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…
As we enter Advent, we start a new church year. It is a familiar pattern, the cycle of moving from waiting for Christ to be born, through his years of ministry, death, and resurrection, which leads us back to proclaiming with passion that Christ is King. One of the traditions of this first part of the year, is to light four advent candles. The candles represent hope, faith, joy and love. This week we light the hope candle.
In 1861 Emily Dickinson wrote the poem “Hope is a thing with feathers”:
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chilliest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
Recently, I came across another poem written by modern poet Caitlin Seida, which as a response to the above poem. “Hope is Not a Bird, Emily, It’s a Sewer Rat”, speaks of hope from a different perspective. This poem is edgy and raw.
Hope is not the thing with feathers
That comes home to roost
When you need it most.
Hope is an ugly thing
With teeth and claws and
Patchy fur that’s seen some shit.
It’s what thrives in the discards
And survives in the ugliest parts of our world,
Able to find a way to go on
When nothing else can even find a way in.
It’s the gritty, nasty little carrier of such
diseases as
optimism, persistence,
Perseverance and joy,
Transmissible as it drags its tail across
your path and bites you in the ass.
Hope is not some delicate, beautiful bird, Emily.
It’s a lowly little sewer rat
That snorts pesticides like they were
Lines of coke and still
Shows up on time to work the next day
Looking no worse for wear.
I wonder which of these poems resonated with you most deeply? I share these two poems with you this day, because they together speak of hope more fully than either one does separately. Hope is both that light bird that beacons and sings sweetly and the rat that claws and fights. For us as Christians, hope shows up in the cold and dark of the night, in the midst of conflict and strife, as a small and sweet baby and the light of a new day, in the nail pierced hands on the cross.
Regardless of where you find yourself this day, in the midst of calm listening to the sweet sound of salvation or in the pit of struggle, may you remember the stories of our faith. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the scripture and the encouragement they provide we might have hope (Romans:15:4).
Please also know if you are struggling to find hope this season, if the fight is seeming too much, know you are not alone, pick up the phone and give me a call. Because, sometimes when hope is hard to see, we need to rest on each other, until the light breaks in again. This weekend, we will be celebrating communion a tangible reminder of God’s love and promise to be with us. Participating in this sacrament for many is a source of strength and hope. I hope you will join us for worship either in person or on-line. In the meantime, let us pray:
When our dreams seem so far away,
and the world seems like it is falling apart,
come to us as you have promised.
Stand by our side, holding our hand,
And point us to your light cracking through the darkness.
Show us the pin-prick star in the sky that will guide our steps.
Wisper to our heart of the future worth fighting for.
The reality of you with us, forevermore.
And with the truth deep in our hearts
May we proclaim your love.
Amen
Featured In This November 24th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday November 27th
Advent Newsletters
Campus Ministry Opportunities
Candlelight Classix Concert
Annual Report Season Is Coming!
Pantry Program
Brown Bag Lunch Program
190th Tree Dedication
Upper Room Daily Devotional
Mincemeat Available for Purchase!
Attention FundScrip Shoppers
Downtown United Christmas Carol Sing
Bible Study
Gifts With Vision
Upcoming Dates To Remember
St. Matthew Lutheran Church
New Maryland United Church On-Line Auction
Breakfast & Christmas Market
Memorial Tree Lighting
Worship This Sunday November 27th
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
Communion Sunday
Worship this week is a communion Sunday, if you are joining from home please have your communion elements ready for the service.
Advent Newsletters
Advent Newsletters were mailed out yesterday, keep an eye out for yours. Stay up-to date with what is happening in the church. Thank you to everyone who contributed, to our volunteer editors, and the team that stapled, folded, and stuffed envelopes. It isn’t perfect – but we celebrate another informative and fun newsletter. If you would like to help with the next newsletter, which will come out for Lent, (February) please let Meghan or Rev. Michelle know.
Campus Ministry Opportunities
One of our outreach partners is the Fredericton Council for Christian Ministry on Campus, AKA campus ministry. We have church representatives on their board, have recently provided space for their meetings and contribute financially. On December 4th we will be collecting a special offering in support of this ministry, special envelopes will be available for pick-up this week and next. This year is also an opportunity to connect with students directly during Exam week. From December 12-16, the campus ministry is looking for churches to help staff and supply Pause Tables. These will be set up at various locations across the campus, running from 9am-1pm. Volunteers would help set up the space, staff tables, bring/hand out snacks and be a friendly face for students who are facing end of term stress. If you are interested in helping with this, please contact Rev. Michelle.
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
Annual Report Season Is Coming!
If you are a chair of a committee or group, it is time to start thinking about your annual report. This is the official record of what has happened in the life of our congregation during 2022. We will be asking for all reports to be in by mid- January, now is a great time to reflect on what you have done.
Pantry Program
The pantry needs the following items: peanut butter, apple sauce, coffee whitener, ketchup, mayonnaise, juice boxes, pudding cups and Shake n’ Bake. Thank you for your continued support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
The Brown Bag Lunch program is in need of juice boxes, proteins with flip top lids and pudding. Thank you for your generosity!
190th Tree Dedication
On December 4th at 1pm, you are invited to gather at the upper parking lot of the Botanic Gardens for a blessing of the tree planted in honour and celebration of our 190th anniversary. From the parking lot it is about a 3 minute walk to the tree. We hope to see you there.
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!
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.
Downtown United Christmas Carol Sing
December 17th at 2pm St. Paul’s is hosting a hymn sing for downtown United. We are hoping to spread out the leadership and engage as many people as possible in sharing their gifts. If you are able to help lead songs in voice or music for the event let us know. This opportunity is open to all ages to share and foster the Spirit of the season.
Bible Study
Bible Study will be resuming this week! Join Rev. Michelle Wednesday at 11:15 as we dive into Easter 4:1-17. Join in person or via zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 Passcode is 259190.
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/
Upcoming Dates To Remember
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
December 24th – Christmas Eve Family Service at 3 pm – Everyone Welcome
December 24th – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7pm
December 31st – New Year’s Eve Service at 4pm
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.
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