Vitality is the state of being strong, active, and resilient. We can tell when an organization or individual is full of vitality. There is an attraction to places of vitality, like a silver coin laying on the ground, we are drawn towards their shine. When we see vitality in people, there is a deep resonance which we feel. We see the grounding the person has and the strength and courage to be who they are. Sometimes we think “I want that” for our own lives, especially when we are feeling confused, unsure, disoriented, or adrift.
An important component of vitality is knowing you are impacting the world purposefully. Vital people are connected to the present moment and working towards their goals. But not all of us have found that sweet spot of vital living. So how do we go about finding our way? Theologian Frederick Buechner gives us a clue, he writes, “The place God calls you to is the place where you deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” There isn’t a one size answer to how do I cultivate vitality in my life, and it may take a while to uncover. Yet all of us have the drive to be purposeful, needed, make a difference – a deep need in us to addresses a hunger in the world. As we use our gifts and passions for the work of meeting the worlds hunger (need), it turns out to be no work at all, but joyful song.
Just as you can uncover your own vitality, congregations who are feeling weary and lost can reconnect and restore their vitality too. This starts with identifying what are the needs in our community, and what resources we have to apply to those needs, as a first step. The next step may be the most important. We need to evaluate the needs and our resources, in light of our passions. Where our passions, resources and needs meet, there we will find vitality.
Vital congregations know that vitality is more than bums in seats and money in the plate (there are products of vitality not vitality itself). Vital congregations know that relationships are vital to living out God’s call and as such are committed to creating mutual support among congregants. Vital congregations also prioritize discipleship and learning in their ministry while focusing on being open and connected to their neighbours.
In John 10:10 Jesus said “I have come that they may have life and that they might have it more abundantly. This super-abundant life, is not about length of days, but about quality. It is about life abounding in joy and strength for spirit, body and soul. It is a life full of vitality. Let us seek to always move towards lives (personally and collectively) filled with the vitality that God intends for us.
As we move towards a weekend full of sun and opportunity let us pray…
God who lavished the world with an abundance of flora and fauna,
who painted your people with a diversity of expressions of humanity,
we give you thanks for the generosity of expressions of life.
You who call us to joy and purpose who dream that we shine with vitality
Be with us strengthening our witness to your love and grace.
Be with us as we dust off the dirt that hides our shining
Be with us as we come to a deeper knowledge of our place in the world
and the impact we truly have as we live your purpose planted deep in our hearts.
Bless our journey towards renewed and sustained vitality. This we pray in Chris’s name.
Amen.
1) Worship Sunday May 15th
2) Office Closure
3) FundScrip Orders
4) Youth Group for Pre-Teens and Beyond
5) Bible Study
6) Elm City String Quartet
7) Spring Yard Sale at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
8) Brown Bag Lunch Program
9) Pantry
10) Hybrid Sunday School
11) Upper Room Daily Devotional – May-June
12) Summer Newsletter
1) Worship May 15th, 2022
To attend in-person worship at St. Paul’s United Church we will no longer require you to show proof of vaccination. COVID protocols still in play include:
– Wearing a mask at all times
– Sanitizing one’s hands upon entry
– Sitting in the marked pews to maintain distance
– Being aware of social distancing when entering and leaving building
– Coffee time will be available for those who wish to partake. Tables will be set up and you are asked to maintain masks while not eating/drinking and stay seated.
As always, if you are not ready to join us in person we hope to see you on Zoom – link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode: 165090
You can also join by phone only if you would prefer, if you don’t have a long distance plan charges would apply. All you need to do is call 1 647 558 0588 and follow the prompts to enter Meeting ID: 868 5471 8551 and Passcode: 165090
2) Office Closure: The office will be closed this from Friday May 20th through Monday May 23rd. Happy Victoria Day! For pastoral emergencies, please contact Michelle at 259-7602 or michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com
3) FundScrip Orders: The deadline for the next FundScrip order is Sunday, June 5. Cards will arrive for distribution before Father’s Day, June 19. This is also a good time to stock up on cards for your summer travels and shopping! Order forms available in the Narthex, church office or click here. Thank you for your continued support of this fundraising program.
4) Youth Group for Pre-Teens: Simon Wilby will be starting a Sunday evening youth drop-in program for the pre-teen age group, starting Sunday May 29@ 6pm. Mark your calendar and keep watch for the time. If you are interested in attending or helping develop this program, please let us know!
5) Bible Study: What happens when 6-12 people join together to read the bible? Amazing discussion, deepening faith, and connection. Join Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays at 11:15am for bible study. We are back in person, meeting in the board room. Generally, sessions run 45min-1hour. This coming week’s scripture is Philippians 1:1-18a. Due to interest, you can also join online. Log in using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190
6) Elm City String Quartet: A locally-based string quartet will be performing a concert featuring the works by Ravel & Debussy, at Wilmot United Church on May 13 at 7pm. Admission is $20, $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased at https://elmcitystringquartet.com/events
7) Spring Yard Sale at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church: Yard Sale at 512 Charlotte Street, taking place on Friday, May 13th from 2-7 p.m. and Saturday May 14th, from 9 a.m. – noon. Covid rules apply – masks/appropriate distancing.
8) Brown Bag Lunch Program: The program needs juice boxes, pudding cups and cans of proteins with flip top lids such as soups, meats, fish. Thank you for your donations to this important program.
9) Pantry: The pantry needs sugar – brown & white, flour, Coffee Mate, puddings, smooth peanut butter, jam, mustard, large juice, aluminum foil, Mr. Clean. Thank you for your continued generosity!
10) Hybrid Sunday School: We are EXCITED to welcome you to Sunday School. You can join us in person or through the Zoom platform virtually. For now, our Sunday school lessons will be delivered in a hybrid fashion (simultaneously in person and on Zoom).
11) Upper Room Daily Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotional for May-June is available for purchase in the office for $2.
12) Pentecost/Summer Newsletter: We are putting together another newsletter if you or your committees have anything you would like to share. Committee updates, stories of your faith experiences or celebrations of St. Paul’s history, upcoming events. Let Rev. Michelle know by May 22nd.
Memories in Celebration of 190 Years of Glorifying God!
This is a Wegesegum memory: one tidbit from my St Paul’s United Church childhood camping experience!
The Salutation of the Dawn:
Listen to the salutation of the Dawn.
Look to this day
For it is life
The very life of life.
In its brief course,
Lie all the verities and realities of our existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendour a beauty.
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day!
Such is the Salutation of the Dawn!
Barbara xoxo God bless!
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, N.B. E3B 3P1
Web: www.stpaulsunited.ca | Tel: 506-458-1183 | Email: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely