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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. 7 to 14.
NextGen Ministries: Children’s Christmas Party THIS Saturday
Do You Have a Green Thumb?
Advent 2022 @ BSBC
Children’s Sunday School Open House for Parents
Support for Ukrainians in Fredericton
Senior Christmas Dinner and Program
Annual Candlelight Service
Starting Local/Going Global Christmas Project: Still Time to Give
Thank You
Christmas Memorial Plants
Financial Stewardship Countdown Weekly Report
This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings
Your Offering Envelopes for 2023
Third Sunday Supper Cooks
Muffin Mania: Dust Off Your Muffin Tins
The Case for Faith Study: 2023
Community Announcements
This Week @ BSBC
1. NextGen Ministries: Children’s Christmas Party THIS Saturday
Children at BSBC
Scouting Boys K - Grade 5: Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
BSBC offers a scouting program for boys from kindergarten to high school. 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 will be 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.
Children’s Christmas Party: Saturday, Dec. 10, noon – 1:30 p.m.
Our annual Children’s Christmas Party is a time for families to come together for some kid-focused celebration of Jesus’ coming. We will be meeting at noon for a lunch together, and then joining in a time of celebration for an hour! Songs, stories, crafts, treats, laughter, prayer, and being together. Help us plan for your arrival by signing up online or calling the church office at 458-8348.
Hands-In Girls Ministry: Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. – noon
Hands-In Girls Ministry is happening again this month, on Saturday, Dec. 17 up in KidzTown from 10 a.m. to noon! All girls from Kindergarten to Grade 5 are encouraged to join Allie Dunfield and her team for this time of friends, faith, and fun! To register for this event, please click here.
Youth @ BSBC
Youth Choir is On Break Until the New Year
For more information, please reach out to Julianne Moore at julianne.d.moore@gmail.com.
Youth Bible Study: Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Youth are welcome and encouraged to come out as we continue to go through a series talking about the Christmas story. Even if your youth has not been out yet this year to Bible study, they're more than welcome. Join Kari Dunfield and Pastor Nikki Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Friday Youth Group: Fridays, 7 to 9 p.m.
All youth grades 6-12 are welcome and encouraged to come out Friday for a night of baking for Third Sunday Supper. Come out Friday ready to make cookies! We look forward to seeing you. Friends are always welcome!
We'll be giving out our cookies and cards at this month's Third Sunday Supper. If you would like your youth to help serve, please let Pastor Nikki know! We would love for our youth to come out, serve and chat with all those who attend!
High School Youth Christmas Party: Sunday, Dec. 11, 7 to 9 p.m.
This Sunday is our final High School Youth Group before Christmas. All of our high schoolers are welcome and encouraged to come out to 565 Aberdeen Street for a night of connection, fun, and Christmas Spirit — Christmas sweaters are welcome! Parents are to drop their youth off at 7 p.m. and are welcome to come in for a cup of apple Cider! We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca she would love to hear from you! Please be praying for our young people, especially for assignments and school, as Christmas break approaches.
2. Do You Have a Green Thumb?
Our Christmas poinsettias need someone with a “green thumb” to care for them through the month of December. If you happen to be just the person, please contact the church office by emailing receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca or by calling 458-8348. Our poinsettias thank you for ensuring their well-being.
3. Advent 2022 at BSBC
The gift of a Saviour requires a celebration, and this Advent Season, there are many ways you can be involved in worship and activities that will invite you to put Jesus at the centre of your December journey.
Click the button below for an overview of our plans. Please know that we don’t expect everyone to attend everything, but we hope everyone will find places to engage in a faith-filled celebration of Christ’s coming.
4. Children's Sunday School Open House for Parents
Greetings, Parents of Children in Sunday School,
This year, our two age groups are planning a special Sunday for you to visit for an Open House – a special time for your child(ren) and you to focus on the gift of Jesus. This Sunday, Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m. our preschool class will be hosting parents (1st Floor, Family Life Center). Next Sunday, Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m. our elementary classes will welcome parents (2nd Floor, Family Life Center).
Both Christmas Open Houses will end by 10:15 a.m. Be sure to come and celebrate the season with your children.
Your Children’s Team
5. Support for Ukrainians in Fredericton
This Sunday, Dec. 11, following the services, Julia Polyachenko will be in the Connections Center offering for sale Christmas decorations that have just been delivered from Ukraine. Your support will be gratefully received and will go toward helping provide practical support to Ukrainians arriving in Fredericton. Thank you for your support.
6. Senior’s Christmas Dinner & Program
A special Christmas dinner event is planned for the “chronologically gifted” members of the BSBC family to be held on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. in the gym. This is an event to which you could invite friends to join you, but reservations are required. The dinner will be unique: Food Truck Christmas Dinner.
What, you ask, is a Food Truck Christmas Dinner? We’ve heard a rumour that the dishes include all the elements of a traditional dinner but with a unique presentation. Topped with cranberry sauce or traditional gravy. The dessert will be Cheesecake. The cost will be $12 per person payable at the door.
To make your reservation, click the link below or contact the church office (458-8348). You’ll be seated at tables of 4 – so please indicate those who will sit with you.
7. Annual Candlelight Service
My word, Christmas can be a rushed time! So, it’s important to find time and space to slow down, reflect and refocus on the ‘reason for the season.' This is exactly why, each year, we offer our Annual Candlelight Service on the Sunday evening before Christmas. We try to make it an “oasis” of beauty in sight and sound as music and Scripture come together to help us unpack the wonder that is God’s gift in Jesus.
This year, participants include our Sanctuary and Handbell choirs, violinist Vivian Ni, flautist Veronique Dumais and keyboardists Gloria Tranquilla and David Steeves. Soloists include Pascale (Beaulieu) Butt, Beth Snow, Chris Graves with vocal duets by Jon and Alyse Wilton and Giselle Tranquilla and Claire Geldart.
Each year, one of the downtown services with which we partner to serve our community is designated as the recipient of the whole evening offering (which will be collected as you enter or leave the service). This year, the recipient is Fredericton’s Community Kitchen. And it just so happens that 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of this organization faithfully, daily providing hot meals to those who need their service. If you are planning to watch the service online, between now and the end of December, you can still give in support of the Kitchen by marking your offering “Community Kitchen”.
Please join us on the 18th at 6:30 p.m. for what I like to think of as our “Christmas Card” to Fredericton. Come early to enjoy the pre-service music. And be sure to bring family and friends.
Yours in Christmas Sharing,
Pastor Greg
8. Starting Local / Going Global
It’s not too late to make a financial gift to our annual Christmas project. Last Sunday evening, at our wonderful Hanging of the Greens service, I announced that the giving as of that night, to Starting Local was just over $6,000 – we’re moving closer to meeting the costs for providing Christmas gifts and groceries for our New Life Ministry families and for our guests who attend our monthly Third Sunday Supper.
In addition, I was able to announce that over $10,000 has come in to Going Global which will be sent through our national office, Canadian Baptist Ministries, to Baptist churches in countries neighbouring Ukraine that are providing housing, food, clothes and emotional support to Ukrainian refugees, fleeing the war in their county.
Thank you to all who have given to this point. We will continue to accept your gifts between now and the end of December. Designate your gift “Starting Local” if you wish to support those in New Life and Third Sunday Supper. Or, Going Global, to support Baptist churches welcoming Ukrainian refugees. If you mark your gift “SLGG” whatever you give will be divided equally between both arms of the project.
Be sure, what you give will be a means of blessing in Jesus’ name.
Pastor Greg
9. Thank You
Thanks to our boy’s Scouting ministry for their annual gift of beautiful evergreen wreaths for the church doors at the main entrance on York Street. Boys and leaders we thank you for your kindness and wish you a very blessed Christmas season.
10. Christmas Memorial Plants
This season we invite you to help us beautify our worship spaces with Poinsettia plants placed in honour or in memory of someone. Poinsettias will be placed in the worship spaces and stay throughout the season. Plants, this year, are $20 each. Click below to order your plant, and be sure to mark your offering for the plant – “Christmas Plants.” We will acknowledge the plants on Sunday, Dec. 18 and in the newsletter on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
11. Financial Stewardship Weekly Countdown
12. Sunday's Worship Gatherings
On this third Sunday in Advent, in both services, we’ll welcome members of our youth ministry to light the Advent Candles as we focus on Jesus as our “Everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6).
In addition, both congregations will find blessing in the ministry this week of our Junior Choir. Those watching online are asked to note that not all parents are comfortable with their children being recorded on the internet. So, there will be slides with the words of the songs on the screen while the Junior Choir minister to us. Thank you for your understanding.
In the gym, musical worship will be led by Sarah Hoyt and team. Deacon Denise Mersereau will be leading the service as Pastor Ross is on vacation. Dr. Keith will share a message entitled An Original Christmas Carol, exploring texts in Isaiah and Philippians. He writes: Traditional images of the nativity are familiar to most North Americans, as a “baby in the barn” is a stunning juxtaposition to “the Word of God, now in flesh appearing.” Altogether, the nativity scene stresses the opposite of royal pomp and ceremony, as Jesus—in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells—is surrounded by hay and animals because there was no room at the hotel. Our Advent reflection this week encourages us to consider these traditional images against the backdrop of what might well be one of the earliest hymns in the history of the Christian faith. In Philippians 2 Paul is writing to cultured Europeans who have come to have faith in Jesus, and at a key point in the letter apparently quotes the words of a hymn. Songs have always been a popular way of teaching and nurturing faith, so it is no great surprise to find these lyrics quoted here. But in this hymn there are several aspects of the Christmas story—such as humility, the nature of the incarnation, and the power of sacrifice—that can help to focus our hearts during this Advent season, and to consider a fresh view of the arrival of the Messiah.
In the sanctuary, we welcome the musical leadership of Jill Holmes (piano), Laura McGuire (soloist) the Sanctuary Choir and faithful servants, Gloria Tranquilla (piano) and David Steeves (organ). Pastor Greg will be sharing a message entitled, “The Mouse That Roared”, a reflection of Mary’s song of praise from Luke, chapter 1.
Online or in-person, please be part of those who gather Sunday morning to worship Jesus, God’s “indescribable” gift.
13. Your Offering Envelopes for 2023
The Financial Secretary, Deborah VanSlyke, will have 2023 offering envelopes available December 11 & 18 at tables in the Connections Centre. Please stop by before or after the service to pick up your envelopes. To request a new box for the first time, you may also stop by here.
14. 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! 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
15. Muffin Mania: Thank You
On behalf of our brothers and sisters who make a weekly evening trek around the city to visit those who are sleeping rough and the members of your Social Action Team, thank you ‘muffin makers’ for your faithfulness to 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. 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.
16. The Case For Faith Study 2023
Doubt is familiar territory for Lee Strobel, the former atheist and award-winning author of books for skeptics and Christians alike. But he believes that faith and reason go hand in hand, and that Christianity is, in rational terms, a defensible religion.
Description: In this six-session video Bible study, Strobel explores the most common emotional obstacles to faith in Christ, including:
The natural inclination to wrestle with faith and doubt.
The troubling presence of evil and suffering in the world.
The exclusivity of the Christian gospel.
Behind each of these considerations is the question: Can I doubt and still be a Christian?
When: Six Wednesdays from 6:30 until 8 p.m. – Starting January 25 to March 1st 2023
Where: In person — 74 Morning Gate Drive OR Online — Join Zoom Meeting
Who: For all people who have questions regarding their faith. No need to attend Brunswick Street Baptist or Morning Gate Church to register. Bring a friend.
Facilitator: Daniel Savard
Cost: Free
For more information: Please contact Daniel Savard at 506-452-0319, or by email at timberwolfe57@live.ca.
17. Community Announcements
Christmas Concert
Grace Memorial Baptist Church presents the Harding Smith Memorial Handbell Choir and the Grace Memorial String Ensemble in concert of Christmas music, “Ring Christmas Bells”. Well-loved string melodies and carols from around the world. Christmas sweets and refreshments to follow. Freewill offering in support of the Organ Restoration Fund. Sunday, December 18, 3 pm.
McAdam’s Funeral Home Annual Tree-Lighting
16. This Week at BSBC: Dec. 7 to 14
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre.
Wednesday, December 7
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
5:30 Community Potluck (Gym)
5:50 Junior Choir (Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Scouting Boys Ministry (K-Gr 5) (Gym)
6:30 Final Class: The Case For Faith Bible Study With Daniel Savard (Conference Room, 3rd Floor, FLC/Online)
6:45 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)
Thursday, December 8
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
9:30 New Life Ministry (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
1:30 Gospel of John Bible Study With Mary McMulkin (Boardroom, 3rd Floor, FLC)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study With Carol Bray (Family Room, 1st 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, December 9
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Barnabas Center/KidzTown, 2nd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Youth Group (Gym, Main Kitchen)
Saturday, December 10
12:00 Children’s Christmas Party (Gym)
2:00 Gym Set-Up (Gym)
3:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
Sunday, December 11
7:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:00 Asian Sunday School (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
9:30 Sunday School For All Ages (Various Classrooms In The Family Life Center)
9:30 Preschool Open House (1st Floor, FLC)
10:15 Preschool & KidzTown (1st and 2nd Floors, FLC)
10:30 Contemporary Worship Service (Gym)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
10:30 Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)
1:00 Mandarin Christmas Choir Rehearsal (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
7:00 High School Youth Group (565 Aberdeen Street)
Monday, December 12
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
2:00 WMS Meeting (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Dessert Reception for Both Boards (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Combined Board Meeting (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Sister Choir Practice (Barnabas Center)
Tuesday, December 13
10:00 Library Open
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen, 2nd Floor, Gym Building)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
1:00 Pastoral Staff Meeting (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
6:00 Sports Friends (Gym)
7:00 DivorceCare (Family Room, 1st Floor, FLC)
7:00 Fresh Start Young Adult Ministry (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
Wednesday, December 14
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
5:30 Final Community Potluck (Gym)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
