The Banner
Our Mission for 2022
Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Psalm 96:2-3
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from March 23 to 30.
Preparing to Welcome The Refugee Family We've Sponsored
Holy Week/Easter @ BSBC
NextGen Ministries @ BSBC (Opportunities for Children & Youth)
Ministry Opportunity: Preschool Coordinator
Bereavement
Sunday Morning, March 27
An Expanded Ministry Role
Myles March Ministry Madness: Update from Reuben and Leah
Library Opening on Tuesdays
Lenten Talks
A Community Volunteer Opportunity
This Week @ BSBC
1. Preparing to Welcome The Refugee Family We've Sponsored
Dear BSBC family,
Your Social Action Team would like to thank you for the unanimous support offered to our motion at the Annual Business Meeting to sponsor the family that we introduced to you.
For privacy reasons, the family has requested that we not publish their names, but as a reminder, this family of six are originally from Syria and currently living as refugees in Lebanon. Rachel Nesbitt, a member of our congregation, has befriended their relatives here in Fredericton, which is how we connected with them.
It will be 2023 before we can submit their refugee application through the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, but we can start fundraising right away!
To support the needs of a family of six for their first year in Canada, it is estimated that we will need $45,000. The BSBC Refugee Fund already has a balance of $13,000 to start us off. The refugee fund balance comes directly from previously designated giving from our congregation. You can help increase the balance by designating a portion of your offering to "Refugee Fund" on your envelope or your eTransfer comment line.
Being an engineer and a numbers person, I'd like to lay some more numbers out for you. Our Annual Business Meeting had an attendance of approximately 70 people in person and online. If we have exactly 104 weeks until this refugee family joins us and we need to raise $32,000, that is just $4.40 each week per person in attendance at our business meeting. To me, that sounds a lot more achievable than $32,000!
We know and understand that not everyone will be able to contribute equally, and we also highly encourage those who didn't participate in the meeting to designate giving to the Refugee Fund, but we thought that showing you one way that we could reach our fundraising goal would help get us started. We do expect that a 2-year timeline for this family is very unrealistic, it will likely take significantly longer for them to get to Fredericton, but nothing is stopping us from reaching our funding goal early.
We look forward to sharing updates on the Refugee Fund and our sponsorship progress in the coming months. If you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to contact Martina Verboom at adrianandmartina@gmail.com.
Thank-you!
2. Holy Week/Easter at BSBC
We're making our way through the season of Lent, a time to consider our spiritual vitality as we approach the annual focus on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This central event, recognized on Good Friday, is preceded and followed by events that help magnify the wonder of God’s plan to open the door to Him.
There are lots of events planned to allow as many as possible to mark the steps of Jesus from Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday. Please mark your calendar and attend any of these offerings, which we trust will enrich your Easter.
Children's Easter Party – Saturday, April 9, 2 p.m. (in-person & online)
Palm Sunday Morning Worship Services – Sunday, April 10, 10:30 a.m. (in-person & online)
Palm Sunday Candlelight Concert: At the Cross – Sunday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. (in-person & online)
Maundy Thursday Communion/Foot Washing – Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. (in-person only)
Good Friday: Worship at the Cross – Friday, April 15, 10:30 a.m. (in-person & online)
Easter Celebration with East Coast Brass – Saturday, April 16, 6:30 p.m. (in-person only)
Easter SonRise Service – Sunday, April 17, 7:30 a.m., Odell Park Lodge (in-person only)
Easter Sunday Morning Worship Services – Sunday, April 17, 10:30 a.m. (in-person & online)
3. NextGen Ministry Opportunities
Coming up there are many opportunities for both our youth and children to get involved in!
Children's Events at BSBC
Hands In! Girl’s Ministry
This is a new ministry group for elementary girls, held at KidzTown, one Saturday a month. The purpose is for girls to come together and strengthen their relationship with each other and with God. All are welcome out to this event!
Who: Girls Kindergarten to Grade 5
What: Hands In! Girl’s Ministry
Where: KidzTown
When: Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to noon
Why: To learn about God and connect with other girls
Note: Please bring a mask
Children’s Easter Party
Our annual Children’s Easter Party will be offered in-person and online on Saturday, April 2, at 2 p.m. This will be an hour-long party for children from kindergarten to grade 5 to celebrate Easter together! Lots of fun. Puppets. Games. Stories. Songs. Treats. And more.
