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In This Issue:
1. Yes, it’s a NEW year!
2. Back to Orange at BSBC
3. New for 2021 – Weekly Sermon Podcasts
4. Next Gen at BSBC
5. Rock Solid Finances Study – Starts Next Week
6. Two Other Adult Bible Studies – Start Next Week
7. Worship – Sunday, Jan. 10
8. Can You Help Our Friends the Bannisters
9. It’s Annual Report Time
1. A Message from Pastor Greg: Yes, It's a New Year!
Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43: 18-19
It’s a new year. As I pondered Dr. Keith’s message from Jan. 3, these verses came to mind. I haven’t thought of them for quite some time. As I’m grateful for the message of last Sunday (give it a listen if you missed it – you can find it as an audio podcast, read on to find out how) these verses help me orient myself to the future God has for us. It may be true that I spend too much time looking back and not enough looking forward.
Let’s be as thankful as we can for the past but excited about the future. God’s future. A future He offers us with the promise of His presence, His grace, His plan and His purposes all designed to draw us closer to Him and make us more effective in our world.
So, let’s do something daring. Let’s join together to thank God for the year 2021 and the “ways” and “rivers” He has prepared for us in our journey forward. Oh, and I’m REALLY happy to share the journey with you!
Pastor Greg
2. We're Back in the Orange
Yesterday, Jan. 5, our province moved back to the Orange Phase. So, once again, our life together will be adjusted to recognize this fact and to reflect the safest practices during a spike in COVID cases. Therefore, please note that:
Worship services
In-person worship will be suspended at this time
Each Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., you can tune in to a combined service live from the sanctuary SIMPLY by visiting our website
In addition, that service will be available on the website for the rest of the week for you to engage at a time convenient for you and yours
Youth & adult ministry
All our youth and adult ministries move to the online, Zoom format
Please note: The bi-weekly Youth Greenhouse Service will take place on Zoom at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10
All other ministries
During this time we ask that all ministries move to an online format
Church office
The church office will remain open, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Your pastoral team continue to be available to you by email or phone or through the church office
Giving
We appreciate your continued financial stewardship during the orange phase. Visit the giving page on our website to find out more about that
Thank you for your continued engagement in life at BSBC.
We're here for you
If you have needs during this time, including feelings of isolation, do not hesitate to reach out to your pastors or the church office. If you are in a place of relative peace in your life – from that platform please reach out to those you know, who may be experiencing isolation.
The Orange Phase signals changes to our way to live life at BSBC, but it's also a call to engage in caring for others with a new determination and commitment.
Please join me in praying for the needs of those around us and for a personal sensitivity that sees us identifying and meeting those needs.
Pastor Greg
Correction: Please note, the Youth Greenhouse Service will take place Sunday, Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. on Zoom. We had originally said this would take place at 10:30 a.m. on Instagram — apologies for the confusion.
3. Sermon Podcast
Hearing that many enjoy Dr. Keith’s BODcasts, we’re pleased to let you know that these will continue in the year ahead, with an anticipated release near the first of each month.
But, new for 2021, you will now be able to access the weekly sermon in a new way. These sermon podcasts, an audio recording you can listen to on your device of choice, will be available on thestreetonline.ca as well as Spotify and Apple Music. Stay tuned for our first release!
4. A New Year for Next Gen at BSBC
Here we go again! A new week, a new month and a new year!
With great joy and excitement, we look forward to gathering again because it is God's will to do so!
Bible Study
It is also in line with his heart to come together to study His precious Word on Wednesday evening, virtually on ZOOM, 6:30 to 8 p.m. We're making our way slowly but surely through the Gospel of Mark, witnessing Jesus' power, wisdom and compassion in the various situations he willingly enters into! See you there! Please email me to save your virtual seat.
Youth Group
On Friday evening, 7 to 9 p.m., join us on Zoom! We'll explore together the following question: who is competing for your soul? Again, please email me to save your virtual seat.
Youth Greenhouse Service
Finally, to wrap up a busy week, on Sunday afternoon, 1 p.m., middle & high schoolers are invited to join in for our 3rd youth worship service, Zoom. That will give us all a chance to access the path that leads to genuine success in God's eyes, thanks to the study of Psalms 1 and wonderful worship.
I thank all of you for taking note of this information, sharing with whoever fits the age brackets and for praying for the many youth leaders and students that walk together thanks to the bound of Jesus Christ! May we minister to each other in a meaningful and caring way, on our knees, with a smile and open heart & arms!
Correction: Please note, the Youth Greenhouse Service will take place Sunday, Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. on Zoom. We had originally said this would take place at 10:30 a.m. on Instagram — apologies for the confusion.
5. Solid Rock Finances
Daniel Savard invites you to join him for a study on personal finances entitled ROCK SOLID FINANCES – a video study created by Ashley Woodridge.
Are you tired of always worrying about money? Do you know what the Bible says about money? This class will teach basic financial strategies based on the truth of God’s Word. In it, we will cover the topics of budgeting, debt elimination, savings and honouring God with our finances.
This 6-session study will take place on ZOOM Thursdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m. starting Jan. 14, 2021. Click the link below to register or contact our Zoom-Master, Jason, for information at xinkaixk.zhou@gmail.com or Daniel at timberwolfe57@live.ca.
6. Two Adult Bible Studies You Can Join
The Gospel of John | Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Join Pastor Steve virtually for a Bible Study in the Book of John. Dig into John’s gospel which paints a vivid picture of Jesus as the Son of God/Son of Man and helps us understand what it means to live a life that brings the Kingdom to the world in which we live. The study begins on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
MICAH 6:8 Nights | Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Join Pastor Greg for “Micah 6:8” nights of study and prayer. Explore Scriptures that speak to living a just life, showing mercy to the world while walking humbly with God. Special guests speak to the challenges of living in the midst of a Canadian culture that does not always express itself God’s way. The study starts again on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
7. Worship this Sunday - Online
Your church staff look forward to greeting you ‘online’ on Sunday morning as we gather ‘virtually’ for worship together.
A new feature for our weekly worship services will be Life Stories – introducing you to members of our church family who will share about their life and faith. On this first Sunday of “Life Stories” you’ll get to hear from Denise Mersereau. Be sure to tune in.
Dr. Keith will be reengaging in our study in the book of Acts with a sermon provocatively titled: “From Vegas to The Big Apple” (Corinth to Ephesus, Acts 18-19).
He writes:
After a long stay in Corinth, often nicknamed the “Las Vegas” of ancient Greece, Paul crosses over to the bustling city of Ephesus to share the good news in the modern equivalent of New York City.
Since arriving in Europe we have learned some things about Paul that we didn’t know before: not only is he a Roman citizen (a valuable commodity in the first-century world) but he is also a tentmaker by trade, and both of these elements in his background are later used in his ministry.
The move from Corinth to Ephesus challenges us at Brunswick Street to think afresh about how we share the message of the gospel in difficult circumstances, and to remain faithful and persevere while trusting that God is always at work in every fractured and hurting human heart.
We’ll top things up with a modicum of worship music and a children’s time with Pastor Greg.
8. Can You Help Our Friends the Bannisters?
The Bannisters will soon be moving into their new apartment. We are thankful that we have so many wonderful things to help them get started.
However, we still need some living room furniture (sofa, chair, end tables, coffee table), a broom, mop and a pail. And any "pantry" items would be helpful too (sugar, flour, spices, canned goods, cleaning supplies).
If you have donations or questions, please contact Sheila Ross at 455-8474 or sheilaeross@hotmail.com.
Thank you!
9. It's Annual Report Time
Don’t forget that all Annual Reports are due before Friday, Jan. 4. 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.
Thank you,
Janet Mitchell
YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Dr. Keith Bodner, Preaching Pastor
Pastor Greg Geldart, Lead Pastor
Pastor Jim McLellan, Pastor of Senior’s Visitation
Pastor Charles Millette, Missionary in Residence
Pastor Steve Patterson, Outreach Pastor
Pastor Changbin Tian, Pastor to the Chinese Congregation
