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 the world seems like it is falling apart and you wonder what you can do to help, we can look to our church. We might only be a national denomination, found only in Canada, yet we work with partners around the world who help us make a positive difference in the world. These partners are critical in times of crisis and war. Times like we are living in now.
I am sure that the news stories have broken your heart, that violence that seems to be spiraling deeper as the innocent impact increases. It might be easy to turn off the tv and try to pretend that it is not happening, but I would argue that this would be unfaithful.
At the minimum we should be praying. Praying that conflict ends, that aid can get to all people on both sides who need it, and that hardened hearts may be broken open to allow for change to occur and for humanity to learn a way forward without war.
In the United Church e-essentials we are invited to consider other actions
1) Donate
As a member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the United Church is participating in the Humanitarian Coalition appeal to provide tangible support to people in the Middle East. Gifts raised through the generosity of Canadians for the United Church appeal between October 7th and November 12th, 2023, will be matched by the Government of Canada. Double the impact of your gift—give today.
2) Advocate
Also, your advocacy can make a difference! Write to Foreign Affairs Minister, The Hon. Mélanie Joly, and your local MP and call on the Canadian government to respond to the escalating violence in Palestine and Israel by calling for an immediate ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian assistance. Use our online letter-writing template to send your email directly to your government officials. Please send your email today!
The United Church has also been part of two press conferences in Ottawa advocating for peace this past week with a pan-Canadian coalition (watch the recording Pan-Canadian Coalition Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza) and a multi-faith coalition including Muslim and Jewish organizations.
Regardless of your personal thoughts about the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank I am hoping that we can all agree that war causes suffering felt by all people and that human suffering of innocent, especially children, is never ok. We serve a God who came to earth and was called the Prince of Peace. So let us do what we can, pray, donate, advocate. Blessed be the peacemakers.
As we head into this Sunday, let us pray with these words given to us through our General Council:
God,
you are our hope, we shall not let go.
You help us seek peace, justice, hope, and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis,
You lead us towards courageous actions.
We faithfully journey to places of unrest, instability, and fear, to
advocate for the basic human rights of all people,
support the peacebuilders who are actively resisting the dehumanizing forces of violence, and
better proclaim the gospel of peace for your sake.
Even though there is uncertainty, indifference, and opposition,
grant us the strength to continually seek
an end to the occupation,
so that Israelis and Palestinians can create a better future for themselves.
Even as we dream of a time when Israel/Palestine will be a symbol of hope, peace, and reconciliation,
help us to be mindfully aware of the volatile present.
Draw close to the multitude of injured and grieving people in the Holy Land;
gather up the hopeless,
and abide with the physically and emotionally oppressed;
may your presence and your kin’dom comfort our siblings in their suffering.
God,
prepare tables of dialogue and opportunities for truth-telling around us.
Open the hearts of hurting people so that they may witness small signs of hope.
Surely, with your help, we will continue to seek justice and resist evil,
all the days of our lives,
until all are able to live abundantly.
Amen.
Featured In This November 9th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday November 12th
Office Closed Monday
Christmas Bazaar
Christmas Angel Tree
Wilmot UCW Meeting
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Thank You!
Did You Know??
Pantry Program
Your Generosity Is Keeping Folks Warm!
Carols By Glowstick
Memorial Hymn Sing
Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers are selling wreaths
Advent Carol Festival Returns!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Remembrance Day War Time Menu Luncheon
Wilmot United Church Rainbow Brunch
Laughing All The Way Comedy And Carols Show
Breakfast & Christmas Market
Memorial Tree Lighting
Worship This Sunday November 12th
Please join us for Remembrance Sunday service at 10:30am on November 12th
Can’t join us in person, join us via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740
Meeting ID: 818 3451 9740 Passcode: 657067
Office Closed Monday
A quick reminder that the office will be closed this coming Monday November 13 for the Remembrance Day stat holiday.
Christmas Bazaar
Please join the ladies of St. Paul’s United Church (UCW), on the corner of York and Charlotte Streets, for our Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 18th from 9am to 12 noon. There will be Baking, Crafts, Books, and Puzzles. We have made 450 mls (2 cups) of Mincemeat selling for $15.00. Sit and relax with a coffee/tea and muffin. Come out for a fun morning and meet some friends. Donna Chauvin 506-458-5885. Donations of gently used items and baking are welcome and can be dropped off at the church Monday-Thursday between 8am-3pm and Friday between 8am-1pm.
