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…
Peace seems to be an elusive thing for so many of us. Take this morning driving on the icy roads, I would not have described my inner state as peaceful. Words like anxious, tense, cautious would capture my experience most accurately. Which got me thinking, as a world it seems that our default these days is a state of being afraid, tense, uncertain and anxious. Is it really that surprising given the realities of our world? I mean, in light of three years of a novel virus that keeps mutating, an unstable world economy, war and the rise of militant extremists, and climate change giving way to an increase in extreme weather, drought and famine, these feelings seem natural.
On my mind also, has been the time Jesus and the disciples were crossing the sea of Galilee and a storm arises. Jesus is sleeping on the boat while the seasoned fishermen with him are freaking out, worried that they are going to die. When they wake Jesus up, he calls out to the storm saying “Quiet! Be still!” and the waters were at peace. Then he turns to the disciples and asks “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
In my experience, faith doesn’t take away the storm or troubles we face. It does, however, provide peace. Not peace like a calm summer day, but the peace of knowing that we are still in God’s care even when everything feels like it is falling apart. The peace of knowing that God can make good out of any situation. The peace of knowing we are loved and gifted by God, who is the God of life and so desires life for us. This kind of peace gives us strength and helps us to let go of the thoughts that give rise to anxiety, the need to dominate and that leave us insulated from the world. This peace empowers us to act, even when the outcomes are not guaranteed.
The peace that Christ offers, the good news that we have to offer, is exactly what the world needs in such a time as this. There is also one other aspect about this kind of peace – we have the power to spread it! As disciples of Christ, when we stand and rest in God’s peace, our calm in the midst of the storm, our confidence that life will prevail and insistence that God is making a way can spread. Moving us one step towards peace on Earth. So, remember this week when we experience fear and anxiety, let us “put peace into each other’s hands, the peace that sought and found you.” (listen to the song Put peace into each other’s hands here: Click here
Let us pray,
Heavenly father, thank you for sending us your Son Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Thank you for you caring for us, and then you for promising to give us your peace.
You know the things that have been weighing us down with worry, anxiety, or fear.
Lord, please help us to fix our minds on you instead, and through your spirit, bring us peace
that we may find courage to face the challenges of the world, secure in you.
Help us to answer your call to follow you and spread your peace wherever we go. Amen
Featured In This December 1st Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday December 4th
Audio Visual System Volunteers Needed!
Light Up the Season with a Memorial Candle
FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!
Campus Ministry Opportunities
Advent Calendar
Salvation Army Kettle Drive Schedule
Bible Study
Advent Newsletters
Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Candlelight Classix Concert
Annual Report Season Is Coming!
190th Tree Dedication This Sunday!
Frozen Apple Pies Available for Purchase!
Upper Room Daily Devotional
Downtown United Christmas Carol Sing
Gifts With Vision
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Breakfast & Christmas Market
Memorial Tree Lighting
Worship This Sunday December 4th
Please join Rev. Michelle this Sunday for worship at St. Paul’s at 10:30am. Covid protocols still in place are: hand sanitizing, sitting in marked pews, and social distancing and masking while moving around the church and while singing.
As always, if you are unable 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 don’t have a long distance plan charges will 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
Audio Visual System Volunteers Needed!
St. Paul’s is in need of volunteers willing to help with operation of the audio/visual system for Sunday morning services in the Sanctuary. Four volunteers would allow for a rotation of one Sunday per month. Experience is not necessary and training will be provided. If you are interested or know anyone who might be interested, please contact the Church Office at 458-1183 (stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com) or John Davis at 455-1129 (johntdavis@hotmail.com).
Light Up the Season with a Memorial Candle
Love never dies! Scripture tells us this, you have an opportunity to make this reality a visual experience on December 18th during our Advent 4 – Love Sunday. How? For $5.00 Candle we will place a candle in the sanctuary with your loved one’s name attached to it, during the service (and during the longest night service and Christmas Eve) these candles will be light. You can then take the candle home with you after the Christmas Eve service, so you have it at home to light during the rest of the Christmas Season, as a reminder of the love that lives on.
FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!
Our next order will be on Sunday, December 4 . . . a good chance to get those last-minute Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers! Also an opportunity to raise more money for St. Paul’s as several retailers have increased the value of their donations for December. Whether ordering cards for your everyday needs or as gifts, you can show your appreciation of this gesture by purchasing cards from Boston Pizza, Giant Tiger, Home Sense/Winners/Marshalls, Shell and the Ultimate Dining Card (good for Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s East Side Mario’s, Montana’s). Order forms are available in the church office and Narthex or click here for the link December-4th-FundScrip-Order-Form.pdf . If you are a regular FundScrip supporter you may want to buy extra cards this month as there will not be an order in January. Deadline for our first order in the new year will be February 5.
Campus Ministry Opportunities
One of our outreach partners is the Fredericton Council for Christian Ministry on Campus, AKA campus ministry. We have church representatives on their board, have recently provided space for their meetings and contribute financially. On December 4th we will be collecting a special offering in support of this ministry, special envelopes will be available for pick-up this week and next. This year is also an opportunity to connect with students directly during Exam week. From December 12-16, the campus ministry is looking for churches to help staff and supply Pause Tables. These will be set up at various locations across the campus, running from 9am-1pm. Volunteers would help set up the space, staff tables, bring/hand out snacks and be a friendly face for students who are facing end of term stress. If you are interested in helping with this, please contact Rev. Michelle.
