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 was the last time you were listened to, deeply listened to? Last weekend, during the workshops, “Conversations that Matter to Wilmot and St. Paul’s”, something almost magical happened. As people spoke to each other, and were listened to, walls between us and them broke down and a community feeling developed. As people were open with each other, the energy in the room increased and inspiration flourished. As we discovered or rediscovered the similarities between our two congregations, the idea of working together for a stronger ministry presence made sense and felt right. If you didn’t get a chance to attend either of the workshops, I hope that you will join us in May, when the consultants gather us together again.
This Sunday is our AGM, should you want the documentation prior to the meeting you can get it from our website here: https://www.stpaulsunited.ca/annual-reports/ or call the office for pick-up Friday. The meeting will happen after service Sunday. St. Paul’s is able to function because and only because of your support and engagement. Without you, our doors would close, our programs would stop and we and the whole community of Fredericton would be lesser for it. Thank you to all who have offered to serve this coming year on a committee. If you are not engaged in a committee, I would ask that you do two things prior to Sunday. First, pray a prayer of thanks for all who are serving the church by giving of their time and talents. Secondly, ask God what you can offer to support the ministry of St. Paul’s. Remember God has blessed us, all of us, to be a blessing. That doesn’t mean that we are all going to serve on a committee, but it does mean we all have something to offer!
Today at a Regional clergy zoom meeting, someone shared the quote, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” There is some deep truth in this, when we look at others or even our past and make judgments about what we don’t have or feel we are lacking, we stop celebrating what we do have and can offer. God has blessed each of us, you are a child of the Most High. Adopted by God, held in God’s care, and supplied with God’s own Spirit – let us revel in that joy.
God of life,
we walk in a time where your Glory is hard to see,
war, poverty, oppression, greed, and violence fill so much of our world.
Help us to see you at work, even in these hard places,
draw our gaze, that we may catch glimpses of compassion, generosity, joy, and love
for are signs of your presence among us.
As we seek to follow in Christ’s way, fill us with joy and send your Spirit,
that together St. Paul’s may be a beacon of light. Amen.
Featured In This March 23rd Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday March 26th
2022 Financial Statements Now Available
Homage à Bach
Beware of Scams!
Through the Roof Worship
Youth Group
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Faith Put into Action
Bible Study Is For Everyone
FundScrip
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Dinner at Gibson Memorial
Multi-Media-Messiah
Worship This Sunday March 26th
Please join Rev. Michelle for worship at 10:30 am on March 26th, 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 Financial Statements Now Available
St. Paul’s 2022 Financial Statements and Annual Report are now available on our website under the Reports & Publications tab or click the following: https://www.stpaulsunited.ca/annual-reports/ For those wanting a hard copy of these documents, they are available in the office or at the Annual Meeting following the Service and Fellowship Hour this Sunday.
Homage à Bach
Please join the very talented Natalia Delacroix on Viola for noon hour concert “Homage à Bach” on March 31st at St. Paul’s. Entry is free and donations are kindly welcome.
Beware of Scams!
We have been notified that emails and texts are being sent to folks with requests for donations, gift cards and assistance from Church staff. We remind everyone that Rev. Michelle and the staff at St. Paul’s would not email or text you personally to ask for money or help. Many have fallen prey to these scams that sound very real. Should you ever get a call or email of this nature, report it to the police and please don’t respond.
Some tips to avoid scams:
- Double check the email address of the sender,
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If a request for money or gift cards seems odd, check directly with the organization or individual,
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Plan your donations and be the one to initiate giving,
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Never give out personal details to people you are not 100% sure of,
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Plan your donations and be the one to initiate giving,
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Don’t fall into “urgent” requests. Reputable organizations will not pressure you.
Through the Roof Worship
Campus Ministry is offering a worship event – tonight March 23rd at 7pm in Memorial Hall at UNB. This event will be an evening of contemporary Christian worship music. While this is a free event, people are asked, if possible, to bring food donations for the Food Bank. St. Paul’s is a financial supporter of Campus Ministry!
Youth Group
Meeting at Wilmot United this Sunday March 26th at 6:30pm. What is the best way to learn about being part of a faith community? Engaging with the Church. Youth group is a time to be, and learn that you are valued just as you are. It is a time to make connections with other youth in a safe and welcoming space. Fun, friendship, and experiences of God seen through others. Hope to see you there. For more information, contact Amy at amyefoster123@gmail.com
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program is in desperate need of juice boxes, granola bars and fruit cups. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items: soda crackers, baked beans, tuna, smooth peanut butter, ketchup, sardines, flour, sugar, salt, coffee and Coffee Mate. Thank you for your continued support!
Faith Put into Action
A Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI – also known as a universal or basic income, although “livable” is more specific, which is why The United Church of Canada uses it) is a regular payment to individuals or families by government that is not conditional and allows everyone to live with dignity and security. Since the 1970s, The United Church of Canada has called for a universal GLI that is non-discriminatory and accessible, with the cost of living skyrocketing, a Guaranteed Livable Income is urgently needed. The United Church of Canada’s national GLI network invites us to take action this weekend, March 24th–26th, to call for a Guaranteed Livable Income. By engaging our local politicians, MPs, municipalities, or provincial representatives (MLAs, MHAs), by writing letters, attending rallies in support of GLI, or starting a petition. Locally here in Fredericton, we can send letters of support for the decisions made by our municipality to support GLI and encourage further action. Here is a short introduction video from our Moderator
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Wednesday morning lectionary study. This week we will be focusing on Matthew 21:1-17. Join us in the board room at 11:15am or online via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190.
FundScrip
Spring is almost here! Ti
me to check out those potential purchases you have been dreaming about all winter. Do you need a new barbeque? Has your patio furniture seen better days? Let FundScrip gift cards help you with your shopping. Every time you purchase a FundScrip gift card, the retailer donates to St. Paul’s! Deadline for our next order is Sunday, April 2. Get an order form at the office, in the Narthex or click here: April 2nd FundScrip Order Form Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!
Sound & Projection Volunteers Needed!
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
March 26th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Outreach
March 26th ~ Annual General Meeting following the service
April 2nd ~ Palm Sunday ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by the UCW
April 6th ~ Downtown United ~ Potluck Dinner at 5:30 & Maundy Thursday Service at St. Paul’s ~ 6pm
April 7th ~ Downtown United ~ Good Friday Service at Wilmot ~ 11am
April 9th ~ Downtown United ~ Sunrise Service by the Library at 7am followed by breakfast at Wilmot
April 9th ~ Easter Sunday ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by the Board
Dinner at Gibson Memorial
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St. will be hosting a Stuffed Pork Loin Dinner (with all the trimmings) on March 29th, 4 – 6 p.m. Tickets are $15/adult. Please call 506-457-1951 to reserve your tickets.
Multi-Media-Messiah
You are invited to enjoy selections from Handel’s MESSIAH Easter Section on Sunday, April 2, 2023, 6:30 pm at Brunswick Street Baptist Church. Soloists Pascale Butt, Beth Snow and David Steeves will be accompanied by organist Alice Boyd. In between we’ll be playing recordings of the coordinating choral selections with everyone present invited to join in on singing the “Hallelujah Chorus”. Offering will be in support of the church’s ongoing ministry to Fredericton’s unhoused population. A reception will follow. We offer a section for those who wish to remain masked at all times with distanced seating.
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