The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’
Isaiah 6:7-8
Kindred in Christ,
We are coming up on the halfway point of another month, and for the most part, we have all acclimated to the time change. We also started to get used to the cooler weather, but this past week has blown back a sampling of the summer season before we move fully into the late fall and early winter seasons. With all the change going on around us, contrasted with some of the constant sameness that comes with a pandemic, why not take a moment to stop and breathe? Enter into a moment where it is just you and the Holy, and hear that voice say, “do not be afraid,” hear it whisper, “you are mine, you are precious”. Sit, for a moment, with the assurance that through change and challenge, God is with you, ready to walk with you when the moment passes.
As we move from reflection to action, below are a number of ways that you can be involved in the serving of our community.
Sunday School is coming back…again!: In September we did a lot of hard work to make our spaces safe for those attending worship, and for the younger ones who are eager to explore our holy stories. On the recommendation of the Region, we had to put our Sunday School on hold just 2 Sundays after we started it. Well, after a little more than 2 months, we plan to re-open our Sunday school on November 29th, the first Sunday of Advent (generally themed as Hope Sunday, so we are rolling with that idea). Like before we are going to ask parents/guardians to register their little ones each week so that we know who is coming and how many to prepare for. Watch the eNews over the next few weeks for more info on how to register as November 29th approaches.
Angel Tree has landed!: The Christmas Angel Tree is here! You’ll see it in the Narthex when you come to church on Sunday. On it, you will find angel tags bearing Santa wishes from 40 children whose families are being looked after by Greener Village (Fredericton Food Bank) this Christmas. Select a tag for a boy or a girl, a tot or a teen. Buy the gift the child would like and return it to the Church by November 29. Please identify the tag you have taken by writing your name and telephone number on one of the cards available by the tree. There will be a couple of elves on hand to help you with your tag selection. If you have not been attending church in person and wish to participate in the Angel Tree program, please call Eric in the office (458-1183) to arrange a visit to the tree. Or, if you would like an elf to help you with your tag selection and gift purchase, call Carole Peacock at 452-1016. St. Paul’s has always been generous in helping those who have little. Let us continue this tradition as we celebrate the wonder of Christmas in this very different and difficult year.
Winter Jackets: If you have an extra winter jacket around we would like to have a few on hand for our downtown people, gloves toques and scarves as well. Thank you very much
Worship in the week: Rev. Richard returns to the pulpit for the remainder of the year (barring illness), and this Sunday we will hear stories of those whom God has called. Come and see just how much like you these people were, and maybe you will hear where God is calling you!
Family Music for Christmas Eve: For Christmas eve we are hoping to have a compilation of families and congregation members singing their favourite Christmas hymns/songs. All you have to do to participate is take a video of you or your family singing your favourite song, and get it to Rev. Richard. On Christmas Eve we will put them together and throughout worship to remind us that we are all celebrating together, even though we are going through a difficult time.
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
Message From Our Fundscrip Team
This week, on behalf of 14 supporters, we ordered 109 gift cards valued at $6330. Thank you to the First 14 for your support and congratulations on being part of our first FundScrip order! The cards are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, November 17. We will let you know when your order is ready to be picked up at the church office. If you don’t get a chance to come in for them next week, we’ll have them for you at next Sunday’s service. For those who missed our deadline last week or who couldn’t decide what to order, we will be placing our next order in early December. The deadline will be Sunday, December 6. What perfect timing to order your Christmas gift cards! If your family won’t be travelling home for the holidays, gift cards are easy to pop in the mail . . . no presents to wrap, no bulky parcels to take to the post office and best of all, recipients get to choose their own gifts! If you want to know more about the FundScrip fundraising program, pick up an information sheet in the Narthex on Sunday or at the church office during the week. For an order form, click here: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/stpauls-order.pdf Remember: your shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s.
Wreaths
Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers are selling wreaths again. Nancy Macgarvie is selling them off her porch only. (Due to COVID )
Double sided balsam fir: decorated $15 , UNDECORATED $12.
Deadline: November 13 (that’s tomorrow, so call now!)
Pickup Sunday November 29 – 83 Grey St.
Call 455-3026
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
I posted a picture of the church hall on the church Facebook page earlier this week. It had the snowflakes hanging with the Bob Benn star-over-the-town mural in the background with the caption: “How long has the pandemic been going on?
Long enough for the decorations in the hall from March to be relevant again.”
We’ve been at this for quite some time, and while many are putting out a strong front, I think it is important to say, is ok not to be ok. There’s grief running through us that we haven’t even begun to understand, and anxieties that hold a lot of us prisoner as we struggle to make simple choices we would not have thought twice about in February.
Know that we are here to hear you, here to pray with and for you, here to walk with you from who we were, to who we might be with God’s help.
Let’s pray as we head into the weekend:
Here I am, O God, choose me.
Though I am weak, you make me strong.
Though I am broken, you make me whole.
Though I am lost and far off, you come seeking and find me, embracing me.
Here I am, O God. Choose me, and I will follow you. AMEN
Your brother in Christ,
Rev. Richard