Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian & St. Paul’s United
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
Today is Holy Saturday, the quiet space between the agony of Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday. It’s the day the Gospels say almost nothing about—Jesus has been buried, and the world, it seems, has come to a standstill. For many of us, this in-between day feels like a pause in the liturgical drama of Holy Week. But perhaps there is more here than we often notice.
In our tradition, which emphasizes thoughtful faith and the lifelong journey of spiritual growth, Holy Saturday invites us into a sacred kind of waiting. It is not a day of resolution or clarity. It is not triumphant or even particularly hopeful, at least not on the surface. It is the day after death and before resurrection. It is the day when everything seems lost, and God feels profoundly silent.
For those of us who have lived through seasons of grief, loss, or uncertainty—and at our age, many of us have—Holy Saturday may feel deeply familiar. It’s the experience of standing at a graveside, not yet sure how to go on. It’s the long days after a diagnosis, the waiting for answers, the quiet after a goodbye. It’s the space where the old certainties no longer hold, but the new life has not yet arrived.
And yet, Scripture tells us that even here, God is at work. Ancient Christian tradition says that on this day, Jesus descended to the dead, not just resting in the tomb, but reaching into the depths of human suffering to bring light and liberation. In other words, God is not absent in the silence. God is moving in the shadows, even when we cannot yet see the dawn.
In a world that prizes immediacy, noise, and clear outcomes, Holy Saturday offers something countercultural—and deeply healing. It tells us there is value in the waiting, in the ambiguity, in the not-knowing. It reminds us that faith is not always about answers, but often about endurance. Not always about shouting alleluia, but sometimes about sitting still with our questions, trusting that the story is not over yet.
Perhaps this is part of the gift of age and experience—we know, better than we once did, that life includes these liminal spaces. We have lived through Good Fridays and seen Easter mornings, but we also know how long and dark the night in between can be. Holy Saturday tells us that this, too, is holy ground.
So today, let us not rush ahead to Easter. Let us honour the silence. Let us be present to the sorrow, the uncertainty, and the quiet hope that something is still unfolding. And let us remember that even in the grave, God is near.
If you have not had the opportunity to join us for any of the Holy Week services, I encourage you to use today to enter into the story fully. To let the shock, grief and loss prepare you for the miracle of the resurrection and its joy. On the Wilmot YouTube page, you will be able to find the Good Friday Service https://www.youtube.com/@WilmotUnitedChurch/streams
As we sit in with all that this Week have brought, and sit in the uncertainty of what it all means. Let us pray.
God of silence and shadow,
Today we wait with heavy hearts—
between what has been lost and what is yet to come.
In this in-between time,
give us the courage to be still,
to trust that you are at work
even when we cannot see or hear you.
Hold close all who grieve, who wait, who wonder.
And remind us that even in the tomb,
your love is alive.
Amen
PS I hope we will see you at our regular worship service at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary. However, if you would like to greet the Son with an early morning service, you can meet at the end of Carlton Street by the river, where Ellen Beairsto will be leading a sunrise service at 7 am.
Featured In This April 18th eNews Edition
Worship This Sunday April 20th
Easter Sunrise Service
Worship Committee Needs You!
Free Income Tax Clinic
Rummage Sale at Wilmot
Spring Yard Sale
Mother’s Day Tea
St. Andrew’s (Friday Breakfast 2 G0) Pantry
St. Paul’s Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Broadview Magazine Subscription
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Ongoing Church Activities
Connecting With Rev. Michelle
Bulletin & eNews Submissions
Worship This Sunday April 20th
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 10:30am.
Joanna will be in the office on Saturday to upload the Sunday bulletin
to St. Paul’s Website https://www.stpaulsunited.ca/bulletins/
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
Easter Sunrise Service
On behalf of Downtown Churches, Rev. Ellen Beairsto will be hosting a Sunrise Service by the river at the end of Carleton Street at 7am, with breakfast to follow hosted by Wilmot. At this time there will be a ritual of remembering those who have passed since last Easter. You are invited to join this resurrected service and greet the Risen Son with the rising sun.
