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…
This coming Sunday is Reign of Christ Sunday, also called in some denominations, Christ the King Sunday. Standing at the end of the Christian calendar, this celebration is the culmination of a year of growth and faithful action that began with waiting for Jesus to be born. It is the day we proclaim that Christ is Lord of all, including the world, the church and even our individual lives. We publicly declare we are members of Christ’s kingdom.
In scripture, Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God more than anything else. The Kingdom of God, according to Jesus, is when God’s will is lived out on earth. Jesus paints a compelling image of what it means to live as a citizen in His kingdom and firmly holds that this kingdom is a present reality, made visible through our actions wherever right relationships were being established; wherever justice and compassion prevailed. Biblical scholar, Burton Mack explains the Kingdom this way,
“The kingdom of God referred to an ideal society imagined as an alternative to the way in which the world was working under the Romans. But it also referred to an alternative way of life that anyone could take at any time. In this sense the kingdom of God could be realized simply by daring to live differently from the normal conventions. The kingdom of God in the teachings of Jesus was not an apocalyptic or heavenly projection of another worldly desire. It was driven by the desire to think that there must be a better way to live together than the present state of affairs. And it called for a change of behaviour in the present on the part of individuals invested in the vision.” (Who Wrote The New Testament by Burton Mack, p.40)
This Sunday we make the bold faith statement that Christ is the one who commands the vision to which we will live. We uphold Christ’s vision of a world where God’s love is experienced by all, justice and mercy are lived out, all are cared for and have the means to live an abundant life, peace is the way of life, creation is seen as a sacred gift to be protected. This Sunday, despite the way the world looks and other kings vying for our allegiance, we recommit that Jesus is the King.
As we prepare for the weekend, where do you feel this strong connection to Christ’s reign in your life? Where are you listening to other kings? Have you slipped away from Christ’s vision? Walking the way of Jesus is not always easy, but we do not do it alone, God is with us and so is this community of faith. Heading into the weekend let us pray…
Mighty and tender God, voice of the voiceless, power of the powerless:
we praise you for your vision of a community of wholeness, a realm of peace,
in which all who hunger and thirst are nourished, in which the stranger is welcomed,
the hurting are healed, and the captive set free.
Guide us by your truth and love, until we and all your people
make manifest your reign of justice and compassion.
This we pray in the name of your anointed one, our servant-king,
Amen.
Featured In This November 17th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday November 20th
Christmas Angel Tree
Attention FundScrip Shoppers
Upper Room Daily Devotional
Mincemeat Available for Purchase!
Bible Study
Candlelight Classix Concert
Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Salvation Army Kettle Drive Volunteers Needed!
Gifts With Vision
Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers Wreaths For Sale!
Upcoming Dates To Remember
St. Matthew Lutheran Church
New Maryland United Church On-Line Auction
Nashwaaksis United Church UCW Christmas Bazaar
Breakfast & Christmas Market
Memorial Tree Lighting
Worship This Sunday November 20th
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
Thank you to Santa’s helpers for your generous support of this ministry outreach. Your gifts of toys, games, and gift cards will bring much joy and happiness to 40 children and their families this Christmas. Thank you again for caring and sharing. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
St. Paul’s Christmas Bazaar This Saturday!
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!
Attention FundScrip Shoppers
Our next order will be on Sunday, December 4 . . . a good chance to get those last-minute Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers! Also an opportunity to raise more money for St. Paul’s as several retailers have increased the value of their donations for December. Whether ordering cards for your everyday needs or as gifts, you can show your appreciation of this gesture by purchasing cards from Boston Pizza, Giant Tiger, Home Sense/Winners/Marshalls, Shell and the Ultimate Dining Card (good for Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s East Side Mario’s, Montana’s). Order forms are available in the church office and Narthex or click here for the link December-4th-FundScrip-Order-Form.pdf . If you are a regular FundScrip supporter you may want to buy extra cards this month as there will not be an order in January. Deadline for our first order in the new year will be February 5.
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 has a few 500ml bottles of mincemeat still available to purchase for $15.00 Please contact Donna Chauvin 458-5885 for yours!
Bible Study
Bible Study will be resuming this week! Join Rev. Michelle Wednesday at 11:15 as we dive into Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; 3:3b-6, 17-19. Join in person or via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 Passcode is 259190.
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. Tickets are available in the Church Office. Please contact Meghan at 458-1183 or stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com to reserve yours for pick up. For ticket reservations go to candlelight-classix.com or more information, please email candlelightclassix@gmail.com
Pantry Program
The pantry needs the following items: soda crackers, cake mix, cake frosting, Rice Krispies, chunky soup, granola bars, flour, large juice, peanut butter, brown & white sugar, cookies, oatmeal (instant), coffee, canned tomatoes, relish, jam, Miracle Whip, tooth paste, Mr. Clean, comet and laundry detergent. Thank you for your continued support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program is in need of juice boxes and proteins with flip top lids. 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.
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 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
St. Matthew Lutheran Church
Between Nov 18th and 25th, St. Matthew will be hosting a silent on-line auction in support of their refugee sponsorship. The link when live, will be posted on their Facebook page: facebook.com/StMattLuth/
New Maryland United Church On-Line Auction
New Maryland United Church is hosting its first On-Line Auction from Nov. 19 to Nov. 26th.
You have all week to browse, look at the items (there are 100!!!) and enter bids. Bidding closes next Saturday, November 26th at 8:00pm. The link to the site is follows: https://www.32auctions.com/nmuc Please feel free to share it with family and friends. You do need to set up an account with Auction 32, which is the online auction website. Please contact New Maryland United Church at 459-3313 (leave a message) and someone will be in touch if you have any questions. Pick up for items will begin on Sunday, November 27th after church.
Nashwaaksis United Church UCW Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, November 19th – 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, December 3rd, 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