St. Paul’s United Church
Our Mission: Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, and Serving Others in Christ’s name.
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
Focusing on getting people into the church is not working. We have been trying various “tactics” for years. Screens in the sanctuary, bring a friend to church Sunday, guest speakers, and fun family events. None of which have drawn long-term results. The church has been trying to find the winning innovation for the last 50 years. What if innovation is not actually what we need to be a thriving church?
This question is at the core of the book When Church Stops Working by Andrew Root and Blair Bertrand. They assert that as we attempt to drive our growth and survival by ourselves and conform consciously or unconsciously to the ways of thinking found in our wider culture the church stops working.
Root and Bertrand name waiting for God as the first step to fixing the church. Waiting for God for them is active, not passive. It involves developing our relationship with God so that we can attune our ears to God speaking in our midst. Here lies the crux of the challenge and the invitation to a new way. Well, maybe this way is not so new. Ultimately they are calling us to live in the Holy Spirit, returning to a place where our relationship with God is primary, and discernment of the way forward is done in the context of the bible, prayer, and the thoughts and insights of the community members.
As Rob Fennel and Russell Daye in their book on Thriving Christian churches, put it, thriving churches, are those that have tapped into the roots of our faith to fuel development. They pictured this time in the church as being like the aftermath of a forest fire. While the surface has been burned away, leaving a mess, underground everything needed to support new growth and development still exists. The new saplings just need to reach their roots into the soil.
We might not be new, but we are the church that is planted in this day. If we want the church to start working, we need to root ourselves in God. We need to learn the new-old ways, as we return our focus on being disciples, learners of the Way. In doing this we will reconnect to and be able to give testimony about how the practices of our forebearers bring us into contact with the Divine One, whose breath is the breath of life.
Don’t know where to start. Let’s focus on gratitude and thanksgiving. What is one thing that you are thankful for today? And tomorrow ask that same question. And again the next day, until thinking about your life from a place of gratitude to God is your default pattern.
So let’s pray…
Dear God,
Thank you for this day and that I get to be alive in it.
Thank you also for _______________________
Help me to see my life as a gift from you, and open me to your hand which guides me.
Let this awareness allow me to be a better bearer of your light into this world.
In Christ’s strong name, I pray Thank you and Amen.
Featured In This February 29th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday March 2nd
Annual Reports Due!
Fellowship Hour Servers Needed!
Scammer Alert
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Thank you!
Booking Meeting Space at St. Paul’s
Purdys Easter Chocolate Fundraiser
God’s Story, Our Story
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
Upcoming Dates To Remember
World Day Of Prayer Services
Employment Opportunity
Worship This Sunday march 3rd
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 10:30am
Can’t make it in person, join via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740 Password: 657067
Fellowship Hour Servers Needed!
Thank you to everyone who has provided for our fellowship time. Currently we are seeking folks to sign up for March 3rd & 31st. You can help our faith community by picking one day to serve in the coming months. Check the bulletin board across from the hall for available dates.
FundScrip
Deadline for our next order is Sunday, March 3rd. If you are expecting the Easter Bunny to stop at your house, maybe he should have a few gift cards in his basket! Now is the time to order them… Easter comes very early this year (March 29th). Order forms are available in the church office, the narthex or click here to print one Did you know you can also donate gift cards to the Pantry/Brown Bag Lunch program and get a tax receipt for your gift? Ask Carole Peacock for details. Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program needs proteins with flip top lids. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items this week: Kleenex, comet, Rice, Macaroni, Icing sugar, Shake + bake, Crushed tomatoes, Paper towels. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
Thank You!
Thank you for your generous donation of warm winter items for our vulnerable folks in the downtown area. They express much gratitude for receiving these items. Thank you!
Booking Meeting Space at St. Paul’s
As the use of our space at St. Paul’s gets busier, please remember to book your meetings space through the office. Drop by in person, call 458-1183 or email Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com.
Purdys Easter Chocolate Fundraiser
Want to know the most DELICIOUS way to support us? Order Purdys Easter chocolates from our fundraiser!