Worship Committee Needs You! The Ecclesial Assembly is working at strengthening our worship committee and seeking nominations for this important work. If you know of someone who would be a good member or you yourself would like to sit on this committee, please let either co-chair- Mary Charters or Roger Millar – or Rev. Michelle know. Thank you ~ Rev. Michelle
Free Income Tax Clinic
Forest Hill United Church is hosting a free income tax clinic on Friday April 25th from 9:30am to 1pm. You qualify for this service if you are 65 or older, housing insecure, a student, a person with disabilities, or have a modest income. To see if you qualify or for more information, please call 506-455-0988 or email foresth.office@bellaliant.com
Rummage Sale at Wilmot –
Wilmot United Church is holding a Rummage Sale on Friday, April 25th from 11am-5pm and Saturday, April 26th from 9am – 12 noon. There is something for everyone!
Spring Yard Sale
The Tuesday AM Ladies’ Group, their numbers now increased by their newest members (the St. Paul’s ladies), announce their Spring Yard Sale to be held on Friday, May 2nd from 3-7pm and Saturday, May 3rd from 9-Noon. Donations of items are encouraged to make for an interesting and bountiful inventory for our loyal repeat shoppers, and first-time visitors. Drop Off Times for your items are April 22nd through 25th during Office Hours, April 30th – Evening, May 1st – All Day. If these times do not work for you, please contact the Church Offices, or a member of the Ladies Groups to make other arrangements for drop-off.
Mother’s Day Tea
The Tuesday AM Ladies’ Group is hosting a Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday May 10th from 11:30am-1:30pm. Join us for sandwiches, your choice of dessert, tea, coffee, and conversation. Tickets are $15 each and available for purchase in both church offices during regular hours, or after service starting on Easter Sunday. eTransfer available to stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com.
St. Andrew’s (Friday Breakfast 2 Go) Pantry
The Saint Andrew’s pantry needs the following items: peanut butter, canned milk, coffee, Cheese Whiz, crackers and Boost or similar nutritional drinks.Thanks in advance for your generosity! ~ Mission and Outreach Committee
St. Paul’s Pantry Program
For the month of April, the Pantry will focus on receiving donations of 1L vinegar and ketchup. Other items of need are flour, sardines, canned peas, jam vinegar, mustard, tomatoes, tea, coffee, cookies, granola, cereal, white rice, tin foil, plastic wrap, Mr. Clean, hand soap, paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissues, and dish & laundry detergent. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
– The Brown Bag Lunch program needs canned proteins with pull tops (such as flakes of meat, Chef Boyardee, chili, sardines), chicken salad & crackers, pudding cups, and small, sweet treats such as mini chocolate bars. Thank you for your continued generosity.
Broadview Magazine Subscription
Broadview magazine features award-winning coverage of spirituality, justice and ethical living stories and images, inspiring readers to live a purpose-filled life. If you would like to subscribe or renew your subscription, St. Paul’s group subscription rate is $25 per year, for 8 issues, mailed directly to your home. You can pay for your subscription in the office via cheque (payable to St. Paul’s), cash or by e-transfer. Deadline is June 1st. For more information on Broadview click HERE. Reach out to Meghan with any questions or to register or renew at stpaulsofffice224@gmail.com or 458-1183.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
April 20th ~ Easter Sunrise Service at 7am, followed by breakfast at Wilmot.
April 20th ~ Easter Sunday Service with Communion at 10:30 am,
Fellowship hosted by the Worship Committee ~
April 21st ~ Easter Monday STAT Holiday – Offices Closed
April 27th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship hosted by Debbie West
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 ~ Bible Study from 6-7pm ~ All are Welcome!
Thursdays ~ Choir Practice from 7-8pm ~ 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.
Please send announcements to Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com by noon on Wednesday.
“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.” —Luke 24:2–3
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 & Friday 8am-12pm
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong |Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Ministers Emeriti: Rev. Doug Blaikie & Rev. Dr. Basil Lowery
Custodian: Doug Newman