The Banner
Our Mission
Experience the love of Jesus. Live it out everywhere.
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from April 12 to 19.
Upcoming Prayer/Healing Services
Could You Bless a Local Family/Individual?
A Note for Our Street Ministry Muffin Makers
BSBC Easter Celebration Offering Goal
This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings
Update From Myles on a Mission
NextGen Ministry @ BSBC (Children/Youth)
Seeking Summer Student for NextGen Ministry
Children’s Ministry Staff Openings
Meals on Wheels: Opportunity to Care
Community Opportunities
This Week @ BSBC
1. Upcoming Prayer & Healing Services
In the pre-Covid world, we would occasionally hold a Sunday evening “Healing Service” — a simple time of worship and prayer with the invitation for those who attend to come to a prayer station and have a brother and a sister hear your request, with your permission anoint you with oil, and pray over you and with you.
The emphasis is on simple. Sitting in the pew for the whole time is welcome. You won’t be forced to pray publicly, such opportunities may be offered but only for those who wish to engage in this way. As I said, the emphasis is on simple. If you have never been to a “Healing Service” come, attend and engage in a way that feels right for you at this point in your spiritual journey.
There will be three “Healing Services” held on Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. on April 16, 30 and May 7. I look forward to sharing this quiet and powerful time with you.
Pastor Greg
2. Could You Bless a Local Family/Individual?
Your social Action Team would like to share with our church family an opportunity to bless a local refugee family and the individual refugee that we are sponsoring. Rachel Nesbitt has shared the following news and requests with us.
Refugee Family Request
The sister of the Syrian refugee family we are sponsoring is pregnant with a baby girl due in early June. She lives in Fredericton with her husband and 4 daughters. She does not have much of anything for the baby yet, and I would love to collect some items from anyone who feels stirred to show generosity in this way.
Items needed:
Rear-facing car seat (new or unexpired)
Clothing (size newborn and 0-3 months)
Gift cards are also welcome (Carters, Babies-R-Us, Jumping Jacks, etc.)
Please contact me, Rachel Nesbitt, if you’d like to help bless this family.
Single Refugee Request
Lori Wightman is our coordinator with our new friend, Souaibou, who is now settled in his apartment and has a new support worker who can help us communicate with him as he engages in language study in English and French through Fredericton’s Multi-Cultural Language Studies group.
Visiting with him this past week Lori identified a few additional needs that would help a single guy get the most out of his new place. If you can provide any of the following please contact the church office to let us know you have the item(s) so we don’t get multiples of the same thing. And then, please drop your item off at the office and we’ll get it to Lori who will take it to Souaibou. Thanks for considering:
Large pot (Dutch oven-ish)
Baking Sheet
Can Opener
Tea Pot
2 or More Kitchen Chairs
1 Living Room Chair
3. A Note For Our Street Ministry Muffin Makers
We are so grateful for those who are partnering with our street ministry team by providing muffins which they share with those they meet. It’s very helpful for the team if you would wrap each muffin individually and then place them in a bag and write the date of delivery on the bag. Thank you for these extra steps.
4. Easter Celebration Offering Goal
It’s not too late! If you would like to make a unique offering as a means of celebrating Easter and helping us achieve our budget goals for 2023, visit our giving page for the many ways you can make your gift.
Our goal for the Easter offering is $10,000. Please mark your gift “Easter Offering.”
Thank you for considering!
5. This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings
This coming Sunday morning we gather in the shadow of Easter Sunday past to worship our living Lord and offer ourselves anew to his service.
The gym worship service will be under the musical leadership of Greg and Rebecca Keezer and friends. In the sanctuary the service will feature musical leadership by the Sanctuary Choir, soloist Beth Snow with gathering music provided by Jerry McFarland.
In the sanctuary service, Pastor Ross will be continuing the series, “Things Jesus Didn’t Say” with this week’s focus refuting the idea that our lives will be fulfilled if we “do what makes us happy.”
In the gym, Dr. Keith will be continuing his series in the book of Mark with this week’s sermon entitled A Deadly Disease drawing on the passages from Exodus 15:22-27 and Mark 2:1-12. To introduce the sermon he writes: By any measure, the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel is a whirlwind of activity that grips the imagination. The opening episodes are packed with an entirely new kind of teaching, accompanied by miracles of deliverance and healing, and reports, of what seems like a superhero, have quickly gone viral all over first-century social media. All of this is happening, we recall, not at the glittering religious center of Jerusalem, but rather on the periphery in the comparatively obscure outback of the Galilee region. Returning to Capernaum at the beginning of chapter 2, Jesus is the center of attention at a house party and “speaking the word” to all who are inside the packed house. But some are on the outside, unable to get in, and this causes a problem. Four guys have a friend who is paralyzed, and no doubt wondering how they can possibly get their friend to Jesus to experience the touch of healing. This week we will explore Mark 2:1-12 and resolve the suspense of whether the friends are successful or not. We will also dig in to a powerful truth: although we may not realize it, each of us is carrying around a very deadly disease, and this episode introduces us to an incredible theology of healing that has implications for every facet of our StreetLife today.
Whether in-person or online, we hope that you will join us for our worship services this third Sunday in April.
6. Update From Myles on a Mission
Our dear friends, Reuben and Leah Myles have put together a video update on their ministry in the Philippines. Pray for them as they continue to serve Jesus.
7. NextGen Ministry
Children @ BSBC
Elementary (K – Grade 5) Scouting Boys: April 12, 6:30 p.m.
BSBC offers a scouting program for boys from Kindergarten to Grade 5. 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. Meetings are held weekly in the church gym on Wednesday evenings for those in kindergarten to Grade 5. For more information, please contact the church office at 458-8348 or bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca.
Youth @ BSBC
Youth Choir / Greenhouse Band: April 12, 6 – 6:30 pm
The youth choir is happening this evening 6 pm – 6:30 pm in the Barnabas Center. All youth are welcome and those who are interested in participating in the youth choir and/or Greenhouse Service band can join us tonight and can contact Julianne at julianne.d.moore@gmail.com with any questions or to express interest.
Bible Study: Wednesday, April 12, 6:30 – 8 pm
Bible Study! Youth are welcome to come out tonight to join us as we continue through the book of Mark. All are welcome, even if you have not been previously. Join Kari Dunfield and Pastor Nikki. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
Youth Group: Friday, April 14, 7 – 9 pm
Youth are invited to join us this Friday for a night filled with youth group games, fun, and learning more about God. All friends are welcome to come and join! If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
High School Youth Group: Sunday, April 16, 7 – 9 pm
High school youth are invited to join us this Sunday at 7:00 pm for an evening of fun, friends, and fellowship. High school friends grade 9-12 are always welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
One Conference: Friday, June 2 to Saturday, June 3
The One Conference is back this year from June 2nd – 3rd in Moncton from 5 pm June 2nd – 5:30 pm June 3. Youth will not want to miss out on this awesome opportunity to come together with so many other churches. The cost for this event is $80.00. The deadline for youth to register is April 25. If you have any questions or if cost is an issue, please contact Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
8. Seeking Summer Student for NextGen Ministry
We have been fortunate to be awarded a SEED grant from the provincial government which will allow us to hire a summer student to work in our Next Gen (children/youth) ministry for 14 weeks. Details follow. Please pray with me for God’s provision of the student of His choice to help lead what will be a busy summer of ministry. Please make this summer job known to anyone you believe might be interested.
Thank you, Pastor Nikki
Community Children/Youth Worker Summer Student
Position Outline: The community children/youth worker summer student is a position created to support, foster and grow the Next Generation in the community in and around Brunswick Street Baptist Church. The ideal candidate would have problem solving skills, initiative, creativity, dependability and teachability.
Position Responsibilities:
Assisting Next Generation Pastor & Children’s Coordinators with Vacation Bible School (VBS) which includes planning, participation, recruiting volunteers and follow up
Participating in a local missions’ week tour to Saint John (lead up/follow up)
Assisting in leading weekly programming for Next Generation ministries
Developing programming for Next Generation ministries summer events
Developing programming for fall Next Generation ministries
Administrative work
Using Social Media for promotion of events and contacting individuals
Providing basic AV/IT service
Participating in KidzTown on Sunday mornings
Creating a connection point with the Next Generation cohort in the broader community (ie. Park Ministry)
Position Accountability: The Summer Student is responsible to the Brunswick Street Baptist Church Board of Deacons through the Education Committee with direct responsibility to the Next Generation Pastor.
Position Time Allotment & Wage: This summer job is made possible through the provincial SEED program for current students. Requirements for applying include: must be a resident of New Brunswick, eligible to work in Canada, a Student in current academic year and attending full-time post secondary in the fall 2023.
This position is for 14 weeks, 35 hours a week, at $17.50 per hour. Start date is negotiable. There are no other benefits associated with this position. Termination of the contract by either party requires 30 days written notice.
How To Apply
Please email your resume along with a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position to Pastor Nikki Leftley at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca. Application deadline is April 15, 2023. Successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.
For more information, please contact Pastor Nikki Leftley by email (nikki@bsbc.nb.ca) or telephone (506-458-8348).
9. Children’s Ministry Staff Opportunities
Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. These ‘seasons’ mean transitions. In this light, we share that after many years of service, Yewande Akalusi has completed her faithful ministry as Elementary Bible Teacher in our Children’s Ministry. We sincerely thank Yewande for her faithfulness to the Word of God, to our children and this church family and pray for every blessing as she completes her eduction. Then, at the end of May, Ufuoma Akalusi will be completing her ministry as our Preschool Coordinator before leaving for Law School in Toronto.
The congregation is asked to pray for His provision in these days. Please speak to those you believe have the gifts to serve in these ways. Interested applicants should apply with a cover letter explaining why they are interested in the position and a brief summary of their Christian testimony along with a copy of a personal resume. These should be submitted to the church office by Friday, April 14. For more information please contact Pastor Nikki. Here are the individual position descriptions:
Elementary Bible Teacher
Position Outline: The Elementary Bible Teacher provides direct Bible teaching to children in this age group through weekly KidzTown ministry and if possible, at the annual Vacation Bible school.
Position Responsibilities:
Coordinate lesson themes with other elementary leaders
Prepare in advance the lessons to be taught
Deliver lessons in KidzTown and, if possible, in VBS
Meet with Next Gen Pastor as needed to review and direct this work
Position Accountability: The Elementary Bible Teacher is responsible to the Board of Deacons through the Education Committee and Pastor Nikki Leftely.
Terms of the Position: Remuneration for the position is $17.50 per hour for 5 hours per week. Four weeks (four Sundays) paid vacation is to be coordinated with the NextGen Pastor.
Preschool Coordinator
Position Outline: The Preschool Coordinator will support and facilitate the delivery of Christian Education Ministry to the church preschoolers (infancy to age four) and their parents. This will be done under the direction and support of BSBC’s Education Committee and the Lead Pastor.
Position Responsibilities:
Secure volunteers for Church-Time Preschool Ministry
Create volunteer rotations/communication with volunteers and Church Office
Prepare weekly church hour curriculum (stories and colouring pages)
Weekly washing of cups/pitchers and laundry
Coordinate sanitization of preschool toys
Purchase needed toys and other resources with approval from the Lead Pastor
Maintain stock in the snack cupboard
Change seasonal decorations for preschool check-in area
Resource crafts and craft supplies for special occasions (ie. Christmas, Easter, etc.)
Attend monthly Education Committee Meeting
Be present in the Preschool Area two Sundays a month and in worship “On Call” the remaining Sundays
Position Accountability: The Preschool Coordinator is responsible to the Board of Deacons through the Education Committee and the Lead Pastor.
Terms of the Position: Remuneration for the position is $17.50 per hour for 10 hours per week. Four weeks (four Sundays) paid vacation is to be coordinated with the Lead Pastor.
