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…
School bells beckoned children back to the classroom this week, marking the beginning of another program year. September is a transition time when the relaxed air of summer is replaced with more scheduled time as the fall routines take hold. Yet, this fall will feel different. The regular routines that ground us will be disrupted, at least to some degree, by the preparation for our move and then by being in a new location.
Throughout the transition, one of my goals is to ensure that our worship continues to be a grounding place where we can find sure footing. Sharon and I sat down this week to select music for the services. When you join us for worship, in person or on zoom, you will have the opportunity to sing some of your old favourites. You will continue to have the opportunity to connect with each other during coffee and conversation following worship. This Sunday we will also offer a blessing for the beginning of the year and unveil this year’s fridge magnet and bag-tag.
If you are finding yourself anxious about the fall I encourage you to let these foundational Christian practices, worshiping God and eating together, be touchstones for you. God’s presence is easy to see when we are offering praise and thanks and sharing our lives within a beloved community. If you are feeling down or stressed, intentionally joining together in God’s presence often makes a big difference!
This coming week you will receive a mailing that contains a letter recapping all that has been happening at the church and a draft of the ecumenical shared ministry agreement. Please read this document and be prepared to join us on September 15th after church to vote on its adoption. If you have not received your letter in your mailbox by Wednesday, please reach out to Meghan in the church office to obtain a copy.
As we head into the weekend let us pray,
You, O God, are a god of the journey.
You have never been content to just wait around.
From the beginning,
you were stirring the waters and drawing the dirt together,
creating something new.
Your followers became pilgrim people,
Making the journey and counting the steps,
Until they landed in the promised land.
And when the struggles of life continued,
you came to us,
to walk with us, hold our hand, and show us the way.
As we journey into this fall,
Walk with us still,
and with your loving shepherds staff guide us and comfort us.
This we pray. Amen.
Featured In This September 5th Edition of St. Paul’s eNews
Worship This Sunday September 8th
Office Hours
Scholarship Recipients Announced
FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
Pantry Program
Important Congregational Meeting
Fellowship Hour Hosts
The Full Colours Of The Organ
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Moderator’s Book Club Returns
St. Theresa’s Twilight Retreat
Floor Curling At Forest Hill
Simply Country Presents
Candlelight Concert Series At St. Paul’s
60th Anniversary Of The Women’s Inter-Church Of Fredericton
Worship This Sunday September 8th
Please join Rev. Michelle for service this Sunday at 10:30am.
To view the bulletin in advance click here!
Can’t make it in person, join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81834519740 Password: 657067
Office Hours
St. Paul’s office has returned to the regular hours of Monday-Thursday from 8am-3pm,
and Friday from 8am-1pm.
Scholarship Recipients Announced
Congratulations from the congregation are extended to Hannah Simpson and Kirsten Simpson who have just received St. Paul’s Scholarships to support their university studies. Hannah is entering her third year at the University of Waterloo while Kirsten is studying at the University of Ottawa.
Scholarships are available for members or adherents of St. Paul’s who are pursuing post-secondary studies. Information and application details can be found on the church website under “Resources”.
FundScrip Orders Due Sunday!
Are you ready for the approaching change of season? FundScrip gift cards can help you with all your shopping… school supplies, additions to your fall wardrobe, rakes and leaf bags to tidy up your lawn. We’ll have two orders before our move to St. Andrew’s. Deadlines are Sunday, September 8th and Sunday, October 6th. As usual, order forms are available in the office and the Narthex or print your own by clicking here. Cards will be available on the Sunday after the deadline dates. We’ll figure out more dates once we settle in at St. Andrew’s. It’s not too early to start your Christmas gift card list! Thank you for your continued support!
Brown Bag Lunch Program
This week, the program needs proteins with flip top lids. Thank you for your continued support and generosity of this program.
Pantry Program
The Pantry program needs the following items this week: rice, milk, flour, white & brown sugar, apple & orange juice, jam, mayo, ketchup, granola bars, cookies, pancake mix & syrup, soda crackers, baking soda, salt, coffee, Shake’n’Bake, cereal, chocolate pudding cups, Comet, Mr. Clean, laundry & dish soap, and hand soap. Thank you for your continued support of this increasingly busy outreach program
Important Congregational Meeting September 15th
There is an important congregational meeting on September 15th to vote on the adoption of the Ecumenical Shared Ministry Agreement draft. This Agreement lays out the basic structure for how the shared ministry will be lived out. It has been reviewed by St. Paul’s Council and St. Andrew’s Session. If you have not received your letter with a copy of this agreement in your mailbox by Wednesday, please contact Meghan in the office. Please read the information in the mailout and be prepared with your questions and to vote on the adoption of the agreement at the Congregational Meeting on September 15th after worship. To join by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89887629528 Passcode: 110516
Fellowship Hour Hosts
Interested in hosting Fellowship Hour for the congregation? Get a few friends or committee members together to volunteer. Please sign up on the list on the bulletin board outside of the Brown Bag room. Thank you in advance!
The Full Colours Of The Organ
Thanksgiving, Farewell, And Halloween Too! October 4th at 7pm. A farewell organ recital by Dr. Sharon Pond celebrating St. Paul’s United Church and their wonderful Casavant organ, featuring my favourite crowd-pleasing music and special surprises. Everyone Welcome! Reception to follow. Freewill offering for the Food Bank. Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/thanksgiving-farewell-and-halloween
Upcoming Dates To Remember
September 8th ~ Fall Kick-Off ~ Service at 10:30am ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Chris Grant & Mary Stickles
September 15th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour hosted by Beth & Shawn Meister & Kim Keetch
September 15th ~ Important Congregational Meeting following service
September 22nd ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour hosts needed!
September 29th ~ Service at 10:30 ~ Fellowship Hour hosts needed!
October 4th ~ Dr. Sharon Pond’s Organ Recital ~ 7pm
Moderator’s Book Club Returns
Over the last year our moderator has hosted a virtual book study exploring a wide range of books and topics. September the book club will be gathering again to explore and discuss the book Maximus Canada by Doug Saunders on September 26th. For more information and to sign up check out https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/organization-and-governance/moderator/right-rev-dr-carmen-lansdowne-44th-moderator/flourishing-project/mods-book-squad
St. Theresa’s Twilight Retreat
St. Theresa’s Catholic Women’s League, Fredericton, is hosting a Twilight Retreat on September 9th from 4:30-8:00 PM. Register by 4:15PM. It will be in the Church Hall at St. Theresa’s Church, 1 William Street. It will involve a Potluck supper. We start the retreat at 4:30 PM for 45 minutes then break for supper then another 45 minutes after supper. We will be finished by 8:00 PM. Our Facilitator will be Jim Anderson, Director of Missionary Discipleship Formation for the Diocese of Saint John. All are welcome, Men and Women as it is opened to everyone. Thank you. Deborah Heustis / Odette Craine, St. Theresa’s CWL
Floor Curling At Forest Hill 
Forest Hill United Church is hosting Floor Curling on Wednesdays from 10am to noon starting Sept 13th. All abilities welcome. Fees: Registration $10 and $2 each time you attend. Contact Mary Grant at 506-459-8525 for more information.
Simply Country Presents
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, September 22nd, 2-4pm, as we welcome back Simply Country – “The Women of Country”, singing country gospel and old-time hymns. This event will be held in the sanctuary of Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street and the cost is $15.00 at the door. Hope you can join us!
Candlelight Concert Series At St. Paul’s
Fever is presenting a Candlelight Concert Series in the sanctuary at St. Paul’s. Two Concerts on September 27th feature 1) Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (SOLD OUT), 2) A Tribute to Taylor Swift, and two on November 9th featuring 1) A Tribute to Coldplay, and 2) A Tribute to Abba. Tickets are ONLY available online. For more information and to purchase tickets CLICK HERE.
60th Anniversary Of The Women’s Inter-Church Of Fredericton
The Women’s Inter-Church of Fredericton will be celebrating their 60th Anniversary on September 28th at Wilmot United Church, 473 King Street, Fredericton at 2:00 PM. The Theme is “Shining the Light”. The entrance off Carlton Street has a lift device and fewer stairs and easier to get into the sanctuary. We will have the honour of Catherine MacKeil, Executive Director of the Women’s Inter-Church of Canada and Shirley DeMerchant, Past President of the Women’s Inter-Church of Canada present at our celebration. Following the Service there is a reception downstairs. All are welcome. Deborah Heustis, Publicity for the Women’s Inter-Church of Fredericton.
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