Please register by Wednesday, April 6, so that we can be sure we have enough of “everything” for “everyone.” We would love for your family (parents, please accompany your children and join in the party) to be a part of this event! Please feel free to reach out to Pastor Nikki (nikki@bsbc.nb.ca) with any questions.
Youth at BSBC
Bible study
Wednesday, March 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. we are finishing up our series on Jonah! Youth are welcomed online and in-person and are encouraged to come out to the Family Room. Can’t wait to see you out! Please email Pastor Nikki (nikki@bsbc.nb.ca) for the Zoom link.
Youth Group
‘Body of Christ’ themed event! Friday, March 25, we will be having a Body of Christ theme night, full of team building, and working together activities. Bring your youth out and invite some friends so they can learn about what it means to be in the body of Christ!
Greenhouse Youth Worship Service
This Sunday in the Barnabas Center at 10:30 a.m. we have our youth lead service. We're so excited to see the gifts and talents of our young people! Some of those who will be serving on Sunday will be; Rotimi, Allie, Erik, Chloe, Sammy, Zammie, Sarah, Sophie, and more. Come out to worship alongside your fellow youth and invite out some friends! This is a great time for community and getting to know one another better.
Volunteers Needed
Easter Service, April 17 we're looking for helpers to hide some eggs for the children and help out in the Easter service! If your youth would like to be involved, please email me at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
4. Ministry Opportunity: Preschool Coordinator
We are grateful for the growing number of preschoolers who join us on Sunday mornings during the worship hour. As our numbers are growing, we need an individual to fill the role of Preschool Coordinator. This position of 7-10 hours per week includes the following opportunities for ministry...
Please note: The application deadline is March 25.
5. Bereavement
We ask that you pray for Mike and Mary Jane Phillips and family as they give thanks for the life, faith and homegoing of Mary Jane’s mother, Maddie Oliver, who went home to the Lord on Saturday, March 19.
Her obituary states: Maddie was well known for her faith in God and her love for family. She loved well and was well loved by her family and friends. She is now secure in her Heavenly Home! She will be greatly missed by children Sally Kindervater (Blair), Mary Jane Phillips (Mike), Paula Wilson (Richard), Mike Oliver (Gail), Ruth Ann Beardmore (David), and Judy Rose (Terry); 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sisters Mary Flemming and Kay Thompson, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
We recognize Maddie Phillips' grandchildren: Sarah Pillips Millette, Jay Phillips, John Phillips and their families. Maddie was a great-grandmother to our own Lucie, Victoria and Joseph Millette.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at McAdam’s Funeral Home from 1 pm – 2 pm. A funeral service will follow at 2 pm, in the J.A. McAdam Memorial Chapel with Pastor Greg officiating. For those unable to attend, a live stream will be available at https://vimeo.com/690612170. In the event of technical difficulties, a recording of the service will be available using the same link the following day. The full obituary can be found on McAdam's website.
When comes to the weary a blessed release,
When upward we pass to His kingdom of peace,
When free from the woes that on earth we must bear,
We'll say "good night" here, but "good morning" up there.
6. Sunday Morning: March 27
Worship leaders
In the gym, we’re grateful for the musical leadership of Julianne Moore and friends. Leading this week’s connecting time will be Deacon Denise Mersereau with participation by Pastor Greg. In the sanctuary, we look forward to the ministry of a vocal ensemble, and the instrumental ministry of Tara and Scott Kennedy in addition to the keyboard ministry of Gloria Tranquilla and David Steeves.
Sermon notes
In the gym, Dr. Keith will be offering the final sermon in a 3-part series – “The Experience of Grace.” The texts considered will come from Luke 16: 19-31. Dr. Keith writes: This week we will explore two parables that invite us to reconsider our ultimate investment strategy. The first parable is found in Luke 12:13-21, in the context of a discussion about sources of security. Someone in the crowd demands that Jesus tell his brother to “divide the inheritance,” but Jesus instead gives him a parable about a rich man who did not manage his portfolio very well. What does it mean, we ask in light of this episode, to be rich toward God?
The second parable is found in Luke 16:19-31, and features a billionaire who did not pay much attention to a beggar named Lazarus who was at the gate of his mansion. Doug Webster insists “Jesus did not share this parable in order to justify God in the wake of injustice. Nor did he give this parable to inspire political action and bring about structural social change. The point of the parable lies behind these necessary justice issues and dwells on the meaning of the person in relationship to God and one another.”
As we consider the season of Lent, how can we have relational capital that allows us to experience the fullness of Easter in a fresh way?
In the sanctuary, Pastor Ross will offer the next installment of our continuing study in the book of Ephesians: “Releasing the Church.” This week, we’ll consider Ephesians 4:25-32. Under the heading “Rules for the New Life,” this passage invites us to consider how disciples of Jesus change their ways and live in harmony through the gift of forgiveness.
Attending online?
Again, this Sunday, join us in-person OR online. The Contemporary Service will be available in the gym in our café setting OR join on Facebook Live. The Traditional Service will be available in the sanctuary OR join on YouTube. Attending on-line? Simply visit www.thestreetonline.ca and click “Worship Online” and then choose your service. One way or another, we do hope you’ll be with us.
Online or in person, we hope you’ll connect with us this week!
7. An Expanded Ministry Role
The Board of Deacons is grateful to Doug McAllister who has accepted the invitation to engage in some weekly home visitation with our senior adult population. While our new pastors continue to settle into their ministry positions, the Board and Pastor Greg feel that our senior adults need more support at this time. Doug will be working from a list provided by Pastor Greg but either he or Pastor Greg would be grateful for any calls, indicating specific seniors who could benefit from a visit.
Here's an introduction to our brother Doug, who is also managing our Benevolent Ministry in concert with Pastor Greg.
Doug comes from Ripples NB where he was raised in a large family of 9 siblings. He has one daughter and three sons, and 11 grandchildren.
In his work life, he has been in the janitorial cleaning industry for over 46 years. Most of those years he has served in Management, Director and Business Development roles regionally and also nationally. Currently, Doug is semi-retired and involved part-time as an independent advisor to business owners, and as Benevolent Coordinator for BSBC.
For many years, Doug has been a volunteer in Christian Ministry as a choir member, elder, teacher, mentor, board member, and has served in ministry at Senior Residences. He has also been a volunteer for a number of charities including the C.N.I.B., Heart and Stroke Foundation, Circle Square Ranches, and for many years coached hockey under the leadership of the Fredericton Youth Hockey Association (FYHA). His hobbies include reading and writing.
One of Doug's lifelong mottos is found in Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might". He believes that every day should be an exciting fulfilling adventure, with the leading of the Lord of his life, Jesus.
Doug is a member of BSBC along with his wife Heather Topple McAllister.
8. Myles March Ministry Madness
Hey! We wanted to share our progress on the discipleship efforts we mentioned in our last update and share more about our lives. The spring ministry trip I (Leah) have been planning was rerouted to just our island. Luckily, our island is the biggest in the Philippines, and there is a need to fill in every corner of it. 23 (and counting) students will be joining us in just two and half weeks as we: help relocate our squatter friends to a new community, paint houses, do feeding programs, host a VBS for orphanages nearby, and serve on Smoky Mountain (the community living in the dump downtown). We're terrified and excited! We're thankful we'll be joined by our friends Lynnea and Brandon as our co-leaders. Hopefully 1 out of the 4 of us can prevent a kid from being left in the jungle or at a Jollibee downtown.
The Well is our high school youth group that I have had the privilege of starting up this year. We have a rally once a month, which happens to be this Friday. Around 45 students have joined us, and 30 are in small groups being intentionally discipled as well. Reuben runs a high school and middle school small group (independent of each other), and I run a high school girls group. We've found a successful rhythm of ministry lately, including serving bi-weekly in the creative/tech and welcome teams at our home church: Favor Manila.
This month has been tough health-wise for me. I've finally had the opportunity to communicate with doctors about various specific health needs, but none have found any answers for me. Luckily, my intention with going to see several different specialists was to rule out any major or life-threatening health concerns, which was successful. The qualifications of being a specialist in the fields I've been seeing are significantly less than in Canada. We're at the point where we're considering not going any further with specialists as all the large concerns were ruled out.
Please pray for
1. The hearts of the high schoolers engaging in ministry, as well as those we'll have the privilege of interacting with. That we may not go in thinking we're heroes and can have a healthy relationship with the local culture.
2. For breakthrough with medical tests and specialists, or a clear sign from God to withdraw from the process.
3. Us to be firm in our relationship with God: preaching, teaching, and discipling from the outpour of that.
Please give praise for
1. An opportunity for us to head home this summer, as our next stretch in country is 2(ish) years.
2. The staff and students who have taken interest in developing their relationships with God. It's an answer to the prayers of older long-term staff who are beginning to retire from the field.
Summer plans
We've decided to make a trip back to Canada this summer. It will be a short visit, but if you'd like to hang out at a point that we're available, below is our itinerary. We're all around each province:
New Brunswick: June 7 to July 2
Nova Scotia: June 24 to 27
Ontario: July 4 to 22
Leah and Reuben
9. Library Openings on Tuesdays
Our librarians would be happy to welcome you to come to the church Library on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 10 a.m. until noon. Take this opportunity to explore our extensive collection and have a visit with Sharon Gosselin and Shirley Graves.
10. Lenten Talks
Who: All are welcome
What: “Help! I Need Somebody! The Grace in Asking for Help!” speaker series
When: Wednesdays at Noon
Where: Christ Church Parish Church
Why: Lent is a time for personal reflection and spiritual engagement
Topics
March 23: Faith; Pivoting from What is…to What Could Be
Speaker: The Rt. Rev Bill Hockin
March 30: Contented in Our Own Chair
Speaker: The. Rev. Canon Wandlyn Snelgrove
Please note: If you can’t attend in person, the talks will be recorded and available the following day on the CCPC YouTube Channel.
11. Volunteer Opportunity: ECMAs
This week the office was contacted, asking that if we would make known the need for volunteers to “host” The East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference which will take place in Fredericton from May 4 to 8, 2022.
The need is for 250-300 volunteers local to Fredericton. There are lots of volunteer roles to choose from. Volunteers will have access to some great perks during the festival. This includes:
Snacks, coffee and refreshments are available at Volunteer Services throughout the festival
Daily draws for prizes
Access to the ECMA 2022 Conference
Branded ECMA 2022 t-shirt and pass
Volunteer of the Week Award Program
Volunteer Appreciation Party
As we consider “Joining God in Our Neighbourhood”, perhaps this is a way for Christians to serve in our community. For more information, please contact Georgie or Ali at volunteers@ECMA.com or call 902-223-315.
12. This Week at BSBC: March 23 to 30
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre.
Wednesday, March 23
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (Sanctuary and Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 “All The Places To Go” Bible Study (Ross Watters) (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
7:00 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (Charles Millette) (Zoom)
Thursday, March 24
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
9:30 New Life (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (Carol Bray) (Family Room, FLC)
1:30 Small Group Bible Study (Mary McMulkin) (3rd Floor Conference Room, FLC)
6:30 Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, March 25
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Friends Are Us Puppets (Puppet Room, 2nd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Zoom)
7:00 Youth Group “Body of Christ“ Themed Night (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Saturday, March 26
9:00 Gym Set-Up
1:00 Worship Team (Gym)
Sunday, March 27
6:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
9:00 Asian Sunday School Class (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
10:15 Preschool/KidzTown (1st Floor & 2nd Floor, FLC)
10:30 Contemporary Worship Service (Gym)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
10:30 Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)
10:30 Youth Greenhouse Service (Barnabas Centre)
Monday, March 28
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:30 Camerata Singers (Choir Room)
7:00 Board of Deacons (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Tuesday, March 29
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
1:00 CVITP - Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (Gym)
1:00 Pastoral Staff (Family Room)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
2:15 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room)
5:30 Sports Friends (Charles Millette) (Gym)
6:30 “Why Easter Matters” Bible Study (Greg Geldart) (Zoom)
6:30 DivorceCare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Fresh Start (Gym/3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Wednesday, March 30
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (Sanctuary and Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study “Walls of Jericho” (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 “All The Places To Go” Bible Study (Ross Watters) (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
7:00 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (Charles Millette) (Zoom)
