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…
This Sunday we have a rich passage full of opportunities to reflect. Part of the reading is the Beatitudes. Reading all the “Blessed are…” reminded me of the bag-tags, wallet cards and magnets that we handed out in September proclaiming we are Blessed to be a Blessing. The beatitudes push us to think about what it actually means to be blessed and how even the most challenging times can reveal God’s blessing in our lives. With familiar scriptures, it is sometimes hard to listen deeply in a way that lets the words touch our lives. Today, I just want to share with you the words of Matthew 5:3-10 as written in the Message translation of the bible. May it help you to experience new insights in these old words.
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
May we remember that we are both blessed by God and beloved in God’s eyes. That the Holy One wants to work in us and through us and maybe most importantly, God is with us and is giving us what we need!
This weekend we will be celebrating the sacrament of Baptism as we welcome Brian Webb into the beloved community of God. We will also be welcoming his parents into full membership in this congregation. I hope you will be able to join us. In the meantime, let us pray!
In baptism we come to know ourselves as your beloved children,
Touched by the Spirit our souls take flight as we come to know who you made us to be,
Help us Holy One, to live as people held in your promise and love
Called to share that love, and hope, and mercy with the world.
Continue to bless us with knowledge of your work in our lives
And your presence that gives us ground to stand tall that we may be your church in the world.
This we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
Featured In This January 19th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday January 22nd
Downtown United Survey Closes Jan 23rd
Kindred Works And St. Paul’s ~ Presentation This Thursday!
Annual Committee Reports Due!
A Newsletter For Lent
Emergency Pastoral Care
FundScrip
Camp Wegesegum ~ 100th Anniversary
Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Hospitalizations & Visits
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Worship This Sunday January 22nd
Please join Rev. Michelle for worship at St. Paul’s at 10:30 am on January 22nd, 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
Downtown United Survey Closes Jan 23rd
Downtown United Survey Closes January 23rd! Credence and Co. is our consultant group, and as part of phase 1, helped us create a survey for all members and adherents of St. Paul’s and Wilmot. The responses will be vital for our work to continue. The survey can be filled out online The survey can be completed online HERE. Hard copies are available in the office. To submit these responses there are a few options: a) ask a trusted friend to enter their survey responses online: b) submit your paper survey (name included) to a member of the planning team or Office Admin to enter online; c) read responses to a Credence Assistant in a phone call. The Survey is only open until January 23rd.
Kindred Works And St. Paul’s ~ Presentation This Thursday!
Over the last year, the Trustees, Property and the Board have been learning more about what this organization of the United Church can do for our congregation. Kindred Works helps congregations redevelop their property to make a greater impact in our community, while providing sustaining revenue for congregations. A representative from Kindred Works will be here at St. Paul’s for two meetings on January 25th, at 1pm and at 7pm. Your attendance at one of the meetings is requested to ensure the maximum knowledge of Kindred Works (their process and opportunities) and where our congregation is in their engagement process. If possible please let the office know in advance which session you will be attending. Thank you!
Annual Committee Reports Due! 
If you are a committee Chair or are involved in organizing a group in the congregation, your Annual report is Due by January 27th. Don’t delay! Get it in to Meghan in the office today via email to stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com or in paper format!
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, staple, fold & stuff envelopes! If you are able to help out with this ministry of communication and connection, please contact Rev. Michelle
Emergency Pastoral Care
Rev. Michelle Will be away at a regional training event Tuesday-Thursday. For emergency pastoral care, please connect with Rev. Ellen Beairstro. Her number 506-206-1943.
FundScrip
Welcome back, FundScrip shoppers! Did you use up all you gift cards over the holidays? You can place your order anytime now for our next deadline Sunday, February 5. Family birthdays or other celebrations coming up soon? Why not consider a gift card for a favourite store or restaurant? And don’t forget Valentine’s Day, February 14 . . . order a card now to treat your sweetie! Order forms are available at the church office, in the Narthex on Sunday or you can print a copy by clicking here: February 5th FundScrip Order Form If you haven’t taken part in this program before, give it a try. The process is simple and your shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s! You can purchase gift cards to cover all your shopping needs . . . groceries, gas, hardware, restaurants, etc. Cards from over 200 stores and services are available in different denominations from $5 at Starbucks to $500 at Staples, Home Hardware, Home Depot and Best Buy. Each purchase automatically includes a donation from the retailer to St. Paul’s calculated as a percentage of the card’s value. There is no cost to you for this donation. You receive the full face value of every card you purchase. Just fill out an order form, take it to the office during the week or bring it to church on Sunday. Payment by cash, cheque or e-transfer must accompany your order. Please speak with Carole Peacock if you would like to know more.
Camp Wegesegum ~ 100th Anniversary
There are plans to celebrate so save the date: July 15, 2023. There will be music, food, children’s activities and everything that makes camp good. Many of our congregation have had great camp experiences, more info on how you can be involved coming soon.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items: Coffee Mate, juice boxes, Cheez Whiz, mustard, ketchup, relish, mayo, instant coffee, canned mushrooms, white sugar, flour, large juice, cookies, crackers, granola bars, dish soap, and tin foil. Thank you for your continued support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program is in need of proteins with flip top lids, pudding cups, juice boxes and granola bars. Thank you for your ongoing generosity!
Hospitalizations & Visits
Just a reminder that with the ongoing stress in hospitals, that services previously available to discover if someone was in hospital are no longer available. If you or a loved one is in hospital, please contact Rev. Michelle or the office and provide the room number and floor so that a visit can be arraigned. Without this information, Rev. Michelle will be unable to find you!
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 6:7-21, 25-34. 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.
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
Sound and projection are vital parts of our service and right now these tasks are being shouldered by one person. We need to expand the team. Training provided! We are hoping to develop a rotating team. Please contact Meghan to express your interest at 458-1183.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
January 22nd ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by the UCW
January 29th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by the Worship Committee
February 5th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by The Board
February 12th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Christian Ed
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