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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 9 to 16.
NB Government Covid Protocol Changes
Youth Events for March Break
Ukraine: What You Can Purchase/How to Give
Single Beds Needed
Vacation
Adult Bible Studies Available to You
Lenten Talks
An Invitation from Our WMS
World Day of Prayer: Theme Update
Sunday Morning, March 13
Cooking with Anna Marie on Zoom
This Week @ BSBC
1. In Case You Missed It: COVID-19 Mandate Changes & BSBC
Dear Church Family,
I’m sure you are aware of the changes to COVID-19 mandates that the provincial government announced. In short, as of now, the requirement for proof of vaccination has been retracted. And as of Monday, March 14, the Mandatory Order will be lifted, meaning that there will no longer be legally binding requirements for masks, distancing, limited seating or limited numbers at gatherings.
On Monday evening, Feb. 28, your deacons and pastors met to consider BSBC’s response to these changes prayerfully. Throughout the pandemic, our decisions were guided by the directives of Public Health. And so, we agreed that we would continue that pattern, embracing the government's directives.
Therefore, as of Tuesday, March 1, we have discontinued screening for proof of vaccination for all church activities. We recognize that months ago when we polled the congregation as to vaccination status, we learned that well over 90% of those in attendance on that Sunday were vaccinated.
However, there is one exception, we require all workers in our Children’s Ministries to be fully vaccinated for the immediate future. We expect that parents of infants through to grade 5 will find comfort in knowing that their children’s caregivers are vaccinated. This will continue to be the policy until the deacons deem it appropriate to retract it. Notice of such a change will be given before the change.
Further, as of March 14, we will no longer REQUIRE any Covid measures for participation in any church activity. YET, in keeping with Public Health guidelines:
Masking, distancing and sanitizing hands remain good preventative measures.
Everyone should feel free to continue to mask — it is your choice. I would go so far as to ask you to consider continuing to mask for a few weeks as a means of supporting those who find these changes a challenge.
Parents should instruct their children/youth and children’s/youth ministry leaders if they wish their child to continue to mask in ministry gatherings.
In both the sanctuary and gym, we will continue to provide the option of distanced seating for those who find this helpful.
Please consider sanitizing your hands when you enter the building — a good practice anytime.
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we encourage you to consider your vulnerabilities when deciding on in-person participation. Our hearts’ desire is that we all come together again — and to that end, we’ll be thrilled to see you in person. However, be prayerfully wise. Online services are with us to stay. But when you can come back, please do so.
From a spiritual perspective, Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us that gathering with our brothers and sisters is one way we “stir up” our faith.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
We anticipate that such changes will be exciting for some and, perhaps, fearful for others. Let’s prayerfully support each other as we move forward into 2022.
Pastor Greg
2. Youth March Break Events
Woohoo! It is March Break! This week we have a few things going on for youth who did not go away for the break.
Wednesday, March 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., we have Bible Study located in the Family Room or online. We will continue to go through the book of Jonah. We would love to see our youth out and learning more about God’s word alongside one another. To get the Zoom link, contact Pastor Nikki.
Thursday, March 10, from 7 to 8 p.m., we have a Drop-In Sports Night! Youth are encouraged to come out for a great hour of sport and fellowship. All are welcome, and bring friends along for a great time!
Friday, March 11, from 7 to 9 p.m., we have a Nerf Night! A night dedicated to playing nerf throughout the church. For this and the sports events, youth are encouraged to bring indoor running shoes and a water bottle. Friends are welcome!
I look forward to seeing youth out to these events! If you have any questions or comments, please reach out. Let me know how the other leaders and I can be praying for your family and staying in contact with you.
Have a wonderful March break!
3. Ways We Can Help Ukraine
I’m sure that you are up to date on the news coming out of Ukraine. As a church family, we continue to pray for the parents and brother’s family of Sergiy Polyachenko, the mother of his wife, Julia, and for family members of Roz Thompson, who all live in Ukraine. Please don’t forget to pray for believers in Ukraine and its surrounding countries. The Church in this area is suffering, and we can stand with them.
It may feel that you wish you could do more.
Items You Can Purchase That Will Be Sent to Ukraine
Ways to Give Financially in Support of Humanitarian Aid
4. Single Beds Needed
We have a family moving to a new apartment at the beginning of April. With growing children and leaving a very unsatisfactory living situation, they are in need of 3 single beds. If you have a single bed that you could give, please get in touch with the church office, and we’ll get it picked up and delivered.
