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…

Before resurrection there is death. This is something that we can forget if we only hear the Scripture on Sunday. This Sunday is Palm Sunday where we hear the excitement of Jesus entering Jerusalem, next Sunday we celebrate with joy, Jesus’ resurrection. But between now and Easter Sunday so much happens for Jesus, and his followers. Holy Week is what this coming week is called, and during this week we mark foundational and powerful moments in our faith story. At the same time, it is difficult story to hear. The story includes betrayal, abandonment, abuse of power, physical and mental abuse, shame and death. Our story takes us into uncomfortable places, into vulnerability, fear, loss and grief.

I wonder if this is part of the reason why some people avoid the mid-Week services? We love joy and celebration, but often recoil from places of pain and hurt. For me however, the Shadows in which the Holy Week takes place add to its power and truly make Easter more vibrant. This week we see God’s love proclaiming, I am with you, no matter what. We have God in Jesus, living through the hardest and most difficult of situations, really getting to know the worst of human experience. The disciples come face to face with their own shame and guilt. This week, we see that our for-bearers understood the heart break of being stopped in their tracks when their plans suddenly end? And we see we are in good company, as the disciples wonder after the unthinkable, “what do we do now?”

As we move into this year’s Holy Week, the T.S. Eliot quote, “The darkness declares the glory of light”, I think holds true. Through the darkness of the story, the pain, fear and challenges – the glory of God’s love, commitment and faithfulness shines through. Like the night sky as the backdrop that allows us to see the stars, Holy week confirms for us the words of John 1:5, “A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

I invite you all to participate and engage in this sacred time of year, opening yourself to both the historic story found in our scripture and the ways that this story is lived out in our lives. In doing so, don’t be afraid of what is dying, because after all death comes before resurrection and new life.

As we head towards this Sunday, our palms and shouts of hosanna, let us pray together this prayer adapted from Voices United 125:

We praise you, O God,

for your redemption of the world through Jesus Christ.

As he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph and was proclaimed Messiah and king,

we spread our garments and branches along his way.

These branches represent our hopes of his victory,

grant that we who carry them may follow him in the way of the cross,

opening ourselves up to dying and rising with him,

and paving the way to us seeing your kingdom love in action.

In this journey, through Jesus Christ, empower us to enter further into kingdom living.

This we pray in his strong name.  Amen.

Featured In This March 30th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews

Worship This Sunday April 2nd
FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!
Purdy’s Easter Chocolate Orders Have Arrived!
2022 Financial Statements Available
Homage à Bach Concert Friday!
Beware of Scams!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Bible Study Is For Everyone
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Multi-Media-Messiah
East Coast Brass Concert
Take-Out Ham Supper

Worship This Sunday April 2nd

Please join Rev. Michelle for worship at 10:30 am on April 2nd, 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

FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!

FundScrip orders for April are due this Sunday, April 2. Cards should be available for distribution on Easter Sunday, April 9. (Perhaps I should carry a basket like the Easter Bunny!) Increased donations to St. Paul’s are being offered on April orders by Walmart and Ultimate Dining Card (can be used at Swiss Chalet, East Side Mario’s, Harvey’s, Montana’s, New York Fries). Order forms are available at the church office, in the Narthex or click here April 2nd FundScrip Order Form  Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s. We can definitely handle more subscribers!

Purdy’s Easter Chocolate Orders Have Arrived!

Easter Chocolate orders have arrived and are available for pick up from the church office Monday-Friday from 8am – 3pm or on Sunday following the service. A huge thank you to everyone who ordered Easter chocolate in support of St. Paul’s. Thanks to your participation, we raised $450.66 for St. Paul’s!

2022 Financial Statements Available

St. Paul’s 2022 Financial Statements and Annual Report are 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.

Homage à Bach Concert Friday!

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,

  • If a request for money or gift cards seems odd, check directly with the organization or individual,

  • Plan your donations and be the one to initiate giving,

  • Never give out personal details to people you are not 100% sure of,

  • Plan your donations and be the one to initiate giving,

  • Don’t fall into “urgent” requests. Reputable organizations will not pressure you.

Brown Bag Lunch Program

This week, the program is in desperate need of proteins with flip top lids and granola bars. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.

Pantry Program

The Pantry program needs the following items: coffee, frosting, cake mix, Hamburger Helper, mustard, white sugar, regular Miracle Whip, tin foil and Mr. Clean. Thank you for your continued support!

Bible Study Is For Everyone

Wednesday morning lectionary study. This week we will be focusing on Matthew 28:1-10. Join us in the board room at 11:15am or online via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190.

 

Upcoming Dates To Remember

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-10th ~ Office Closed
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
April 16th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Christian Ed
April 23rd ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Property
April 30th ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Trustees

Multi-Media-Messiah

You are invited to enjoy selections from Handel’s MESSIAH Easter Section on Sunday, April 2nd at 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.

East Coast Brass Concert

On Saturday, April 8th at 3 pm Brunswick Street Baptist Church is thrilled to present The East Coast Brass in a concert of music perfect for Easter weekend. You’ll hear music you know and music you’ll want to remember, presented by their versatile musicians who take the “boring” out of “concert”. With a lively commentary to increase enjoyment you’ll have a “blast” as the afternoon unfolds. There is no admission charge but a retiring offering will be taken in gratitude for our musicians – anything above that will go to address ongoing work with Fredericton’s unhoused citizens. Brunswick Street Baptist Church is located on the corner of Brunswick and York Streets in downtown Fredericton. For more information please visit our website at www.thestreetonline.ca

Take-Out Ham Supper

TAKE-OUT BAKED HAM SUPPER – Friday, April 28th, pick-up 4:00-5:30pm at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street. The delicious take-out supper includes carved baked ham, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, roll, and raspberry cheesecake dessert for $15. Please call Rindy or Tom Austin, 506-450-7151 by noon on Monday, April 24 to reserve your take-outs.

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