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…
Did you know that as of today, the days are growing longer. According to my husband Mike, today that will equate to 1 minute more of sunlight. It doesn’t seem like a lot but there are many things you can do in a minute: Drink a glass of water, floss your teeth, eat a handful of berries, pay someone (including yourself) a complement, read a psalm, take 10 deep breaths, think of something you are grateful for and write a thank you note, dial a phone number, give someone a hug, meditate or pray. One minute doesn’t seem like a long time, but when we think about what we could do in it, the list is surprisingly long. As the days pass and minute is added to minute, we will start to be able to perceive the increase in sunshine. It is fitting, symbolically, that we celebrate the birth of Jesus at this time of year. For into the darkness is born the one who is called the Light of the World.
As we head into the last few days of preparation, I pray that you take that extra minute of daytime to stop and just turn your heart towards God and rest in the season, the story of God with us. As we worship, open presents and spend time with family and friends, I hope that you experience Christ’s presence, reminding you that he came for you and loves you. And as we move into New Year’s resolution season, may you consider committing to intentionally spending a little more time basking and growing in the light that Christ brings, the light that illuminates our path and beacons the way.
While the office is closed for the holidays, I can be reached on my cell phone, 259-7602 and should you have a pastoral need, please call. A reminder that if you find yourself in the hospital or know someone who is, please reach out. To visit, I need to be asked by a patient or family and have the room number, I can no longer just go in and just look you up. If you have donations or other mail for the office you can drop it off in the secure mailbox at the York street door, this box will be checked regularly over the break.
From all of the staff here at St. Paul’s we want to thank you for the cards and Christmas goodies that have come into the office. We also want to wish you a safe and Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.
A Christmas Prayer adapted from our hymnbook as we make our way to Christmas Day:
As once you Came in the hush of darkness, O God,
So still our hearts now
By the wonder of that night.
Make us wise with the wisdom of a little one,
That truth might be born afresh in us.
Let not our hearts be busy inns with now room,
But doors opened wide to welcome a Holy Guest,
Who is Jesus Christ, alive with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God now and forever.
Let your borning cry move us into action
That we may welcome your light in the world, in our hearts and in our actions.
Amen.
Featured In This December 22nd Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Saturday December 24th
Don’t Miss the Tax Donation Deadline!
Ring In The New Year With God
Church Office Closed
January 8th Worship
Annual Report Season Is Coming!
2023 Fellowship Hour Schedule
Audio Visual System Volunteers Needed!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Worship This Saturday December 24th
Please join Rev. Michelle for worship at St. Paul’s at 3pm and 7 pm on December 24th.
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
**Reminder that there is No Christmas Day service at St. Paul’s**
Don’t Miss the Tax Donation Deadline!
Donations deadline for the 2022 tax year is December 31st. While our office will not be open from December 23-January 3rd you can still get your donations in by visiting the office before December 23st 8am-3pm, using the secure drop box which will be checked while office is closed or attending the 4pm New Year’s Eve Service. Debbie Allison will be in the office Friday December 23rd from 10am until noon to receive your contributions.
Ring In The New Year With God
As we prepare to say goodbye and hello to another year, let us worship. Join us New Year’s Eve at 4pm for this joint service of Downtown United here at St. Paul’s. Please note that there will be NO service on Sunday January 1st.
Church Office Closed
The church office will be closed December 23rd and reopen on January 3rd. Should you require pastoral care during this timeframe, please call Rev. Michelle at 259-7602. Please note that the office will not be opening this year to receive end of year contributions. If you have contributions or other mail for the church, you can drop it off in the secure mailbox at the York Street doors. The mailbox will be checked during the closure. Alternatively, you can bring you end of year contributions to the New Year’s Eve service on December 31st at 4pm.
January 8th Worship
January 8th will be our first Sunday worship of 2023. This is also the date that the Downtown United Project Survey gets released. We are hoping to see you for worship and that you will take the time to fill out the survey online or on hard copy. More details on the survey to be released closer to its release date.
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.
2023 Fellowship Hour Schedule
Coffee [or should we call it Fellowship] Hour schedule for Jan-June 2023 is as follows below.
Serving Juice, Coffee, Tea and a Treat. * Don’t forget the milk for the tea & coffee
Audio Visual System Volunteers Needed!
St. Paul’s needs volunteers willing to help with operation of the audio/visual system for Sunday morning services. Four volunteers would allow for a rotation of one Sunday per month. Experience is not necessary as training will be provided. If you are interested or know anyone who might be, please contact the Church Office at 458-1183 (stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com) or John Davis at 455-1129 (johntdavis@hotmail.com).
Upcoming Dates To Remember
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
December 23rd to January 2nd – Church Office Closed
January 8th – First Service of 2023 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by the Choir
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