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…
Christmas time is busy for all of us, but this last week has been particularly busy for Sharon. Not only did she bring music to our Sunday worship, but also Carols by Glowstick last Friday where about 70 families came together to sing carols and enjoy the season. Then last night the 31st Advent Carol Festival filled the sanctuary with exquisite music. I would like to report that Sharon gets to slow down, however, Sunday is coming fast, and it brings both worship and her organ concert. Let us pray for Sharon and the music ministry of our congregation in this season that blesses us with a rich and deep assortment of songs and so many events.
Music touches us in a way that words alone cannot. Music has the power to touch us at the deepest level. Tunes get embedded in our minds and tangled up with our memories. It is these connections to the past that make Christmas music so powerful and transport us to a different time and place. This power is seen in real-time in nursing homes when people with dementia, come alive when music starts, and join in singing every word, fully participating in the moment. The power of music is magical.
This week, as we made final music selections for Advent and started to draft the Christmas services, I have been thinking about my favourite Christmas hymns and wondered, “What is your favourite Christmas Carol? Which one can’t you stand? Which brings a tear to your eye? Which fills you with joy?”
As we head towards Christmas, I encourage you to spend some time with your favourite Christmas songs. Take time to appreciate them, let the story they hold wash over you, and give thanks to God for the gift that they are in your life. This is a simple spiritual practice that is guaranteed to bring you peace and joy this season.
Speaking of music, we haven’t finalized our selections for Christmas Eve, so what do you wish we would sing? Send your carol requests to my email michellenarmstrong@hotmail.com by the end of the weekend and I will see what we can do.
As we take one more step closer to Bethlehem let us pray,
God of Advent waiting,
We thank you for this time of preparation,
For the ways in which you draw our attention and capture our imagination,
For the songs that fill the air,
The lights that shine in the darkness,
The spirit of goodwill that bubbles up in our hearts.
Bring us to the stable again in anticipation of the wonder we will find. Amen.
Featured In This December 7th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday December 10th
Songs Of Jubilee Organ Recital
A Ceremony Of Carols
Longest Night Service
Wheelchair Wanted
Fellowship Hour Servers Needed!
Mincemeat
Warm Clothing Donations Needed!
Pantry Program
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Sanctuary dressed for Christmas
Advent message from President of Fundy St. Laurence Dawning Waters Region
God’s Story, Our Story
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
Worship This Sunday December 10th
Please join Rev. Michelle for our Advent 2 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
Songs Of Jubilee Organ Recital
Please join Dr. Sharon Pond, organist at St. Paul’s United Church, for an organ recital at the church on Sunday, December 10th at 2:00pm. Songs of Jubilee will feature music of joy in a variety of genres… Baroque, Classical, Romantic, post-Romantic and contemporary… half of it being Christmas selections. There is no admission fee for this event; a freewill offering will be received to support the music program at St. Paul’s. A reception will follow in the church hall.
A Ceremony Of Carols
Fredericton Choral Society presents Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” at St. Paul’s United Church on December 9th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 General/$10 Student. Tickets are available online, at the door and from choir members Jane Blakely & Debbie West.
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.
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 6 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: pancake mix, syrup, ketchup, Cheez Whiz, peanut butter – smooth & crunchy, granola bars, tea, Coffee Mate, soda crackers, cookies, salt, juice boxes, pudding cups, white & brown sugar, flour, apple sauce, large apple & orange juice, oatmeal, cereals – Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Shreddies, laundry & dish detergent, Mr. Clean, Kleenex, and paper towel. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
December 10th ~ Advent 2 Service ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by
Mel & Barb McGuigan & Debbie Allison
December 10th ~ Songs of Jubilee Organ Recital at 2pm
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
Sanctuary dressed for Christmas
Last week in the service we neglected to say thank you to the team of people who transformed the sanctuary from every day to Christmas Wow. Thursday the team came together to hang lights, fluff trees, arrange flowers, place candles, and raise the wreath. Thank you so much for your dedication, sharp eye for detail, and beautiful work. If you ever wonder how that great big wreath gets raised, check out our Facebook posts and see for yourself. https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsUnitedFredericton/
Advent message from President of Fundy St. Laurence Dawning Waters Region
You can read this year’s Advent message from our regional president Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Stevenson at https://ucceast.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Advent-Message-from-the-President-of-FSLDW.pdf
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: Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13. 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 Isaiah 40:1-11. 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