Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Then afterwards I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
                                                                                              -Joel 2:13b, 28

Kindred in Christ,

As we continue on our journey through this season of preparation, we make our way towards the Second Sunday not only of Advent, but of worship and living in the orange phase. Readying ourselves has taken on a whole new meaning as we strive to make our homes both ready for Christ and – hopefully – safe for gathering with family and friends. As we wrestle with the chaos of the ever-changing landscape of this pandemic it is appropriate that the theme of our worship and our week is Peace.

Let us seek that Peace – the Peace of Christ – together as we worship, work, and wander the road together.

Below are some of the ways that we continue to find connectedness in the midst of this season.

Angel Tree: Thank you for your generous support of the Christmas Tree Angel program organized by Greener Village (Fredericton Food Bank). Your amazing donations of toys, games, books and other items will bring a lot of happiness to children being looked after by the Food Bank this Christmas. Thank you again for sharing the joy of the season.

Brown Bag Lunches: Hi everyone we are looking for donations of all the Parts of our lunches: Juice boxes, protein in pop top cans and deserts. Thank you very much.

Worship In-Person or by Zoom: We continue to live into a hybrid worship where we have seats available for those who would like to worship in-person, but will continue to offer streamed worship through Zoom. However you join us, we are glad to have you!.

  • The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85811548808
  • The password for this meeting room is: 200188
  • For those who would prefer to call in the number is: 1 647 558 0588 then use the Meeting ID: 858 1154 8808, and then enter the passcode 200188 when prompted

Hospital Visitation from a Minister in Orange Phase: Unfortunately this information did not come to us until after the eNews last week but: Visitation is still currently allowed with a small change that all visitations must come through nursing staff on the unit where the patient and/or family is located. If a family or patient calls Rev. Richard directly requesting a visitation, they will be directed to request nursing staff to call you to arrange a specific time.

Advent and Christmas Eve Services

As we continue to make our way through this season of preparation, it can sometimes be difficult to keep dates straight, and so below are a list of services, along with some information, over the coming weeks.

  • December 13th @ 10:30 am – Advent 3 Joy Sunday & New Members Sunday: Next Sunday, December 13th, we are going to be celebrating with joy in a very real way as we welcome new members into our church family. If you have found yourself at home here at St. Paul’s but have not officially become a member, there is still time! Contact Rev. Richard at 262-2150 or by email at rev.bowley@outlook.com for more information.
  • December 13th @ 2:00 pm – Christmas Reflections Recital: Please join us at 2pm Sunday afternoon, December 13th at St. Paul’s United Church for a recital entitled “Christmas Reflections”. This recital will feature organ solos, piano/organ duets, vocal solos and Christmas Readings by Dr. Sharon Pond, Alexis Ervin and Jane Blakely. Covid Protocols are in place. Please wear a mask. Free will offering at the door. This recital will also be available for your listening pleasure on zoom. Login information is below:
  • December 20th @ 10:30 am – Advent 4 Love Sunday: Come on this last Sunday before Christmas to celebrate the Love that surrounds us. We move in our scriptures from prophets to Gospels as we hear of Mary receiving the news from the angel.
  • December 21st @ 7:00 pm – Longest Night Service Downtown United: This season of lights is not easy for everyone, and is particularly hard in these trying times. At the Longest Night service we allow our feelings to flow, to lift our burdens to God, and seek a true light to follow through and beyond this season. You can also attend this service virtually through Zoom. Login information is below:
  • December 24th @ 7:00 pm – Christmas Eve Service: Like so many things this year, Christmas Eve at St. Paul’s is going to be a little different. Normally, we would throw open the doors and welcome as many as would fit comfortably (and some uncomfortably) as we celebrate the day, but this year we have a hard limit of 220 people (unless we remain in the orange phase, then the first 50 to register will be the only ones allowed in attendance for in-person worship). So, we are asking all those who want to be present for the 7 pm Christmas Eve service to secure a seat by following this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-eve-st-pauls-united-tickets-130247398475. Tickets are free, but we will need your name, number, and email (for contact tracing purposes). Please only order as many tickets as you or your family will need as seats are limited. Tickets will be available through the link starting Sunday, November 29th. If you or someone you know does not have access to the internet but wants to come on Christmas Eve, please contact the office at 458-1183. You can also attend this service virtually through Zoom. Login information is below:
  • December 24th Prerecorded on Youtube – Christmas Eve Communion: Normally we would have an 11 pm communion service, but due to restrictions this service has moved online. Join with Rev. Richard on our youtube page following the 7 pm worship for an intimate communion experience. There will be music, light, and grace enough for all. Our youtube page is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG2wvjhQzgAm-2Co5WvRkmA, check there for the video following the in-person Christmas Eve service.

Message From Our Fundscrip Team

Our next order of gift cards through the FundScrip fundraising program will be sent on Monday, December 7th. If you plan to use the cards for Christmas gifts, please complete your order form and bring it (with payment)  to Sunday service on December 6 or deliver it to the church office before December 6. Several retailers have just announced increased rebates for cards purchased during the holiday season. Winners, HomeSense and Marshalls have increased their rebate to 8% (from 6).The Ultimate Dining Card (can be used at East Side Mario’s, Harvey’s, Montana’s, New York Fries and Swiss Chalet) will now donate 9% of the gift card’s value (up from 5) and Esso is offering 3% (up from 2).  We will receive your cards by December 15 and call you when they arrive. The cards are welcome gifts for family and friends and so easy to shop for. Order forms are available in the Narthex, at the church office or by clicking here:  http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/stpauls-order.pdf.

Remember: your shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s.

Rental Opportunity

Downtown Office Space for rent   – $500.00 per month (first month’s rent is free!!!)
224 York Street – 270 square feet
Heat, lights,
Elevator
Security alarm system
Washrooms
Parking for one vehicle
Walking distance to restaurants, banks, government offices.

Telephone 458-1183

As we go forth seeking peace in the coming days and weeks, let us never forget whence that peace comes. In the scripture excerpt that opens this letter, we hear of God pouring out God’s spirit on the people. In the gospels, Christ speaks of a peace that he gives that the world cannot. Peace comes from our divine parent and partner, but we are called to share it with one another.

So go into the rest of this season to share the peace that Christ brings into our lives. Let us pray.
Peace, O Christ. We pray for your peace, but we do not seek it for ourselves. We seek your peace that we may share it with our kindred in this world.
So guide us to those who are weary and worn, those who are grieving, those who are lost and alone.
Into our connectedness with one another, bring your peace.
We wait on you, O Christ, even as we pray in your name.  AMEN

Your brother in Christ,
Rev. Richard Bowley