Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian & St. Paul’s United
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
Last Sunday we heard the story of how Jesus commandeered the boat of Simon Peter while he was cleaning the nets after an unsuccessful night of fishing (Luke 5:1-11). After teaching a crowd on the shore Jesus tells Simon Peter to put out to deeper water and throw the nets out once more. The number of fish was so great that the boat began to sink!
In my readings this week I found another story of remarkable fishing in the Gospel of John (21:1-15). This story occurs after Jesus’ death when the disciples had gone back to fishing. Once again, they had been fishing and were unsuccessful when a stranger (the resurrected Jesus) called from the shore and advised them to throw the net on the other side of the boat. When the nets were then ready to hall in, they were so heavy that the men couldn’t do it. Instantly Simon Peter proclaims that the stranger was the Lord. And when they arrive on shore Jesus has breakfast ready for them.
It might be a comfort to you that when the disciples didn’t know what to do, when they were scared and anxious about the future, they turned to what they knew. “Let’s go fishing.” After all, they knew what to do on the water. Before following Jesus, they were professional fishers who knew how to make a living at their trade. I can imagine the doubt and worry when on their first night out, there was nothing in their nets. What was familiar now wasn’t working.
Putting Simon Peter’s call story beside the post-resurrection appearance caused me to realize Simon Peter’s response in a new way. Can you imagine the impact of being disheartened, not just by the hall but also by the reality that their teacher is no longer there to guide them? Then to catch so many fish that the nets couldn’t be lifted, how could Simon Peter not remember the last time this happened. No wonder Simon Peter cried out, “It’s the Lord”.
Reading these two stories together, reminded me of the first Christian retreat I was on. There was a labyrinth in which I walked, with the question “Am I on the right path?” While the meditation time was good, the moment when I was sitting under a tree afterward and the chaplain came over and wrapped a blanket around me is the part I could never forget. As that warm blanket was laid on my shoulders I was instantly transported back to a time in my childhood, when I felt a warm presence wrapping me just like that blanket. I imagine Simon Peter as he pulls at his full net being transported through time in a similar way back to his initial call, not to catch fish but people!
We live in a world full of anxiety. We are doing a new thing in our ministry and, understandably, we want at times to go back to the practices that are familiar and comfortable in an attempt to gain stability and find comfort. It is in our nature to seek the familiar. Yet, Jesus’s call is to a new way of life. One that is as abundant as those nets about to burst. This abundance does take effort on our part.
We need to be willing to do something different, just like Simon Peter who puts the nets out in the day and on the other side of the boat. In our walk of faith, I see our spiritual practices as the tools by which we get to know Jesus better. They are the “nets” that help us to recognize where God is showing up in our lives. We are blessed to have deep traditions that provide so many practices for us to use in this task. Practices like bible study, prayer, attending worship, having discussions with others who seek to follow Jesus (spiritual friendships), engaging in acts of justice and mercy, and cultivating our attention through meditation are just a few of the tools available to us.
As a disciple of Christ, what tools and practices do you use to deepen your relationship with Jesus? If you have not found a practice that helps sustain you, please reach out to me and we can explore practices that might fit for you.
As we head into the weekend and beyond, may we remember that God is at work and take time to foster the relationship with the one who is our Way and our Truth. In doing so we are more able to recognize when God is showing up in our life and in the world.
Let us pray,
God you are present in our world,
Holding us close and calling us to action for your sake.
As we discern what that action will look like we turn to you,
seeking not our own vision, but yours.
Grow us as your people and guide us in your way.
This we pray. Amen
Featured In This January 30th eNews Edition
Worship This Sunday February 2nd
St. Paul’s 2024 Tax Receipts Available!
Thursday Evening Bible Study
Beware Of Email Scams
Booking Meeting Space
Presbyterian Connect
2025 Offering Envelopes
Upcoming Dates To Remember
World Day of Prayer Services
Ongoing Church Activities
Connecting With Rev. Michelle
Bulletin & eNews Submissions
Worship This Sunday February 2nd
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 10:30am.
To view the bulletin in advance click here!
Can’t make it in person, join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83673756287 Passcode: 2023
View anytime on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@st.paulsunitedchurch984/videos
St. Paul’s 2024 Tax Receipts Available!
St. Paul’s 2024 Tax Receipts are available for pick up. They will be in the back of the church for the next two weeks. The remaining envelopes will be mailed after the 10th of February. Please contact Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com or 506-458-1183 if you have any question regarding your annual contribution amount.
