Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian & St. Paul’s United
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
Happy Eastertide!
Just like Christmas, we do not celebrate Easter on just one Sunday, at least liturgically. We had 6 weeks of preparation in Lent. Now we are in the seven weeks of Eastertide where we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This season of the church year invites us to reflect on the new life God has given us. It also commemorates the 40 days Christ spent with the apostles before his ascension.
As I reflect on the resurrection and new life this year, I am struck by how our story of Jesus rising is told over 40 days. The full joy and celebration didn’t happen all at once, but emerged from confusion, wonder and doubt, as Jesus came to the disciples and helped them so that his resurrection and the new reality it brings could sink in. After the resurrection, Jesus made himself known in a variety of places and ways. The bible records him showing up in a garden, on the beach, on a mountain, on the road, and behind locked doors. He came to his disciples, showing them and telling them what it means to live under his resurrection. The disciples didn’t fully understand in the beginning, even when Christ himself had told them and tried to prepare them for this new reality.
I think we can take some comfort that the disciples needed time to fully understand what it meant to live as people of the resurrection and the new reality the Christ inaugurated. We are a resurrection people by virtue of our affiliation with Christ. But this year, this reality may be even more evident to me, for in this Ecumenical Shared Ministry, we truly have been given new life. The challenges that were dragging us into death have been released, and now we are left with the invitation to engage this new reality.
The hardest part of change is letting go of familiar habits and routines and walking into the unknown. This is the case even when our patterns of thinking and behaving are not positive. We find comfort in what we know and security in the predictable. This is part of the reason I have tried to hold aspects of our worship pattern stable over the last few months, and it is also why initially it was harder for some of us to listen to other perspectives on how things could be done. Yet dogmatic holding onto the past does not move us into the space of new life and resurrection that Jesus offers.
For anyone who has been a member of either of the denominations that make up our congregation over the last ten or more years, you will know there has been a narrative of decline, of not having enough, and of struggles to keep doors open and lights on. It has deeply carved a groove of scarcity thinking into our life together. The biggest challenge that we face may just be letting go of these old ways of thinking. Letting the lenses and actions of scarcity fall to the floor of the empty tomb with the linen cloths.
We know that scarcity thinking breeds fear and anxiety. It also fosters small thinking which gets in the way of innovative and creative problem solving. I’m not saying we have unlimited resources, but I am saying our scriptures say that God will provide us with what we need, for what God is calling us to do. Together with God, we have enough. More than enough according to John 6:1-14! And God’s vision and plan for us is always brighter than we can imagine. We just need to be brave enough to believe this truth.
We have started this process of shifting our view towards what God is doing and how we can join with God in the sharing of God’s love and mercy. I hear it in the stories about how people are getting along and finding new ways that incorporates the best of the past, I see it in the openness to each other and the reflection done by the Session and Council as they met for three visioning workshops, and I hear it in the positive messages people in the wider community have shared with me about what they see happening here.
So, as we journey through this Easter season and beyond, may we be mindful of the stories we tell and the witness that we choose to lift up. Because when we can get past our thinking that leads us to be, as Peter put it, “stumbling blocks” to the work that God is doing and calling us to, we can live into the abundance, hope and joy that Christ’s resurrection freely offers.
Let us pray together,
We thank you God,
for this community of faith that seeks to be a living example of your resurrection.
You have blessed us with new life,
help us now to leave our tomb.
Shedding the grave clothes that hold us back,
may we find courage and confidence to walk into each new day.
Resurrection is a call to action,
Let us joyfully embrace this amazing gift of new life,
And freely offer what you have given us,
so that our community of faith can thrive
as we seek to be part of your liberation for all that is bound by death.
In Christ’s name we pray.
Amen.
Featured In This April 24th eNews Edition
Worship This Sunday April 27th
Spring Yard Sale
Mother’s Day Tea
Worship Committee Needs You!
St. Paul’s Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Saint Andrew’s Breakfast 2 Go Pantry
Broadview Magazine Subscription
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Rummage Sale at Wilmot
Spring Bling Jewelry Sale
Spring Songs & Sweets Concert
Ongoing Church Activities
Connecting With Rev. Michelle
Bulletin & eNews Submissions
Worship This Sunday April 27th
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 10:30am.
To view the bulletin in advance click here!
Can’t make it in person, join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83673756287 Passcode: 2023
View anytime on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@st.paulsunitedchurch984/videos
Spring Yard Sale
The Tuesday AM Ladies’ Group, their numbers now increased by their newest members (the St. Paul’s ladies), announce their Spring Yard Sale to be held on Friday, May 2nd from 3-7pm and Saturday, May 3rd from 9-Noon. Donations of items are encouraged to make for an interesting and bountiful inventory for our dedicated regular shoppers and first-time visitors. Drop Off Times for your items are April 22nd through 25th during Office Hours, April 30th – Evening, May 1st – All Day. If these times do not work for you, please contact the Church Offices, or a member of the Ladies Groups to make other arrangements for drop-off.
