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…
You may not know this about me, but I had my CYA Basic Skipper certification before I had my driver’s license. Now this might not seem like a big thing until you remember I grew up in the landlocked province of Alberta. My high school science teacher was a sailor, and would organize learn to sail programs over our spring break. We spent the fall and winter learning the names of sails and parts of the boat, how to tie knots and getting our marine radio certification, really, anything that could be taught in the classroom was. Then we would make the 12 hour drive to the west coast, where the fun really began. When the winds were so light that you could barely feel them and when we got caught in a gale, we learned quickly the truth of Thomas S Monson quote, “We can’t direct the winds but we can adjust our sails”. I am grateful for the wonderful experiences I have had while sailing.
The lesson about not being able to control the wind, but being able to adjust our sails, was not just useful on the water but in the rest of life too. In fact, Thomas Monson wasn’t really talking about sailing at all when he wrote those words, but they were part of a larger message he wrote in January of 2012. In that message he was talking about how we cannot control the circumstances that we find ourselves in, but we have the power to influence our experience of them through how we respond and what we think. Specifically, he was arguing that by having a positive attitude towards things we can maximize our happiness, peace and contentment.
Over the last few years we have seen how a positive attitude can influence mental and physical health. It allows for more creativity, greater problem solving skills, clearer thinking, along with lower stress and improved general physical health. If all these benefits come from being positive, why do we still experience so much grumbling and complaining? The short answer is, because when we perceive the situation as impacting us in a way we are not happy with, or we feel somehow that the current situation puts us at risk, we instinctively want to resist. Change often makes us feel vulnerable and like we don’t have any control. However, this is not true because we always have a choice in how we respond.
Take for instance the fact that after day surgery this month, I was told that I could not swim for 3 weeks. This initially made me grumpy and sad as I really enjoy swimming, finding it a good stress relief and way to clear my mind. Instead of just sitting at home with a frown on my face, I choose to look at the next three weeks as a time to explore other options for activity. I went back to the rowing machine in the gym and will be looking into options for yin yoga that a friend suggested. This positive attitude and reframe opens up new possibilities, instead of me just feeling stuck about what I can’t do.
How we look at things changes the world, at least the world inside of ourselves. Psychologists tell us that shifts in our own attitudes affect our actions (and vice versa) and one person’s actions can change an entire system. As we move forward as a faith community, the attitude we set and share, will make a huge difference on our outcomes. Think about how seeing and acknowledging the people who are showing up and participating in the life of the congregation could bring more energy and hope than focusing and getting stuck on who is not here. Or how looking not at what we don’t have, but the resources, passions and skills we do have, could help us see and set a mission focus moving forward. Focusing on the positive creates possibilities we could not otherwise think of.
Let us take our scripture to heart and evaluate what attitudes we hold and what our actions are saying. For as Proverbs 17:22 says “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”. I leave you today with the words of Paul, found in the book of Philippians (4:8) “and now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
As we move towards Sunday let us pray,
Your steadfast presence,
your enduring faithfulness and loving care,
Oh God, these are praiseworthy.
Help us to ground ourselves in your goodness,
that we may see the goodness that is all around us.
When we struggle and find ourselves on negative paths,
turn our heads, like you did with Moses when he saw that burning bush,
and lead us to another path, show us a better way.
This we pray in Christ’s name.
Amen.
Featured In This February 9th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday February 12th
2022 Tax Receipts Available Now!
Shrove Tuesday Fellowship Dinner
Donations Of Securities
2023 Offering Envelopes Available Now!
A Newsletter For Lent
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Getting Started In Stewardship
Responding To Devastation In Turkey & Syria
Opportunities To Service the National Church
Kindred Works Recording
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Ukulele Camp at Wilmot!
Beef Stew Take-Out Supper
Worship This Sunday February 12th
Please join Rev. Michelle for worship at St. Paul’s at 10:30 am on February 12th, 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 this Sunday, February 12th will be mailed out. Please feel free to take a neighbour or friends’ receipt and deliver it to them personally!
Shrove Tuesday Fellowship Dinner
St. Paul’s will be hosting a Shrove Tuesday Fellowship Dinner on Tuesday February 12th at 5pm. Menu is pancakes, sausage, beans, apple or lemon pie and tea and coffee. Freewill offering kindly accepted. There will be a sign-up list this Sunday in the Narthex or call Cathy Davis 455-1129 if you are planning to attend. All are welcome.
Donations Of Securities
Did you know that you can donate securities (stocks/bonds/shares) to St. Paul’s? Did you know that donating securities is easy and eliminates capital gains you would have to pay when sold? These donations are included on your annual tax receipt for the fair market value on the day donated. If you would like to donate a security, please contact the office for further direction. Meghan will provide our BMO Investment advisor’s contact information and all you have to do is inform her to which fund you would like your donation directed. Contact info: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com or 506.458.1183
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 to arrange pick up.
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
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: large orange & apple juice, ketchup, toilet paper, and dish detergent. 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 16:24-17:8. 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? If daytime doesn’t work for you, there is a couple looking to start a bible study for evenings. Let Rev. Michelle or the office know and help guide the time of meetings.
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.
Responding To Devastation In Turkey & Syria
When crises happen in the world The United Church responds, we engage with our global partners on the ground to understand what it truly needed and to get support to the people who need it most. With the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria, beyond offering our prayers for those effected, we can help directly on the ground through donations to the emergency relief fund https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/global-emergency-response
Opportunities To Service the National Church
We are seeking lay and ministry personnel leaders for roles on the General Council Executive, the General Council Planning Committee, a special task group, and a new interfaith opportunity. Please visit the United Church website for more information. Deadline for nominations is Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Kindred Works Recording
A recording of the presentation from January 25th at 7pm is available for congregants of St. Paul’s to view. To gain access to the recording, please contact Meghan via email at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
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 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. Any youth are welcome to join this event at Wilmot.
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