10. Meals On Wheels: An Opportunity to Care
Recently Dr. Keith preached in the sanctuary service on the account of the four friends who were determined to care for their friend who needed to have the power of Jesus poured out on his life. These ‘stretcher bearers’ were fulfilling the intentions of Galatians 6. “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We were never meant to do life alone. We need the love and care of others, as much as we are needed by others in the same ways. There are so many ways to be ‘stretcher bearers’.
For those who cook, I’m back to invite you to consider providing one meal a week for a couple in our church family who are each shouldering challenging health burdens. Just click the link below and register to provide a meal sometime in that week. Names and contact information will be provided after registering. If you are not able to deliver the meal to the northside, just let us know and we’ll arrange delivery for you. There are no dietary restrictions.
THANK YOU TO ALL who helped in the previous weeks. Know that your ‘carrying’ has been a blessing of Christ in these lives.
Pastor Greg
11. Community Events
TAKE-OUT BAKED HAM SUPPER
Friday, April 28, pick-up 4:00-5:30pm at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street.
The delicious take-out supper includes carved baked ham, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, roll, and raspberry cheesecake dessert for $15.
Please call Rindy or Tom Austin, 506-450-7151 by noon on Monday, April 24 to reserve your take-outs.
GIBSON MEMORIAL HAM DINNER
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St., will be hosting a Ham and Scalloped Potato Dinner on April 26th, 4 - 6 p.m. Menu: Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, homemade beans & brown bread, vegetables,coleslaw & Pie.
Tickets are $15/adult and please call 457-1951 to reserve your tickets.
12. This Week at BSBC
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre
Wednesday, April 12
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
11:30 12 Neighbours (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
5:30 Community Potluck Supper (Gym)
6:00 Youth Choir/Greenhouse Band (Barnabas Center)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC0
6:30 Sanctuary Choir Practice (Choir Room)
6:30 Scouting Boys Group (K-Gr 5) (Gym/Fellowship Hall)
8:00 Youth Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
Thursday, April 13
7:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Gym, Main Kitchen)
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
9:00 Days For Girls (KidzTown, 2nd Floor, Room 219, FLC)
9:00 New Life Ministry (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
10:00 G. Tranquilla (Barnabas Center)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (CB) (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
1:30 Gospel of John Bible Study (Boardroom, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:00 L’Arche/Opal Drop-In (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Bible Study - Bad Girls of the Bible (Boardroom, 3rd Floor, FLC)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
7:00 Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Barnabas Center/Choir Room)
Friday, April 14
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Friends Are Us Puppets (KidzTown, 2nd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Youth Group (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Barnabas Center and KidzTown, 2nd Floor, FLC)
Saturday, April 15
9:00 Gym Set-up (Gym)
10:00 Hands-In Girls Ministry (KidzTown, 2nd Floor, FLC)
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
Sunday, April 16
7:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:00 Asian Sunday School (Zoom)
9:20 Sunday Morning Prayer (Counselling Room, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:30 Sunday School For All Ages (Family Life Center)
9:30 Portraits of Jesus (Under The Sea Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
10:15 KidzTown & Preschool Classes (2nd & 1st Floor, FLC)
10:30 Contemporary Worship (Gym)
10:30 Mandarin Worship (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
10:30 Traditional Service (Sanctuary)
1:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
5:00 Third Sunday Supper (Gym)
6:30 Healing Service (Sanctuary)
7:00 High School Youth Group
Monday, April 17
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Seniors Luncheon (Gym)
3:30 G. Tranquilla (Counselling Room, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
7:00 Mandarin Sister Choir Rehearsal (Barnabas Center)
7:00 Board of Management (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
Tuesday, April 18
10:00 Library Open
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
1:00 Community Volunteer Income Tax Clinic 2023 (Gym)
1:00 Pastoral Staff Meeting (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
2:15 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
6:00 Sports Friends (Gym)
6:30 DivorceCare (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
7:00 Fresh Start Young Adult Ministry (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
Wednesday, April 19
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
5:30 Community Potluck Supper (Gym)
6:00 Youth Choir/Greenhouse Band (Barnabas Center)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Sanctuary Choir Practice (Choir Room)
6:30 Scouting Boys Group (K-Gr 5) (Gym/Fellowship Hall)
8:00 Youth Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
