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 30 to April 6.
A Letter from Sergiy and Julia Polyachenko
Holy Week — Easter @ BSBC
The Return of An Old Friend: Post-Service Social Time
NextGen Ministries @ BSBC: Opportunities for Children & Youth
Bereavement
Sunday Morning: April 3
Library Opening on Tuesdays
Lenten Talks
A Community Volunteer Opportunity
This Week @ BSBC
1. A Letter from Sergiy and Julia Polyachenko
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We would like to thank each and everyone one of you for the great support that we received during these trying times of war. Your emails, calls, cards, and warm greetings at the church make us to feel so loved and so humbled. Thank you so much for being family for us!
Offering humanitarian aid
We would also like to thank those of you who popped in to our “humanitarian base” at Journey Church with your gifts of medical aid, kind words or to offer your help as a volunteer. As of today, we have sent nine pallets of medical supplies to the Wesleyan Church in Krakow, Poland. These supplies will be distributed to the frontlines in Ukraine to those in need. Your generous monetary gifts helped us to offset the costs of shipping. We continue to ask people to bring in those supplies to be sent to the frontlines. As our friend and partner Pastor Piotr Gasiorowski says: “Giving the physical gifts is important to those who receive them as well as to those who give. As such giving facilitates connection between people.”
How you can support refugees
While collecting and sending humanitarian aid remains our priority we are also looking into the future. We expect an influx of Ukrainians fleeing the war. We expect a high number of women and children coming to New Brunswick and seeking to provide them with a safe place to stay during the first months after their coming.
To be ready for that, we are partnering with Pastor Scott Wood and Boaz Lighthouse International Ministries to make that happen. We are currently looking for volunteers ready to open the doors of their homes to those people that are coming. To be a part of that effort we kindly ask people to click the link below, fill in the attached form, and submit it so that we can add you to our database of people who may be willing to help. This paperwork is simply to initiate a process and does not represent a person opening their home, only to discuss the potential for people to be involved.
Fundraising fair
Finally, we are preparing a major fundraising fair that will take place in the gym at Journey Church. The event will take place on Sunday, April 10 from noon to 5 p.m. So, we would like to invite everyone to stop by to try authentic Ukrainian cuisine, check out Ukrainian and Canadian crafts. Also, if you are running a local business and would like to join our vendor team, please give us a shout at sergiy.polyachenko@gmail.com and we will direct you to the proper people.
As usual, we ask you to keep praying for our families in Ukraine, for those who defend our land and those who are not with us already.
Sergiy and Julia
2. Holy Week/Easter
Holy Week is just around the corner, and I encourage you to consider joining us as we follow Jesus from the celebration of his entering Jerusalem through to the celebration of his resurrection.
And in between, there are some very provocative events of intimacy and sacrifice that make the resurrection celebration deeper and richer.
I realize that not everyone will be able or choose to attend all the Holy Week offerings, but please consider adding something new to your 2022 Holy Week journey.
3. The Return of an Old Friend: Post Worship Social Time
We’re grateful to our Helping Hands Auxiliary Coordinator, Andrea Bragdon and team, for the return of post worship coffee and camaraderie.
Starting this Sunday, April 3, coffee, tea and juice will be served from the kitchen window open to the gym. Chairs and tables are available, or you can remain standing and move around the room.
While we recognize that Covid is not behind us, we anticipate that some are ready to engage in this way. You are invited to wait until the “time is right” for you.
4. 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 9, 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 30 (today) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. we are beginning a series on the Walls of Jericho! This series will be led by Neil Livingstone, and is connected to a fundraising event coming up at the end of April. Youth are welcomed online on Zoom or in-person in the Family Room. Can’t wait to see you out! Please email Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca for the Zoom link.
Youth Group
Friday, April 1 we're having an April Fools night of foolery! Youth will be encouraged to use their minds to distinguish ‘Is this Cake? Or something else?’, as well as discover what they are touching in the mystery box. This will be a night of lots of laughs, fun/silly activities, and fellowship! Youth are encouraged to come out, bring a friend, and be ready to laugh this Friday on April Fool’s day.
Volunteers Needed
Easter Service, April 17: We're looking for helpers to hide some eggs for the children and help out on Easter service! If your youth would like to be involved please email me at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca!