Thursday Evening Bible Study
Starting February 6th, Thursday evening bible study will be from 6-7pm in Rev. Michelle’s office. This will be a Lectio Divina style engagement with the scripture reading for the coming Sunday.
Beware Of Email Scams 
It has come to our attention that folks are receiving scam emails from a person pretending to be Rev. Michelle. Please do not respond to “Awaiting Response at Your Convenience” or emails requesting you to send money or donate gift cards. Rev. Michelle will never make such a request as all donations go through the church office or Sunday offering. If you have fallen victim to these scams, please inform the police. Be alert to the mail address sending the request, Rev. Michelle’s only email address is michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com.
Booking Meeting Space
As the use if our space gets busier, please remember to book your meeting space through the office. Drop by in person, call 506-455-8220 or 506-458-1183 or email stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com and sapcfred@gmail.com. Both offices use a shared online calendar so we can ensure space is available for your meeting.
St. Paul’s Pantry Program
The Pantry items needed this week are brown & white rice, canned milk, vinegar, flour, cookies, salt, coffee, pancake mix & syrup, granola bars, tin foil & plastic wrap. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Presbyterian Connect
Winter of 2024 Presbyterian Connect is now available in the church and Hall entries.
2025 Offering Envelopes
If you have not yet picked up your offering envelopes for 2025, St. Paul’s envelopes are available in the office and can be picked up Monday-Thursday between 8am-3pm. If you need yours dropped off, please contact Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com and we will get them to you!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
February 2nd ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister
Feb 6th ~ Bible Study from 6-7pm ~ Starting Feb 6th
February 9th ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hosted by Patty Trail & Cathy Davis
February 16th ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
February 17th ~ Offices Closed for Family Day Stat Holiday
February 23rd ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hosted by Marg Leonard
March 2nd ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister
March 5th ~ Ash Wednesday Service
March 9th ~ Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 9th ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
March 9th ~ World Day of Prayer Service at St. Andrew’s at 2pm
March 16th ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hosted by Heather Labadie
World Day of Prayer Services
An invitation is extended to all Women and Men to attend the World Day of Prayer Services in the Fredericton area. The World Day of Prayer for 2025 was prepared by the Women of the Cook Island. The theme is “I Made You Wonderful” (Psalm 139: 1-18.)
Northside: The World Day of Prayer will be held at St. Mary’s and All Saints Anglican Church, 780 McEvoy Street, Fredericton on Friday, March 7th, 2025 at 2 PM. Storm Date: Sunday, March 9 at 3 PM.
Southside: The World Day of Prayer will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian and St. Paul’s United Church, 512 Charlotte Street, Fredericton on Sunday, March 9th, 2025 at 2 PM. Storm Date: March 16 at 2 PM. Thank you. Deborah Heustis, Publicity for the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Fredericton
Ongoing Church Activities
Monday – Friday ~ Community Outreach ~ Brown Bag Lunch Program in St. Paul’s Office
Tuesdays ~ Tuesday Morning Ladies Group at 9:30am ~ All are welcome!
Tuesdays & Thursdays ~ Quilting from 1-4pm ~ All are welcome!
Wednesdays ~ Community Outreach ~ Pantry Program from 9-11am
Thursdays ~ Choir Practice from 7-8pm ~ All are welcome!
Thursdays ~ Bible Study from 6-7pm ~ Starting Feb 6th ~ All are Welcome!
Fridays ~ Community Outreach ~ Breakfast 2 Go from 8:30-10am
Connecting With Rev. Michelle
Rev. Michelle can be reached on the main office phone lines, her office directly at 506-455-0639, by text or call to her cell at 506-259-7602 or via email at michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com. Drop-in office hours are Sundays and Mondays from 1-2:30pm. Appointments are preferred to ensure the time you need to connect.
Bulletin & eNews Submissions
Please send announcements to Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com by noon Wednesday.
Contact Information
Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian & St. Paul’s United
512 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 1M2
Saint Andrew’s: Tel: 506.455.8220 | Email: sapcfred@gmail.com | Website: https://sapc.ca/
Office Administrator: Joanna Price | Office Hours: Monday-Friday 2pm-6pm
St. Paul’s: Tel: 506.458.1183 | E-mail: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com | Website: www.stpaulsunited.ca
Office Administrator/Bookkeeper: Meghan Roebuck | Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm
Minster: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Custodian: Doug Newman | Ministers Emeriti: Rev. Doug Blaikie & Rev. Dr. Basil Lowery