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…
When I think about the bible passages I frequently turn to they include, “With God, all things are possible” Mathew 19:26, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11, and “I [Jesus] have come that they may have life and have it abundantly” John 10:10. These are comforting words, but there is a problem if they are only as far as you read. If you stop at the easy-to-swallow scriptures, it becomes hard to see the Bible as having a deep connection with your life and you miss critical moments of our faith story.
Time and time again, we are brought to cross moments in life. Moments where our desires and hopes are denied, moments when dreams die and we are thrust into places of pain and fear, moments of feeling wet tears rolling down our cheeks and we remember in loss that “Jesus Wept”. Well, at least these are themes I see in my own life and so many of the stories others tell me too. It is no mistake that the foundational story of our faith is that Jesus came, was crucified, died, and rose again.
However, we often don’t want to look at the cross, Good Friday is one of our lowest-attended services. I think this is in part because the whole story of betrayal, violence, and death hits too close to home and makes us uncomfortable. This avoidance is also nurtured by our society which tries to tell us that we can have everything and that things constantly get better is the natural trajectory. When we, consciously or unconsciously, buy into this narrative our experiences of death and loss are suppressed.
Within the cross, God strongly proclaims that this “always better, never loss” orientation to life is false. Like the book of Job before, we see that being good and righteous doesn’t prevent us from being brought low. While death is not the last word, denial of its existence only causes more issues.
Yet so many of us skip from the triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the resurrection, never passing in the middle where the real power of God is seen. It is in the cross that Jesus experiences the violence that we humans cause to each other and he stays with us through the pain. It is in the cross where we see, God’s outpouring of himself for the sake of others even when it is costly, modeling for us the foundation of community. It is in the cross, where we see God taking on the powers of death, to show us that it they not the ultimate winners.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit” John 12:24 and “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2 are just two of the many scriptures that point to how what we count as death, God uses for life. As we draw ever closer to the end of Lent, to Calvery and the Cross. I encourage you to wrestle with the cross. Where are you seeing death? Where is God creating life?
Loving God as we walk this Lenten road,
Hold us bound in your love,
Help us to look at the cross,
The losses and pain in the world and our lives,
And guide us with your strength to new life. Amen.
Featured In This March 14th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday march 17th
Organ & Choir Concertato
“Special” eNews Responses Requested By Tomorrow!
Critical Congregational Update
Noon Hour Viola Concert
Maundy Thursday Service At Wilmot
Fellowship Hour Servers Needed!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Booking Meeting Space at St. Paul’s
God’s Story, Our Story
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Silent Auction Fundraiser
Vigil for Middle Eastern Mother’s Day
Stew Takeout at Nashwaaksis United
Worship This Sunday March 17th
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 10:30am
Can’t make it in person, join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740 Password: 657067
Organ & Choir Concertato
Dr. Pond and the choir will present “Take up Your Cross, the Savior Said” during service on March 17th. It is a Concertato for Choir and Organ.
“Special” eNews Responses Requested By Tomorrow!
Remember responses to the “Special” eNews sent out on Monday, Feb 26th are due on March 15th. Responses will be used to help guide the discussions and decisions on our next steps. Please respond today and make your voice, needs, and hopes heard.
Critical Congregational Update
There will be a Critical Congregational Update on March 17th after service, this meeting will update people on the work that has happened so far and provide important updates from the task groups looking at divesting of our property and the ecumenical shared ministry.
Noon Hour Viola Concert
Natalia DeLacroix will present Homage à Bach on viola on March 22nd from 12-1pm at St. Paul’s Freewill offering, entry is free.
Maundy Thursday Service At Wilmot
Maundy Thursday Service will take place on March 28th at 6pm at Wilmot in their lower parlor. Please note this year there will be no meal, just a service.
Good Friday Service At St. Paul’s
St. Paul’s will host Downtown United Good Friday Service at 10 am on March 29th.
Easter Morning Sunrise Service
Downtown United Easter Sunrise Service will take place at 7am on March 31st at the pedway by the library. Breakfast will follow at St. Paul’s.
Fellowship Hour Servers Needed!
Thank you to everyone who has provided for our fellowship time. Currently we are seeking folks to sign up for March 31st and all of April. You can help our faith community by picking one day to serve in the coming months. Check the bulletin board across from the hall for available dates.
Brown Bag Lunch 
Program
This week, the program needs proteins with flip top lids. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items this week: Rice Krispies, white & brown sugar, Comet, Mr. Clean, cookies, rice, apple & orange juice (1L), tea, spaghetti, Shake n’Bake, ketchup, soda crackers, pudding cups, and toothbrushes. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
Booking Meeting Space at St. Paul’s
As the use of our space at St. Paul’s gets busier, please remember to book your meetings space through the office. Drop by in person, call 458-1183 or email Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com.
God’s Story, Our Story
Pick up this reflection guide in the narthex to use as a home devotional or with your friends. This devotional follows the pattern of pray, reflect and do, offering suggestions on how to put the biblical theme into action.
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Tuesdays from 10:45am-11:45am we explore the biblical passage for Sunday, seeking to create connections with our lives. Come explore deeper the passage we will be reading. As one participant noted, “it makes Sunday service richer”. Join us in the boardroom. Can’t make it in person, you can join the discussion via 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 we explore the questions you have, scripture and faith practices to deepen our connection with God and each other. We hope you will join us.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
March 17th ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Mel & Barb McGuigan & Debbie Allison
March 17th ~ Critical Congregational Update following service
March 22nd ~ Candlelight Classix Noon Hour Concert at St. Paul’s from 12-1pm
March 24th ~ Palm Sunday ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister
March 28th ~ Downtown United ~ Maundy Thursday Service at Wilmot at 6pm
March 29th ~ Downtown United ~ Good Friday Service at St. Paul’s at 10am
March 31st ~ Downtown United ~ Easter Morning Sunrise Service at 7am with Breakfast to follow at St. Paul’s
March 31st ~ Easter Sunday Service with Communion ~ Fellowship Hosts Needed
April 1st ~ Easter Monday STAT Holiday ~ Office Closed
April 7th ~ Annual General Meeting following service
Silent Auction Fundraiser
Ability Dogs Canada is hosting a Silent Auction Fundraiser in support of ADC Team Zola on Wednesday March 20th from 6-9pm at Dolan Pub. Ability Dogs Canada raises, trains, and places service dogs with individuals across Canada who struggle with disabilities that cause them to lose some or all of their independence. For more information please contact, Samatha at adczola@gmail.com
Vigil for Middle Eastern Mother’s Day
You are invited to join the Fredericton community for a solemn vigil on March 21st in observance of Middle Eastern Mother’s Day, to honour and show solidarity with Palestine mothers and families. The candlelight vigil is taking place at the Legislative Building at 706 Queen Street at 7pm. Please RSVP to fp.solidarity@gmail.com by March 20th and dress warmly for the outdoors.
Stew Takeout at Nashwaaksis United
Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street, will be hosting a Stew Takeout on Friday, March 22nd from 4– 5:30pm. The menu includes delicious homemade Beef Stew, Rolls and Carrot Cake for dessert. The cost is $15. Cut off for reservations is Monday, March 18th. Please call the church office 506-458-9452 or email admin@nashwaaksisunited.ca please use the front door for pickups
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: Jaedyn Williams