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Growing Faith, Friends & Families to Serve
In this issue:
“Bills 4 Bikes” Campaign
This Week’s “Praying for the Watters Family”
Millettes on the Move
Happy Grandparents
Bereavement
Financial Giving to the End of July
This Sunday’s Service – August 22
Vacation Time
Summertime Concert
Hospital Admissions
Summer Children/Youth Ministry @ BSBC
Wednesday Library Openings
This Week @ BSBC
1. Bills for Bikes Campaign
There are many ways for us to support Green Hill Lake Camp:
We can pray for the gospel-sharing ministry going on there right now
We can invest in our youth who are serving there this summer (Hannah Hatchard, Dylan Wightman, Allie Dunfield and Nathan Holmes)
We can support our campaign Bills 4 Bikes!
The details
Our camp is in need of two new mountain bikes for ministry next season. The cost will be $1,600. I believe that the BSBC church family can, in the coming weeks, raise the needed funds to allow camp to order these new ministry tools.
How you can help
If you would like to give to the campaign, please designate your gift “Bills 4 Bikes.” Each Sunday in the Blended Service, you’ll see the visual, turning the black and white bike photo, bit by bit, into a colour version as the funds come in.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in ministry at Green Hill Lake Camp.
Pastor Greg
2. Praying for the Watters Family
Yesterday, Tuesday, Aug. 17, Pastor Ross and Fi traveled from Gorebridge to London to have their biometrics gathered, a last step in the application process with the department of Immigration, Refugees and Canadian Citizenship.
If, like me, you are wondering about “biometrics” the Watters report that they were well fingerprinted and photographed. So, with this final step, everything is submitted, and we continue to pray and wait on the Lord for His timing.
Also, please pray for the Watters as, this week, their house is being professionally packed up and will be loaded for transatlantic voyage. And, let’s give thanks for their very good friends with whom they will be living while waiting for direction from the Canadian government.
Pastor Greg
3. Millettes On the Move
Please be sure to include in your prayers intercession for journeying mercies for Charles, Sarah, Lucie, Victoria and Joseph as they begin their cross-country trip from British Columbia to Fredericton. They set out on Monday, Aug. 16. Here’s what they included in their most recent newsletter:
Yes indeed as we have today started our road trip back to Fredericton. Theoretically, it will take us about two weeks as we have many stops and visiting to do. Thank you for coming along with us in prayer!
Joseph, Victoria & Lucie have loved their time here in Vancouver and are ready to discover the places so far seen on paper only!
From the newsletter I’m happy to share this except about the work accomplished through Sports Friends ministry under Charles leadership:
“My number 1 camp of the summer!”
These are the words Jeremy shared with his parents and were later shared with the camp director. What a joy to hear a comment like this after another demanding, hot, and at times smoky week of camp!
The numerous times where we found ourselves sitting down to chat about the camp theme: Top Star Athlete, unpacking what it means to be a caring and respectful player on the field and the same off the field and also pray together aren’t maybe as visible as the soccer clips shown on the video. Rest assured that the players have just as much energy to play than they have to talk! The week’s theme has paved the way for us to present Jesus Christ as the top star athlete, the best teammate one can have as He sacrificed it all for the sake of his friends to win the highest prize!
From camps to teams!
The time has now come to use the momentum built thanks to these camp and formed teams who will meet weekly to foster and deepen the bond of trust established over the week. Why would we wait 51 weeks before walking with and ministering to these families again?
Let’s pray for God to raise up 4 committed coaches who will say Yes! to leading a team as early as September and train these kids in the way of the Lord!
What a privilege to spiritually invest in gospel work on the west coast and for Christ’s servants as they cross our nation!
4. Happy Grandparents
We celebrate with Bruce and Deacon Anna Marie Colpitts who, in turn, are celebrating with their daughter, Adriane and son-in-law, Kyle, on the safe delivery of Abraham Daniel Joudry who was born on Saturday, Aug. 7 in Kingston, Ontario. Pray for this growing family and the grandparents who, this month, are traveling to visit family ‘west’ of Fredericton.
5. Bereavement
Please be in prayer for Dorothy Wright and family due to the passing of Dorothy’s husband, Jerry, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital on Sunday, Aug. 15. In the past, Jerry, Dorothy and their son, Adam were a regular part of our church family. The obituary can be found on the Bishop's Funeral Home website.
6. Financial Giving
Thanks to all who are faithfully giving to the Lord’s work at BSBC. I recognize that ending 2020 with a huge surplus might undermine the need to give at traditional levels as we continue in reduced ministries. BUT, if all goes well and we continue in GREEN, we’re anticipating a staggered start to programs with a focus on Sunday ministries for September and fuller ministries in October. We’re also excited to welcome the Watters family to our church family sometime in September. So, be sure, our expenses will rise as we move into the fall.
Thank you for your consideration of our corporate financial life as we move toward the last third of the year.
Pastor Greg
Total Giving to the General Fund as of the End of July $465,837
How Far We Are Behind Budgeted Giving to the End of July $64,701
How Far We Are Behind Giving to the End of July 2020 $93,660
Total Giving to the Capital Fund/Mortgage $76,212
How Far We Are Behind Budgeted Giving to the $2,538
Capital Fund/Mortgage to the End of July
7. This Sunday's Services: Aug. 22, 2021
This Sunday at BSBC you continue to have two choices for engagement with God’s word.
