The church is not a business. I know that there are some of you right now ready to argue with me, but the truth is, the church is not a business. The church is the gathered people of God. As individuals gathered to help us navigate life together, we have built structures and roles, policies and procedures to help us do the work of being God’s people.
These products of the church – building, budgets, organizational structures – are what make us look and feel at times like a business. These things however, are not the primary purpose of the church, and in fact the church could still exist (and in some places does) without them. When these trappings of our faith become the primary focus, we lose sight of what and who we are called to be. We lose the spark of what makes the church – THE CHURCH.
Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday. It is the Sunday we celebrate the birth of the church. We say that on Pentecost we believers receive the Holy Spirit, which empowers us and enlivens us. The church which was locked away in the upper room prior to the spirit winds blowing, grew into what we know today because of the ways those first disciples went forth into the world.
The church survived not by accident or grand leaders but because God was alive and active in the life of the community of faith. The community grew and thrived, not because of well calculated risks and grand strategic plans, but because the community focused on introducing people to Christ and his love. They drew in more people not because they needed others to keep the church alive, but because others saw the ways that church members lives were overflowing with love, kindness, and care. They thrived because people were invited into discipleship – to learn about Jesus and walk in his way.
The church is not a business, but there are things that the business world can teach us about effective organization, about marketing, and fostering engagement. But if we stay only with business practices we will be sunk. To speak in business terms, our product is God, as expressed as Creator, Christ and the Holy Spirit. Yet this simple response isn’t quite right. It is the relationship with God that shapes us into being more like Jesus. It is the interactions with each other that allow us to live out and practice what it means to be God’s children. Unlike a business, we are not customers who get to sit back and relax, to have our preferences always met. To be the church, we need to be actively engaged in what God wants. Maturing in our faith and deepening our connection to God is the tool we use to here where God wants us to go. In a business, the customer is king. In the church, Christ is King. Being the church means letting God change you.
Last Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, the energy of the Holy Spirit was present. The church was the church, celebrating God’s presence as the UCW led worship. We were also blessed by the amazing mobile created by Ralph Simpson and Patty Trail as they put their skills into action. That energy and joy in service to God, this is what makes the church attractive. This being aligned with God is what we really crave more of. And here is the thing. When we care about being the church – God’s people growing deeper in God’s love and worshiping – then the numbers and the future and all the other things businesses can aid us with fall into place.
As we head into this weekend, may we think about when we have seen St Paul’s most living by the Holy Spirit and think about what you need to mature and deepen your relationship with God – Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit today. Let us pray…
You, God, have a church
A wonderfully diverse group of people
Who span many ages and experiences,
Who come with differing in abilities and passions
Yet you call us into one body
That we might offer ourselves in your service and to your glory.
Let your spirit touch us again, like it did so long ago
Clarifying purpose
Triggering engagement
Spreading your good news, through the actions of your church.
Attune us to your call to grow as your disciples.
This we pray. Amen.
1) Worship Sunday June 12thth
2) Thank You!!
3) Congregational Meeting & Agenda
4) Youth Group
5) “One Toonie at a Time”
6) Office Closure
7) Hospital Visitation by Clergy
8) Regional Annual Meeting
9) TAKE-OUT Picnic Meal with Strawberry Shortcake
10) Summer Downtown United + Worship Schedule
1) Worship June 12th, 2022
To attend in-person worship at St. Paul’s United Church we will no longer require you to show proof of vaccination. COVID protocols still in play include:
– Wearing a mask at all times
– Sanitizing one’s hands upon entry
– Sitting in the marked pews to maintain distance
– Being aware of social distancing when entering and leaving building
– Coffee time will be available for those who wish to partake. Tables will be set up and you are asked to maintain masks while not eating/drinking and stay seated.
As always, if you are not ready to join us in person we hope to see you on Zoom – link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode: 165090
You can also join by phone only if you would prefer, if you don’t have a long distance plan charges would apply. All you need to do is call 1 647 558 0588 and follow the prompts to enter Meeting ID: 868 5471 8551 and Passcode: 165090
2) Thank You!! Many thanks to those who contributed to the Fellowship of the Least Coin last Sunday. Amount of $27.70 was given. That is a lot of prayers for women at 5 cents a prayer! It will be forwarded to headquarters.
3) Congregational Meeting: Please join us on June 12th after worship. This is an opportunity to hear updates on projects and activities of the church. To join the meeting via Zoom please use this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88925790450 Passcode 102689. If joining by phone, call 1 647 558 0588. Meeting ID: 889 2579 0450 and Passcode: 102689
Congregational Meeting Agenda
Sunday June 12th, 2022 @ 12pm
Celebrating Our Successes!
1. God first – Prayer – Rev. Michelle
2. Center. Breath. Honour your posture.
3. The Lord’s Prayer – Roger Miller
4. Covid Protocols
5. Downtown United Project – Ralph Simpson
6. M&P – Ann Krause
7. Finance – Alanna Palmer
8. Trustees – Andrew Steeves
9. Heritage & Resources – Ron Naugler
10. Prayer – Rev. Michelle
4) Youth Group: Youth drop-in program on Sunday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm. Mark your calendar! If you are interested in attending or helping develop this program, please let us know!
5) “One Toonie at a Time”: While you are away this summer, don’t forget about St. Paul’s 190th Birthday. Please pick up a vial to collect your TOONIES over the summer holidays. Bring them back in September. Each vial will hold over $50.00. Wouldn’t it be great to collect $1900.00 for our special year. The donation will be tax deductible and go towards your yearly givings. There will be vials in the entry way at the main door and in the Hall. Make it a “Tooniful Summer”. Contact Donna Chauvin 458-5885 for more information.
6) Office Closure: The office will be closed from Friday July 1st through Sunday July 10th. Rusty will be available on the premises between 8am – 12pm. Michelle will be away June 29-July 6 for pastoral emergencies during this time please contact Rev. Lori-Beth at 262-6752
7) Hospital Visitation by Clergy: Hospitals are still at the RED level of Covid protections. This means if you find yourself in hospital and would like Rev. Michelle to visit, you need to let us and the hospital know. There is no way for us to find out if you are there, except direct contact and visits are by requests only.
8) Regional Annual Meeting: Last weekend the region gathered. Along with the reporting of committees there were presentations of ministry opportunities. The theme speaker spoke about how the story we tell and listen to shape our reality and how the biblical story can open up new possibilities for our thinking. We also installed a new regional president Rev. JD Kennedy and formalized Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Stevenson as president-elect. More information about the Regional AGM can be found on the regional website: https://ucceast.ca/fundy-st-lawrence-dawning-waters-regional-council-14/fsldw-annual-meeting-2022
9) TAKE-OUT Picnic Meal with Strawberry Shortcake: Wednesday, July 6, pick-up 4:00-5:30pm at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street, please use front door. The take-out meal includes a deli meats sandwich, coleslaw, dill pickle, chips and homemade strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream for $15. Advance orders only, reserve with Rindy & Tom Austin, 450-7151, by noon Friday, July 1.
10) Summer Downtown United + Worship Schedule:
At St. Paul’s United Church
– June 26th – Service at St. Paul’s with Rev. Mary from Wilmot leading
– July 3rd – Service at St. Paul’s with Rev. Todd from St. Andrew’s leading
– July 10th – Service at St. Paul’s with Rev. Michelle leading
– July 17th – Service at St. Paul’s with Rev. Michelle leading
All services at St. Paul’s can be viewed via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode 165090 or view later on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/St.Paul’s
At St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
– July 24th – Service at St. Andrew’s with Rev. Mary from Wilmot leading
– July 31st – Service at St. Andrews’s with St. Andrew’s leading
– August 7th – Service at St. Andrew’s with Rev. Michelle leading
All services at St. Andrew’s can be viewed via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83673756287?pwd=RFhERHZiU0hHbVpYcjYxRFFNZWdIQT09
Meeting ID: 836 7375 6287 Passcode: 839092
At Wilmot United Church
– August 14th – Service at Wilmot with Rev. Mary leading
– August 21st – Service at Wilmot with St. Andrew’s leading
– August 28th – Service at Wilmot with Rev. Mary leading
– September 4th – Service at Wilmot with Rev. Michelle leading
All services at Wilmot can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/c/WilmotUnitedChurch
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, N.B. E3B 3P1
Web: www.stpaulsunited.ca | Tel: 506-458-1183 | Email: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely