St. Paul’s United Church
Our Mission: Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, and Serving Others in Christ’s name.
From the desk of Rev. Michelle…
With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday, this means when we gather to worship and celebrate joy there will only be one week left until Christmas Eve. It is coming fast. In our household, the excitement, already at a joyful level, will be pushed even higher. Reid and Ella are typical young children at this time of year. I don’t know how many times I have already said “no” you cannot open any presents; they are not the only ones looking forward to Christmas Day.
With the gigantic pile of gifts under our tree, my mother’s love language is gift-giving, I have often wondered if the heart of Christmas would be lost. I had to smile last night when Mike asked the kids “Who comes on Christmas Eve?” Little Ella without skipping a beat said, “Baby Jesus”. Now I have a little work to do because she seems to think Baby Jesus is coming to our house. But it was good to see he has not been lost among the boxes and trimming.
As adults, it isn’t often the presence under the tree that causes us to forget about the core of Christmas. For us, it is the demands that we feel and that we place on ourselves. This season is full of extra shopping, baking, hosting, extra family and social commitments, and for many of us a roller-coaster of feelings. With the fullness of the season, it can be hard to stop and just experience and ponder the way that Mary does in scripture (Luke 1:19).
We often forget, when the world around us is accelerating and we seem to be running in all directions, that this is the precise moment when we need to stop and ground. As Christ’s followers, this means remembering the gift of Jesus and letting this gift inform our next steps. This is the process of making space within your heart for him to be born again. So maybe Ella wasn’t wrong when she said Jesus was coming to our house. Maybe he does show up, just in disguise as we let our lives be shaped by Christ and our actions reflect his way.
Did you know that John Wesley once said that singing was praying twice? So how about you join me in praying the words from a familiar Christmas Carol?
O holy child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel.
Amen!
Featured In This December 14th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday December 17th
Longest Night Service
Annual Report Season Is Coming!
Don’t Miss The Donation Tax Deadline!
Church Office Closed
Church Envelopes Are Here!
Wheelchair Wanted
Fellowship Hour Servers Needed!
Mincemeat
Warm Clothing Donations Needed!
Pantry Program
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Moderator Carmen Lansdowne’s Advent Message to the Church
Gifts with Vision
Campus Ministry at UNB
God’s Story, Our Story
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
Worship This Sunday December 17th
Please join Rev. Michelle for our Advent 3 Service at 10:30am
Can’t join us in person, join us via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740
Meeting ID: 818 3451 9740 Passcode: 657067
Longest Night Service
On the Longest and darkest night of the year, we gather to worship at 7pm. This service is a quiet and reflective service, designed for those who may be struggling with grief, loneliness, or just not connecting with the joy so prevalent this time of year. In the darkness of the night, we hold each other and find hope that Christ is coming, a light in the darkness. You are invited to join us 7pm on December 21st, here at St. Paul’s for this years’ service.
Annual Report Season Is Coming!
If you are a chair of a committee or group, it is time to start thinking about your annual report. This is the official record of what has happened in the life of our congregation during 2023. We are asking for all reports to be submitted to Meghan by January 17th, and if you could keep your report to a 2 page maximum, it would be greatly appreciated. Now is a great time to begin reflecting on what you did in 2023.
Don’t Miss The Donation Tax Deadline!
Donations deadline for the 2023 tax year is December 31st. While our office will not be open from December 22 through January 1st, you can still get your donations in by visiting the office before December 21st or by using the secure locked drop box which will be checked while the office is closed. You can also bring them to any of the December 24th services or the December 31st service.
Church Office Closed
The church office will be closed December 21st for the holidays and reopen on January 2nd. Should you require pastoral care during this timeframe, please call Rev. Michelle at 506-259-7602.
Church Envelopes Are Here!
Church envelopes are available in the Narthex over the holidays and then at the office in the New Year. Please pop in to pick yours up!
Wheelchair Wanted
St. Paul’s is in search of a gently used wheelchair to help our congregants to attend services. If you or someone you know has one to donate, please reach out to Meghan in the office.
Fellowship Hour Servers Needed!
Fellowship Hour is a way to serve your community and enter into the spiritual practice of hospitality. For each Sunday in the new year, we are looking for teams of 3 or more to host fellowship hour. You will bring treats and whole milk, set up before church and make tea & coffee, serve, and clean up. Sign up as individuals, with your friends or as a committee. A sheet is posted on the bulletin board. Don’t worry if you don’t have experience, help is always nearby!
Mincemeat
The UCW has 4 bottles of mincemeat available for sale. Each 450 ml jar will be $15.00 Please stop by the office or contact Cathy Davis if you would like one.
Warm Clothing Donations Needed!
Our clothing cupboard is running low on winter boots and warm jackets. Also needed are warm socks and mittens. If you have any gently used items to donate, please drop by the office. Many thanks for helping keep things warm!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program needs proteins with flip top lids, juice boxes, and pudding cups. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items this week: white sugar, chicken noodle soup, ketchup, coffee, Cheez Whiz, icing sugar, cake mix, Corn Flakes, soda crackers, chunky soup, juice, Hamburger Helper, jam, molasses, vinegar, salt, and laundry & dish detergent. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
December 17th ~ Advent 3 Service ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by
Rachel & Stephanie Lavigne & Beth & Shawn Meister
December 21st ~ Downtown United Longest Night Service at St. Paul’s at 7pm
December 23rd – January 1st ~ Office CLOSED for Holidays
December 24th ~ Advent 4 Service at 10:30
December 24th ~ Family Christmas Service at 3pm
December 24th ~ Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Communion at 7pm
December 31st ~ Christmas 2 Service at 10:30
Moderator Carmen Lansdowne’s Advent Message to the Church
The Moderator’s message to the church for this Advent Season can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9_Cj7z6JjM
Gifts with Vision
Are you looking for a gift that has an impact and makes a difference in the world? Check out the Gifts With Vision Catalogue https://giftswithvision.ca/ The United Church of Canada developed Gifts with Vision in response to requests to be able to give gifts to relatives, friends, and loved ones that directly support projects developed by the church’s Mission and Service partners. There is still time to give a gift that has a real impact, including close to home, by sponsoring a kid to attend our own Camp Ta-Wa-Si.
Campus Ministry at UNB
St. Paul’s has a long history of supporting Campus Ministry. This week, as students write exams, the campus ministry, in partnership with congregations across the city, has been hosting PAUSE tables. These tables provide an opportunity for students to stop and chat, grab a bite to eat, and know that people are thinking and praying about them in this stressful time. If you would like to support this ministry, just drop off a donation in the offering plate, church office or by e-transfer with a note saying it is for Campus Ministry.
God’s Story, Our Story
Pick up this reflection guide in the narthex to use as a home devotional or with your friends.
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Tuesdays from 10:45am-11:45am in the Board room. Next week’s reading: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80. Can’t make it in person, Join by Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81736183320 Meeting ID: 817 3618 3320 Passcode: 750844
Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
Thursdays from 6-7pm in the Parlor. This week we will be looking at Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13. We hope you will join us.
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, NB E3B 3P1
Web: www.stpaulsunited.ca | Tel: 506-458-1183 | Email: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organists: Dr. Sharon Pond & Alexis Ervin
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely