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 Sunday we are celebrating 191 years of congregational life with worship, a fellowship meal, and cake. We hope that you will join us in celebrating, just don’t be the person who shows up when the party is about to end. Set your clock back an hour before going to bed on Saturday so you don’t miss the time change!

Today I wanted to share a reading that has been on my heart lately, Hebrews 10:21-25 (NIV)

“and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. “

There is a simple yet profound spiritual practice that helps connect people personally to scripture.   It is called Lexio Divina. For this practice, you read a scripture passage multiple times focusing on one aspect of engagement with each reading. I encourage you to use the above passage to try this spiritual practice. Here are the 5 steps.

  1. Prepare to engage scripture by finding a comfortable space, maybe lighting a candle, and asking the Holy Spirit to be present with you in this time of bible reading.
  2. The first reading focus is on listening. Slowly read through the passage paying attention to what stands out for you. Where is your attention drawn? What word, phrase, or image stands out for you?
  3. The second reading is for pondering. Ask yourself how the word, phrase, or image identified in step 2 speaks to your life and what connections you are seeing. Sit in silence allowing yourself to formulate a sentence that begins to say what this passage is saying to you.
  4. The third reading is about responding. During this final reading, ask yourself what is God calling you to do, consider, take on or relinquish through your identified word, phrase or image and the scripture as a whole.
  5. End by thanking God for the time you have had together with the scripture and for the insight you have received.

This practice allows God to speak to us in light of our specific situations and life events. There is not one set response, which means that you and your best friend may come out of reading the same passage with different insights. This is part of the power of Lexio Divina. It also means that God can speak to what is going on in our lives because the word, phrase or image that stands out on one day can be different from the next time you revisit that passage, offering new insights.

This method of engagement doesn’t require us to know the history or context of the biblical passage. This means that everyone, no matter what their age, can use this practice. As we seek to respond to God’s call on our lives, may you find this a helpful tool for your spirituality toolbelt.

As we head into this weekend and our celebration of the ways that God has and is at work in our community of faith let us pray.

Thank you, God for St. Paul’s United Church,

For all the faithful who have taught us what it means to be your people,

For those who have responded to Christ’s call to be God’s hands and feet in the world,

For the community of love that holds us in times of need and celebrates with us in times of joy.

Thank you!

As we approach this Anniversary Sunday, we remember that you laid a vision on people’s hearts 191 years ago,

we are grateful beneficiaries of that call.

Speak to your faithful disciples again,

laying a new vision on our hearts as we seek to be the church today.

In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen.

Featured In This November 2nd Edition of St. Paul’s eNews

Worship This Sunday November 5th
Daylight Savings Time Change!
Advent ~ Christmas Newsletter
Mincemeat For Sale
Tick Tock, It’s Chocolate O’clock ~ Orders Due Next Monday
Change In Office Hours
FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!
Christmas Angel Tree
Congregational Update November 5th
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Warm Clothing Needed!
Christmas Bazaar
Carols By Glowstick
Memorial Hymn Sing
Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers are selling wreaths
Carols By Glowstick
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Chili Take-Out Dinner
Dance Fredericton Seeks Donations
Remembrance Day War Time Menu Luncheon
Memorial Tree Lighting

            Worship This Sunday November 5th            

Please join us for our Anniversary Sunday service at 10:30am on November 5th   

 Can’t join us in person, join us via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740

Meeting ID: 818 3451 9740  Passcode: 657067

    Daylight Savings Time Change!

A friendly reminder to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night. You don’t want to miss Anniversary Sunday!

Advent ~ Christmas Newsletter

Keep an out for our Advent ~ Christmas Newsletter, it is in the mail! Inside you will find church & congregational updates, festive activities, and upcoming events & activities. You can also can read or download it from our website here.

Mincemeat For Sale

The UCW has mincemeat for sale. Each 450 ml jar is $15. Please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board or call the office to place your order! Any questions can be placed with Donna Chauvin at 506-458-5885

   Tick Tock, It’s Chocolate O’clock ~ Orders Due Monday!

Tick tock, it’s chocolate-o-clock! This is your last chance to submit your orders for Purdys Christmas treats before our fundraiser ends this coming Monday. If you haven’t already, click the link below and you can order all the eggstra-special treats you want and help us raise money for St Paul’s. This year, we’re hoping to raise $2000, so please support us if you can, or share it with anyone you know who would be interested.

Order Deadline: Monday November 6th

Campaign number: 67403

Campaign link: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1719957-107824

After all orders are submitted, we’ll sort, distribute, and let you know when you can collect your goodies. Chocolate orders should be ready for pick up during the last week of November!

Chocolate Ordering Options

Ordering Online:

  1. Our campaign number: 67403
  2. Go to our fundraising website: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1719957-107824
  3. Click “Join Campaign” and Shop, shop, shop away!

Orders Place through the Office:

If you would like to place a paper order, bring your completed order form and cash or cheque payable to St. Paul’s United Church to Meghan in the Church Office. Please contact Meghan with any questions at 506-458-1183 or stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com

Change In Office Hours

The new office hours will be Monday to Thursday from 8am to 3pm. On Friday we are now closed at 1pm. Thank you for your understanding.

   FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!

Time to start your Christmas shopping? Do it with FundScrip gift cards! Use the cards to purchase gifts or give the cards as gifts to family and friends. Gift cards make great stocking stuffers, too! We will have two orders before the holiday season. . . Sunday, November 5th and Sunday, December 3rd.  Two new retailers have recently joined the FundScrip program. . . Pizza Pizza is offering a 10 per cent donation on card purchases and Apple will donate 3 per cent. Order forms are available in the office and the Narthex or by clicking here November 5th FundScrip Order Form. Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!

Christmas Angel Tree

The Angel Tree made its début in the sanctuary this past Sunday and Santa’s helpers wasted no time choosing their angels and sharing the joy of Christmas with a child. There are still lots of angels available. The tree will remain in the sanctuary next Sunday; please check it out when you come for the Anniversary Service. Or, if you prefer, you can come to the church during the week and make your selection. 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 12th. If you need help shopping or would like to have your gift picked up, please call Carole Peacock at 506-452-1016.

   Congregational Update November 5th

The board, the trustees, and other key leaders have been meeting to discuss how we will face the challenges presented at the October 15th congregational meeting. We will have a brief update after worship, where we will let you know some of the steps that have been taken and that we will be working on. This will take place during our soup and bun lunch. We hope that you will join us.

   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 – New Date

Starting November 7th ~ 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.

    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.

Pantry Program

The Pantry program needs the following items this week: juice boxes, ketchup, macaroni, hand soap, cereal – Corn Flakes & Rice Krispies, can milk, spaghetti, tomatoes, and jam. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program!

Warm Clothing Needed!

We have had requests for 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, up to XXL for men’s items. Thank you for helping keep folks warm!

   Christmas Bazaar

St. Paul’s UCW is hosting a Christmas Bazaar on November 18th from 9am -12pm. Come do some Christmas shopping and pick up some tasty baking, crafts, books, puzzles and have a coffee and muffin. 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.

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.

 

Carols By Glowstick

We are pleased to announce our 3rd Carols by Glowstick! This family-focused, kid-friendly, all-ages event happens December 1st from 6-7pm. Join us as we sing out loud, the songs of the season, remembering Jesus’ birth, and just having fun! The only thing that hasn’t experienced inflation is the tickets! $20 for a family (up to 4 people) or $5.50 for a single ticket. Everyone in attendance will be given a glowstick! Get your ticket today either through the church office or online at Eventbrite Carols By Glowstick Tickets (service charges added to cost). Get your ticket today and start the holiday season off right! For more information reach out to Rev Michelle.

Upcoming Dates To Remember

November 5th ~ Anniversary Sunday ~ Soup & Bun Lunch ~ Hosted by the UCW

~ Congregational Update Meeting to follow

November 6th ~ Christmas Chocolate Orders Due!

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 Carole Festival at 7:30pm

December 10th ~ Advent 2 Service ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by

Mel & Barb McGuigan & Debbie Allison

December 10th ~ Songs of Jubilee Organ Concert at 2pm

December 17th ~ Advent 3 Service ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by

Rachel & Stephanie Lavigne & Shawn & Beth Meister

Community Announcements

Chili Take-Out Dinner

Friday November 3rd, 4:00-5:30pm at Nashwaaksis United. Menu – Mild Chili, Caesar Salad, Roll and Apple Crisp. The cost is $15.00 per person. To reserve your meal, please call the church office at 506-458-9452 or email admin@nashwaaksisunited.ca

Dance Fredericton Seeks Donations

Dance Fredericton Danse Inc, a nonprofit organization, is accepting donations of outerwear which can pass for Victorian Era garments for use in their Nutcracker ballet.

What: Adult and youth sizes, male and female. Wool peacoats, fur coats, velvet/velour, or corduroy. No down coats or modern look materials please.

Where: Items can be dropped off at the Dance Fredericton studio at 20 York Street (door off the back parking lot of the Justice building, near the blue storage container)

When: Sat Nov 3rd or Sat Nov 11th from 3 – 4:30 pm.

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.

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