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…
What do you think of when you hear the word “stewardship”? What does it mean to you?
Is it a dreaded obligation? A burdensome contribution of money? A duty of church membership? Or a love-filled sharing with all Gods’ people? A blessedness granted to the poor in spirit?
While I hope that you see your offerings as love-filled sharing, joy and blessing, I am aware that this is not always the case.
Fall is often “stewardship” season in the church. It is a great time of year to start thinking about what we give and how we use our resources. This time of year is the perfect stewardship season because the natural ebb and flow of the Autumn help us to reflect on our giving. In September there is a renewal of activity. Programs start up, we reconnect with our church community and encounter the blessings that the church offers. The focus on Thanksgiving in October is the background on which we make our offerings to God. Then in November there is a wrapping up of the church year, which starts again with advent, that allows for a time of looking back on what we have done to see the impact of our giving and to look forward to the projects anticipated to start soon. I had hoped to do a soft stewardship campaign in October but with volunteer energy focused on our Anniversary service and being affected by COVID, well let’s just acknowledge that sometimes great plans never see the light of day.
Stewardship in its widest term is how we use the gifts that God has given us. Many churches and the Bible talk about tithing as a starting place for what we give God. In churches that promote tithing actively, people are reminded that God gives us everything we have and in gratitude and thanksgiving, we give 10% back to God. This leaves us with 90% to do whatever we want with. A tithe helps us not to think about what we are giving when it is viewed as the goal and obligation, rather than gift offered freely. I prefer to see us talk about our offerings as freely given, a sign of our relationship with God and our commitment to the work we do in God’s name. I believe that our offerings and what we give should be an intentional decision – not obligation and not the random amount left in our wallets at the end of the day or change we find in the couch on Saturday night.
As we head-towards Remembrance Day, I have been reflecting on those who served and gave up so much during the great wars. These thoughts have raised two other questions that intersect with stewardship. They are: what would you sacrifice for God? and how do you serve God in your everyday life? Those who were drafted to fight in war never made the intentional choice to serve. However, many young men made the choice to enlist, intentionally making the decision to serve their country. In this time of economic and political unrest, in this time of uncertainty and doubt. We have an opportunity to intentionally choose, joy and hope. We have the opportunity to trust in God’s abundance and model a way of living not based on fear and obligation but self-giving love.
I hope you will join us this week as we Celebrate Remembrance Sunday. Until then let us pray.
Loving God,
As we approach Remembrance Day, help us to hear the stories of our past,
Let us be touched by the weight of them
And let us commit to never forgetting the costs of war.
In our world that seems so hell bent on repeating the past,
Send us your wisdom that we may be peace-bearers and peace-makers.
Help us to give our lives, not to hate but to love as Jesus did,
That we may be forces for justice, kindness, and mercy.
This we pray in Christ’s name. Amen
Featured In This November 10th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday November 13th
Christmas Angel Tree
Bible Study
Upper Room Daily Devotional
Mincemeat Available for Purchase!
Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Salvation Army Kettle Drive Volunteers Needed!
Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers Wreaths For Sale!
Candlelight Classix Concert
Gifts With Vision
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Remembrance Day Lunch
Anti-Racist Authors of Faith
Nashwaaksis United Church UCW Christmas Bazaar
Breakfast & Christmas Market
Memorial Tree Lighting
______________________________________________________________
Worship This Sunday November 13th
Please join Rev. Michelle this Sunday for worship at St. Paul’s at 10:30am. 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
Christmas Angel Tree
The tree made its way to the narthex this Sunday. Please fill out a card (on the table next to the tree) with your name and angel number so we know which angel you took. You can take your gift to the church office anytime or bring it on Sunday and place it under the tree. Gifts must be received by November 15. If you need help shopping or would like to have your gift picked up, please call Carole Peacock at 452-1016.
Bible Study
Bible Study will be resuming this week! Join Rev. Michelle Wednesday at 11:15 as we dive into Isaiah 36:1-3, 13-20, 37:1-7; then 2:1-4. Join in person or via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 Passcode is 259190.
Upper Room Daily Devotional
The November-December and September-October Upper Room Daily Devotionals have arrived! Please stop by the office to purchase your copy for $2 before they are gone!
Mincemeat Available for Purchase!
The UCW will be selling mincemeat for $15.00 for 500 ml (2 cups). Order sheet is posted on the Bulletin Board or contact Donna Chauvin 458-5885.
