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 happening the week of August 14 to 21, 2024!
1. Family Worship Sunday: August 18
2. Report on OASIS
3. Pastoral Search Committee Update
4. Programming for September
5. Fresh Start Young Adults: Tuesdays
6. NextGen Ministry (Children/Youth)
7. This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings: August 18
8. Pastoral Care
9. This Week @ BSBC
1. Family Worship Sunday: August 18
Hey Church Family,
On August 18, we invite our Preschool and KidzTown children, volunteers, and leaders to join us for Family 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.
2. Report on OASIS
The CBAC Oasis gathering at Crandall University in Moncton on August 8-10 was an event that was informative, inspiring, and definitely a spiritual oasis of renewal and hope for today and the future of Baptists in Atlantic Canada. With 500+ attendees from Atlantic Baptist Churches, and our partners Canadian Baptist Ministries, Crandall University and Acadia Divinity College, Oasis reflected our diverse but unified voice and spirit in worship and mission. Thursday evening set the tone of Oasis as CBAC Executive Minister, Renee MacVicar extended the call to be hope-filled churches that overflowed with hope-filled mission in our communities and world (Romans 15:13).
Crandall University President, Dr. Bruce Fawcett highlighted their 75th Anniversary and the continued growth in student enrollment, international student enrollment, along with new programs to prepare students to be Christian leaders as they engage a changing world.
The Business sessions reflected a spirit of hope as a renewed CBAC staff structure was introduced, promoting connection and providing resources to our churches. As well, we celebrated the acceptance of God’s Army Community Fellowship from the Halifax Association as a new member of CABC. This Filipino congregation has a vision for local ministry as well as mission projects in the Philippines which are already engaged.
Canadian Baptist Ministries highlighted their 150th Anniversary and announced their continued ministry in a changing world. It was reported that our mission partners world wide are asking if pastors are needed in North America, because they are ready to send them here!
Acadia Divinity College President, Dr Anna Robbins reported growth in student enrollment as well as new degree programs that promote Spiritual and Mental Health needs in our churches.
The Keynote speaker, Dr. Mark Buchannan was insightful, inspirational, and led us into God’s presence. I, was motivated and filled with Hope to walk with God more intentionally both physically and spiritually, trusting Him in these challenging days. This phrase caught my ear and I will repeat it often in the days to come, “God doesn’t have problems; God has a plan!”
I walked away from Oasis blessed, excited, and looking forward to what God will do through me and our churches. What will be heard about God’s work among us at Oasis next year? If you want to experience the keynote speakers at Oasis for yourself, or learn more about the happenings at Oasis go to www.Oasis.baptist-atlantic.ca . Better yet, plan now to attend Oasis next year and experience it first hand!
Respectfully submitted by Kevin Culberson.
3. Pastoral Search Committee Update
The Pastoral Search Committee has met three times over the course of the summer; one of those meetings included a Zoom call with Dr. Greg Jones, Associate Executive Minister & Director of Congregational Renewal. For reference, Dr. Jones was one of the CBAC staff who met with our church back on May 23.
The apostle Paul writes, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Annie VanderHeiden reminds us that, “The power of prayer doesn’t come from the words we say, but from the One who hears them.” As a committee, we would be encouraged if the church prayed alongside us as we seek God’s will in calling our Senior/Lead Pastor. Below we have provided a daily scripture and prayer prompts for this week as a guide. Please keep the members of the committee in your prayers.
Greg Keezer (chair)
Doris Ashfield
Cheryl Gibson
Debbie Kierstead
Doug McAllister
Mark McAllister
Peter Steeves
Day 1, August 14: Proverbs 3:5-6
Pray for the church to wholeheartedly trust the Lord while searching for a pastor. Pray for the search committee to trust the Holy Spirit’s leadership. Pray for the pastor God has chosen for us that they will also seek and trust the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Day 2, August 15: Revelations 2:1-7
Pray for the church to return to her first love, Jesus Christ. Pray for the church and search committee to hear the Spirit clearly throughout the pastor search process. Pray for the pastor God has chosen for us, that they desire above all to glorify Jesus Christ in their life.
Day 3, August 16: Ephesians 4:1-6
Pray for unity and peace in the church while searching for a pastor. Pray for a strong sense of unity among the search committee as they review and discuss potential pastoral candidates.
Day 4, August 17: John 15:1-8
Pray for church members to continually abide in Christ and produce much fruit that glorifies the Father during the interim period. Pray for members of the search committee to remain close to Christ. Pray for the pastor and their family that they will each draw even closer to Christ as God prepares them for this calling.
Day 5, August 18: John 15:9-15
Pray for church members to abide in the love of Christ and love one another with the love of Christ. Pray for God to bond the church and future Senior/Lead pastor together in love.
