The Banner
Our Mission
Experience the Love of Jesus. Live it Out Everywhere.
Making a submission to our weekly newsletter?
Submissions for our weekly newsletter should be sent to
naomi.phillips@bsbc.nb.ca.
The deadline for inclusion in Wednesday’s edition is noon the Monday prior.
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from July 17 - 24, 2024!
1. Welcome Doug McAllister to the Sanctuary
2. Welcome, Connection & Prayer Cards
3. Family Worship Sundays: July 21 & August 18
4. Youth Service Week: July 21 – 25
5. Kidz-in-a-Mission 2024 Report
6. Oasis: August 8 – 10
7. Giving Update to June 30
8. A Message from the Social Action Team
9. Fresh Start Young Adults: Tuesdays
10. NextGen Ministry (Children/Youth)
11. This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings: July 21
12. Pastoral Care
13. Celebrate!
14. Community Events
15. This Week @ BSBC
1. Welcome Doug McAllister to the Sanctuary:
We are so pleased to welcome Doug McAllister as our Ministry Coordinator for the sanctuary service while Rev. Kevin Culberson is away this summer.
Doug has served as the coordinator for our Benevolent Ministry since July 2021 and as the Pastor for Seniors Visitation since March 2022. Doug brings a wealth of compassion and experience to the ministries at BSBC.
We are excited to see how God will be working in and through Doug this summer. Please keep him in your prayers as he takes on this new role.
2. Welcome, Connection & Prayer Cards
Over the last several months, we have noticed a number of new and returning faces in our congregations. Our Sanctuary Ushers and our Gym Greeting Team wanted to have something to hand out to folks to welcome them to our church that would perhaps provide a method to make deeper connections with our church family. So, we came up with a revamped Welcome card! The new and improved cards provide information on how to Connect, Grow, Serve and Give. If you have a new address or telephone number or would like some information on programming or volunteering or have a prayer request, please fill out the tear-off portion at the bottom of the card and give it to your Greeter or place it in the Offering box.
To find one of these Welcome, Connection and Prayer Cards, please ask one of the Sanctuary Ushers or a member of the Gym Greeting Team or simply check the Welcome Tables in the vestibule, gym hallway or the Connections Center.
3. Family Worship Sundays: July 21 & August 18
Hey Church Family,
Summer is here! We will be hosting a couple of Family Worship services in the gym.
This Sunday, July 21 and again on August 18, we invite our Preschool and KidzTown children, volunteers, and leaders to join us for Sunday worship in the gym. Our aim is to help keep our families together and reduce the number of Sundays that our Preschool and KidzTown leaders and volunteers will be separated from the rest of our church family. Our KidzTown and Preschool planned children’s activities will continue around these Sundays.
Thank you for loving our family and our children in this way.
4. Youth Service Week: July 21 to 25
Calling all youth in grades six to twelve! Get ready for an awesome Service Week from Sunday, July 21 to Thursday, July 25. This is your chance to serve God and make a real difference in our community. Each day, we’ll gather at BSBC and head out together to our volunteer sites. Don’t forget to bring a bagged lunch each day.
We’ll be helping with the Third Sunday Supper at BSBC, volunteering at The Drive Baptist Church Food and Clothing Bank, spending time with residents at Windsor Court, assisting at Greener Village Food Bank, supporting Lungs Canada, and doing some yard work at the Flores’ house. To celebrate all our hard work, we’ll wrap up the week with a BBQ and swimming party at the Flores house!
Ready to join in? Register online through the link below or reach out to Pastor Nikki. Let’s make this Service Week unforgettable!
5. Kidz-in-a-Mission Report
We were able to raise over 285 kilos of food donations. A big shout out to BSBC Families – thank you!
Our visit to the Greener Village Food Bank was an eye-opening and enriching experience. One of the highlights was the Learning Kitchen tour with Chef Yves. Chef Yves provided an engaging and informative session, showcasing the many opportunities available for learning about food, food security, baking, cooking, and cultural diversity. The learning kitchen is not just a place to prepare meals but a hub for educational programs that aim to empower individuals with essential culinary skills and knowledge about nutrition and food sustainability.
