, Sharon, Allen, Renee, Shirley, Joni, Jim and Judy, Andrea, Don, Bob and Carol, Sue, and Rachel. We remember Monica Lawrence and those in the life of the Cathedral who have died in years past – including Donald L Davis and Regina George and their loved ones who remember them.

• If you have requests to add to the weekly Prayers of the People or a name to add for the prayers of clergy and the Pastoral Care Team, please email prayerrequests.

• If you know someone in need of pastoral care, please contact Judy Elliott or Canon Barbara Price.