But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

-Mark 16:6-8       

 

Kindred in Christ,

In the excerpt from this coming Sunday’s reading, we see the disciples responding to something they didn’t understand with fear. It is easy to do that. When we are confronted with the unknown, or something mysterious, something bigger than ourselves, it is easy to reach for the closest thing at hand – the blanket of fear – and wrap ourselves with it as we strive to insulate ourselves from what we do not understand.

 

Christ calls us to a different path, to see the unknown that lies before us, and to walk into it not because we are bold or brave, but because God has called us there, because God waits for us there.

 

As we wade into the unknown of our faith and of our daily lives, we do so as a community bound together by faith and the love of God. In our quest for connection in the midst of distancing, below are a number of ways that we can worship and grow together in faith.

 

Upcoming Worship Opportunities:

Worship is the center and the starting point of who we are as a people of faith. Below are a number of ways that we come together to mark this time and give praise to God as we walk together.

  • Today is Maundy Thursday, the day where Christ sat with some friends in an upper room and shared in a meal to which we are all invited. Let us join at the table this night as we share in the feast that feeds our souls. Worship begins at 6:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live
  • Tomorrow we come together at the foot of the cross on a day we call Good Friday. It is not where the disciples expected to be, but it is a marker on our path that guides us from life, to death, and into new life. Come and hear the story as darkness closes in, as we wait together. The service begins at 3 PM.
  • On Sunday morning we are all invited to greet the dawn and the risen son from home. There will be a Sunrise Service bulletin posted on this website http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/holy-week-2020/ in the coming days, but you can also join Rev. Richard at sunrise on Facebook Live around 6:45 AM as he greets the son at the river with prayers and a reading of the names of those we have lost this past year. As above, just go to our Facebook page and wait for the stream to go live
  • Later Sunday morning, we gather virtually for our Easter Sunday Communion Worship. We will hear the story of the disciples coming to an empty tomb, and we will pray for guidance as we move forward with hope.

 

Growing together in Faith:

Throughout this pandemic, Rev. Michelle and Rev. Richard have been striving to provide a variety of ways for us to grow together in faith either together virtually, at home with family, or in our own time and ways. Below are the options available at this time:

    • Rev. Richard has been hosting weekly prayer services throughout Lent and throughout this pandemic. Though Lent is coming to an end, we want to continue to provide those opportunities for prayer. There are two services taking place weekly, and they information is below.

 

  • Evening Prayer Service: No longer a Lent focused prayer service, we will continue to gather on Sunday evenings @ 7 PM to pray as we Seek the Light together.

 

 

  • Morning Prayer Service: This opportunity for prayer only started when we chose to suspend in-person activities at the church. We are going to continue this prayer service indefinitely as we find ways and times to come before God in prayer. This prayer time takes place on Wednesday mornings @ 10 AM

 

    • Rev. Michelle has been hosting a faith discussion group through zoom as well as providing faith education resources through our website for the past few weeks. There are resources for people of faith of all ages, and can be found by following the links below:

 

  • All Ages Faith Journey: There are many activities that any person can do to deepen their faith and connect with the strength that it offers. This page – http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/all-ages-faith-journeys/ – contains links to many of these  spiritual practices both traditional and modern that you can engage with on your own time and as needed.
  • Children and Youth @ Home: Faith Formation for our children and youth is an important ministry of our congregation.  Equipping our young people to see their lives and experiences through the lens of God’s story  builds resilience for the challenges they face and instills the truth about who they are – Beloved Children of God! Find resources at this link: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/sunday-school-home/ 
  • God’s Story, Our Story: Each Wednesday, at 2:00 PM, you are invited to join in the conversation. Because we are limiting in-person activities at the church, this gathering will take place on the Zoom digital platform (so right in the comfort of your own home!). Information this discussion group can be found here: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/gods-story-our-story/ 

 

 

Request from the Community: The Community Family Practitioners of Fredericton are asking for the

communities’ assistance in obtaining items to be used in the provision of patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Hopefully these items won’t be necessary, however, to be proactive and prepared we would like to gather as much supplies now as possible.

 

Such items consist of the following: 

  • protective gloves (unopened is preferable)
  • surgical masks NIOSH-approved medical or non medical (unopened is preferable)
  • masks  (unopened is preferable) N95, N90, N99, N100, P95, P90, P99, and P100
  • vented safety goggles
  • scrubs and/or long sleeve gowns
  • 70% and greater alcohol-based hand sanitizer

We appreciate the public’s assistance in helping ensure the safety of patients, our staff and physicians. This drive is critical to keeping community offices functioning, in an effort to avoid congestion in the emergency room.

We thank you for your support.

To arrange contact-free pick up send us a direct message or email cfpfredericton@gmail.com

 

As we continue on this journey to the cross, the tomb and beyond, as we continue to walk through this time of pandemic, may we do so with hope as our guide rather than fear. The light of Christ shines on in us no matter how dark the world seems. 

 

As we walk together, let us pray:

Comforting Christ,

in these times of upheaval in your life and ours, we pray for

your guidance,

your light,

your courage.

Remind us that there is 

no fear so deep that we cannot rise above it,

no darkness so enveloping that your light cannot scatter it.

 

Walk with us, O Christ, as we walk with road

alone,

together,

with you.

AMEN

 

Yours in Christ,        

Rev. Richard and Rev. Michelle