Advent Calendar
Advent is here. If you are still looking for an advent calendar, check out the one on our website, under our new tab in Resources – Spiritual Practices. The calendar starts today and is suitable for people of any age or family structure. Click this link to get started! Advent-Calendar-2022.pdf
Salvation Army Kettle Drive Schedule
St. Paul’s volunteers Man the Kettle on Wednesday December 14th. The following have agreed to man the kettle for the Salvation Army this day:
Regent Mall Food Court:
10am- 12pm – Roger Miller, Greg Morton, Cathy Davis [stand-by]
12pm-2pm – Barbara McGuigan, Elaine Hart
2pm-4pm – Patty Trail, Lois Walker
4pm-6pm – Chris Grant, Mary Stickles
6pm-8pm – Ann & Harold Raper
[Extras if needed – Donna Chauvin, Debbie Allison]
Bible Study
Bible Study will be resuming this week! Join Rev. Michelle Wednesday at 11:15 as we dive into Isaiah 42:1-9. Join in person or via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 Passcode is 259190
Advent Newsletters
Advent Newsletters were mailed out yesterday, keep an eye out for yours. Stay up-to date with what is happening in the church. Thank you to everyone who contributed, to our volunteer editors, and the team that stapled, folded, and stuffed envelopes. It isn’t perfect – but we celebrate another informative and fun newsletter. If you would like to help with the next newsletter, which will come out for Lent, (February) please let Meghan or Rev. Michelle know.
Pantry Program
The pantry needs the following items: Ketchup, pancake mix, syrup, Miracle Whip, canned fruit, canned peas & green beans, white sugar, applesauce, soda crackers, Ritz crackers, coffee whitener, crunchy peanut butter, small apple juice (1 Litre), corn niblets, tin foil, and dish detergent. Thank you for your continued support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program is in need of juice boxes, proteins with flip top lids and pudding. Thank you for your generosity!
Candlelight Classix Concert This Sunday!
Concert by Sarah Harrigan, Sharon Pond and Natalia Lubimova featuring music of Bach and Handel. Sunday December 4th at 3pm. Presale tickets: $20, tickets at the door $25, Students and children FREE.
Tickets are available in the Church Office. Please contact Meghan at 458-1183 or stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com to reserve yours for pick up.
For ticket reservations go to candlelight-classix.com or more information, please email candlelightclassix@gmail.com
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 2022. We will be asking for all reports to be in by mid- January, now is a great time to reflect on what you have done.
190th Tree Dedication This Sunday!
On December 4th at 1pm, you are invited to gather at the upper parking lot of the Botanic Gardens for a blessing of the tree planted in honour and celebration of our 190th anniversary. From the parking lot it is about a 3 minute walk to the tree. We hope to see you there.
Frozen Apple Pies Available for Purchase!
The UCW has a few frozen apple pies still available to purchase. Small – $4 and Large – $8. Please contact Donna Chauvin 458-5885 to reserve yours!
Upper Room Daily Devotional
The November-December and September-October Upper Room Daily Devotionals have arrived! Please stop by the office to purchase your copy for $2 before they are gone!
Downtown United Christmas Carol Sing
December 17th at 2pm St. Paul’s is hosting a hymn sing for downtown United. We are hoping to spread out the leadership and engage as many people as possible in sharing their gifts. If you are able to help lead songs in voice or music for the event let us know. This opportunity is open to all ages to share and foster the Spirit of the season.
Gifts With Vision
Gifts With Vision – Looking for a gift that won’t just be discarded after the holiday season? Have someone on your list who has everything already? Wanting to make a difference in the lives of others this season? The Mission and Service Gift with Vision allow you to give gifts that directly impact the lives of people here in Canada and around the world. Pick up a catalogue in the office or stop by https://giftswithvision.ca/
Upcoming Dates To Remember
December 4th – Advent 2 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Property
December 11th – Advent 3 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Trustees
December 18th – Advent 4 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by M&P
December 21st – Longest Night Service at 7pm
December 24th – Christmas Eve Family Service at 3 pm – Everyone Welcome
December 24th – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7pm
December 31st – New Year’s Eve Service at 4pm
Breakfast & Christmas Market
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St. will be hosting a Breakfast & Christmas Market on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022.
8 a.m. – 11 a.m. The breakfast will be from 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at $10/person. The market tables will feature Christmas cards by Lori Donovan, a church table with baking, pickles & knitting and a Book & Puzzle table. Everyone is welcome!
Memorial Tree Lighting
McAdam’s & Oromocto Funeral Homes are hosting an evening of comfort and remembrance, in each of their chapels, as we pause to reflect on the season and those who have shared seasons past. The annual Memorial Tree Lighting Service will be held at: Oromocto Funeral Home, December 6th at 7pm and at McAdam’s Funeral Home December 7th at 7pm. Please call 357-5100 or 458-9170 for further information.
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 | Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely