Stories are important, vitally important to our understanding of the world and ourselves. Don’t believe me? Think about what happens when you get together with an old friend, are flipping through a photo album or even during the reception of a funeral. With and old friend we catch up on what has happened in our lives since we last met and reminisce about the past. As we look at photos the details of the day it was taken come alive in our minds again, and we share the story of that day in our hearts or with those who are looking at the photo with us. A large part of a funeral is sharing the stories of our loved one and the life they had lived. We are a people of stories.
The stories we tell shape how we see ourselves and the ways we act. The narratives we hold
dear tell us about what we value and how we see the world. A complete and coherent personal narrative strengthens our resilience and aids in our being able to adapt to the changes we encounter. Stories also help us to picture a new reality, they remind us of our goals and support us in overcoming challenges. Stories are powerful and often persistent.
Yes, stories are powerful, so powerful that while they can support us in positive ways towards growth and self-integration, they can also have the opposite effects. The stories we tell can serve to limit what we think is possible, they can lead to distorted thinking about who we are and what we are capable of. And when we encounter experiences that we struggle to fit into our life story, events that are painful or so outside of the normal that we don’t know what to do with them, we can get a splinter – a story that we struggle to integrate. Often, we try to downplay and pretend these stories don’t exist or we become hyper-focused on them. Regardless, these splinters in our narrative can negatively impact our vitality and resilience. They can support false truths and often call out in unhelpful ways as we react to events in our lives. Engaging with these splintered stories, coming to new understanding of them and by reframing them they can be integrated into our narrative in helpful and life-giving ways.
In Islam, Christians are referred to as “People of the book”. Our scripture is a collection of
stories of God’s people as they moved through all aspects of life, as they faced times of joy and sadness and as they faced trauma and renewal. It tells us of God’s faithfulness and holds out a way of viewing the world and ourselves in light of God’s love.
In the bulletins since September, we have included the “God’s Story, Our Story” insert as a way to help us become better at connecting our lives to the biblical story. The bible is not just another book about faithful people. The stories of Jesus not only teach us what happened but are recorded to shape and form our views of the world, to help give us hope and strength and to guide us towards deeper relationship with God. We can use our faith stories to renew our energy, bring clarity to our situation, and remind ourselves of God’s presence. The spiritual practice of engaging the bible both in reading and in drawing connections to our lives is a foundational discipleship practice. The bible gives us a shared story language and guides us in our faith journey. So, this is my challenge for all of us, it to pick up our bibles – well worn or dusty – and read at least 5 minutes every day. Dedicate this time to hearing a part of God’s story which is our story. I recommend starting in the gospels, psalms or proverbs (did you know that there are 31 one for each day of the month?). Let the words fill your heart and ask where this connects with your life. This will help you see your life as part of God’s ongoing story.
Speaking of stories, in the last 190 years there have been many events (now stories) that have shaped St. Paul’s. As part of the anniversary celebration a poster has been put up in the hall where you can record stories that have happened in the history of the church. So please add your memories (your stories) to the timeline.
As we move into the long weekend I hope you find rest, creates fun new stories and stay
safe…let us pray
God of the Bible, God of the Gospel
You are bigger than the stories we tell
You fill not only the pages of our scripture but the whole world.
At your word life started, with your Word the world was renewed.
But your story didn’t end there
Help us to see our lives as part of your story,
And as we do, show us how you have worked in every moment
Weaving love and hope and strength into our lives.
Help us in turn let our lives speak boldly of your justice and mercy.
This we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
1) Worship Sunday May 22nd
2) Office Closure
3) Summer Newsletter
4) Youth Group for Pre-Teens and Beyond
5) Youth Volunteer Opportunities
6) Bible Study
7) Brown Bag Lunch Program
8) Pantry
9) FundScrip Orders
10) Hybrid Sunday School
11) Upper Room Daily Devotional – May-June
1) Worship May 22nd, 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) Office Closure: The office will be closed from Friday May 20th through Monday May 23rd. Happy Victoria Day! For pastoral emergencies, please contact Michelle at 259-7602 or michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com
3) Pentecost/Summer Newsletter: We are putting together another newsletter if you or your committees have anything you would like to share. Committee updates, stories of your faith experiences or celebrations of St. Paul’s history, upcoming events. Let Rev. Michelle know by May 22nd.
4) Youth Group for Pre-Teens: Simon Wilby is starting a Sunday evening youth drop-in program for the pre-teen age group, starting Sunday May 29 from 6:30-7:30pm. Mark your calendar! If you are interested in attending or helping develop this program, please let us know!
5) Youth Volunteer Opportunities: Are you part of the Youth or a Young Adult? Do you have gifts and talents that can be shared? Do you have spare time this Summer or next Fall?
If so, please contact Rev Michelle, Office Admin or Erin Hayes (hayes.erin11@gmail.com).
List of possible volunteer opportunities:
– Sunday School (Leading, Assisting or Attending)
– Youth Group (Leading, Assisting or Attending)
– Lighting the candle on Sundays (Rev. Michelle – is this an okay option to add?)
– Environmental Stewardship (generate ideas the church could implement for reducing our ecological footprint)
– Greeters on Sunday
– Scripture Readers on Sunday
– Help with coffee hour after church
– Help folding bulletins or light office duties
– Any other passions you might have!
6) Bible Study: Join Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays at 11:15am for bible study. We are back in person, meeting in the board room. Generally, sessions run 45min-1hour. This coming week’s scripture is Philippians 2:1-13. Due to interest, you can also join online. Log in using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190
7) Brown Bag Lunch Program: The program needs cans of proteins with flip top lids such as soups, meats, fish and drink boxes. Thank you for your donations to this important program.
8) Pantry: The pantry is in need of: pudding, apple sauce, hamburger helper, sugar, jam, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, cookies, soda crackers, coffee mate, Mr. Clean, Comet, dish soap and paper towel. Thank you in advance for any contributions.
9) FundScrip Orders: The deadline for the next FundScrip order is Sunday, June 5. Cards will arrive for distribution before Father’s Day, June 19. This is also a good time to stock up on cards for your summer travels and shopping! Order forms available in the Narthex, church office or click here. Thank you for your continued support of this fundraising program.
10) Hybrid Sunday School: We are EXCITED to welcome you to Sunday School. You can join us in person or through the Zoom platform virtually. For now, our Sunday school lessons will be delivered in a hybrid fashion (simultaneously in person and on Zoom).
11) Upper Room Daily Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotional for May-June is available for purchase in the office for $2.
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