During our tour, we also gained insight into the incredible impact Greener Village has on the community. We learned that the food bank feeds approximately 7,000 people every month, distributing over 2,000 boxes of food and more than 125,000 meals. The range of programs offered by Greener Village, such as the Garden Project, Cooking Classes, and the Clothing Boutique, demonstrates their holistic approach to supporting those in need. Each program is designed to provide not only immediate relief but also long-term empowerment, ensuring that community members have the resources and skills to lead healthier and more self-sufficient lives.
Please continue to support by liking and following:
https://www.instagram.com/greener_village/
https://www.instagram.com/uniqueboutiquegv/
Thanks again and again!
Blessing,
BSBC Children & Families
6. Oasis: August 8 – 10, 2024
Each year, the Baptist churches in Atlantic Canada send ‘delegates’ to OASIS, an annual gathering for worship, discipleship, and to consider how we share together in living out the love of Jesus “everywhere”.
Give a read:
Each August, we gather to deepen relationships, build community, learn tools for thriving in ministry, worship together, make decisions around budgets, and vision for the future.
Oasis is also a time to celebrate God’s faithfulness and our shared mission.
Over our three days together you’ll hear updates from our CBAC partner organizations; – Crandall University, Acadia Divinity College, Canadian Baptist Ministries and Atlantic Baptist Foundation. You’ll hear from speakers, worship bands and other gifted artists that will encourage and inspire you and your church to new heights. As you drive back to your churches after Oasis it is our prayer and hope that you are filled with inspiration, new friendships and joy leading into the fall season.
In 2024, it will be the 178th Annual gathering of our CBAC family. This year the Oasis Planning Team consists of CBAC Staff, Pastors and members from CBAC churches. If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at oasis@baptist-atlantic.ca. See you in August!
To be a delegate for BSBC, you must be a member of BSBC. Based on our membership, we can send 10 delegates and we have room for two more! Otherwise, you can attend OASIS as a guest – everything but vote on business. Are you interested in being one of our delegates to OASIS? We are able to provide a stipend of $200 to cover your registration and help with expenses. If you are able to attend, please contact Naomi in the church office (naomi.phillips@bsbc.nb.ca) and she will complete your registration.
Have a look at all the details:
7. Giving Update to June 30, 2024
8. A message from the Social Action Team
Thank you for your generous donations for Fadwa Alkarad and her family. We have received the beds, linens, and desk. We only have need of the bedroom dressers.
Thank you also for the unanimous support offered to our motion at the spring business meeting to co-sponsor the Abbara family.
As mentioned during my refugee ministry update at the Spring Business Meeting, we did submit an application in July 2023 for a refugee family of six to be supported by BSBC. For privacy reasons, the family has requested that we not publish their names. As a reminder, this family of six are originally from Syria and currently living as refugees in Lebanon. Rachel Nesbitt, a member of our congregation has befriended their relatives here in Fredericton which is how we connected with them.
In order to support the needs of a family of six for their first year in Canada, it is estimated that we will need $45,000, though we know those costs rise every year, so that is only an estimate of our commitment to them. The BSBC refugee fund currently has a balance of $18,727. The refugee fund balance comes directly from designated giving from our congregation. You can help increase the balance by designating a portion of your offering to "Refugee Fund" on your envelope or your e-Transfer comment line.
I'm going to try something again that I tried a couple of years ago: being an engineer and a numbers person, I'd like to lay some more numbers out for you. Our Sunday attendance numbers are around 200 families. If we have exactly one more year, or 52 weeks until this refugee family joins us and we need to raise $26,500, that is just $2.55 each week per person in attendance on a Sunday morning. To me, that sounds a lot more achievable than $26,500! Maybe we could each think of adding $20 per month to our giving directed towards the Refugee Fund, it would make a big difference! We know and understand that not everyone will be able to contribute equally so maybe a few of us make that $100 or more per month, but I thought that showing you one way that we could reach our fundraising goal would help us make some progress.