Christmas Angel Tree
Many thanks to everyone who took an angel or two… or even three from the Wish Tree. Your generous support ensures there will be Santa gifts under the tree for these children on Christmas morning. Please remember to take your gift to the church office this week (Monday –Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or bring it to church on Sunday, November 12th. This will be Remembrance Sunday and as a show of respect for the occasion, the Christmas tree will be in the narthex instead of the sanctuary. I will be there to direct you to the tree or help place your gift underneath. If you are unable to return your gift by November 12 or would like to have it picked up, please call me at 506-452-1016. ~ Carole Peacock
Wilmot UCW Meeting
St. Paul’s United Church Women are invited to attend, the November meeting of the UCW on Monday, November 13th at 1 pm in the Wilmot church parlour. Devotion will be provided by Lucille, business and of course a cup of tea and fellowship. We hope to see you there.
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program needs proteins with flip top lids, granola bars, and plastic spoons. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who has donated items to the Pantry and Brown Bag Lunch Community Outreach Programs and to our incredibly dedicated volunteers. These programs serve more than 150 of the most vulnerable folks in our community monthly. Your continued generosity is outstanding!
Did You Know??
Did you know that if you purchase items to donate to the Pantry or Brown Bag Lunch program, you can bring your receipt to the office and have the purchase added to your annual contributions? Yes, that is right, this is an opportunity to increase your annual givings, helping others and yourself!
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items this week: laundry and dish soap, cleaning supplies, cookies, pudding cups, white, icing, & brown sugar, tomatoes, jam, ketchup, macaroni, coffee, soda crackers, cake mix, icing and mustard. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!
God’s Story, Our Story
Pick up this reflection guide at the back of the sanctuary to use as a home devotional or with your own small group of friends.
Bible Study on Sunday Reading
Tuesdays from 10:45am-11:45am in the Board room. This is an opportunity to engage with our scripture and listen to God speaking. New to reading the bible? No problem, no prior experience is needed. Can’t make it in person, Join by Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81736183320 Meeting ID: 817 3618 3320 Passcode: 750844
Evening Small Group Faith Exploration
Next meeting is November 9th from 6-7pm in the Parlor. This group is for those seeking to grow in their relationship with God through scripture, prayer, and action. We are using an adult model of learning, drawing on the knowledge we each hold and reflecting on where faith story touched your life. We hope you will join us.
Your Generosity Is Keeping Folks Warm! 
I would like to extend much gratitude to all who have donated warm winter wear for vulnerable folks in our community. Those items have been flying off the rack as the temperature drops. Those folks receiving items have expressed deep gratitude for your generosity. We continue to have a need for winter boots and warm clothing for those unable to purchase items. If you have winter boots, coats, hats, mitts, scarves, sweaters, or long pants to donate, please drop them off in the office. The items can be for both males and females and all sizes. Thank you for helping keep folks warm!
Carols By Glowstick
It’s back! Christmas Carols by Glowstick returns on December 1st from 6-7pm. Join us in the historic and beautifully decorated sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Church, 224 York Street, as we set the mood for the season to come. An evening of magic and joy will be yours from the moment the sanctuary lights dim, and your glowstick is snapped. As brightly coloured lights fill the sanctuary, and the music starts, you are invited to join in singing the songs of the season. This all-ages family-friendly evening invites your young ones to dance in the isle, wave their glowstick, and enter into the story of Christmas with joy. We will sing a mixture of traditional Carols and fun Christmas songs, providing something for everyone. Your ticket includes a glowstick for each person in your party and apple cider. Want more glow? Check out this year’s exclusive Eventbrite ticket add-ons.
Ticket Prices: Online at https://www.eventbrite.ca: Single Ticket: $5.50 plus service fees, Family Ticket: (Max. family of 4) $20 plus service fees. Tickets can also be purchased by cash or etransfer at St. Paul’ s Office. For questions or more information, please contact St. Paul’s Office at 506-458-1183. Don’t miss out on the fun, get your ticket today.
Memorial Hymn Sing
On November 19th, our worship service will be a memorial hymn sing. You are invited to offer thanks and celebrate the life, actions, and events of your family members, friends, or really anyone who has touched your life in a special way by sponsoring one of the hymns in the service. A list of hymns and the sponsorship form can be found in the office, the narthex and on our website https://www.stpaulsunited.ca/memorial-hymn-sing/ or you can submit an online form by Clicking Here. By submitting a dedication, not only will your loved one be remembered by our community, but they will continue to impact our ongoing ministry and outreach through your sponsorship of the song. All dedication sponsorships received by November 14th will be printed in the bulletin.
Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers are selling wreaths
Nancy MacGarvie is selling wreaths from her porch 83 Grey St. Double sided balsam fir: decorated $18, UNDECORATED $15. The deadline for orders is Sunday November 19th. The pickup is Sunday November 25th. To place your order, please call Nancy at 455-3026 or email Nancymacgarvie@rogers.com Proceeds are in support of African grandmothers in conjunction with Stephen Lewis Foundation and Help Lesotho whose needs are as great as ever.
Advent Carol Festival Returns!
For years it has been the musical event that marks the start of the Christmas season in Fredericton! We missed it during COVID but on Wednesday, December 6th, the Annual Advent Carol Festival returns to St. Paul’s United Church at 224 York Street. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the program will feature both new and familiar Christmas selections. Ten church and community choirs will take part, each singing a favourite carol or seasonal song. The choirs will also unite for a mass sing and the audience will be invited to join in the festive singing, too! Come enjoy the music of the season in our beautifully decorated sanctuary and show your appreciation to the choirs, their directors and event organizers for over 30 years of commitment to this annual tradition. A freewill offering will be received for the CBC’s Feed a Family Campaign to support area food banks. Donations in past years total more than $100,000.
Upcoming Dates To Remember
November 12th ~ Remembrance Sunday Service ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Ann Raper & Erin Webb
November 13th ~ Office Closed for Remembrance Day Stat Holiday
November 18th ~ Christmas Bazaar from 9am-12pm
November 19th ~ Memorial Hymn Sing Service ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by
the Simpson Family
November 26th ~ Downtown United Service at St. Paul’s at 10:30am ~ Followed by lunch and a Downtown United Presentation
November 28th ~ St. Paul’s Mans the Salvation Army Kettle at Regent Mall ~ 10am-8pm
December 1st ~ Carols by Glowstick at 6pm
December 3rd ~ Advent 1 Service with Communion ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by
Brad & Erin Webb
December 6th ~ Advent Carol Festival at 7:30pm
December 10th ~ Advent 2 Service ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by
Mel & Barb McGuigan & Debbie Allison
December 10th ~ Songs of Jubilee Organ Recital at 2pm
December 17th ~ Advent 3 Service ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by
Rachel & Stephanie Lavigne & Beth & Shawn Meister
Community Announcements
Remembrance Day War Time Menu Luncheon
On Saturday November 11th from noon to 1:30, Forest Hill United Church will be serving a luncheon with a war time menu of Baked Beans, Brown Bread and War Cake, Tea, Coffee, or Juice. Take-out meals are available and there are tables if you wish to enjoy your meal in the hall. Libby and Brian Cassidy will be playing war and peace music during the meal. Adults are $12.00 and children $6.00. To order your meals as take out or eat in, please sign up before November 5th at either church entrance, or leave a message at the church office 506-455-0988 or Foresth.office@bellaliant.com.
Wilmot United Church Rainbow Brunch
Please join Wilmot United in celebrating seven years of being an Affirming Congregation. A Rainbow Brunch will be held on Saturday, November 18th in the church parlour. This is a potluck brunch and members of Wilmot’s LGBTQ+ community and their allies invite you to join us. Coffee will be ready by 10:15 and brunch will be served at 10:30. Hope to see you then. If you have questions or need further information, please contact Deb or Rita at 506-206-2948.
Laughing All The Way Comedy And Carols Show
A Christmas Comedy and Carols experience for the whole family! Thursday November 30th from 7-9pm at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street. Laughing All The Way comedy show featuring Comedian Leland Klassen and Nashville recording artist Dan Macauly, brings an evening of standup comedy, Christmas carols, musical silliness and improv. This one-of-a-kind Christmas event is designed to be friendly to all- young and old, church attenders or not. It is only one of 3 to be held in our province. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Please contact the church office at 506-458-9452 for more information or to purchase tickets.
Breakfast & Christmas Market
Gibson Memorial United Church at 183 Gibson St., will be hosting a Breakfast & Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 2023, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. The Breakfast will be from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. at $10/person. The market tables will feature Christmas cards & crafts 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 know that for many among us, the approach of the holidays will bring bittersweet memories of those who won’t be with us at this special time of year. As families gather, thoughts of loved ones who have died will often bring both smiles and tears. Though they may be gone they are very much alive in our hearts, especially during the holidays. Once again, we are pleased to host an evening of comfort and remembrance in our 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 on Dec 5th at 7pm and McAdam’s Funeral Home in Fredericton on Dec 6th at 7pm.
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