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Our Mission
Experience the love of Jesus. Live it out everywhere.
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from Jan. 18 to 25.
Annual Report Submission Deadline
NEW Women’s Thursday Night Bible Study
Senior’s Luncheon for January – Rescheduled
Handbell Ringers Wanted
Bereavement
Wedding Invitation Update
Annual Meeting and Supper
Our Partners in Missions – Leah & Reuben Myles
Adult Sunday School Electives
Sunday’s Worship Gatherings
Note of Thanks
NextGen Ministries (Children & Youth)
GriefShare Ministry
DivorceCare Ministry
Muffin Mania – Dust Off Your Muffin Tins
The Case for Faith Study - 2023
This Week @ BSBC
1. Annual Report Submission Deadline
Due to the time needed for formatting, editing, printing and binding in order to release the Annual Report booklets on Sunday, Feb. 12, as of 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, we will no longer be able to accept reports for inclusion in the document. Thank you for honouring this deadline.
Pastor Greg
2. NEW: Women’s Thursday Night Bible Study
New Bible study for women on Thursdays from 6:30-8 p.m. on the third floor of the Family Life Center. All women welcome! We’re studying “Bad Girls of the Bible” by Liz Curtis Higgs. Please join us as we learn about some of the most controversial women in the Bible.
Please contact Bo Vinh-Doyle with any questions or to register at vinhdoyle1@gmail.com.
3. January Senior’s Luncheon
We were sorry to have to cancel the January Senior’s Luncheon due to the weather, but our wonderful kitchen team is willing to give this another go THIS COMING MONDAY, Jan. 23 at noon in the gym.
Please register
We’ll need you to register again so that we have an accurate count for planning. Thanks for taking the time to do so. Please register by Friday, Jan. 20 by 3 pm. You can make your reservation by contacting the church office (458-8348 / receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca) or by using the link below.
Thanks to Steve Patterson, our special guest, who will be with us on the 23rd.
4. Handbell Ringers Wanted
Opportunities like this don't happen very often. Our adult handbell choir needs two new ringers. No experience is necessary but the ability to read basic music is a must. We practice on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. and play in the traditional service every so often. We have a lot of fun! If you are interested or have questions, feel free to contact Peter Steeves at 259-5333.
5. Bereavement
Our love and prayers for Gwen and John Childs on the passing of Gwen’s sister, Winnie Colburn, of Calgary, Alberta, who passed away on Tuesday, January 10. In decades past, Winnie was part of the BSBC family. Winnie will be missed by her beloved husband of 57 years, Stewart Ancil Colburne, and her daughters Angela Willberg (Wayne) of Didsbury, Alberta, and Karen Colburne (Lyle Simpson) of Calgary, Alberta. She will also be lovingly remembered by her five grandchildren: Alyssa Kendze (Dallas), Connor and Owen Willberg, Zoe and Luke Simpson, and great granddaughter Willa Kendze. Winnie is survived by her two sisters Gwen Childs (John) of Fredericton, NB, and Sharon McIntyre of Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Winnie was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Irene and David Price, of Fredericton, NB.
You can view the full obituary here:
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/27028506/winnifred-whitney-colburne
Thank you for remembering Gwen and family in these days.
6. Wedding Invitation Update
Charlie Ritchie and his fiancé, Sabrina Liu, have decided to postpone their wedding until more family can be with them. So, the ceremony for this coming Saturday is cancelled.
7. Annual Meeting & Supper
The church family is asked to reserve Wednesday, February 22 for the annual congregational meeting (6:30 pm) and pizza supper (5:15 pm). Thursday, February 23 is reserved for the storm date. More details will follow. Report booklets for the year 2022 will be available on Sunday, February 12.
Thank you for your engagement,
Calvin Smith, Moderator
8. Our Partners in Mission: Update from Reuben & Leah Myles
We are grateful when our missionary partners around the world send us updates on what God is doing in their lives and their place of ministry. Click on the link below to have the latest update from Leah and Reuben Myles serving in the Philippines.
9. Adult Sunday School
Sunday Morning Prayer
Sundays at 9:20 a.m. with Charles Millette in the Counselling Centre
Prayer is communication with God on His terms.
Prayer is a demonstration of faith, a spiritual exercise that aligns our thoughts with God's.
A.W. Tozer mentions that prayer is also the great leveller of men, where the most illiterate person in the world can pray, and the most cultured person in the universe cannot do better.
Prayer is our most powerful weapon yet also somewhat hard to comprehend, so let's bow our heads and learn a thing or two about prayer together!
You are invited every Sunday morning, from 9:20 until 10:15 a.m., in the larger counselling room, on the second floor of the gym entrance, as we will gather to pray and glean wise insights about prayer from the book "Going Higher with God in Prayer" written by A.W. Tozer.
See you there!
Charles Millette (Charles.Millette@sim.org)
The Reason for God
Sundays at 9:30 a.m. with Peter & Maureen Steeves in the Family Room
Why does God allow suffering in the world? How could a loving God send people to Hell? Why isn’t Christianity more inclusive? How can one religion be “right” and the others “wrong”? Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God? These are just a few of the questions and doubts even ardent believers wrestle with today.
Timothy Keller has compiled a list of the most frequently voiced “doubts” skeptics bring to his church as well as the most important reasons for faith. And in the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God, he addresses each doubt and explains each reason.
Keller uses literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and reasoning to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth.
Join Peter & Maureen Steeves for this six-week study.
10. Sunday Worship Gatherings
Whether in-person or online, we hope that you will join us for our worship services this coming Sunday morning, Jan. 22.
The gym worship service will be led by Pastor Greg with the musical leadership of Julianne Moore and team. Dr. Keith will offer the first in his new series in the gospel of Mark. Of the sermon, THE ARRIVAL, he writes:
If we need a New Year’s Resolution for the TheStreet this year, how about an entirely new appreciation for the four gospels?! These books are each designed for a particular audience, and each of the four illuminates different angles on the life of the Lord Jesus. Mark is the shortest of the four, and uses only 1,270 ordinary words to tell an extraordinary story. Scholars also suggest that Mark is the earliest of the four, and his narrative unfolds with a breathless immediacy and present tense vitality. So, who is Mark’s audience primary audience? Various internal factors point to a readership based in the city of Rome.
Mark assumes his readers are familiar with certain major concepts (such as the expectations around the Messiah, or the meaning of giving one’s life as a ransom), but then explains what Sadducees believe, or why Pharisees avoid eating with defiled hands. The author uses familiar terms and Roman customs (reference to monetary currency, for example, or words like Legion), but translates the Aramaic, suggesting the readers understand Judaism but do not live anywhere near Palestine. This week we will plunge into the opening moments of Mark’s story—composed for an audience living in the dangerous city of Rome that has some important inspiration for us today: how do you live out your faith in a culture where there is way too much arrogance, corruption, violence, and rampant persecution, and how can understanding more about the life of the Lord Jesus transform our lives?
In the sanctuary the service will be led by Pastor Ross with assistance from Daniel and Althea Savard, soloist Claire Geldart and our Sanctuary Choir. Pastor Ross will be offering his first sermon in the series, “Things Jesus Didn’t Say” with this week’s focus, Obey the Rules and God Will Bless You.
Psalm 34:3
O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
11. Note of Thanks
Thanks to all who were able to help with the provision of household items for those in our benevolent ministry and for our new friend, Souaibou.
12. NextGen Ministries
Children @ BSBC
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6:30 pm: Elementary (K- Grade 5) Scouting Boys
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.
Saturday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. – noon: Hands–In Girls Ministry
Hands–In Girls Ministry is happening again this month, on Saturday, Jan. 21 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
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6:30 – 8pm: Bible Study Returns
Youth are welcome and encouraged to come out and join Kari Dunfield and Pastor Nikki as we go through our series on the book of Mark, Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8 pm.
Thursday, Jan. 19, 7pm: Middle & High School (Grade 6-12) Scouting Boys Returns!
BSBC offers a scouting program for boys from Grade 6 - 12. 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 bi-weekly in the church gym on Thursday evenings. For more information, please contact the church office at 458-8348 or bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca.
Friday, Jan. 20, 7 – 9pm: Youth Group Hot Chocolate Bar Night!
We are back, and will be having our youth kick-off this Friday! Our leaders are ready and excited to be back together after the holidays. We look forward to seeing all our youth for a night of games, fun, community, and snacks — including a hot chocolate bar! Invite your friends and be ready for a great start to the new year in BSBC’s youth community! Email Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca for more info!
Sunday, Jan. 22, 7 – 9pm: High School Youth Group Skating Event
We welcome our high schoolers to come out next Sunday for our first high school event of the year! Sunday, Jan. 22 we will be doing an offsite event of skating at Queens Square located on Aberdeen street. We will be joining together for skating from 7 – 8:30 p.m., with the possibility of grabbing hot chocolate! Dress warm and join us out this Sunday for a time of Skating! Email Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca if you have any questions, comments, or concerns! The following Sunday we will not have high school youth, we are encouraging our youth to check out one Big Night on Jan. 29 at Hope City.
Opportunities to Serve
If your youth would like to get more involved in using their gifts/talents by serving in the larger BSBC community, there are many ways they can serve like Sunday morning tech, greeting Sunday mornings, preschool ministry, Third Sunday Supper, etc. Reach out to Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca to learn how your youth can get involved.
Sunday, Jan. 29, 10:30am: Greenhouse Service
Our Greenhouse Service is back! Tell all of your friends about this and join us in the Barnabas Center at 10:30am, on Jan. 29! Come worship, grow in community with one another, and learn how to use your gifts and talents better at Greenhouse. If you want more information about the Greenhouse Service or would like to serve in the service in any way please reach out to Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
Tidal Impact: July 2023
It is my pleasure to tell you that Tidal Impact is coming to Saint John from July 22-28 and that all youth from grades 6-12 are invited to participate!
Tidal Impact is a week-long mission tour that is organized by the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada (CBAC). The goal of Tidal Impact is to bring Jesus' love into our community through acts of service. To do this, the CBAC brings churches from across Atlantic Canada together so that churches from the Fredericton area can be a gateway for visitors into our community. Tidal Impact allows youth to deepen their faith through acts of service, grow in teamwork and leadership skills, and embrace the Saint John area as a mission field!
Please begin to think about if your youth would like to attend and be a part of this great opportunity to serve our local community. More information for registration is coming soon, students must be registered by March of 2023. We as a youth group will be fundraising for this event to lower the overall cost for those attending. More information to follow. If you have any questions or comments please email pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
More exciting youth events coming up, stay tuned! Have a wonderful week!
13. GriefShare Ministry
If you are suffering the loss of a loved one, GriefShare, a Christian-based video-discussion support group, is being offered in the Family Room in the Family Life Center at Brunswick Street Baptist Church starting Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 from 7-9 p.m. for 13 weeks. Please contact the church office (458-8348 / receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca) for more information and to register.
14. DivorceCare Ministry
If you or someone you know is going through the transition of marital separation or divorce, encourage them to consider joining our DivorceCare ministry. At DivorceCare they’ll find people who understand because they’ve “been there” and videos that help normalize the many emotions and challenges of navigating this life change.
DivorceCare takes place on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Room. For more information or to register, please contact the church office (458-8348 / receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca).
15. Muffin Mania
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.
Our schedule is now open for 2023. You can sign up right up until the end 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.
16. 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.
17. This Week at BSBC
(Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Center)
Wednesday, January 18
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
5:30 Community Potluck (Gym)
6:00 Youth Choir (Barnabas Center)
6:30 Fredericton Outdoor Enthusiasts Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor Over Main Kitchen)
6:30 Scouting Boys Ministry (K-Gr 5) (Gym, Fellowship Hall)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Sanctuary Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Thursday, January 19
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
9:00 New Life Ministry (Third Floor Assembly)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
1:00 Ladies Bible Study (Family Room, FLC)
1:30 Gospel of John Bible Study (Boardroom, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Bible Study “Bad Girls of the Bible” (Boardroom, 3rd Floor, FLC)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
7:00 Scouting Boys Ministry (Gr 6-12) (Gym)
Friday, January 20
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Friends Are Us Puppets (KidzTown, 2nd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Friday Youth Group (Fellowship Hall, Gym, Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Barnabas Center, KidzTown)
Saturday, January 21
9:00 Gym Set-up (Gym)
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
Sunday, January 22
7:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor Over Main Kitchen)
9:00 Asian Sunday School (Boardroom, 2nd Floor Over Main Kitchen)
9:20 Sunday Morning Prayer (Counselling Room, Second Floor, Gym Building)
9:30 The Reason for God Bible Study (Family Room, First Floor, FLC)
9:30 Sunday School For All Ages (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)
4:00 Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration (Gym, Main Kitchen)
7:00 High School Youth Group (Skating at Queen’s Square)
Monday, January 23
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Seniors Luncheon (Gym)
7:00 Board of Deacons Meeting (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Fredericton Musical Festival Committee Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor Over Main Kitchen)
7:00 Mandarin Sister Choir Ministry (Barnabas Center)
Tuesday, January 24
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom, 2nd Floor Over Main Kitchen)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
12:00 Quilters Meeting (Quilting Room)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
6:00 Sports Friends (Gym)
6:30 DivorceCare (Family Room)
7:00 Fresh Start Young Adult Ministry (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
Wednesday, January 25
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
5:30 Community Potluck (Gym)
6:00 Youth Choir (Barnabas Center)
6:30 Scouting Boys Ministry (K-Gr 5) (Gym, Fellowship Hall)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Assembly Area, 3rd Floor, FLC)
6:30 Sanctuary Choir Practice (Choir Room)