We will look forward to sharing updates on the Refugee Fund and our sponsorship progress in the coming months. I will try to make this a monthly update to keep everyone in the loop. If you have any questions about this, please contact Martina Verboom at adrianandmartina@gmail.com.
Martina Verboom
Refugee Liaison to the Social Action Team
9. Fresh Start Young Adults: Tuesdays
Our Young Adults ministry, Fresh Start, normally meets on Tuesdays, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, on the 3rd floor of the Family Life Center.
This week, on July23, we will be meeting at the Kierstead’s Cottage on Grand Lake. Come along for some fun, snacks and social time followed by a Bible study. We would love to see you there!
Please contact Pastor Ross ross@bsbc.nb.ca for details.
10. NextGen Ministry (Children & Youth)
Children @ BSBC
Biking Adventure for Kidz Ages 8 – 13: Wednesday, July 17th, 1 – 3:00 pm
Calling all kids 8 – 13 years old! On Wednesday, July 17, join Ellie & Nikki on a biking trek, biking from the church, across the Bill Thorpe walking bridge, along the northside trail and back to BSBC. This will be a fun time of gathering together for our kids, being active, outside, and fellowshipping together! Parents are welcome.
Youth @ BSBC
Read the New Testament in a Year Bible Plan:
Youth New Testament plan in 1 year, Monday to Friday, are reading through Luke chapters 9-13.
Coming up for Summer Youth Group: Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
July 18 – Hartt Island ($20.00 cost)
July 21 to 25 - Youth Serving Week (Sunday – Thursday)
July 25 – No Youth Group
August 1 – Geo Caching – Meet at BSBC
August 8 – Pool Party
August 15 – Garrison Market Scavenger Hunt – Meet at BSBC
Summer Youth Group at Hartt Island: Thursday, July 18th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
All youth going into grade 6 to grade 12, along with their families are welcome to join us at Hartt Island, 2475 Woodstock Road, Fredericton, NB, E3C 1P6, on Thursday, July 18 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. There is a $20 entry fee. If your youth need a ride or help with financial assistance, please contact Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca. We are excited to see you there!
Youth Serving Week: July 21 to 25
Registration is open! Youth and youth leaders will be serving the local community of Fredericton, inside BSBC, outside of BSBC, and within the community of Fredericton. There will be lots of opportunities for service which including leading Third Sunday Supper, yard work, community garden, community kitchen work and many more.
If your youth would like to join us, please register soon as space is limited.
11. This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings: July 21
On Sunday, the worship team in the gym will be led by Allie D and friends. In the sanctuary, worship will be led by Gloria Tranquilla and David Steeves, with special music from David Steeves.
This Sunday, we will be having a family service in the gym. Pastor Nikki and our Summer Student, Ellie, will be leading our children’s portion of the service and Pastor Ross will be preaching. Dr. Keith will be preaching the next sermon in the Summer Sizzle series When the Temperature Rises, in the sanctuary. He writes, “Most of us are familiar with those days of summer when it is excessively hot, and we are thirsty. This kind of experience happens all the time when the Israelites are traveling in the wilderness, and today we will explore one of their experiences in Exodus 17:1-7. With a bit of help from 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, we will see how these circumstances in the desert relate to our lives today as we seek to follow Jesus and flourish wherever God has placed us.”
Whether in-person or online, be sure to join us this Sunday morning at 10:30 am.
12. Pastoral Care
Your Deacons want to affirm that BSBC is equipped to provide Pastoral Care. We are grateful for the engagement of Rev. Ross and Pastor Nikki, and we are blessed to have additional support from Rev. Kevin Culberson, the Baptist Chaplin at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital and Doug McAllister, our Benevolent Coordinator and Senior’s Visitation Pastor.
