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Our Mission for 2022
Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Psalm 96:2-3
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from April 6 to 13.
Covid Continues to Be Part of Our Narrative
Holy Week/Easter @ BSBC
Easter Flowers
Sunday Morning, April 10 – Hosanna!
Sunday Evening, April 10 – Candlelight Concert
Updates from Ann Passmore – Sign Up for Her Blog
Opportunities to Help Ukraine
The Return of An Old Friend: Post-Service Social Time
NextGen Ministries @ BSBC (Latest Opportunities for Children & Youth)
New Bible Study Offering
This Week @ BSBC
1. Covid Continues To Be Part Of Our Narrative
As we listen to the news media AND news from family and friends, we recognize that Covid continues to be part of the New Brunswick narrative. On Tuesday, April 5, in our full staff meeting, we discussed how we, as a staff, would position ourselves if one of us tested positive for Covid.
This took me back to the province of New Brunswick website, specifically the news release from March 10 dealing with dropping Covid protocols. Regarding the response to a positive test for Covid, the release states: Isolation will no longer be required among the general public. However, people are encouraged to stay home if they are sick. Within vulnerable sectors, a five-day isolation period for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is still recommended by Public Health.
Our ask of you
Your church staff ask you to embrace the same protocol we have adopted. If you test positive for Covid, please take at least five additional days abstaining from attendance at any engagements at BSBC. Following that, I’d ask that you please mask for any visit over the next five days.
Once again, if you are feeling at all unwell, please sacrifice your engagement at in-person activities until symptoms have abated or you have a negative Covid test. Please remember that Public Health encourages continued masking as a preventative measure, but the choice is yours.
Let's continue to pray
Have you been praying over the pandemic? I confess that I have needed a bit of a refocus in praying during this time. A helpful resource I stumbled upon just this week comes from World Vision. If you are in need of words to inform your praying, you might find this January 2022 article renewing.
Peace and grace,
Pastor Greg
2. Holy Week/Easter
Holy Week is just around the corner, and I encourage you to consider joining us as we follow Jesus from the celebration of his entering Jerusalem through to the celebration of his resurrection.
And in between, there are some very provocative events of intimacy and sacrifice that make the resurrection celebration deeper and richer.
I realize that not everyone will be able or choose to attend all the Holy Week offerings, but please consider adding something new to your 2022 Holy Week journey.
3. Easter Flowers
As we prepare for the coming of Easter Sunday, we welcome donations toward defraying the cost of our Easter displays in both services. If you would like to place a plant in memory or honour of someone, we welcome you to do it through the link below.
Plants range from $15 to $20 each and can be picked up after the services and taken home or passed on, by you, to someone deserving of an Easter surprise. Use the link below to provide us with your information, and then mark your donation “Easter Flowers.” Donations will be acknowledged in the newsletter on Wednesday, April 20 and on the screens in the services on Easter Sunday.
4. Palm Sunday Morning: April 10
HOSANNA!
Hosanna is a word used in some songs of praise, particularly on Palm Sunday. It is of Hebrew origin and was part of the shout of the multitudes as Jesus entered Jerusalem: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9)
Hosanna is often thought of as a declaration of praise, similar to hallelujah, but it is actually a plea for salvation. The Hebrew root words are found in Psalm 118:25, which says, “Save us, we pray, O LORD!” (ESV). The Hebrew words yasha (“deliver, save”) and anna (“beg, beseech”) combine to form the word that, in English, is “hosanna.” Literally, hosanna means “I beg you to save!” or “please deliver us!”
So, as Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem, the crowds were perfectly right to shout “Hosanna!” They were acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah, as shown in their address “Son of David.” Theirs was a cry for salvation and a recognition that Jesus is able to save. (www.gotquestions.org/hosanna.html)
In the gym, we’re grateful for the musical leadership of Jon and Alyse Wilton and friends. In the sanctuary, we look forward to the ministry of a vocal ensemble, the Adult Handbell Choir, violinist Vivian Ni, soloists Beth Snow and David Steeves all supported by Gloria Tranquilla at the piano and David Steeves at the organ.
In both services, Deacon Denise Mersereau will be hosting our monthly, “His Name is Power” segment. This week, she’ll be introducing you to Josh Sherrill. Pastor Ross will be preaching in the gym with Dr. Keith in the sanctuary. Dr. Keiththe will offer the second installment of his two-part series, “The Prodigal Brothers” taking us back to Luke 15.
He writes: A popular pastor recently noted in a blog post, “selfish people ultimately end up alone. The same is true for selfish churches.” This is potentially an uncomfortable comment, as we all would like to believe that most churches are not selfish. However, given the massive decline in numbers for the North American church and the infrequency of any kind of real visitors, maybe this uncomfortable question needs to be asked: what does selfishness look like? As we study God’s Word this Easter season, it could be that a picture of selfishness can be found in the second half of the Parable of the Prodigal Brothers. As we recall, in the first half of this parable, the rebellious younger son—who has squandered everything—returns home to the father’s embrace and a lavish celebration. Yet in the second half, the older brother refuses to join the party, and instead cowers alone in rage. What’s his problem, and how does he give us insight into living more fruitfully? Is the older brother angry because the father did not do exactly what he wanted, and so he remains in selfish isolation because someone undeserving is given what he thinks is his exclusive property? Even in the midst of such challenging questions, we will draw attention to the abundance of God’s grace that is available for all of us.
Again, this Sunday, join us in-person OR online. The Contemporary Service will be available in the gym OR join on Facebook Live. The Traditional Service will be available in the sanctuary OR join on YouTube. Attending on-line? Simply visit thestreetonline.ca and click “Worship Online” and then choose your service.
Online or in person, we hope you’ll take time to connect with us this week!
5. Sunday Evening April 10: At the Cross Candlelight Concert
You’re invited to gather in the sanctuary this Sunday evening at 6:30 pm as we offer our annual Candlelight Concert for Lent, this year entitled, “At the Cross.” In addition to congregational hymns of the cross and selected Scriptures that help us consider the profound place Calvary has in the story of salvation musical selections will offer additional “commentary.”
Instrumentalists for the service include Vivian Ni, violin; Veronique Dumais, flute; and the Adult Handbell Choir. In addition to choral music, soloists Beth Snow and Giselle Tranquilla share their gifts. The offering will be sent to Canadian Baptist Ministries for their work with Baptist congregations in Ukraine.
Please come and bring someone with you who would benefit from a peaceful time of reflection.
6. Supporting Ann Passmore: Sign Up For Her Blog
Many in our church family personally know Ann and Jack Passmore. And you may be aware that Ann is in hospital as she awaits the start of chemotherapy, radiation and then surgery necessitated by a diagnosis of cancer. Friends of the Passmores have agreed to create a blog which will be regularly updated on Ann’s progress, specific prayer requests and where questions can be asked.
You are invited to sign-up for the blog by clicking below and submitting your name and email address which will be forwarded to the blog host so you can be added to the distribution list. Consider this engagement as a way to keep up with Ann’s progress and to focus your prayer for Ann and Jack, and to release them from having to answer the same questions on a repeated basis. Ann and Jack believe in prayer and are grateful for the partnership of all who intercede for them and for their son, David.
Thank you for considering this engagement in love.
Pastor Greg
7. A Letter from Sergiy and Julia Polyachenko
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We would like to thank each and everyone one of you for the great support that we received during these trying times of war. Your emails, calls, cards, and warm greetings at the church make us to feel so loved and so humbled. Thank you so much for being family for us!
Offering humanitarian aid
We would also like to thank those of you who popped in to our “humanitarian base” at Journey Church with your gifts of medical aid, kind words or to offer your help as a volunteer. As of today, we have sent nine pallets of medical supplies to the Wesleyan Church in Krakow, Poland. These supplies will be distributed to the frontlines in Ukraine to those in need. Your generous monetary gifts helped us to offset the costs of shipping. We continue to ask people to bring in those supplies to be sent to the frontlines. As our friend and partner Pastor Piotr Gasiorowski says: “Giving the physical gifts is important to those who receive them as well as to those who give. As such giving facilitates connection between people.”
How you can support refugees
While collecting and sending humanitarian aid remains our priority we are also looking into the future. We expect an influx of Ukrainians fleeing the war. We expect a high number of women and children coming to New Brunswick and seeking to provide them with a safe place to stay during the first months after their coming.
To be ready for that, we are partnering with Pastor Scott Wood and Boaz Lighthouse International Ministries to make that happen. We are currently looking for volunteers ready to open the doors of their homes to those people that are coming. To be a part of that effort we kindly ask people to click the link below, fill in the attached form, and submit it so that we can add you to our database of people who may be willing to help. This paperwork is simply to initiate a process and does not represent a person opening their home, only to discuss the potential for people to be involved.
Fundraising fair
Finally, we are preparing a major fundraising fair that will take place in the gym at Journey Church. The event will take place on Sunday, April 10 from noon to 5 p.m. So, we would like to invite everyone to stop by to try authentic Ukrainian cuisine, check out Ukrainian and Canadian crafts. Also, if you are running a local business and would like to join our vendor team, please give us a shout at sergiy.polyachenko@gmail.com and we will direct you to the proper people.
As usual, we ask you to keep praying for our families in Ukraine, for those who defend our land and those who are not with us already.
Sergiy and Julia
8. The Return of an Old Friend: Post Worship Social Time
We’re grateful to our Helping Hands Auxiliary Coordinator, Andrea Bragdon and team, for the return of post worship coffee and camaraderie.
Starting this Sunday, April 3, coffee, tea and juice will be served from the kitchen window open to the gym. Chairs and tables are available, or you can remain standing and move around the room.
While we recognize that Covid is not behind us, we anticipate that some are ready to engage in this way. You are invited to wait until the “time is right” for you.
9. NextGen Ministry Opportunities
Coming up there are many opportunities for both our youth and children to get involved!
Children's Events at BSBC
Children’s Easter Party
Our annual Children’s Easter Party will be offered in-person and online this Saturday, April 9, at 2 p.m. This will be an hour-long party for children from kindergarten to grade 5 to celebrate Easter together! Lots of fun. Puppets. Games. Stories. Songs. Treats. And more.
Please register by tonight Wednesday, April 6, so that we can be sure we have enough of “everything” for “everyone.” We would love for your family (parents, please accompany your children and join in the party) to be a part of this event! Please feel free to reach out to Pastor Nikki (nikki@bsbc.nb.ca) with any questions
Youth at BSBC
Bible Study! Today from 6:30 – 8 p.m. we are continuing our new series! This new series focuses on the Israelites' journey to Jericho…and the walls of Jericho coming down! Neil Livingstone will be leading this series, which connects to an upcoming fundraising event at the end of April. On April 30 the youth will fundraise for “Camper-ships” for Greenhill Lake Camp. Youth are welcomed online and in-person and are encouraged to come out to the family room! Can’t wait to see you out! Contact Pastor Nikki to get the Zoom link (nikki@bsbc.nb.ca).
Youth Group Eggstravaganza! Friday, April 9 will be our Easter Celebration for the youth group! Youth are encouraged to come out, bring a friend and come dressed for a night of egg-citing events, with eggs, and rambunctious activities that will keep you on your feet throughout the night! The youth group starts at 7 p.m. and finishes at 9 p.m. We look forward to seeing our youth out for this event!
No Youth Group on Good Friday, April 15! But Brunswick Street Baptist Church is having a Good Friday service at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. A service where the whole family is welcome to come out!
Fundraising Event April 30! April 30 we will be partnering with Bridge Church (formally Marysville Baptist) and having a “Jericho” trail walk from Brunswick Street Baptist Church to Bridge Church in Marysville! This event will be fundraising for “Camper-ships” for those wanting to attend Greenhill Lake Camp but unable to afford the full price. More details about this event follow.
Walls Of Jericho Fundraiser
When winter gives way for the spring, we know summer isn't too far away and when we think of summer, many words instantly pop up: BBQ, golf, sandals, cottage, etc. For many others, the idea of going to camp comes to mind right away!
Indeed, these days spent away from home, in a totally different environment, surrounded by nature, and fun, camp counsellors represent the ultimate summer memories for numerous kids and teenagers. Unfortunately, the cost of a week of camp isn't affordable to all.
Again, this year, as a church family we will link arms to raise funds and help kids and teens make it to camp this summer! We are inviting you to take part in the raising of these funds!
You might remember that back in the spring of 2021, our own BSBC Moses and Aaron, along with many youths, leaders, and BSBC hikers, walked from the church to Green Hill Lake Camp. 42 kilometres of pure joy and blisters, 40 memorable hours in the wilderness! Most importantly, through this initiative, nearly $8,000 was raised in support of “Camper-ships”!
In 2022, Moses and Aaron will pass the baton to Joshua and Caleb, who will venture out from the Jordan River and make their way to Jericho. An 8 km walk that will happen on Saturday, April 30th, will lead them, along with many other journeyers, from this church to Marysville Baptist Church, now known as The Bridge Church.
Stay tuned for more info and make sure you pay attention to the videos and skits that will soon be part of our Sunday services!
May God use our generosity to make Christ known to many campers this summer again!
Moses & Aaron
We have some great events coming up so keep a lookout in this newsletter for these upcoming events! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Pastor Nikki, at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca. I look forward to seeing our Next Generation at these events! Please be praying for those leading in these ministries, and those participating!
10. New Bible Study Offering
Daniel Savard announces the launch of his online Bible Study: “Walking With Jesus” offered on Zoom. The study will start on Tuesday, April 26 and continue for eight weeks, concluding June 14. Each study will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude at 8:10 p.m. To register for the Bible Study, and be sent the Zoom invitation to participate, click below. For more information visit: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/504144
11. This Week at BSBC: April 6 to 13
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre.
Wednesday, April 6
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (Sanctuary and Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study “Walls of Jericho” (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 “All the Places to Go” Bible Study (Ross Watters) (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
7:00 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (Charles Millette) (Zoom)
Thursday, April 7
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
9:00 Prayer Meeting (CM)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (Carol Bray) (Family Room, FLC)
1:30 Small Group Bible Study (Mary McMulkin) (3rd Floor Conference Room, FLC)
6:30 Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, April 8
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Friends Are Us Puppets (Puppet Room, 2nd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Zoom)
7:00 Youth Group “Eggstravaganza” (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Saturday, April 9
2:00 Children’s Easter Party (Gym, In person and Facebook Live)
4:00 Gym Set-Up
Sunday, April 10
6:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
9:00 Asian Sunday School Class (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
10:15 Preschool/KidzTown (1st Floor & 2nd Floor, FLC)
10:30 Contemporary Worship Service (Gym)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
10:30 Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)
11:45 Post-Worship “Coffee Time” (Gym)
6:30 Candlelight Worship Service (Sanctuary)
Monday, April 11
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
2:00 BSBC WMS (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
6:30 Camerata Singers (Choir Room)
6:30 Education Committee (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Tuesday, April 12
10:00 Library Open
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
1:00 CVITP - Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (Gym)
1:00 Pastoral Staff (Family Room)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
2:15 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room)
5:30 Sports Friends (Charles Millette) (Gym)
6:30 DivorceCare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Fresh Start (Gym/3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Wednesday, April 13
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (Sanctuary and Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study “Walls of Jericho” (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 “All the Places to Go” Bible Study (Ross Watters) (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
7:00 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (Charles Millette) (Zoom)
