The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. – Jeremiah 33: 14-15
Advent Greetings Kindred in Christ!
This week the sanctuary has been transformed as the Advent decorating team lead by Doug Warman were hard at work hanging lights and greens. Our sanctuary truly has been decked for the season. Thank you to our Christmas elves who were busy climbing ladders, untangling lights, hanging garland. Your joy and commitment to making the sanctuary express the joy of the season is such a blessing.
If you have children, grandchildren or just really like Christmas carols. Don’t miss this year’s Carols by Glowstick this FRIDAY!. It will be the first of many events this Advent season, check the event listing below for full details.
This Sunday we will be having UNB Campus chaplain Rev. Mike Bravener as our guest preacher. This fall he was contacted by the Fredericton Council for Christian Ministry on Campus (which St. Paul’s is a member) for 20 hours a week after our previous minister accepted a full-time congregational ministry position. Rev. Mike has been engaging with the campus community and making connections which have allowed him to be a spiritual resource to students and staff on campus. On Sunday, there will be an opportunity to make a special offering for campus ministry. To support the ongoing work with students place your donation in the marked envelope inserted in the bulletin (all donations marked with name or offering number will receive tax credit). If that wasn’t enough for Advent 1 we also will be blessed with the Children’s Choir singing and our Advent communion.
As the season progresses there is so much going on make sure you mark your calendars today…
• Carols by Glowstick is happening at St. Paul’s United Church Tomorrow November 29th 6-7pm. This indoor Christmas Carol event is a great way to kick off the season as we join our voices together to sing our favorite carols by child friendly glow stick. Come out and raise your voice, swing your glowstick and enjoy the glow of the season.
• The Canadian International Organ Competition Presents, Christian Lane (organ) & Thomas Leslie (tenor) In Concert here at St. Paul’s This Saturday Nov 30th at 7:30 PM $15 advance $20 at the door, tickets at ciocm.org
• The Annual Advent Carol Festival held each year at St. Paul’s United Church (corner of George and York) will take place on Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. Local church and community choirs will present a program of new, as well as familiar, Christmas music. There will be a chance for audience members to join in the festive singing, too. A freewill offering to support 12 Fredericton area food banks will be received.
• Dec. 11 at 7pm, Christmas with the FHS Jazz Band,” A Jazz Christmas” directed by Craig Woodcock. Donation to support the FHS Jazz band and St. Paul’s music program.
• Dec. 18 at 7 pm Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Concert of Organ Music and Readings”. Donations for CBC feed a family. This is geared to organ lovers although all are welcome looks like fun!
• Christmas Eve Services 3pm family service 7pm traditional with candle lighting 11pm communication service.
• St Paul’s United Children’s Handbell Choir has started Sunday’s 10-10:30. This program is for children 6 years of age and older. Contact Tricia Berry tmberry@rogers.com
• Reflective Bible Study and Prayer Group Sundays at 9:15 am in the office. Tammy Landry is hosting. Come enjoy the scripture.
• Our Awesome Pantry Team has the current need for coffee, cheezwhiz, pasta sauce, house hold cleaner, large juice, tomatoes, and soda crackers. Thank you very much.
• St Paul’s Yarn Ministry meets on the third Wednesday of each month. no previous experience or affiliation with St. Paul’s required. Please let Jen Petryshen know if you would like to attend so we can book a spot.
• Money counters/Tellers needed. Training provided previous money handling experience is an asset, please let Eric in the office know thank you very much.
• Gifts with vision catalog’s in support of the United Church’s mission and service are available now! don’t know what to give someone that has everything, give them a gift that impacts the world through the gifts with vision catalog.
As we move into Advent we will continue to hear from the prophets as they hold out the promise that God will save and redeem God’s people. This week we turn to Jeremiah 33: 14-18, where we hear the promise that a new leader will rise from the Davidic line of kings, one who will execute God’s justice and rule to save God’s own people. Jeremiah was among the last prophets to prophesy before Jerusalem was conquered by Babylon. In these writings Jeremiah understood that their impending captivity and the exile to follow were a natural consequence of their disobedience to God. Regardless of your view on this theology, the part of Jeremiah we will read on Sunday is the promise that God will not leave us in captivity and exile. It is this never give up on us God, that allows us to say confidently even in the troubled times of today that God is our hope and our salvation. We hope to see you Sunday as we hear Rev. Mike Bravener preach and as we taste and see God’s goodness through communion.As we head into this weekend let us pray
Advent God,
The God who is here, but also coming,
help us in this busy season to stop and remember that you seek to save us,
not just from mighty armies but also from ourselves.
This Advent, teach us again the awe and wonder of this season.
Help us to create space so that you can be born again in us.
Through your birth again you radically change the world.
Help us to be like Mary, God bearers in the world,
birthing hope, peace, joy and love. Amen.
Yours in Christ
Rev. Michelle