Here are some suggested approaches:
Hospitalizations
• Your pastors will only know of hospitalizations if the church office or individual pastors are contacted directly
• We’d appreciate you notifying the office if you know of the hospitalization of a member of the BSBC family
Critical Incident
• If a pastor is needed in an emergency situation, between Monday to Friday, 8:30 am and 4 pm, please contact the church office
• Outside of office hours, please contact a pastor directly
Bereavement
• Rev. Ross and Rev. Kevin will be available to support families at a time of loss, to conduct funeral and committal services
• Contact the church office during office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm
• Outside of office hours, please contact a pastor directly
• We have provided McAdams, Bishops, and York Funeral Homes with the contact information for both Rev. Ross and Rev. Kevin
• If you are not a member of a bereaved family but know of a death within the BSBC family, please contact the church office to make sure your pastors are aware of the need
Contact Details
Church Office
506-458-8348
naomi.phillips@bsbc.nb.ca
bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca
Rev. Ross Watters
506-282-3443
ross@bsbc.nb.ca
Pastor Nikki Leftley
506-282-1075
nikki@bsbc.nb.ca
Doug McAllister
506-440-4023
doug.mcallister@bsbc.nb.ca
Please pray for our pastoral care team as they seek to partner with you in caring for the BSBC family.
Your Board of Deacons
13. Celebrate
Frank Hillman
One of our members contacted the office to let us know that Frank has a birthday coming up. He will be turning 97 years young! May God bless you on your birthday and the coming year.
If you would like to send a birthday card, please contact the church office for his new address.
Roy & Greta Jones
We are so pleased to celebrate the 60th Wedding Anniversary for Roy & Greta coming up on July 25th!
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight." Philippians 1:9 (NIV)
If you would like to send an anniversary card, please contact the church office for Roy & Greta’s address.
14. Community Events
The Christian Ashram
You have another opportunity to attend A Christian Ashram in the Maritimes this summer. The Christian Ashram is an interdenominational Christian family retreat.
This opportunity is the New Brunswick Christian Ashram to be held August 8-11, 2024, at Beulah Campground on the Saint John River located at Browns Flat, NB.
The Evangelist is The Rev. Gordon Thompson, retired Anglican minister who, in the past, has been the Evangelist at Christian Ashrams in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario. The Bible Teacher is The Rev. Dr. Phyllis M. Nesbitt. Phyllis was a nurse in New Brunswick before being ordained in the Congregational Christian Church in Canada in 1994. She has participated as the Bible Teacher at Christian Ashrams in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario.
The contacts from BSBC are Dale and Carol Bray at 506-455-3784. Brochures are available at the church office and through the website noted above.
15. This Week at BSBC
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre
Wednesday, July 17
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
1:00 Youth Biking Adventure (Meet at BSBC)
6:00 Ensemble Rehearsals (Choir Room, 2nd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Search Committee (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Rehearsal (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
Thursday, July 18
7:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Gym/Main Kitchen)
7:00 Women’s Prayer Breakfast (Family Room/Kitchenette, 1st Floor, FLC)
6:30 Summer Youth Group (at Hartt Island)
Friday, July 19
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Gym Chair Setup (Gym)
7:00 Chinese Fellowship (Family Room and KidzTown, FLC)
Saturday, July 20
10:00 Gym Band Setup (Gym)
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
Sunday, July 21
Youth Service Week
7:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:00 Asian Sunday School Class (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
10:30 Family Worship Service (Gym)
10:30 Sanctuary Worship Service (Sanctuary)
11:30 Library Open After Services (Connections Center)
12:00 Mandarin Fellowship and Choir (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
5:00 Third Sunday Supper
Monday, July 22
Youth Service Week
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:30 Board of Deacons (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
Tuesday, July 23
Youth Service Week
10:00 Pastoral/Planning Meeting (Admin Office)
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
12:15 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)
2:15 Seniors Worship (Windsor Court)
7:00 Fresh Start Young Adults (Kierstead Cottage)
Wednesday, July 24
Youth Service Week
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Ensemble Rehearsals (Choir Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Rehearsal (Barnabas Center)