Our Easter Chocolate Fundraiser begins… NOW! Go get your Easter treats: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1719958-115485
This year, our goal is to raise $2000 so we need your help – but don’t worry, all the work you’re doing is choosing which chocolates to order.
Stock up on beautiful Easter gift boxes, fun chocolate bunnies, Sweet Georgia Browns and more. All profits will go directly to St. Paul’s Outreach Programs. So, satisfy those cravings, get all your Easter basket-shopping done while supporting a great cause.
Ordering is as easy as eating chocolate. Just click this link https://fundraising.purdys.com/1719958-115485, fill out your info you’ll need an email address, click “Join Campaign”, enter campaign number – 67403, and order to your heart’s content!
The deadline to order is March 5th, 2024. Once orders close, we’ll notify everyone when and where you can collect your treats. Pick up at St. Paul’s will start around March 24th.
Please share with anyone you know who might be interested. It would help us so much.
Thank you!
God’s Story, Our Story
Pick up this reflection guide in the narthex to use as a home devotional or with your friends. This devotional follows the pattern of pray, reflect and do, offering suggestions on how to put the biblical theme into action.
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Tuesdays from 10:45am-11:45am we explore the biblical passage for Sunday, seeking to create connections with our lives. Come explore deeper the passage we will be reading. As one participant noted, “it makes Sunday service richer”. Join us in the boardroom. Can’t make it in person, you can join the discussion via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81736183320 Meeting ID: 817 3618 3320 Passcode: 750844
Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
Thursdays from 6-7pm in the Parlor we explore the questions you have, scripture and faith practices to deepen our connection with God and each other. We hope you will join
Upcoming Dates To Remember
ASAP ~ Annual Report Submissions Due
March 3rd ~ Fellowship Hour Hosts Needed!
March 10th ~ Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 10th ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Lois & Bill Paterson & Carole Peacock
March 17th ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Mel & Barb McGuigan & Debbie Allison
March 24th ~ Palm Sunday ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister
March 28th ~ Downtown United ~ Maundy Thursday Service at Wilmot
March 29th ~ Downtown United ~ Good Friday Service at St. Paul’s
March 31st ~ Easter Sunday Service with Communion ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed
World Day Of Prayer Services
The World Day of Prayer Services, prepared by the Women of Palestine will be held at two locations in the Fredericton region:
Northside: St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 1 William Street off the Royal Road on Friday, March 1st, 2024 at 2:00pm. Refreshments to follow. Storm date will be Saturday, March 2,2024 at 2:00pm. Wheelchair Accessible.
Southside: Brunswick Street Baptist Church, 161 York Street on Friday, March 1st,2024 at 7:00pm. Storm date will be March 3,2024 at 2:00pm. Refreshments to follow. Wheelchair Accessible.
You can also watch it on Computer, go to wicc.org click on World Day of Prayer 2024 Videos.
Wilmot United Church in downtown Fredericton is accepting applications for a 10-14 hr/wk Church Office Administrator beginning April 1,2024 (flexibility re: start date & hours). This position is key to creating a welcoming environment as well as the smooth, efficient, and effective functioning of the church. Its focus will be on reception, communication (i.e. social media, website management, newsletter) and general office responsibilities. Skills required include good interpersonal communication; advanced computer proficiency & knowledge of Microsoft Office products; graphics & database software; ability to work independently in an environment subject to frequent interruptions. Please direct inquiries or covering Letter & resume to Chair of Ministry & Personnel Committee, Judy Coates, wilmotuc@nb.sympatico.ca cc judycoates@rogers.com
We look forward to Meghan being back next week so she can post e-news with all the images 🙂
St. Paul’s United Church
190 Years of Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, and Serving Others in Christ’s name
Contact Information
224 York St., Fredericton, NB E3B 3P1
Web: www.stpaulsunited.ca | Tel: 506-458-1183 | Email: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organists: Dr. Sharon Pond & Alexis Ervin
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Jaedyn Williams