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Our Mission
Experience the love of Jesus. Live it out everywhere.
Christmas: A Child – A Son – A Ruler
A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler.
He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,”
“Eternal Father,” “Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from Dec. 21 to 28.
Celebrating a 100th Birthday
An Invitation to a Very Special Friday Evening
Service of Comfort and Hope
Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Day Service
Our Financial Goal for the Christmas Offering 2022
Starting Local/Going Global Christmas Project – Still Time to Give
Church Office Closures
Christmas Vacation
Hogmanay New Year’s Eve Gathering
Annual Reports
NextGen Ministries (Children & Youth)
Financial Stewardship Countdown Weekly Report
Christmas Day & New Year’s Day Worship Gathering
Missionary Christmas Greetings
Third Sunday Supper Cooks
Muffin Mania: Dust Off Your Muffin Tins
The Case for Faith Study - 2023
This Week @ BSBC
1. Celebrating a 100th Birthday
On Thursday, Dec. 22, Eileen Ferris celebrates her 100th birthday. Eileen, now a resident of Pine Grove Nursing Home, is a long-time member of BSBC. Over the years of visiting with her I found out that Eileen was a faithful member of the Myrtle Burden Quilting Group and a capable seamstress. She also served in the Sanctuary Choir.
She and I bonded over love of the music of Handel and a gratefulness for the blessing music brings to a life. When I visit with her on Thursday, I’ll be sure to express the congratulations of her church family on reaching this milestone.
Pastor Greg
2. An Invitation to a Very Special Evening
Pastor Changbin has asked me to invite the members of the English congregation to attend a very special evening this coming Friday night. We are invited to attend a potluck supper at the Barnabas Center starting at 5:30 p.m.
He asked me to stress that you will have the opportunity to eat “true Chinese food.” Then, from 7-9 pm there will be a musical worship night in the sanctuary which will feature the Mandarin choir singing 10 selections. We can be assured of a warm welcome!
3. Service of Comfort & Hope
The Christmas season can be so disorienting for those who are journeying through grief. It is quite possible to feel like you are living in a foreign land. It can seem that there is no place for grief in the midst of celebration.
This is the reason that each year we offer our Service of Comfort and Hope. A gentle service of carols, Scripture and readings where you are encouraged to remember your loved one, to give thanks for their life and to hear God’s words of comfort. Each service ends with the reading of our Roll of Honour and the lighting of a candle for each name — reminding us that their light still shines in our lives and that Christ’s light offers comfort and hope for tomorrow.
Add your loved one’s name to the Roll of Honour
To have the name of your loved one added to the Roll of Honour, please contact the church office (458-8348) or use the link below. This service will be held tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, followed by a reception. Those who don’t regularly attend BSBC are welcome to participate.
4. Christmas Eve Services
On Christmas Eve we offer two distinctly different services. Both will be livestreamed on YouTube or can be watched on thestreetonline.ca.
Contemporary
Join us in the sanctuary at 6 p.m. for a 50 minute service that’s perfect for children. Pastor Ross will lead us in creating a visual representation of the meaning of Christ’s coming to earth which can be taken home. We’ll have an enriching time of worship with our contemporary musicians and thoughtfully consider Jesus’ coming as God’s “indescribable” gift. Pastor Ross will be joined by Pastors Nikki and Greg.
Traditional
Then, at 8 pm, we offer our Traditional Christmas Eve Service. A more reflective time with the carols we love that teach us truth about who Jesus is and why he came.
The Christmas Eve Chorale will be offering choral selections. Pastor Greg will lead you to consider the power of a loving God to bring “peace on earth” and “goodwill among humanity.”
5. Christmas Day Worship
On Christmas morning you are invited to come early and enjoy coffee, tea, juice and Christmas treats in the Connections Center before our 10:30 a.m. service in the sanctuary. This 50-minute gathering will be especially welcoming to young worshippers.
In fact, Pastor Ross encourages our children to come with their favourite Christmas toy which he will lead them in using to act out the Christmas story. A unique time on an incredible morning. Please note there will be no Sunday School or Children’s Church (Preschool) or KidzTown.
Everyone will gather in the sanctuary.
6. Our Financial Goal for Christmas 2022
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 (giving@bsbc.nb.ca). To ensure a tax receipt for 2022, make your gift to the church office by noon on Friday, Dec. 30 or by e-transfer by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Thank you for considering such practical support of the ministry we do in Fredericton and beyond.
Giving to Date: $3,485.00.
7. Starting Local / Going Global
Giving to Starting Local as of Tuesday, Dec. 20: $10,930.00
Giving to Going Global as of Tuesday, Dec. 20: $15,344.07
PRAISE GOD!
8. Church Office Closures
Please note that the Church Office will close at noon on Friday, Dec. 23 and Friday, Dec. 30.
The office will be closed the full day on both Monday, Dec. 26 and Tuesday, Dec. 27.