Sermon Café
In the gym, you are invited to our “Sermon Café” where you’ll be welcomed by our hosts and offered hot or cold beverages and baked goods. You and your guest(s) will enjoy background worship music, each other's company and conversation — check out the sermon prep question handout. Then, when the sermon starts in the sanctuary, you’ll be invited to watch it in the gym. Sundays in the gym are relaxed, personal and allow you to engage with God’s word and each other.
Blended Worship
In the sanctuary, you’re invited to engage with elements from both contemporary and traditional services as we seek to offer ourselves to God through various acts of worship and engage with Dr. Keith in the study of God’s word.
Worship Leaders
Our worship leaders will be Mark McAllister and friends, Gloria Tranquilla, David Steeves and a vocal ensemble. Deacons Cheryl Gibson and Mary McMulkin will be leading in-person and online worshippers.
Guest Preacher
Again this Sunday we welcome Dr. Robert Knowles back to our pulpit. Dr. “Bob” is a great friend of BSBC and we’re grateful for his ministry while Pastor Greg and Dr. Keith are on vacation. A biography of Dr. Bob can be found on the Crandall University website.
This Sunday, Dr. Bob will be leading us to consider 2 Timothy 4:1-8 in a sermon he is calling, “Measuring Life.” Through it, we look at the days we spend, are they measured more by “duration” or “donation” — the investments we make in relationships and living our lives for the glory of God.
KidzTown
Parents, remember that KidzTown is running for children K-Gr 5. And, there’s a preschool room on the gym hallway if you should need to use it.
Worship Online
Please note that for July and August the online service will be on YouTube only. You do not need a YouTube account to watch the service. The Contemporary Facebook Live Service Returns the second Sunday in September.
We look forward to seeing you Sunday! If you're attending in-person, please be sure to make your reservation by clicking the link below.
8. Vacation Time
Please be in prayer for Pastor Greg and Dr. Keith who are enjoying time away from ministry at BSBC. Pastor Greg has been on vacation since Thursday, Aug. 12 and will be back in the office Thursday, Aug. 26.
The first of the week, Dr. Keith, Coreen and Jeff headed westward to settle Jeff at University of Calgary and visit with family in British Columbia. They both appreciate your continued prayers.
Pastoral emergencies
In Pastor Greg’s absence, we are once again grateful to Rev. Kevin Culberson who will be on call for pastoral emergencies. You can access Pastor Kevin by contacting the Church Office (receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca OR 458-8348) and he will be notified of your need. If you need to call after office hours, please call and the phone message will indicate how to connect your need with Kevin.
Your Board of Deacons
9. Summertime Concert
“Summertime Sounds,” an evening of music featuring Youth and Young Adults, will be held on Sunday evening, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (512 Charlotte St.). Parking is available on Charlotte St. on the church side, also on Carleton St. and George St.
Piano, flute and vocal solos will be performed by gifted musicians ranging in age from twelve to university students. The program of classical music and show tunes is sure to delight the audience. Performers include Benjamin Gary, piano; Lily Van Beek, vocalist; Minh Nguyen and Kristyn Le, piano; Yunjia Dai and Maria Gusarova, flute/piano duets.
Admission to the concert is by free will offering at the door. Please join us for an outstanding evening of musical entertainment!
10. Hospital Admissions
The congregation is asked to note that the only way pastoral staff will be aware of hospital admissions is by a family member notifying the church office. Kevin Culberson will be happy to visit in Pastor Greg’s absence, so please don’t hesitate to let the church office know of any admissions in your family. Thank you.
11. Summer Children & Youth Programs
Children and Youth programs are still running strong this summer! Please note that all Covid procedures that have been in place will be continued through to Labour Day Sunday.
Children
We have two programs for our kids K to Grade 5: Vacation Bible School and Sunday morning KidzTown. Learn more by clicking the link below.
Youth
Our youth are invited to join us Tuesdays & Wednesdays for Bible Study and Youth Group. Young adults are invited to join Dr. Keith & Pastor Greg after the service every other Sunday.
12. Wednesday Library Openings
Your librarians invite you to visit the library the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10 am until noon. Come and engage with our huge collection of books — there’s something for everyone!
NEXT OPENING: Wednesday, Aug. 25
13. This Week at BSBC: Aug. 11 to 18
Wednesday, August 18
9:00 VBS (K-Gr 2)
2:00 Chinese Youth Group (3rd Floor Assembly)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (3rd Floor Assembly/Zoom)
Thursday, August 19
9:00 VBS (Gr 3-5)
7:00 Chinese Hymn Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, August 20
Office closed at 3 p.m.
Saturday, August 21
08:30 Youth Event Departure for Magic Mountain
7:30 – 8:30 Youth Return from Magic Mountain
Sunday, August 22
06:00 Chinese Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over the Main Kitchen)
10:15 KidzTown (2nd Floor, Family Life Centre)
10:30 Blended Service (Sanctuary)
10:30 Sermon Café (Gym)
2:00 Chinese Worship Service (Sanctuary)
Monday, August 23
7:00 Board of Deacons (Zoom)
7:00 Chinese Bible Study (3rd Floor Assembly)
Tuesday, August 24
12:00 Chinese Prayer Meeting (Boardroom over Main Kitchen)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room, 2nd Floor)
7:00 Youth Groups (3rd Floor Assembly)
Wednesday, August 25
10:00 Library Open
6:30 Youth Bible Study (3rd Floor Assembly/Zoom)
