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…
It takes all of God’s people to make the church work, and this is because the church is a community of people who come together to practice living as members of the kingdom of heaven. When we opt out of engagement with each other, when we do not offer our gifts and skills, we are all worse off and God’s world suffers.
Jesus said “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus promises that when we take on work with him, that the burden will be light and work will be easy. This is sometimes hard to square with the feelings that so many of us experience.
I have heard many people talking about how they are weary, or don’t want the stress, or express that they think they are too old by saying I have done my time. These are all signs that we are missing something, working outside of our skills and gifts, taking on more than we are called to, or forgetting to take the time to ground in God.
We as a congregation are richly blessed with a variety of skills and gifts. Each of you has been blessed by God with talents and interests. When we work together we have enough, more than enough, for the Yoke that Jesus holds out for us.
We are at a critical time in our congregational life, we are in the place where what has been is no longer viable and what will be, has not arrived yet. Much like the time after Jesus’ death but before his resurrection, this period of time can feel dark and dangerous. It is a time like when the Israelites were learning what it meant to be God’s people, there is grumbling about the present, glorifying the past and wishing for things to be like we have known. Like the disciples on Holy Saturday, like the Israelites in the desert, we can’t see what is ahead of us, BUT God does.
In this time, we need our congregation to come together, to hold each other in the uncertainty, to continue to witness God’s presence and support the work and ministry here at St. Paul’s. It is a time to listen deeply for God’s voice because our God cares and is still speaking, and it is a time be open to the Holy Spirit moving in us!
God calls young and old to play a part in his kingdom. He called Samuel, Jeremiah and David as boys, the disciples as young men and Abraham, Moses and Sarah well into their old age. Each of them offered what they could, fulfilling their part in God’s story. You are part of God’s ongoing story. God is calling you.
As we head towards the Annual Meeting, the nominations committee of the board will be active again. You could make this work easier by taking time to reflect on what you have to offer – wisdom, passion, dreams, encouragement – to our congregation. Then share this with myself or any member of the board, letting us know where you think you could offer these gifts. As we walk with Jesus TOGETHER the yoke is easy and the burden light
As we move towards Sunday let us pray
Thank you God for this congregation we call St Paul’s
for the wonderful people that we meet here
for the ways in which the community has held us in times of grief,
and celebrated with us in times of joy.
Thank you for the ways in which your spirit has swept over us,
Stirring our hearts, igniting our passions, challenging us to grow in Christ’s way.
Thank you for the people who have served this congregation in good times and through troubled times.
Speak to my heart God, this day, about where I am called to serve.
Give me courage and strength to offer my skills and gifts.
Confirm in my heart that I am good enough, gifted enough, and able to serve your church,
just as I am and with what I have to offer.
Guide me to where my passions and skills meet the needs of the church,
so that in serving I find great joy.
This I pray in Christ’s name.
Amen.
Featured In This February 2nd Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday February 5th
Annual Committee Reports Due Sunday!
2022 Tax Receipts Available Now!
2023 Offering Envelopes Available Now!
A Newsletter For Lent
FundScrip
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Getting Started In Stewardship
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Ukulele Camp at Wilmot!
Beef Stew Take-Out Supper
Worship This Sunday February 5th
Please join Rev. Michelle for worship at St. Paul’s at 10:30 am on February 5th, 2023
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
2022 Tax Receipts Available Now!
2022 Tax Receipts are now available!! They can be picked up in the office Monday through Friday 8am – 3pm or in the Narthex on Sunday. Those remaining after February 12th will be mailed out. Please feel free to take a neighbour or friends’ receipt and deliver it to them personally! Contact Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail or 506.458.1183 if you prefer you receipt to be mailed to you.
2023 Offering Envelopes Available Now!
2023 Offering Envelopes are available for pick up at the church office Monday through Friday 8am – 3 pm or in the Narthex on Sunday. Please feel free to take a neighbour or friends’ envelopes and deliver them personally! Contact Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail or 506.458.1183 if you prefer you receipt to be mailed to you.
A Newsletter For Lent
Lent is fast approaching and, in a month, we hope to have the next addition of St. Paul’s newsletter in the mail. We have had great feedback about them over this past year. Your help is needed to make it happen. Looking for people to help edit, to connect with committees around updates and gather articles. If you are able to help out with this ministry of communication and connection, please contact Rev. Michelle
FundScrip Due This Sunday!
The deadline for our first order in 2023 is coming soon . . . Sunday, February 5. Order forms are available at the office, in the Narthex on Sunday or you can print a copy by clicking here: February 5th FundScrip Order Form You can take your order and payment to the office during the week or bring it to church on Sunday. Thank you for your continued support of this fundraising program. New shoppers are always welcome. Speak with Carole Peacock if you would like to know more.
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program is in desperate need of proteins with flip top lids and juice boxes. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items: dish detergent, decaf coffee, canned salmon, ketchup, mushroom soup, cooking oil, tea bags, salt, orange juice, large juice, toilet paper and mustard. Thank you for your continued support!
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Wednesday morning lectionary study. This year we will be reading through the Gospel of Matthew, with a focus for this week on Matthew 13:24-43. Join us in the conference room at 11:15am or online via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190. Interested in an evening bible study?
Getting Started In Stewardship
Getting Started in Stewardship: Tuesday, February 21 – 2pm AST – Presented on Zoom.
Join United Church people from across the country to learn some stewardship first principles.
Start with an online 2-hour course that answers questions like: What is stewardship all about anyway? Isn’t stewardship just a churchy word for fundraising? Why do people give, and why would they give to our church? What can we do to encourage greater generosity?
The practical assignments that follow will help you reflect on giving and generosity as part of your faith, gather and interpret some of the giving data from your community of faith, and build a stewardship team in order to start making stewardship a priority in your community of faith.
Any questions, please contact Roger Janes at rjanes@united-church.ca. Click HERE to Register.
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
We welcome Murray Simpson to the sound booth today, thank you for your service. Sound and projection are vital parts of our service and right now these tasks we are looking for at least one more person to step forward and join the team. Training provided! We are hoping to develop a rotating team. Please contact Meghan to express your interest at 458-1183 or stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Upcoming Dates To Remember
February 12th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Christian Ed
February 19th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Property
February 26th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Trustees
March 5th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by M&P
Ukulele Camp at Wilmot!
With the help of Catherine Stuart, Wilmot United Church is hosting a ukulele camp! This all ages event will take place on Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM at Wilmot United Church. You’ll learn chords and some songs during this social, indoor winter event. There will be a lunch break during which brown bag lunches from home can be enjoyed. Registration is required. Please contact Wilmot’s office at 458-1066 or wilmotuc@nb.sympatico.ca by Thursday, February 9 to reserve your spot. Those interested are encouraged to bring their own ukulele or borrow one from a friend. Instruments can be provided if this isn’t an option for you.
Beef Stew Take-Out Supper
Beef Stew Take-Out Supper, Friday, February 17, pick-up from 4:00-5:30pm, Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street – please use front door. Enjoy delicious beef stew, roll and carrot cake for $15. Phone Rindy or Tom Austin at 506-450-7151 by noon on February 14 to reserve your take-out meals.
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