Mother’s Day Tea
The Tuesday morning ladies group is hosting a Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday May 10th from 11:30am-1:30pm. Join us for sandwiches, your choice of dessert, tea, coffee, and conversation. Tickets are $15 each and available for purchase in either church office during regular hours, or after service starting on Easter Sunday. eTransfer available to stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com.
Worship Committee Needs You!
The Ecclesial Assembly is working at strengthening our worship committee and seeking nominations for this important work. If you know of someone who would be a good member or you yourself would like to sit on this committee, please let either co-chair Mary Charters or Roger Millar or Rev. Michelle know. Thank you ~ Rev. Michelle
St. Paul’s Pantry Program
For the month of May, the Pantry will focus on receiving donations of salt and 1L vinegar. Other items of need are jam, cookies, sardines, baking powder, coffee, tea, sugar, ketchup, tin foil, plastic wrap, and Mr. Clean. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program needs canned proteins with pull tops (such as flakes of meat, Chef Boyardee, chili, sardines), chicken salad & crackers, pudding cups, and small, sweet treats such as mini chocolate bars. Thank you for your continued generosity.
Saint Andrew’s Breakfast 2 Go Pantry
The Saint Andrew’s pantry needs the following items: peanut butter, canned milk, coffee, Cheese Whiz, crackers and Boost or similar nutritional drinks. Thanks in advance for your generosity!
Broadview Magazine Subscription 
Broadview magazine features award-winning coverage of spirituality, justice and ethical living stories and images, inspiring readers to live a purpose-filled life. If you would like to subscribe or renew your subscription, St. Paul’s group subscription rate is $30 per year, for 8 issues, mailed directly to your home. You can pay for your subscription in the office via cheque (payable to St. Paul’s), cash or by e-transfer. Deadline is June 1st. For more information on Broadview click HERE. Reach out to Meghan with any questions or to register or renew at stpaulsofffice224@gmail.com or 458-1183.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
April 27th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship hosted by Debbie West
May 4th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship hour Hosted by Cathy Davis & Patty Trail
May 11th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour Hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister & Kim Keech
May 18th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
May 25th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour Hosted by Debbie West
June 1st ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour Hosted by Cathy Davis & Patty Trail
June 8th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship hour Hosted by Debbie West
June 15th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
June 22nd ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
June 29th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
July 6th ~ DTU Service Here at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
July 13th ~ DTU Service Here at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
July 20th ~ DTU Service Here at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
July 27th ~ DTU Service Here at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed!
Rummage Sale at Wilmot
Wilmot United Church is holding a Rummage Sale on Friday, April 25th from 11am-5pm and Saturday, April 26th from 9am – 12 noon. There is something for everyone!
Spring Bling Jewelry Sale
In support of Fredericton Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers. Saturday, May 10th, from 9am to 4pm (cash or cheque) at Wilmot United Church, 473 King Street. Proceeds to Stephen Lewis Foundation and Help Lesotho.
Spring Songs & Sweets Concert
The Fredericton Choral Society invites you to its concert, Spring Songs & Sweets, on Saturday, May 10th, at 7pm. It promises an evening of wonderful choral music, followed by a reception with sweet treats to tempt your palate. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students, available at the door. Come to Christ Church (Parish) Church at the corner of Westmoreland and Charlotte Streets. Contact Jack Walsworth for more information at jlwals@nbnet.nb.ca or 506-478-1980.
Ongoing Church Activities
Monday – Friday ~ Community Outreach ~ Brown Bag Lunch Program in St. Paul’s Office
Tuesdays ~ Tuesday Morning Ladies Group at 9:30am ~ All are welcome!
Tuesdays & Thursdays ~ Quilting from 1-4pm ~ All are welcome!
Wednesdays ~ Community Outreach ~ Pantry Program from 9-11am
Thursdays ~ Bible Study from 6-7pm ~ All are Welcome!
Thursdays ~ Choir Practice from 7-8pm ~ All are welcome!
Fridays ~ Community Outreach ~ Breakfast 2 Go from 8:30-10am
Connecting With Rev. Michelle
Rev. Michelle can be reached on the main office phone lines, her office directly at 506-455-0639, by text or call to her cell at 506-259-7602 or via email at michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com. Drop-in office hours are Sundays and Mondays from 1-2:30pm. Appointments are preferred to ensure the time you need to connect.
Bulletin & eNews Submissions
Please send announcements to Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com by noon Wednesday.
Contact Information
Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian & St. Paul’s United
512 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 1M2
Saint Andrew’s: Tel: 506.455.8220 | Email: sapcfred@gmail.com |Website: https://sapc.ca/
Office Administrator: Joanna Price |Office Hours: Monday-Friday 2pm-6pm
St. Paul’s: Tel: 506.458.1183 | E-mail: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com|Website: www.stpaulsunited.ca
Office Administrator/Bookkeeper: Meghan Roebuck |Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm & Friday 8am-12pm
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong |Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Custodian: Doug Newman |Ministers Emeriti: Rev. Doug Blaikie & Rev. Dr. Basil Lowery