Fundraising Event
On April 30 we will be partnering with Bridge Church, and having a “Walls of Jericho” trail walk, from Brunswick Street Baptist Church to Bridge Church in Marysville! This event will fundraise for Camper-ships for those wanting to attend Green Hill Lake Camp, but can not afford the full price. Stay tuned! More details to follow.
We have some great events coming up, so keep a lookout in the banner! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca. I look forward to seeing our Next Generation at these events! As always, please be praying for those leading in these ministries, and those participating in them.
5. Bereavement
We ask that you pray for Judy Urquhart and family as they give thanks for the life they’ve shared with Judy’s brother, Kenneth Wayne Urqhhart, who went home to the Lord on Tuesday, March 22 at Hospice.
From the obituary: Wayne fought a long battle with cancer and passed away peacefully at Hospice House in Fredericton. We are grateful to the doctors and nurses that have assisted him in this four year battle with cancer. A special thank you to Dr. Keith McMullin who was both a dentist and pastor/spiritual advisor to Wayne in the past few years. He is survived by three brothers, Donald (Debbie) of Ontario, Doug (Bernice) of Fredericton, David (Donna) of Fredericton and one sister Judith Urquhart of Fredericton. He was predeceased by his sister Marilyn (Brian) Hovey of Maine.
Wayne spent his early years working in the optical trade first in Fredericton, then in Calgary and later in Burnaby, BC, returning home in the spring of 2002. He immediately got a job working for Therma Ray in Industrial Park, obtained his High School Equivalency Diploma and worked for this company until 2018 when he began his long battle with cancer. Wayne’s hobbies included skiing, fishing, reading, cooking and especially loved car restoration programs and working on models.
The funeral service was held on March 25, 2022 with Pastor Jerome MacDonald officiating. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
6. Sunday Morning: April 3
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. In the sanctuary, we look forward to the ministry of a vocal ensemble with vocal ministry from Peter and Maureen Steeves. We continue to be grateful for the keyboard ministry of Gloria Tranquilla and David Steeves.
In both services, Dr. Keith will be offering the first of a 2-part series entitled “The Prodigal Brothers” based on the familiar passage from Luke 15:1-2 11-24. He writes: While they may not admit it, over the years people have been agitated by the famous line in the Sermon on the Mount, Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. For better or worse, the word meek sounds mousy and passive, as though believers in the Risen Lord are inactive and resigned. But what if the term can be understood differently? What if, for instance, the quality of meekness actually defines a person who is willing to turn to God in the midst of difficult or awful circumstances? In this case, meekness can be understood as energetically seeking the presence of the Lord even in times of the harshest adversity.
On this Communion Sunday we will suggest that a surprising illustration of meekness can be found in the first part of the Parable of the Prodigal Brothers in Luke 15. In this well-known story, a younger son demands his share of the family inheritance from his father, who, shockingly, allows him to have it. After burning through the money with wild living in a distant land, the younger son is plunged into misery and has little choice but to feed the pigs to stay alive. But he comes to his senses, and decides to return home; even though he scarcely deserves it, he receives mercy from the father he rejected and whose inheritance he squandered, and this can be the testimony of each of us today.
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 thestreetonline.ca and click “Worship Online” and then choose your service. Online or in person, we hope you’ll take time to connect with us this week!
7. 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.
8. 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 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.
9. 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 4–8, 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 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.
10. This Week at BSBC: March 30 to April 6
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre.
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)
Thursday, March 31
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, April 1
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 (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Saturday, April 2
9:30 Deacons Retreat (Gym)
10:00 Hands In! Girls Ministry (KidzTown, 2nd Floor, FLC)
3:30 Gym Set-Up
Sunday, April 3
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)
12:00 Education Committee Retreat (Barnabas Center)
3:30 Music Team Meeting (Zoom)
Monday, April 4
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
1:30 Right to Life Meeting (3rd Floor Boardroom)
6:30 Camerata Singers (Choir Room)
6:30 Social Action Team (Family Room, FLC) (Z)
Tuesday, April 5
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 DivorceCare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Fresh Start (Gym/3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Wednesday, April 6
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)
