The Banner
Expressions of a Thankful Heart: Jon Wilton
Hello to my Brunswick Street Baptist Church Family!
Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers for me and Alyse as I have led the Youth and Young Adult ministries here at BSBC.
These past two years have been something special that I will continue to look back on fondly for many years to come. The same is true for the appreciation event that was held for me and Alyse on June 20th. Thank you to all of the organizers and those who participated. I want to thank Julie McAllister, Debbie Kierstead, Niel Livingstone, Pastor Steve, and Pastor Greg specifically for their contributions and facilitating BSBC's first ever "Pandemic Drive-In" event. It was a beautiful night and the participation of our youth in that evening will be a cherished memory. I also want to say a big thank you to those who contributed to the financial gift for Alyse and I. Your generosity and well-wishes have meant so much to me and have brought back great memories from my time here at BSBC.
As I have now come to the end of my term in leadership, I have a few things that I would like to share with our Youth and Young Adults, Congregation, and Leaders at BSBC. (It's all encouraging - I promise!)
To our Youth and Young Adults:
I need you to know that God loves you and has a beautiful plan and purpose for your life. This plan started with what Jesus did through his death and resurrection, He restored our relationship with God so that we can know Him and draw nearer to Him and in drawing nearer to Jesus we will become more like Him. At Youth Group we have talked before about drawing near to God and how your relationship with God is yours. As you pursue God, remember that your church, youth leaders, me and Alyse, Youth Group, Bible Study,
and even Sunday Morning Services can all help you grow your faith but they are not essential to your faith. Jesus is essential. He is the only foundation of your faith, we have a church family and church programs to offer you support as you continue to grow closer to Jesus and develop in your faith. That's what your BSBC family is here for! I know it might be nerve wracking, but please reach out to us - reach out to me - if there's something that you think our church should (or shouldn't) be doing or if there's something in your faith that you need help with. You are loved and known by God and you are loved by BSBC, we just might need a little help sometimes with the knowing. I am looking forward to continuing helping you as you grow in your relationship with Jesus!
To our Congregation:
I am so grateful for the love and support that you have shown me since I was a child here at BSBC. It is a rare experience to work at the church that you grew up in and I am grateful for it. That said, I am excited to re-join the congregation as we all work to support our youth, young adults, and our leadership as they arrive to follow God's leading into the unknown future. With my transition out of leadership, as with every transition in youth leadership, I want to encourage this congregation, as peers, to be present in the lives of our church's Youth and Young Adults. Having a point person to lead our Youth and Young Adult ministries is so important but the
responsibility of supporting, teaching, and discipling our youth can not fall on just one person; it is and always has been a group effort.
The way we support and serve will look different, I know not everyone is able to stay up all night playing games with students, but we all need to work to surround the current generation of young Christians with love and support (the same love and support, I might add, that you've shown me these many years) as they navigate their faith. One of the main ways that we do this is by practicing our faith and leading by example. We all need to be growing closer to Jesus in our own lives so that everything we do can be an outpouring of Christ's love. This is my encouragement to you, that you would grow in your relationship with Christ and as you grow that you would share your time and stories with your church community. That is why we are here, to support and encourage one another in the faith!
To our Pastors, Deacons, and Leaders:
I have so appreciated your prayerful direction, kind instruction, and earnest friendship these many months (and continuing). As you lead our church by the guiding of the Holy Spirit into its next chapter, I want to encourage you to be bold in your prayers for Brunswick Street. I have learned enough these past few months to know that I don't understand everything about church governance and leadership, but I know that for our church to continue being a pillar in our community we must keep our focus on the gospel and not be distracted by anything other than introducing our community and the many communities represented by our congregation to Jesus. I have seen a small piece of what it is to lead in the Church and the difficulties that it presents so whether you are a Pastor, Deacon,
Committee Member, Sunday School Teacher, or one of the many volunteers here at BSBC - thank you for answering that call to lead. You have been so encouraging to me and now it is my turn to give it back to you as you carry on in the joys and trials of leadership.
For me, I don't know all that this next chapter in my life will hold (we never do) but I am trusting in the leading of the Holy Spirit. Many of you know that I have started an apprenticeship at Clippermen's barbershop on Regent street. I am eager to be a connection point between our congregation and the larger Fredericton community. I am also looking forward to continuing as a volunteer with our youth and in other areas of the church! God has shown his provision in my life in so many ways through my work at BSBC. Whether it was His provision of the Youth and Young Adult Coordinator position, the many ways that I've seen Him move in the lives of our students, or the way that God has lead me to this point of transition. I trust in the Holy Spirit to guide me in His leading when it makes sense and when it doesn't.
It is in that trusting that I want to thank you for the love that you have shown (and continue to show) me and our young people. I am grateful for all those who have been involved in my life as I have grown up through our church. BSBC has a way of growing leaders, this has been true for myself and so many generations that have come up through the church. Let's continue this trend together so that God might be glorified even more in our community!
Yours in Christ,
Jon Wilton
*Brunswick Street Baptist Church Congregant*
Worship This Coming Sunday
As we virtually gather for service starting Sunday, July 26, we’ll be hearing again from our Preaching Pastor, Dr. Keith, who will be leading us to consider another Summer Shorts Series on the book of Esther. This week we’ll hear, “The Feasts of Esther”, Part 1 – a focus on the first chapter of the book. I believe that all wives who read that passage will be eagerly anticipating just what “lesson” our Preaching Pastor wants us to take away. Sure, go ahead and read it in advance!!
We’ll be back to two service offerings this week. Leading worship for the contemporary service will be a worship team made up of Katy & Andrew Culberson, Julianne Moore and Mark McAllister who recoded “on location” – we’ll all be jealous! Pastor Steve will provide a ministry of music offering. Songs for the traditional service will be led by Calvin Smith and Gloria Tranquilla and you’ll find blessing in a solo from Beth Snow. We’ve been grateful to the Millettes leading our children’s times for July and this will be the final installment of their study on Psalm 121. We’re grateful, as well, to Deacon Graeme Powell for a word of testimony and leading us in prayer.
Once again, thanks to our worship leadership who are engaging in this new platform for leadership in these days and to our tech team for their faithfulness in bringing worship to us in such a beautiful way.
Are you coming to Wednesday Worship?
I just wanted to remind you of the first gentle step in reopening BSBC which will be a worship service in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, July 29 at 6:30 pm. This will include parts of the service which will be shown on Sunday, August 2. Dr. Keith will be with us to offer the second instalment of the series “The Feasts of Esther” and worship will be led by Pastor Steve and friends. In order to attend, please make a reservation with the church office (receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca/458-8348) – reservations will be part of our new normal. However, if you are out and about on the 29th, you can drop by and see if there is seating available – given that social distancing limits seating in the sanctuary. Services will continue on Wednesday evenings through the month of August. For full details watch the attached video!
Every blessing,
Pastor Greg
New Baby Announcements
Congrats to Great Grandmother Louise Billings
If you have noticed an extra bright smile on Deacon Louise Billings it might just be because of the safe arrival of her third great-grandchild, Caius Charles Stade, born on July 7. Caius is the first child for Jillian and Talon Stade and a first grandchild for Jillian’s parents, Pastor Mark and Mary Jane Sypher. Many of us enjoyed watching Jillian in her childhood years when her dad, Mark, was on pastoral staff at BSBC. Congratulations to all and thanks to God.
Congrats to Grandparents Dan and Cynthia Lutes & Auntie Catherine Lutes
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Finley Robert Karl Lyons, son of Kristin Lutes and Tim Lyons in the early morning of July 21 2020. Big brother Hunter is over the moon and the Lutes family is feeling so blessed!
Our Sympathies
Please be in prayerful support of Shirley, Ralph, Chris Graves and Nancy Hughey on the passing of Shirley’s sister and Nancy’s cousin, Carol Ireland of Brantford, Ontario. Carol and her husband, Marvin (Joe), were part of our summer congregation as they visited Fredericton each year. Carol was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. Of his mother, Carol’s son, Greg, posted the following on Facebook: After an 11 week battle, the tumor won and my mother passed on last night (Thursday, July 16) around midnight. It was peaceful, she wasn’t in any pain and my dad was sitting at the side of the bed holding her hand when it happened. My mother believed in God, went to church every Sunday, sang in the choir, and played the organ at the church for years. I truly believe she is now in a better place.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4
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!
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
BSBC BODcast
He’s back! On Tuesday evening of next week tune in for Dr. Keith’s “director’s cut’ of Esther, chapter 1 and the sermon entitled “The Feasts of Esther, Part 1.”
Hear more background and the answer to your questions. Please feel free to submit your questions to the church office each week by Monday at 4:30 pm. Questions are always dealt with anonymously.
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
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.
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.
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