Day 6, August 19: John 15:16-17
Pray for a season of fruitful ministry as the church prepares for her next pastor. Pray for the search committee to be blessed with answered prayers. Pray also for the future Senior/Lead pastor and their family will be blessed as they seek to obey God’s calling.
Day 7: August 20, Jeremiah 29:11-13
Pray for the search committee, the church body, our staff, and the future Senior/Lead pastor to hope in God and seek Him wholeheartedly with the realization that He is in control of the church’s future.
4. Call for Fall Programming
What a great summer! Another few short weeks and fall will be here. We are looking ahead to the September calendar and are thinking about booking rooms and resources for Bible studies, prayer groups, community potlucks, exercise groups, meetings and other gatherings.
If you are looking to reserve space for your Bible study, Small group, or meeting at BSBC this fall, please click the following link and provide us with the name of your group, a syllabus for your small group or Bible study, your preferred day, time and location. The syllabus should include the number of weeks in duration with the title for each week’s session with a short overview and scriptures for each class. Once these details are provided, we will start advertising two weeks in advance of the start date of your program.
Or: Please email socialmedia@bsbc.nb.ca with the name of your group, a brief explanation of the content, your preferred day, time and location.
Due to limitations of space, rooms will be reserved on a first requested, first booked basis.
5. Fresh Start Young Adults: Tuesdays
Our Young Adults ministry, Fresh Start, will meet on Tuesdays, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, on the 3rd floor of the Family Life Center. 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.
6. NextGen Ministry (Children & Youth)
Children @ BSBC
Youth @ BSBC
Read the New Testament in a Year Bible Plan:
Youth New Testament plan in 1 year, Monday to Friday, are reading through 1 Corinthians 5 – 9.
Youth Group Garrison Market Scavenger Hunt: Thursday, Aug 15, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
All youth going into grade 6 to grade 12 are welcome to join us for an evening full of adventure on Thursday, August 15th from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. We will be meeting at BSBC and doing the scavenger hunt at the Garrison Night Market. Please bring comfortable shoes and clothing, water, and a competitive spirit. If you have questions feel free to contact Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca. We are excited to see you there!
Final Summer Youth Group: August 22nd, Killarney Lake 6:30 – 8:30
Come on out for our final youth group of the summer August 22nd, 6:30 – 8:30pm. We will be at Killarney Lake for fun in the water, snacks, tunes, and good time of gathering celebrating the summer. If your youth need a drive please contact Pastor Nikki or Ellie. Youth are to bring a modest bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, goggles and/or any other water related items. We look forward to seeing you all there.
7. This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings: August 18
This Sunday, the worship team in the gym will be led by Illyana Vermeersch. In the sanctuary the worship team will be led by Elaine Durling, with special music from Chris Graves.
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. Keith will be preaching in sanctuary. Of his sermon titled, Summer Sizzle, he writes, As our informal “Summer Sizzle” series through the months of July & August draws to a close, we will both wrap up one season and look toward another. Anticipating our Fall series on the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew, this week’s message will pave the way by exploring few scenes earlier in the book in order to set the stage. The story of Jesus in the First Gospel has amazing correspondences with the events of Exodus, ranging from a genocidal tyrant and magicians, to a journey through water and trials in the wilderness. Matthew is encouraging us to understand afresh the rescue mission of Jesus, as we are brought out of slavery and toward the promised land of the new covenant.
Whether in-person or online, be sure to join us this Sunday morning at 10:30 am.
8. 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
9. This Week at BSBC
Wednesday, August 14
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
1:00 Biking Adventure (Meet at BSBC)
6:00 Ensemble Rehearsals (Choir Room, 2nd Floor, FLC)
Thursday, August 15
7:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Gym/Main Kitchen)
7:00 Women’s Prayer Breakfast (Family Room/Kitchenette, 1st Floor, FLC)
9:00 Benevolent Ministries (By Appointment)
6:00 Mandarin Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)
6:30 Summer Youth Group Scavenger Hunt (Meet at BSBC)
Friday, August 16
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
7:00 Chinese Fellowship (Assembly Area and KidzTown, FLC)
Saturday, August 17
10:00 Gym Band Set-Up
1:00 Worship Team Practice
Sunday, August 18
7:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:00 Asian Sunday School Class (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:30 Together in Prayer (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
10:30 Gym/Family Worship Worship Service (Gym)
10:30 Sanctuary Worship Service in the Sanctuary (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 (Gym)
Monday, August 19
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
Tuesday, August 20
10:00 Pastoral/Planning Meeting (Admin Office)
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)
5:30 Music Team Monthly Meeting (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
7:00 Fresh Start Young Adults (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
Wednesday, August 21
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Ensemble Rehearsals (Choir Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)
