Anniversaries are great times to look backward and look forward. Looking forward has been a challenge since the pandemic started. While the pandemic isn’t over – with fingers crossed – our plan to host a time of coffee and conversation time after worship on Sunday will not have to shift.
In person worship coffee time will be in Fraser Memorial Hall where you can either sit socially distanced at a table or mingle. We still have to have masks when not eating/drinking. So for mingling that will mean pulling down your mask, taking a sip, and then putting it back up. For those on zoom, after the service we will end our recording and open up the microphones so you can talk with each other again. These are important ways we connect and I have heard in the last couple months people saying they missed these opportunities. Think of it as my anniversary gift to us.
As I celebrate the gifts and challenges of the last year, I wonder what is God inviting us to learn during this time? I want to suggest that one of the things we can learn is that we are more flexible then we once thought and more capable of innovation then we once believed. I also wonder how God intends to use these lessons in the future.
Tomorrow the office will be closed for remembrance day, we hope that you will take some time to reflect on war and peace, those how served and serve in the military and the great sacrifice and loss of those who didn’t come home. So that we can remember the hard-fought lessons wars have taught us.
As we move towards Sunday let us pray.
God of what has been, what is and what is to come
We give thanks for your steadfast love and care
We give you thanks for the lessons of the past that help guide us.
We thank you for the agency we have in this moment to act on our passions and use our gifts.
We appreciate your spirit that stirs in us visions of what we, and the church,
can be that call us to the future that only you know.
Hold us as we continue to follow your way,
Challenge us to meet the new day,
Let us know that we are ok,
Through your beloved, Christ, we pray. Amen
1) Worship announcements
2) Scam Alert
3) FundScrip
4) Wednesday Bible Study Group
5) Christmas Wish Tree Alert
6) UCW Take out meal – Nov. 27th
7) Fabric and Yarn Sale
8) Wreaths in support of Grandmothers helping Grandmothers
9) Nashwaaksis Christmas Bazaar
1 – This Sunday worship starts at 10:30am. This week will be a special Anniversary Celebration Service with special guest Pastor Chris Walker
As always, if you are not ready to join us in person we hope to see you on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode: 165090
If you are joining us on zoom please make sure your microphone stays muted the entire time – if not, we hear your conversation instead of the worship service.
Please note that as of September 24th, to attend in-person worship here at St. Paul’s United Church you must show proof of vaccination. We will also be following the same protocols as previous weeks
– Wearing a mask at all times
– Sitting in marked pews
– Singing while masked is permitted
Our services are uploaded to our youTUBE channel every Sunday so you can view them at your convenience.
2 – Scam Alert! Nancy MacGarvie got an email from someone pretending to be Rev. Michelle (email address: ministerst9@gmail.com) asking for help buying gift cards for a friend with cancer. This is a scam! Rev. Michelle would NEVER ask for donations directed to her in any way shape or form. Please always check that the email is coming from one of these email addresses – michellearmstrong@hotmail.com or stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com. If you are ever in doubt, please contact the office to verify the validity of the request. Thank you, Nancy, for bringing this to our attention!
3 – FundScrip: Time to start your Christmas shopping? Do it with FundScrip gift cards. Use the cards to purchase gifts or give the cards as gifts to family and friends. Gift cards make great stocking stuffers, too! The November deadline is THIS Sunday November 14th. This next holiday deadline is Sunday, December 12. Click here to download an order form! Contact Carole Peacock at cpeacock@bellaliant.net
4 – Lectionary Bible Study: Join Rev. Michelle Wednesday at 11:11am in the Lady’s Parlor for bible study. No experience is necessary just an open heart and mind. Come and have your questions and insights inform Sunday worship. The reading for next week’s study will be Isaiah 9:1-7
5 – Christmas Angel Tree: Share the joy of Christmas with a child! Check out the Christmas Angel Tree at the front of the sanctuary after the service on Sunday. It is decorated with angels bearing Santa wishes from 40 children whose families are being looked after by the Fredericton Food Bank (Greener Village) this Christmas. Select an angel, buy a gift and return it to the Church or office by the next Sunday, November 21. If you will not be at church but wish to pick a tag, feel free to drop into the church anytime (during office hours) next week. We have a short turnaround time this year – only a week to shop and return the gifts. The people of St. Paul’s have always been generous in helping those who have little. Let’s continue the tradition as we approach this wonderful time of year.
6 – The UCW will be hosting a Take-Out Dinner on Saturday, November 27th . Pick up is between 11 AM and 1 PM from the Charlotte Street parking lot. Menu includes ham slice, potato scallop, coleslaw, roll, and carrot cake. Price $15.00 Telephone Ann to order at 457-0164. Cut off date to order is Wednesday, November 24th.
7 – St. Paul’s Quilters have been invited to participate in a Fabric and Yarn Sale with Wilmot United Church and Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers on Nov 20 at Wilmot. If you have some yarn or fabric that is just taking up space in your home, please bring it to St. Paul’s before Nov 18 and we will find it a new home. All proceeds from items donated will be retained by St. Paul’s Quilters.
8 – The Nashwaaksis United Church is having their Annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 20th from 9 – Noon. They will have bake tables, craft table, silent auction and much more. Free Admission. You must be double vaccinated, wear masks and respect social distancing requirements. 46 Main Street, Fredericton NB
9 – Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers are selling wreaths again. Nancy MacGarvie is selling them from her porch at 83 Grey Street. Double sided balsam fir, decorated $16; Undecorated $13. Deadline for orders is November 21st. Pickup Sunday November 28th. Call 455-3026 or email nancymacgarvie@rogers.com. Proceeds are in support of the African Grandmothers in conjunction with Stephen Lewis Foundation and Help Lesotho.