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Seeking to minister in new ways in challenging days!
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Wednesday Worship
Starting on Wednesday, July 29 and continuing through August, we begin our first stage in reopening at BSBC – Wednesday Worship. Members of our church family will have the opportunity to call the church office and reserve a “bubble” to attend the service. A “bubble” is one of our designated, socially distanced seating areas for up to four people. Between the floor of the sanctuary and the balcony there are 22 bubbles available for each service. To make a reservation you can call (458-8348) or email the church office.
Each service will include live preaching, Dr. Bodner will be driving up from Moncton, as well as live worship leadership. These Wednesday night services will be recorded and broadcast online the following Sunday morning.
So, what can you expect as part of this experience?
Entrance to the sanctuary will only be permitted at the main doors on York Street
Attendees will need to socially distance while waiting in line to enter
At the door you will be screened by being asked COVID-19 related questions and have your name and contact information taken in order to comply with contact tracing policy of the New Brunswick government
Entering the sanctuary foyer you will stop and make use of the hand-sanitizing station where you can also find a non-medical face mask if you have not brought your own. Masks are to be worn at all times when moving about the building, but may be taken off when you are seated and not singing
As you enter the sanctuary you will be directed to the next available seat as we prioritize seating people for minimal contact with others
The service will take place and you may gently sing as long, as you are wearing your mask
There will be no handouts for these services, the hymnals and Bibles have been removed from the pews and no offering will be taken – our goal is for a touchless experience
Following the service you will be given directions on how to leave the sanctuary and make your way to the parking lot ensuring social distancing
While we take this tentative step in reopening we want to make clear that attendance at these summer services will not be advisable for everyone. No one should feel any pressure to attend. We encourage you to prayerfully consider your vulnerabilities and make a wise decision for you. We offer these summer services as we slowly and carefully step forward. We do not expect that everyone who previously attended will be coming and once our available “bubbles” are filled we will not take any further reservations (there will be no gym overflow for these services).
I invite you to view the following video to review this information and view photos of the various aspects of Wednesday Worship. Thank you for praying about this tentative step forward and for continued wisdom for your leadership as we evaluate this worship experience in light of the latest information from the provincial government and Department of Health. Indeed, the various steps in the Wednesday Worship experience are based on specific guidelines for religious services provided by the Department of Health. Please note that online services will continue to be offered each Sunday on thestreetonline.ca.
Every blessing,
Pastor Greg
Special Business Meeting – Tuesday, July 21
Our Moderator has called a Special Business Meeting of the church for Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 p.m., in the church sanctuary (overflow in the gym) to receive a presentation from the Senior Pastor Search Committee on their recommendation for Pastor Greg Geldart to become Lead Pastor at Brunswick Street Baptist Church. All members of the congregation are encouraged to attend. To access the presentations from the Senior Pastor Search Committee, Board of Deacons, Moderator and Meeting Agenda and details on how you can “attend” the meeting on Zoom can be accessed by clicking the link below. Please pray for the Spirit of God to lead the church family to His will for leadership at Brunswick Street Baptist Church.
Summer Bible Study
Dear friends:
I will be offering a summer bible study for late July and into August. Please consider joining me on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m., beginning July 28 as we walk through the book of 1 John via ZOOM. Zoom is the means of communication that received the greatest number of affirmations! It also currently offers greater flexibility in these times. The only homework suggestion is to read the chapters ahead of time, so for the 28th, read Chapter One!
Please let me know if you’d like to be included on the Zoom invite by emailing me at steve@bsbc.nb.ca
Blessings,
Pastor Steve
Worship Online - Sunday, July 19
This week’s worship gatherings will feature the same blended service on both the traditional and contemporary. This is a unique offering in that it was recorded on Monday, July 6 as our “test service” held for deacons and other church leaders.
Worship leaders
Included in this service will be a worship team comprised of Jon & Alyse Wilton, Katy and Andrew Culberson, Mark McAllister and Ryan Tingley with hymn leadership by Margaret Geldart and David Steeves. Our Partner’s in Mission, Charles, Sarah, Lucie, Victoria and Joseph Millette will provide the third installment of their study on Psalm 121. Pastor Steve will lead in prayer.
Sermon from Pastor Greg
The sermon will be offered by Pastor Greg and is titled “Good Governance.” This sermon invites you to consider how decisions are made in our church and the important role each member has to prayerfully consider how God leads him/her to vote on decisions as a means of the body determining God’s will.
As this was a “live” service with people in the pews, you might be surprised to see a mask or two worn by some worship leaders. This will likely be a feature of future Sunday services as we move to these live recordings start to be aired the first Sunday in August.
Wedding Bells
It seems we have had lots of opportunity to celebrate with young couples making their covenants of love before God and their family and friends.
On Saturday, July 11, in her own backyard, Kristen VanSlyke became the wife of Josh Landine under the leadership of Pastor Greg. Eyes were not the only misty thing about the day but spirits were not dampened when sharing in their special day.
Please pray for Kristen and Josh as they return to Halifax where Josh works as a golf pro and Kristen in nursing.
Financial Mid-Year Update
I am pleased to bring a mid-year update on the church finances. We can praise God for his continuing faithfulness to supply our financial needs. And thanks to each of you who are faithful givers. Throughout these COVID-constrained times the church giving has remained steady.
At the half-way point (June 30), our General budget giving is $428,270 which is actually slightly higher than last year. This is tracking at 92% of our budget target.
At the half-way point (June 30), our Building fund/Mortgage reduction giving is $60,783, slightly behind last year. This is tracking at 90% of our budget target.
An interesting trend - COVID has changed the way our members are giving; this year 66% of our giving is through eTransfers or Automated withdrawal. That compares with on 21% last year.
Please continue your faithful giving. The church programs carry on and expenses continue, as the programs shift to reach out in new ways.
Ken Reimer, BSBC Treasurer
Vacation Bible School
We’re so happy to report that 32 children are currently registered for our online VBS. We would like to double that number. What children could you invite to register for VBS? Thanks for your help!
Under the unique circumstances of summer, 2020, children K-Grade 5 can have a “unique” VBS experience ONLINE! Each week of July and August, our children can tune in on Wednesdays for a new edition of the ROCKY RAILWAY: Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through, VBS. Children and parents can engage with our VBS at their convenience and enjoy singing, Bible lessons, great skits, crafts and more! Each session will be about 30 minutes in length.
Unique to this year’s VBS…children who register will receive home deliveries of craft supplies and support materials. Yes, delivered right to your door…a wonderful way to build excitement as your children await the two deliveries – one each month. Deliveries will be limited to the Greater Fredericton area but if you live outside the city, you can pick up your child’s materials at the church office.
To help us prepare and so we can be sure to include your child in our delivery schedule, please click on the link and fill out the registration form. We’ll keep in touch with you as we prepare for the roll out of ROCKY RAILWAY so you and your family can get the most out of this opportunity to learn how Jesus’ power pulls us through!
The Africa Campaign
We have been inviting giving to the Africa Action Campaign in support of our Partners in Mission, Andre Sibomana and Tim & Diane Bannister to aid them in their ministry during the time of Covid. We are happy to report that at the mid-point of the campaign at the end of June we were able to send cheques to both partners in the amount $1,782.50 each. THANK YOU for your faithful giving.
You can make a difference
There are two Sundays left in July and so there is still time to contribute. We’ll send the final portion at the first of August. Please consider what you can do to offer a gift of love to our partners faithfully serving the cause of Christ. Remember, $250 US can support the Bannister's adopted family for a month. Every $50 given to André will support a ministry family for a month.
How to give
Can we count on you to partner with us? Simply mark your special gift African Action Campaign and we'll keep you posted on the response. Surely this is a time when our partners can use practical assistance in addition to powerful prayers on their behalf.
Seeking Facility Assistant
BSBC is seeking the services of a part-time Facility Assistant. While some duties will be regular, others will be required on an as-needed, on-call basis.
Examples of regular duties include:
· Gym chair set up for Sunday services (once we can hold services)
· Weekly check of fire protection systems
· Additional visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the building
· Completing spring, summer and fall yard work (i.e. lawn mowing and leaf raking)
Examples of on-call duties include:
· Odd jobs (i.e. replace light bulbs, repair leaking faucets, install and remove air conditioners)
· Setting up chairs for events such as weddings and funerals
· Providing building security during events such as weddings and funerals
Qualifications & More Information
This position does not require advanced maintenance skills and will be supported by professional contractors (i.e. plumber, electrician, etc.) should the need arise. Snow removal is excluded from responsibilities. Hours will be flexible; a guideline is 20 ‑ 30 hours per month. This projection is based on current operating conditions and is subject to change with the evolving Covid-19 situation and related church activity.
The Facility Assistant will report to the Personnel Committee and work cooperatively with church office staff for day-to-day identification of needs and scheduling.
Remuneration: $15 an hour
How to apply
Interested candidates may drop off a resume at the church office Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; email receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca; or mail to 161 York Street, Fredericton, NB, E3B 3N8, by July 22, 2020.
Vacation
Please be in prayer for Pastor Greg and Margaret.
They’ll be enjoying summer vacation from Wednesday, July 15 until Sunday, July 26 — with the exception of Tuesday, July 21, when he will be in the office and at the Special Business Meeting that night.
Love Offering
This Sunday, July 19, will be the last day for contributions to the Love Offering for Jon Wilton.
Thanks to all who have participated and you may still do so by submitting your gift and identifying it as “Love Offering”.
Canada Revenue rules we are not able to provide a tax receipt for such gifts.
BSBC BODcast
Just a reminder that as Pastor Greg is preaching this week there won’t be a BODcast released on Tuesday, July 21 but the Dr. Keith will return on Tuesday, July 28 and continue through the month of August.
AND, he looks for your questions to set the narrative for these recordings.
Submit your questions to receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca by Mondays at 4:30 p.m.
YOUR INTERIM LEADERSHIP TEAM
Dr. Keith Bodner, Preaching Pastor
Pastor Greg Geldart, Lead Pastor
Pastor Jim McLellan, Pastor of Senior’s Visitation
Pastor Steve Patterson, Outreach Pastor