9. Christmas Vacation
Thank you for praying for Dr. Keith and family as they travel for Christmas vacation. Dr. Keith will be away Sundays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. In the sanctuary on Jan. 8 he will be launching his 2023 series on the book of Mark. In the gym that Sunday, Pastor Ross will be launching a new series entitled “Things Jesus Never Said”.
Please pray for our pastoral team and staff over this busy season as they prepare for ministry in 2023.
10. Hogmanay NYE Gathering
Thank you to all who have bought tickets and are planning to attend our first-ever New Year’s Eve Hogmanay event. Remember the evening begins at 8 p.m. with a ‘meal’ potluck supper. And the evening will end with a time of worship, devotional and prayer as we bring in 2023.
Thanks to Fi Watters and her team for planning this unique “taste” of Scotland for us. Might this be the first time we see Pastor Ross’ knees…in a kilt?
11. Annual Reports
Don’t forget that all submissions for the ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2022 ARE DUE BEFORE MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2023! Please be considerate of this deadline. Report information can be emailed directly to the church office at bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca or dropped off at the office in typewritten form, if possible.
12. NextGen Ministries (Children & Youth)
As a NextGen ministry team, we just want to wish all of our children, youth, and families a Merry Christmas! All are welcome to join us on Christmas day for the Christmas morning service, children are encouraged to bring their favourite Christmas toy to the service Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Our youth programming is on pause until the new year, but we will start back up the week of Jan. 9 with our Bible Study, Youth Group, and High School Youth Group. Our first Greenhouse service of the new year will be on Jan. 29, 2023.
Please pray for our next generation over the Christmas holiday! If you have any questions, comments, or prayer requests please reach out to Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca. Have a Merry Christmas!
13. Financial Stewardship Weekly Countdown Report
(1 Sunday Remaining in 2022)
General Fund
Budget Target for 2022 $920,000
Giving to Dec 18 - 841,840 92%
Required by Dec. 31 to Meet Target $78,160
Building Fund
Budget Target for 2022 $135,000
Giving to Dec 18 - 118,678 88%
Required by Dec. 31 to Meet Target $16,322
14. Seasonal Sunday Worship Gatherings
Christmas Day!
Join us by 10 a.m. for refreshments in the Connections Center and then we’ll make our way into the Sanctuary for the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Anticipating the presence of many children, the service will be 50 minutes in length.
Children are invited to bring their favourite Christmas toy as Pastors Ross and Nikki lead them, using the toys, in the re-enactment of the Christmas story. More carols to sing and prayers to offer as we thank God for his indescribable Gift — Jesus!
Online or in-person, gather with us on Christmas Sunday morning to worship Jesus!
New Year’s Day!
The English and Mandarin congregations gather together in the gym to celebrate our fellowship’s 209th anniversary of founding. And we’ll move into 2023 with worship and time at the Lord’s table.
15. Missionary Christmas Greetings
Below you will find two links that will take you to Christmas greetings from Andre Sibomana, our Partner in Mission and Kathryn Scott who spoke to our missionary group before she left to serve. Please pray for these servants of God and others that serve around the world in Kingdom work!
16. Third Sunday Supper Cooks
As meal coordinator for Third Sunday Supper, I want to thank all the folks who prepared a meal for our TSS friends this past year. Each and every one was delicious and very much enjoyed by each guest who attended. So now my sights are set on 2023!
How you can help
I would ask that you would prayerfully consider preparing a meal for Third Sunday Supper next year. All months are available, although the January meal is a priority at this stage. Please contact me at 238-9903 or judypaul1088@gmail.com if you could book a month or you require additional information.
Thank you,
Judy Thompson
17. Muffin Mania: Thank You & On to 2023
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. The members of our Street Ministry Team can tell you how welcome it is to those they meet to receive a homemade muffin to go along with the hot chocolate that is always served.
Your Social Action Team give thanks for all who have signed up to fill out our Baker Roster from now to the end of 2022. BUT there’s lots of room in the schedule for 2023. You can sign up for weeks between the first of January and the first of March. We still require 3 dozen muffins per week.
How you can sign up
Please click the link below to sign up to serve in this way. OR call the church office (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.
18. The Case for Faith Study 2023
This six-week study is back in 2023 for all people who have questions regarding their faith. Learn more and register by clicking the link below.
19. This Week at BSBC
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre
Wednesday, December 21
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
Thursday, December 22
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:30 Service of Comfort & Hope (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Barnabas Center, Choir Room)
Friday, December 23
Church Offices Close at Noon
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
5:30 Mandarin Potluck (Barnabas Center)
7:00 Mandarin Musical Worship (Sanctuary)
Saturday, December 24
6:00 Contemporary Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary)
8:00 Traditional Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary)
Sunday, December 25
Christmas Day: Church Offices Closed
7:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
10:30 Combined Worship Services (Sanctuary)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
Monday, December 26
Boxing Day: Church Offices Closed
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
Tuesday, December 27
Church Offices Closed
Wednesday, December 28
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
