St. Paul’s United Church
Our Mission: Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and Serving Others in Christ’s name.
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
How many balls can you hold without dropping them all? This is a question that has been put to the test over and over again, in companies as they try to save money by not replacing workers who retire, but instead just reallocating the workload. This pattern of trying to do more with less can only go so far. There becomes a point where it just doesn’t work anymore. So, what do you do when you hit this limit?
Too many people walk away. I get it when you are saying to yourself, “I can’t do this anymore”, we often think someone else would be able to do it better. But, what if our being at the end is actually a message from God? A message encouraging us to do something different and take a different approach. Think about the old adage: the glass half empty or half full. It is so very human for us to focus on the empty part of the glass, what we don’t have or what’s missing.
What would happen if we intentionally and constantly focused on what we do have and can do? Instead of looking at the factors that limit us or the obstacles that are stopping us, focus instead on the things we can and want to do and do them well. This way of looking at things aligns with our scripture, for we are told that God will not only guide us but provide and equip us for the ministry to which we have been called.
Looking at a glass as half full has the beneficial effect of helping us see what is possible and gives us the energy to move forward. We start telling stories of gratitude for what we have and that gratitude is life-giving. Just think about times when this principle has been seen in your own life.
As we look at what we can do as a church, one of the questions being tackled by the Downtown United Project Committee is, “what can we do better if we work together?” This weekend our worship is a joint service at Wilmot at 11 a.m. where Cathy Stewart, our lead consultant, will be preaching. Also thank you to everyone who signed up for attendance at the workshops this weekend. You are more than welcome to show up without registering – but know that lunch may be unavailable.
As we move to the weekend let us pray,
Loving God,
open our eyes that we may see your abundant grace
given to the world and to us.
Catch us up in your spirit
that we may move as your answer to the needs of the world
Give us hearts that sing first of gratitude for your love and care,
and second of need and response. This we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
Featured In This March 16th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday March 19th At Wilmot United
Beware of Scams!
Conversations That Matter Is This Weekend
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Youth at Region!
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Opportunities To Serve The National Church
FundScrip
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Multicultural Association Seeking Boots
Dinner at Gibson Memorial
Worship This Sunday March 19th At Wilmot United
Please join Rev. Cathy Stewart for worship at Wilmot at 11:00 am on March 19th, 2023
COVID Protocols for In-Person Worship Services still in place:
Masks are highly recommended, but no longer required. Congregational singing is permitted. You are encouraged to spread out to maintain social distancing. Anyone wanting extra space is invited to sit in the balcony. Sanitize or wash hands on entry into the building or the sanctuary.
Offering plates are located at each door. To view the service, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL8yE5QTeHpPE4QZBU5S-og
Beware of Scams!
We have been notified that emails and texts are being sent to folks with requests for donations, gift cards and assistance from Church staff. We remind everyone that Rev. Michelle and the staff at St. Paul’s would not email or text you personally to ask for money or help. Many have fallen prey to these scams that sound very real. Should you ever get a call or email of this nature, report it to the police and please don’t respond.
Some tips to avoid scams:
- Double check the email address of the sender,
-
If a request for money or gift cards seems odd, check directly with the organization or individual,
-
Plan your donations and be the one to initiate giving,
-
Never give out personal details to people you are not 100% sure of,
-
Plan your donations and be the one to initiate giving,
-
Don’t fall into “urgent” requests. Reputable organizations will not pressure you. Check out the information you’re given to make sure it is real.
Conversations That Matter Is This Weekend
A quick reminder that the Conversations That Matter workshops are taking place this Saturday at St. Paul’s from 9-12 and Sunday at Wilmot from 1-4pm. If you forgot to register, please let the office know which session you would like to attend as soon as possible.
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program is in desperate need of juice boxes. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items: ketchup, relish, vanilla pudding, large orange juice, diced tomato, elbow macaroni, chunky soup, coffee, orange & apple juice boxes, tooth paste & tooth brushes. Thank you for your continued support!
Youth at Region!
Calling all Youth grades 6-12! There will be a Youth Event during this year’s Annual Meeting! May 26-28th, 2023 at UPEI in Charlottetown, PEI. Stay tuned for more information and registration coming soon. Please share this note with youth and leaders in your communities! For more information, contact Catherine Stuart cstuart@united-church.ca
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Wednesday morning lectionary study. This week we will be focusing on Matthew 25:31-46. Join us in the board room at 11:15am or online via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190.
Opportunities To Serve The National Church
We are seeking lay and ministry personnel leaders for roles on the General Council Executive, the General Council Planning Committee, a special task group, and a new interfaith opportunity. Please visit the United Church website for more information. Deadline for nominations is Thursday, March 23, 2023.
FundScrip
Spring is almost here! Time to check out those potential purchases you have been dreaming about all winter. Do you need a new barbeque? Has your patio furniture seen better days? Let FundScrip gift cards help you with your shopping. Every time you purchase a FundScrip gift card, the retailer donates to St. Paul’s! Deadline for our next order is Sunday, April 2. Get an order form at the office, in the Narthex or click here: April 2nd FundScrip Order Form Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
Sound and projection are vital parts of our service and right now we are looking for at least one more person to step forward and join the team. Training provided! We are hoping to develop a rotating team. Please contact Meghan to express your interest at 458-1183 or stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Upcoming Dates To Remember
March 18th ~ Conversations That Matter ~ at St. Paul’s ~ 9am-12pm
March 19th ~ Downtown United Service at Wilmot at 11am
March 19th ~ Conversations That Matter ~ at Wilmot ~ 12:30-3:30pm
March 26th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Outreach
March 26th ~ Annual General Meeting following the service
April 2nd ~ Palm Sunday ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by the UCW
April 6th ~ Downtown United ~ Potluck Dinner at 5:30 & Maundy Thursday Service
at St. Paul’s ~ 6pm
April 7th ~ Downtown United ~ Good Friday Service at Wilmot ~ 11am
April 9th ~ Downtown United ~ Sunrise Service by the Library at 7am followed by
breakfast at Wilmot
April 9th ~ Easter Sunday ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by the Board
Multicultural Association Seeking Boots
We are reaching out to you in hopes of sourcing some winter boots for the recently arrived people who are seeking asylum in Canada. There are approximately 40 people here in Fredericton consisting of men, women and children and almost all of them don’t have proper winter footwear. If you know of anyone who has some boots that they’d like to donate, please have them contact Marisa Rojas at 447-2618 or marisa.rojas@mcaf.nb.ca
Dinner at Gibson Memorial
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St. will be hosting a Stuffed Pork Loin Dinner (with all the trimmings) on March 29th, 4 – 6 p.m. Tickets are $15/adult. Please call 506-457-1951 to reserve your tickets.
St. Paul’s United Church
190 Years of Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and Serving Others in Christ’s name
Contact Information
224 York St., Fredericton, NB E3B 3P1
Web: www.stpaulsunited.ca | Tel: 506-458-1183 | Email: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organists: Dr. Sharon Pond & Alexis Ervin
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely