Let the Journey Begin!
This is our first week back to regular services, children are starting school again, vacation season has wrapped up and it is time to start settling into our fall schedule. So as we start back up what is happening?
The bible tells an amazing story of God at work in and through people’s lives, yet sometimes as we jump around in the scriptures we lose the great narrative of hope, loss, struggle, redemption and new life that fill the pages. This year worship services will be designed around the narrative lectionary, where we will walk through the story arch focusing this fall on our Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) shifting at Christmas to the Greek scriptures (New Testament). This means you may hear stories this year in worship that we have not preached on before, which is always exciting. So we hope that you will make an effort to journey with us through the bible this year.
Welcome back Sunday is this weekend, which means regular worship starts at 10:30 followed by a fellowship BBQ in the George St parking lot. During the service, the nursery will be open for our smallest children, staffed by loving volunteers. You are always welcome to drop your child off or stay with them if you prefer. The room is equipped with a speaker so you can hear what is happening in the sanctuary, don’t be afraid to ask if it is not on. Our Sunday School program will be starting this Sunday as well with a slight shift in our classes. We will have three classes this year (4 years-Grade 1, Grade 2-5, Grade 5+) which will allow us to attend to the needs of our tweens and teens more fully. Thanks you to all of the volunteers who run this program and share their gifts. If you feel called to help develop the faith of the next generation please consider helping out with Sunday School.
After two gatherings and a break over August our youth group (Middle School and older) will be gathering every other Friday starting September 22nd. Join us at the church for games, popcorn and spiritual practice making prayer beads. 6:30-9:00pm.
Developing our faith isn’t just for children, so check out the bulletin this week for information on the Spirit Sisters (women’s group) that starts on Monday September 18th at 7pm, the Men’s conversation group that starts on Wednesday September 20th at 7pm and Mixed Senior’s bible study Starting Tuesday September 12th at 10am. Don’t forget that Prayers in the Parlour take place Wednesday morning at 10am. Check out our Facebook page St. Paul’s United Church Fredericton for announcements and weekly reflection on the Psalms.
Sharing the Cross of hope: earlier this summer we announced that we were collecting funds to be able to provide congregants with cross necklaces to share with people that they meet and know who would benefit from Christian faith as an outreach from St. Paul’s. If you would like a cross to share with someone or to have on hand in case you come across someone who could use it contact Rev. Michelle or Rev. Richard. If you would like to donate to keeping this program provide a donation through the office for The Cross Outreach Project.
Blessings onto your week and we are hoping to see you on Sunday as we say Welcome Back to St. Paul’s.
Rev. Michelle and Rev. Richard