Do you know the good thing about being in a major mess? We are more likely to see that each step taken forward, even the little steps, are worth celebrating. This marking of progress helps us to be renewed for the journey forward and creates gratitude for the success. It is really too bad that we don’t celebrate the positive steps we take more often, instead of ruminating on the things that have gone wrong or still need to be done.
Celebration and gratitude have the wonderful power of shifting one’s mindset and letting joy in. They can help combat the pessimism that is so rampant and help us to see the future with a more positive view. They also draw our attention to the here and now. An attitude of gratitude is a spiritual practice – that helps us to see the blessings God has laid out before us.
I am celebrating that the slides for Sunday are complete and that we have someone to get them set up for Sunday. I am celebrating the changes being made to our financial reporting system that will allow us quick up-to-date information in a format readable by the congregation and the plan to consolidate our data/computer system so that it will be more functional. I celebrate the amazing contacts I had this week with members of the congregation where I was able to really minister to people in the midst of the administrative work currently needed. I celebrate that the property committee got the downstairs bathroom toilet fixed so it isn’t leaking water and the work M&P are doing to find the right office administrator. I am also celebrating that I am able to take Reid and Ella to swim lessons and my plan to spend some time as a family this weekend while camping. So, what are you celebrating?
As noted I will be away this weekend for pastoral emergencies please contact Ellen Beairsto at 206-1943. I will be back in the office on Monday. As we go into this weekend let us pray
Abundant God,
You bless us in so many ways.
Yet so often we forget to acknowledge this fact.
We get caught up in our own anxieties and fears about what might be,
Or lost in our hopes that things return to the way they were.
Help us to see this moment for what it is, Lord.
Open us to the blessings you have laid out for this moment
Help us to celebrate not only where we are
but the small steps towards where you are calling us to be.
This we pray in Christ’s name.
Amen
Announcements
1) Summer Worship
2) Church office hours
3) Fundscript
4) Weekend emergency pastoral care
5) Seeing God Summer Challenge
6) Cell phone Donation
1) Summer Worship Worship in July will be hosted at St. Paul’s. Worship will start at 10:30am and be available in person and via Zoom Services will be hosted by Wilmot between August 1-August 29th. Preaching this week Ellen Beairsto is here at St Paul’s. Join us in person or Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Meeting ID: 868 5471 8551 Passcode: 165090
2) Interim Church Office Hours: We are running a reduced schedule of hours:
Monday to Thursday inclusive from 10 am -2 pm. Thank you to the volunteers who are helping out.
3) Fundscript continues to offer a way for you to support the church without any additional cost to you by using pre-purchased gift cards to make your everyday and special purchases. Next week Sunday, July 18 our order is due. Don’t forget to get your cards for all your summer activities. You can also print one here: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/POF_46258_NB_20210107105919197.pdf Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s! Enjoy your summer, stay safe!
4) Weekend Emergency Pastoral Care Rev. Michelle is away this weekend if you have emergency pastoral care needs please call Ellen Beairsto at 206-1943
5) Seeing God Summer Challenge As we settle into the summer patterns, you are invited to continue to look and experience God’s presence. If you are staying home or on the road, take your copy of Seeing God Summer challenge with you. Keep track of your sightings and bring back the sheet in September. You can get your copy of this years summer challenge in the Narthex, on our website (coming soon) and through facebook.
6) Cell Phone Donation As part of their building security plan the property committee is looking for a donation of a functional used cell-phone in good condition to be used as an alarm contact phone to be shared between several people. We would need a phone that is either on the Rogers network already or one that has been unlocked so it can be transferred. If you have recently upgraded your phone or done so in the last few years and you would like to donate it to the church please contact Patty @ mactrail@nb.sympatico.ca