Pantry Program
The pantry needs the following items: canned milk, pudding, peanut butter, cookies, Chez Whiz, Miracle Whip, mushroom soup, chicken noodle soup, oil, sardines, juice – large, jam, honey, icing, canned vegetables, canned fruit, salt, crackers, paper towel, toilet paper and tooth paste. Thank you for your continued support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program is in need of proteins with flip top lids, juice boxes and pudding. Thank you for your generosity!
Salvation Army Kettle Drive Volunteers Needed!
We have had a request for help manning the Salvation Army Kettle Drive. They would like to have 6 people, men or women, who would man a kettle for a day in their area. This would be for 2 people in each of 3 shifts of 2 hours. We can choose the day between Nov. 21-Dec. 23 and the location. Please call Ann Raper at 457-0164 if you would be willing to help.
St. Paul’s Christmas Bazaar!
There will be a CHRISTMAS BAZAAR on Saturday, November 19th from 10 am to 12 noon. Tables will be set up for Baking, Crafts, the Quilters will have Books and Puzzles, and a table for Christmas Decorations. You can help by donating items, but NO BOOKS at this time, and only Christmas Decorations Please!
Candlelight Classix Concert
Concert by Sarah Harrigan, Sharon Pond and Natalia Lubimova featuring music of Bach and Handel. Sunday December 4th at 3pm. Presale tickets: $20, tickets at the door $25, Students and children FREE. For ticket reservations go to candlelight-classix.com or more information, please email candlelightclassix@gmail.com
Gifts With Vision
Gifts With Vision – Looking for a gift that won’t just be discarded after the holiday season? Have someone on your list who has everything already? Wanting to make a difference in the lives of others this season? The Mission and Service Gift with Vision allow you to give gifts that directly impact the lives of people here in Canada and around the world. Pick up a catalogue in the office or stop by https://giftswithvision.ca/
Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers Wreaths For Sale!
Time flies! Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers are selling wreaths again. Nancy McGarvey is selling them from her porch 83 Grey St. Double sided balsam fir, decorated $18, UNDECORATED $15. Deadline for orders is Sunday November 20. Pickup Sunday November 27th. Call 455-3026 or email Nancymacgarvie@rogers.com to place your order. Proceeds are in support of African grandmothers in conjunction with Stephen Lewis Foundation and Help Lesotho whose needs are as great as ever.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
November 13th – Remembrance Sunday ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Worship
November 19th – Christmas Bazaar from 10-12pm
November 20th – Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by the Board
November 27th – Advent 1 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Christian Education
December 4th – Advent 2 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Property
December 11th – Advent 3 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by Trustees
December 18th – Advent 4 ~ Fellowship Hour ~ Hosted by M&P
Remembrance Day Lunch
Take out or eat in luncheon, FHUC November 11th from 11:30 to 2 pm. The menu of meatless baked beans, brown bread and war cake has been set in honour of our veterans. $12 for adults and 6 for children under 12. To reserve your meal (take out or eat in) please call Mary Grant at 459-8525 no later than Monday, Nov 7th at 4 pm.
Anti-Racist Authors of Faith
Engage with United Church authors as they reflect on their recent work in published books! Alf Dumont will share reflections about “The Other Side of the River: From Church Pew to Sweat Lodge”, Andrew Kinoti Lairenge will share about “Reflections on Emancipation and Anti-Black Racism for Canada”, and OhWang Kwon will reflect on “Jesus and the Marginalized: Jesus Christ for Koreans in The United Church of Canada”. All three of these books are available at the United Church Bookstore: www.ucrdstore.ca Tuesday November 15, 2022, 7:00 pm ET. Enroll in Churchx Webinars for free https://catalog.churchx.ca/product?catalog=ULIX8004OCT22
Nashwaaksis United Church UCW Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, November 19 – 9AM-Noon at 46 Main Street. There will be a Silent Auction, Bake tables, Craft tables and much more The UCW have been busy making jams, jellies, pickles and pies! For more information, call the church office at 458-9452.
Breakfast & Christmas Market
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St. will be hosting a Breakfast & Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. The breakfast will be from 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at $10/person. The market tables will feature Christmas cards by Lori Donovan, a church table with baking, pickles & knitting and a Book & Puzzle table. Everyone is welcome!
Memorial Tree Lighting
McAdam’s & Oromocto Funeral Homes are hosting an evening of comfort and remembrance, in each of their chapels, as we pause to reflect on the season and those who have shared seasons past. The annual Memorial Tree Lighting Service will be held at: Oromocto Funeral Home, December 6th at 7pm and at McAdam’s Funeral Home December 7th at 7pm. Please call 357-5100 or 458-9170 for further information.
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 | Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely