Proper 21 – Sunday, September 25
“O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy ...”

“... Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure.” Our prayer of focus for this coming week takes us on a holy quest: asking to join in the life of grace with God. Now. I’ve listened in meetings lately as people have talked about, well, their frustrations with just talking about living faithful lives. Let’s get on with it. Let’s do something. This prayer comes as both declaration and desire – intent, if not a full-out commitment – that we expect to do something here, for God’s mission. It also acknowledges that we need God’s help. (Surely there is someone else who can do this!) We can devoutly pray for the needs of others; prayers of intercession are a gift. Yet this prayer points us toward the transformative grace of an active, life-giving relationship, as we open ourselves to God’s work in us and through us. Let us take part, God. Equip us for heavenly action right here, right now. Help us run, or maybe stop to sit on a bench with Jesus, to show mercy as you do, Holy One. Twila+
Sunday: Holy Eucharist at 8 and 10:15 a.m.
All are welcome for in-person worship, at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Sundays. Dean Twila Smith will preside and preach. View or download the bulletin for this week or read the lessons here (Track One) or access a simple file to print the “propers” for the week. Watch the livestream at SPCBuffalo.org/livestream and see videos posted on YouTube.
• Willing to serve? We are looking for people to serve as readers and intercessors, and to monitor the livestream. Contact Dean Twila for more information.

12:05 This Thursday: St. Michael and All Angels
This service takes place in the Oratory Chapel each Thursday and is a little less than 30 minutes, to make it easier for people to come on a lunch hour. Most weeks Canon Mike (or the Dean) will be available afterwards for conversation or healing prayers. Join us to honor saints, feasts, and fasts in the Church. All are welcome.
Holy Grounds, Divine Coffee ...
Come for a new-style “coffee hour” after church this Sunday – a coffee cart and simple refreshments – with holy conversation. Gather at the back of the church or out on the porch for fellowship. This week we will also be recording short videos. Come and tell us what you love about St. Paul’s, the Episcopal Church, Jesus ... and why stewardship of God’s mission is important to you.
Pet Blessing October 1
Come and join in a Pet Blessing, 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 1, in Cathedral Park. Bring your pet(s) – or a photo or “stuffy” if your pet does not like social events. Info cards are available in the Narthex to share with friends and neighbors. We’ll have treats for all, including Fr. Bernard’s dog biscuits, and St. Francis medals. The Buffalo Animal Shelter will be on hand with pets for adoption and we’ll be taking donations for Pete’s Pet Food Pantry at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Buffalo (unopened packages of dog and cat food and monetary donations). There will also be a special memorial for pets who have died. Invite your friends and neighbors – pets and humans, including humans unaccompanied by pets, are welcome!
Upcoming Forums and Formation
• Do you miss the 9 a.m. forums? Come for a “reboot” session at 9 a.m. Sunday, October 9, in the Flickinger Center with Dean Twila ... and save the dates – October 16 and 23 – for presenters on World Mission. 
• Canon Mike Hadaway offers a weekly Bible study on Zoom (email for link), 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
• Would you be interested in a weekly, daytime, Zoom-based group? Are you looking for fellowship and meaningful conversation? Contact Dean Twila with your interest and ideas!
• The Restorative Justice program, sponsored by the Social Justice Action Team, is being rescheduled.  
Monthly Memorial Service: October 15
Beginning in October, we will hold a monthly memorial service at 5 p.m. on the third Saturday, in the Sanctuary area of the Cathedral. This gentle, contemplative service will include readings, prayers, and silence, near the angels at the high altar. In addition to remembering people who have died, we will hold space for other losses and grief, individual and collective.
Garden of Love
The Garden of Love wishes to thank everyone who has contributed a blanket or men's clothing for people who come to us on Tuesdays. Now, we are in need of sleeping bags as so many people sleep outside overnight, and it is definitely getting colder and wetter. If anyone at the Cathedral has a sleeping bag that is no longer wanted, please bring it on Sunday and place it in the large plastic box in the Narthex. Thanks so much! Please be generous! Contact Judy for more details.
This Week at St. Paul’s
• Monday – 5:30 p.m. Music Ministry (Zoom)
• Tuesday – 11:30 a.m. Garden of Love, Flickinger Center
• Wednesday – 5:30 p.m. Property Committee (Zoom), 7 p.m. Pastoral Care (Zoom), 7:30 p.m. Bible Study (email for link)
• Thursday – 12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Oratory Chapel
• Saturday – 10-11:30 a.m. Pet Blessing, Cathedral Park
Prayer and Pastoral Care
• 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.
If you are with a group meeting on Zoom,
use the following link, unless specified otherwise:
Meeting ID: 716 855 0900 Password: 4cathedral
By Phone: 929-205-6099 Access code: 716 855 0900 Password: 535 007 8352
Diocesan Partnership and Church-wide News
• For more news about the Dioceses of WNY and NWPA and to sign up for emailed newsletters, go here.
• The Episcopal Church website offers resources for individuals, congregations, and various ministries.