Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Welcome Back!
St. Andrew's is once again open for worship! After a long and difficult winter, Bishop Sean has given permission for our churches to reopen. We still must wear masks; we still must keep physical distance from one another; we still must refrain from handshakes, hugs, and coffee hour. But we can worship together again, and that is good news indeed!
We are singing together a bit, as well, though very cautiously. Many of us are fully vaccinated, now, and many more are well on their way. Nevertheless, we're not yet at 100%, and we also have to reckon with some new variants of the coronavirus, which are more contagious than the original. So, the cautions: KN95 masks, which filter at least 95% in both directions, protecting both the wearers and those around them, are being provided for everyone, and we ask that they be worn in church. They are breathable, lightweight, and fit well, and can be worn -- indeed, must be worn -- while singing or speaking.
Singing is to be done somewhat softly: no louder than one's normal speaking voice. Not as satisfying as singing full out, but this is not forever. Once we are all fully vaccinated, we can ask for permission to sing at full voice, and perhaps to take off our masks in church, and return to what was once our more usual way of being together.
But not yet. There is still some time to wait. And the better we and all our neighbors continue to comply with the recommendations regarding masks, distancing, and hand-washing, the sooner freedom will return for everyone.

Mass Schedule for the Spring and Summer
For the time being, we will have two Masses per weekend:
Saturday Low Mass, 4:30 pm
Sunday High Mass, 10:30 am
The Sunday Mass will be livestreamed on Facebook, and PDF files of the order of worship will be posted on our website, on the "Worship" page.
Here are links:
https://www.facebook.com/SaintAndrewsBuffalo
https://standrewsbuffalo.org/worship/

Praying with One Another
For over a year now, several members of the parish, and some of their friends, along with Mother Ellen, have been gathering daily on Zoom, to pray Morning and Evening Prayer, otherwise known as the Daily Office. These are short services; about 17 minutes in the morning, and 12 minutes in the evening. Everyone is welcome, and it does not matter if you can be there all the time, or only occasionally. A copy of the Prayer Book is all you need. If you don't have one, speak to Mother Ellen; we have some we can lend.
Here is the schedule and the link:
Morning Prayer, 7:30 am
Evening Prayer, 7:00 pm
Zoom link information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8692719087
Meeting ID: 869 271 9087
Dial in from your phone: 1 (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 869 271 9087

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Fun, Fun, Fundraiser!
In order to bring in some much-needed funding, so we can keep our service to our neighbors near and far running, we are having a Virtual Meat Raffle in May. Here's the flyer with all the information:

Please spread the news around to friends and family. Paper copies of the flyer are available, to tack up on bulletin boards in cafes and shops, wherever people will see them.