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 Dec 27 - Jan 3!
1. Christmas Letter 2023 from the Pastors’ Office
2. Christmas 2023 Services & Events
3. Children’s Ministry Resumes Jan 7
4. Christmas Praise Candlelight Offering
5. Christmas Giving Goal 2023
6. Starting Local/Going Global Christmas Project
7. Weekly Financial Countdown
8. 2023 Year-End Church Office Information
9. 2024 Offering Envelopes
10. Library News
11. How Is Your Ministry?
12. Annual Report 2023 Call for Submissions
13. Muffin Ministry
14. Pastoral Care
15. NextGen Ministry @ BSBC (Children/Youth)
16. Fresh Start Young Adults Ministry: Jan 9
17. This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings: Dec 31
18. Vacation for Pastor Nikki
19. This Week @ BSBC
1. Christmas Letter 2023 from the Pastors’ Office
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
– Luke 2: 10 – 14
Merry Christmas BSBC Family!
First off, let me start by offering a massive Merry Christmas to everyone at the Church. I truly pray that this Advent season is one of deep meaning, joy, hope, peace and celebration for every one of you. I know Christmas is so often full of extremes of emotion: for some it is the best and most exciting time of year - full of joy, busyness, and general family chaos - and also such a special and blessed time. For others, I know Christmas can be a reminder of who is not here. Essentially, it feels like Christmas magnifies and increases the intensity of many of the feelings and emotions that lay beneath the surface.
As I reflect on the journey of BSBC since Christmas of last year, this has been an extremely full year. As a congregation, we have been through difficulties, massive transitions, pain, and loss amidst much joy and growth throughout the year, mirroring the path of following Jesus. Another passage of Scripture that comes to mind as I pray for this year’s advent journey is Isaiah 9:2, ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned’. It feels like we have been trying to find our way through the darkness in these last few months and yet, God has been on the move in our church community in a powerful way. I am so excited to see what He has for us throughout this joyous season and into 2024.
We have seen an increase in the number of people attending our services. This growth has sustained a deeper, more developed sense of community within and between all of our congregations. Our youth’s and children’s ministries continue to strengthen with students growing into their gifts outside and within our church family.
Rev. Kevin Culberson has been a great and steady hand through this time, and I appreciate both his leadership of the Sanctuary service as well as all the ways he has helped behind the scenes. Dr. Bodner continues to bless both services with his teaching. Pastor Nikki continues to grow and develop our NextGen ministries and has seen many new faces both attending and stepping into volunteering roles. Our Mandarin congregation has witnessed so many baptisms and Pastor Changbin is doing an incredible job leading our Chinese brothers and sisters.
Tina, Sarah, and Deesha are doing a wonderful job in KidzTown and have seen so many new children joining each week. The joy on the second floor is there for all to see Sunday by Sunday. Melanie has been a steady and loving hand in our preschool ministry and again, is being kept busy every Sunday with the number of younger children. Our benevolence ministry continues to be in high demand and blesses those in our community in desperate need. Doug and his team are involved in some incredible ministry. On top of this, our office staff, Janet and Naomi, have worked so hard to cover the additional workload that is being shared among us all. We really do have a staff team to be deeply thankful for. Our Boards and Committees have been kept very busy this year with so much extra planning and so many more decisions needing to be made. I just want to express my deep gratitude to our Board of Management, Board of Deacons, and Church Teams and Committees. I am deeply thankful to serve as part of such an incredible team.
As we move into this Advent Season, I want to extend a personal invite to each one of you to come and join us in the celebrations. No matter how you are feeling deep within, what this year has meant for you, or the associations you may have around this time of year, please make the choice to join us in celebration. To once again take the step to remember and rejoice, knowing that, even in places of deepest darkness, a great light can shine and transform. In this season, our Advent themes are the HOPE we receive, the PEACE that He brings, the JOY we can live in, and the LOVE we have received.
I pray this Advent season is one full of God the Father’s blessing and full of God the Spirit’s presence, as we remember the greatest gift ever given, God the Son.
Every blessing and I look forward to sharing in this season with you.
Reverend Ross Watters
2.Christmas 2023 Advent Services & Events
NEW YEAR’S EVE WORSHIP (In-Person/YouTube)
Sunday, Dec. 31, 10:30 am
A combined worship service in the sanctuary to celebrate the new year!
3. Children’s Ministry Resumes January 7
A huge shout-out to our awesome Preschool and KidzTown leaders for all of the great things they do throughout the year. This Sunday, our KidzTown and Preschool leaders, volunteers and our children will stay with us in our worship services. Activity tables will be provided in each worship area to keep our children involved.
4. Christmas Praise Candlelight Offering
A huge thank you to David Steeves and Gloria Tranquilla for the use of their gifts in the planning and execution of our Candlelight Christmas Praise Celebration on Sunday, December 17.
During the evening, a special offering was collected for the benefit of the Fredericton Homeless Shelters. We raised $1,195.50. God is so good!
5. Christmas Giving Goal 2023
At our Annual Meeting in February, the congregation adopted a goal of raising $10,000 over and above regular giving as a celebration offering for Christmas. This will go a long way to helping us end the year in a strong place financially.
How to give
Gifts can be made the old-fashioned way, using the offering boxes on the welcome tables or dropping your gift at the Church office. There is also a debit machine in the Connections Center, and e-transfers are welcome to giving@bsbc.nb.ca
To ensure a tax receipt for 2023, please bring your gift to the church office by noon on Friday, Dec. 22 or drop your envelope in the offering box during our combined worship in the sanctuary on Sunday, Dec 31 or send an e-transfer by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31.
To date we have received $3,595.00 toward our Christmas giving goal.
Thank you for considering such practical support of the ministry we do in Fredericton and beyond.
6. Starting Local/Going Global Christmas Project
A Message From The Things:
‘Tis the time of the year to celebrate lots of Good News
And for “The Things” to say a “Big Thank You” ... to those in the pews.
Who have supported so faithfully all things SL and GG
Starting Local, Going Global… what a program of Hope, and of Peace
The giving has been wonderful … yet … still there is time
To bring more joy to those in Bolivia, New Life, and those who join us to dine
So to you a Big Wish from Things 1, 2, and 3
Merry Christmas to all and A Year of Blessings and Glee.
After Sunday’s service, our updated giving totals for Local is $10,482.50 and for Global is $12,459.70.
Thank You so much.
God is so good.
BSBC Social Action Team and Mission Committee
7. Weekly Financial Countdown
Please consider how you can generously support God’s work at Brunswick Street as we near the end of 2023. Your continued giving at this time is important and much appreciated, as we need to close the budget gap.
Recognizing that it is the end of the 2023 tax year, and many people will be looking to drop off an end of year donation, our bookkeeper, Naomi, will be in the office on Friday, Dec 29 from 8:00 am till noon. For the year-end, you can also give at our Sunday morning service Dec 31. E-Transfer giving is also welcome, and any gifts sent before 11:59 pm Dec 31 will be counted as a 2023 donation.
Ken Reimer
BSBC Treasurer
8. 2023 Year-End Church Office Information
Please note that the church offices will be closed between Christmas and New Years, from noon on Friday, December 22, 2023, and reopening Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 8:00 am. This will provide some needed downtime, and work flexibility for our pastors and staff after a joyous and busy season.
During the office closure period, we will be monitoring the church voicemail, for any urgent requests or spiritual care that may be needed.
As we bring 2023 to a close, we send out a gentle reminder that this is also the end of our fiscal year. Please submit all receipts and requests for reimbursements by Friday, December 22 at noon.
Thank you,
Dan Lutes, Chair
Board of Management
9. 2024 Offering Envelopes Are Ready
This message is applicable to all those who give their offering by envelope. It does not apply to those who give electronically.
If you wish to pick up your envelopes during the week from the church office, please contact Deborah VanSlyke vanslyke@nbnet.nb.ca and arrangements will be made.
Thank you,
Deborah VanSlyke
Financial Secretary
10. Library News
Please note that the library will not be open after services Sunday, December 31, however the library will be open on the morning of Wednesday, January 3 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
The following new books have been added to the library in December 2023:
Children’s Titles:
All Creation Waits by Boss, Gayle
Kids Guide to the Power of Words by Tony Evans
The Sower by Scott James
The Boxcar Children Volumes 1 to 8 by Gertrude Warner
Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul by Jack Canfield
Patrick Wigglesworth Bizarre Bible Adventure Tricky Times
Moses/John Flip-over Book by Victoria Kovacs
I See Jesus by Nancy Guthrie
Youth Titles:
The Wingfeather Saga Books 1 to 4
The Serpent Slayer and the Scroll of Riddles
El Deafo by Cece Bell, Graphic Novel
Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis, Graphic Novel
When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jameson, Graphic Novel
Adult Fiction:
A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz, Historical
A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson
Into the Fire by Irene Hannon, Suspense
Adult Non-Fiction:
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, Devotional
Chicken Soup for the Soul Raising Kids on the Spectrum by Rebecca Landa
Thank you,
BSBC Librarians
11. How Is Your Ministry?
In 2024, we would like to start celebrating all of the good things that have happened or are happening or will be happening at Brunswick Street Baptist Church (BSBC).
We invite you to submit a paragraph (or two!) of the good things that are being accomplished (please include a photograph if you have one!) through each of the programs and events that happen at BSBC.
Please email the information on your group, ministry or event to the church office, along with a couple of photos, to naomi.phillips@bsbc.nb.ca. In the new year, we would like to start sharing this good news with each other.
12. Annual Report 2023 Call for Submissions
We are rapidly bringing a close to 2023 and are looking forward to 2024. Specifically, we are looking for reports from all Board, Committees, and Teams for the Annual Report 2023. We need to have the Annual Report compiled, edited, revised, (and edited again!) printed and ready to send for binding by February 1, 2024.
To that end, the deadline for submissions for the Annual Report is Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Please submit your reports to the church office, via email, to naomi.phillips@bsbc.nb.ca.
Thank you for participating in this way. If you have any questions or concerns, or for more information, please contact the church office.
13. Muffin Ministry
On behalf of our brothers and sisters who make a weekly evening trek around the city to visit those sleeping rough, and the members of your Social Action Team, thank you ‘muffin makers’ for your faithfulness serving in this way.
Our schedule is now open for 2024. We still require 3 dozen muffins per week. Please place 12 muffins, individually wrapped, in a large zipper locked bag, and label the bag “Street Ministry”. Don’t forget to include your name and the delivery date for which you signed up. You can place the labeled muffins in the upright freezer in the main kitchen.
Please click the link below to sign up to serve in this way or call the church office (506-458-8348) and our admin team will be pleased to do the online registration for you. Jesus spoke of offering cups of cold water in his name. Muffins, we believe, offer the same opportunity to bless others for him.
14. 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.
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
Rev. Kevin Culberson
506-260-6240
culberson.kevin@gmail.com
Denise Mersereau, Chair of Deacons
506-262-0197
ddmersereau@gmail.com
Please pray for our pastoral care team as they seek to partner with you in caring for the BSBC family.
Your Board of Deacons
15. NextGen Ministry (Children & Youth)
Children @ BSBC
Scouting Boys Elementary, Aged 5-10 years, Resumes: Wednesday, January 10, 6:30 – 8:00 pm (Gym)
BSBC offers a scouting program for boys from kindergarten to Grade 5 full of outdoor adventures, fun activities, and community service projects are used to teach boys how to live the great commission and to love God and our neighbours. For more information, please contact the church office at 458-8348 or bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca.
Sunday School Resumes: Sunday, January 14, 9:30 am
We hope our kids and youth enjoy the Christmas holiday season with family! We look forward to having Sunday school all together on January 14th at 9:30am. All are children and youth are welcome from Kindergarten to Grade 12 – we have a class for you. For more information, reach out to Pastor Nikki @ nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
Hands In Girls Ministry: Wednesday, January 17, 6:30pm
Hands In Girls Ministry is an all-girls elementary school, kindergarten to grade 5 group, filled with fun, games, crafts, worship and friends! All are our girls are welcome to join us at our monthly gathering! We look forward to seeing our elementary school girls out! Please email Allie at ali.dee@rogers.com to RSVP and to learn more information.
Youth @ BSBC
Youth Bible Study Resumes: Wednesday, January 10, 6:30pm
The youth Bible study group will be getting together for our first Bible study of 2024 on Wednesday, January 10 at 6:30 pm. All youth between grade 6 – 12 are welcome to join Pastor Nikki & Alyse Wilton for Bible Study! For more information reach out to Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
Greenhouse Band Practice Resumes: Wednesday, January 10, 6:00 pm
Our Greenhouse Band is taking a break for the Christmas season. Practice will resume on Wednesday, January 10 to prepare for the Greenhouse service on January 28. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Julianne at julianne.d.moore@gmail.com or text (506) 261-0876.
Youth Group Resumes: Sunday, January 14, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
We look forward to seeing our youth for our first meeting in 2024. Join us January 14 for a sports and board games night.! If you want to know more about Youth Group, please contact Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
Greenhouse Youth Worship Service: Sunday, January 28, 10:30 am
Youth are invited to serve and join us on Sunday, January 28 for our first Greenhouse service of 2024! If your youth would like to get involved in serving, please reach out to Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
Friends Are Us Puppets: Friday Evening Practice Will Resume in January
Have you ever wondered how a puppet show gets made? All middle and high school youth are invited to join Chris Graves for an hour of fun and fellowship while using our puppets. For more information, please contact Chris Graves.
16. Fresh Start Young Adults Ministry: January 9
Our Young Adults ministry, Fresh Start, will resume meeting on Tuesday, January 9 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. 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.
17. This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings: Dec 24
This Sunday, we will have a combined worship service in the sanctuary, under the musical leadership of Gloria Tranquilla and David Steeves with special guests Greg Keezer, Mark McAllister, and Jon Wilton.
On this New Year’s Eve morning, Pastor Ross will be preaching on the topic of The Church We Are Called To Be.
Whether in-person or online, be sure to join us this Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.
18. Vacation for Pastor Nikki
Over the past few weeks, Pastor Nikki made a trek to visit her family in Ontario. She will be returning to the office on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Prayers for safe travel and quality family time are appreciated.
19. This Week at BSBC
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre
Wednesday, December 27
Church Offices Closed
1:00 Lois Boldon Family Drop-In (Gym)
Thursday, December 28
Church Offices Closed
Friday, December 29
12:00 Church Offices Closed at Noon
Saturday, December 30
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Sanctuary)
Sunday, December 31
9:30 Adult Coffee Time (Family Room/Connections Center, 1st Floor, FLC)
10:30 Combined Worship Service (Sanctuary)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
Monday, January 1
New Year’s Day – Church Office Closed
Tuesday, January 2
10:00 Pastoral/Planning Meeting (Admin Office)
11:15 Staff Meeting (Boardroom, 3rd Floor, FLC)
Wednesday, January 3
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:30 Choir/Ensemble Rehearsal (Choir Room, 2nd Floor, Connections Center)
