The Banner
Seeking to minister in new ways in challenging days!
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
A message from Pastor Greg
We apologize for the confusion caused by the inclusion of previously planned Easter events in the Easter mailing. We were trying to navigate all of the challenges before us and missed pulling that brochure from the envelopes. None of those services or events will be taking place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your understanding.
Our Chinese Congregation
I had a very encouraging email from Dahu Chen, chair of our Chinese Ministry Committee. In these days of NB’s State of Emergency, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Chinese brothers and sisters continue to offer vital ministry from an online platform. Dahu writes:
We have Sunday worship, listening to preaching on YouTube by a Chinese pastor who is in California with around 30-40 attendees. Praise to Lord! We also have Bible reading one hour daily in Chinese led by Sister Yolanda, and Bible reading in English every Monday morning with Sister Constance. Tuesday noon we have online praying, and in the evening we have a group study. Wednesday morning there is a group reading of the Bible with exercise.
Isn’t this a thrilling sign of leadership that is mature, robust and wise. Please pray for our Chinese congregation as they move forward in the process of calling a full-time pastor!
Worship Online
This Sunday, April 5, will be Palm Sunday and we’ll be engaged in celebrating King Jesus in song. Janice and Ross Simonds will be leading the traditional worship elements assisted by David and Leah Steeves with Sarah Hoyt, Mark McAllister, Andrew Culberson and Greg Keezer leading the contemporary elements. There will be another special inclusion for our children.
Dr. Bodner will take us further into the book of Acts with a focus on Acts 11 in a sermon entitled “Family Feud.” Of this passage Dr. Keith writes:
The experience of Cornelius ignites a debate among the believers about who is included in “the people of God.”
Please pray for protection and liberty of the Spirit for those engaging in bringing these services to life and that our online platform will reach beyond the BSBC family to a wider audience needing to know that God is at work in these days.
Yours in continued ministry, Pastor Greg
Good Friday
Thanks to our technical team and worship leaders we are pleased to announce the presentation of a reflective service for Good Friday to be posted at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 10. Featuring Scripture, music and a powerful devotional by Dr. Keith, we’ll virtually gather together to make the day that change eternity for believers in Jesus Christ. Come to the cross and marvel at the depth of God’s love for you!
Caring Church
Physical isolation can be debilitating and lead to social and spiritual isolation. We want to break that feeling of isolation through a caring phone ministry! All you need to take part in this ministry is a phone and a desire to make a difference in someone’s day.
We’ll invite you to “adopt” one or two people that you’ll contact bi-weekly to check in on them and filter any needs they have back to the church office. Register online and Alyse Wilton, our Church Family Life Coordinator will send you an introductory email to orient you to this ministry. OR, you can email Alyse and she will engage with you.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6: 9-10
Praying Church
We’re building a 7 Day Prayer Team, asking individuals to commit to praying for at least 15 minutes at some point during that day. To help, we’ll send you prayer requests as they become available — as we bring this powerful spiritual discipline to bear on all aspects of the pandemic.
To join our prayer team, register online and the church office will send you an introductory email to orient you to this ministry. OR, you can call the church office (506-458-8348), provide your email address and you can partner with us.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18
Home (Sunday) Schooling
Parents are invite to pop by Children’s Resources page to find details about LifeWay Publishing’s free online videos and support materials for parents to engage with their children in Christian education at home. This is an amazing gift from LifeWay which is the “education arm” of the Southern Baptist Convention.
No one knows everything!
That’s why our website invites you to make suggestions about ministries and supportive actions that should be considered by church leadership. What ideas do you have? OR what blessings have you received in these days that will be an encouragement to others?
We’re a team and you’re part of it! Visit the website to submit your ideas, contact the church office (458-8348) or email Pastor Greg.
Thank you!
Prayer Corner
PLEASE PRAY for our Partners in Mission – Charles, Sarah, Lucie, Victoria and Joseph Milette – who are now safely in Canada and observing their 14 day quarantine at a cottage in Quebec. We praise God for their safe return and trust in his plans for them in the weeks and months ahead. Please continue to pray for their health.
PLEASE PRAY for Pastor Steve and Cindy Patterson as they engages in a week of vacation returning to the office on Monday, April 6.
UPDATE FROM THE BANNISTERS: Greetings from Tanzania. Things are pretty normal here, in terms of shopping, buying fuel, etc. Most people are isolating to the extent possible — hard when people are used to buying groceries every day. Caleb is here with us at the moment. I have been planting veggies like mad, anticipating a scarcity of food down the road. No issues at present, but always good to hedge your bets, I say. We made a conscious decision to stay, a few days back. I'd rather stay put for the time being, where we can be of use, and can support the community, than in a plane or a crowded terminal. Time will tell if it was the right decision, but we based it on a lot of prayer. We would appreciate your prayers. Tim Bannister, Our Partners in Mission
Church Family News
PHQL Puppets
We celebrate innovation in these days and applaud Erik and Allie Dunfield who are writing and presenting two recordings per week of puppet skits based on the parables of Jesus! Thanks, Erik and Allie for being a blessing to your our youngest members (and likely not just a few of the older ones, TOO!).
Youth Blog
Our Youth & Young Adult Coordinator, Jon Wilton, has started a weekly blog to connect with his peeps! But, Jon’s inspirational thoughts and connections aren’t limited to this age — check it out!
Housing First Initiative
As with ministries and events scheduled before the closing of the church facility, the Housing First Initiative is being paused for the foreseeable future. The process for engaging with this important question will resume sometime after we are able to gather together in meetings once again.
The congregation is encouraged to continue to study the materials provided, formulate questions and “pros and cons” and to pray for discernment for the church family to come, in time, to a decision of “yes” or “no.” Leadership will provide several weeks’ notice before the process, as outlined previously, is undertaken once again.
Giving
Please note that you can visit our website for details on making “e-transfers” or other ways you can continue to support BSBC at this time.
Community News
A NOTE FROM GREENER VILLAGE FOOD BANK - One of the main purposes of Greener Village, Fredericton Food Bank, is to aid in times of natural disaster. What could be considered more disastrous than the current pandemic we find ourselves in? To complete our mission, we have closed all non-essential parts of our organization and are focusing our efforts on food resource delivery to the public. We are open weekdays for pickups from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. We have modified our method to encourage appropriate distancing between people on site and to encourage proper food safe handling procedures!
In Need of Resources?
If you don’t have access to a vehicle, and you need food resources, call us at 459-7461 and we will arrange delivery to your home. Public transits is not recommended as the new transit hours don’t line up with our hours. We will be doing delivery on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Ways to Donate
If you want to support the work we are doing, the most effective way to do so is to donate financially online! Visit greenervillage.org/donate or use e-transfer with director@greenervillage.org. If you have food donations to bring in, please come to our back door from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday – Friday and we will place the donation into isolation to ensure no spread will take place. Please note we have limited space to isolate food, so it’s always good to call ahead. As always, we are here to help and we appreciate the support that our community gives to us that allows us to stand in the gap!
YOUR INTERIM LEADERSHIP TEAM
Dr. Keith Bodner, Preaching Pastor
Pastor Greg Geldart, Lead Pastor
Pastor Jim McLellan, Pastor of Senior’s Visitation
Pastor Steve Patterson, Outreach Pastor
Jon Wilton, Youth & Young Adult Ministries