5. Vacation
Please pray for Pastor Ross, Fi, Eden, Ariel and Zion as they enjoy a week of vacation.
Pastor Ross will return in the church on Monday morning, March 14.
6. Adult Bible Studies Available to You
Noon Time Online Bible Study with Daniel Savard
Please note this study is being postponed. Please continue to check the newsletter for updates on a new start date.
Tuesday Night Online Bible Study with Pastor Greg
Are you ready for Easter? Looking forward to it? Expecting spiritual renewal? Regardless of your answer, you’re invited to join me (Pastor Greg), online, four Tuesday evenings in March at 6:30 p.m. for “Why Easter Matters” by Andy Stanley.
This is the companion study to the “Who Needs Christmas” study that was offered in Advent 2021.
Here’s the overview of the Easter edition:
Have you ever been at odds with God? Have you resisted, defied, or tried to bargain your way out of what you thought God wanted? You aren’t alone. Scripture documents similar stories.
In this Easter Study Andy Stanley looks at some of the people whose lives intersected with Jesus in the weeks leading to his crucifixion. Each of them had an agenda that put them at odds with God and Jesus. As you’ll see, there’s a little bit of them in all of us.
Sessions titles: (1) The High Cost of Following Christ, (2) The Risk of Surrendering to God, (3) The God Who Can Be Trusted and (4) The Foundation of Our Faith.
The study begins Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m. Please register below so that the study guide can be provided for you prior to the start date.
I look forward to sharing this journey with all who, like me, seek the power of Holy Week in your life.
Pastor Greg
Wednesday Night Bible Study with Pastor Ross
Very rarely in the Bible does God command someone to “stay.” He opens a door, and then he invites us to walk through it—into the unknown. And how we choose to respond will ultimately determine the lives we will lead and the people we will become.
Pastor Ross is leading All The Places To Go, a six-session video study by bestselling author John Ortberg to open our eyes to the countless open doors God places before us every day, teach us how to recognize them, and give us the encouragement to step out in faith and embrace all of the extraordinary opportunities that await.
Join Pastor Ross Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Family Life Centre — starting March 16. Sign up using the link below.
7. 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 9: You Don’t Have to Walk on Water to be a Christian
Speaker: The Rt. Rev Bill Hockin
March 16: The Freedom in Being Forgiven
Speaker: The Rt. Rev Bill Hockin
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.
8. An Invitation from our WMS
The BSBC Woman’s Missionary Society members invite you to gather with them to view the World Day of Prayer Broadcast. The event takes place on Monday, March 14, at 2 p.m. on the third floor of the Family Life Center in the Assembly Area. Following the broadcast, members of the WMS will remain behind for their monthly business meeting.
9. Update: World Day of Prayer
"For Surely I know the Plans I have for You" Jeremiah 29:11
This is the timely theme of the World Day of Prayer, held virtually on March 4. The Service Video, prepared by the Women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and produced by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, can be watched online at https://wicc.org/get-involved/events/ all this week.
You can also watch it below.
A Children's program is also available at https://wicc.org/kids-pray-too-world-day-of-prayer-2022.
A TV Broadcast of the World Day of Prayer will also be available to watch in Fredericton and most of New Brunswick on Friday, March 4, 2022, at 9 a.m., 5 p.m. and 10:05 p.m. on Bell Fiber TV channel 26 and Bell TV satellite channel 539.
What a powerful privilege it is to be united in prayer with our fellow Christians around the world!
10. Sunday Morning: March 13
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.
Are you attending online? Visit www.thestreetonline.ca and click “Worship Online,” and then choose your service. One way or another, we hope you’ll be with us.
In the gym, we’re grateful for the musical leadership of Sarah Hoyt and Mark McAllister. In the sanctuary, we look forward to the ministry of a vocal ensemble, soloist Beth Snow and the keyboard ministry of Gloria Tranquilla and David Steeves. Worshippers in both services will find blessing in the “His Name is Power” testimony of Naomi Phillips, a member of BSBC and our church Receptionist and Bookkeeper.
Dr. Keith will be starting a 3 part series in the gym – “The Experience of Grace.” The text considered will come from I Kings 18 and Luke 16. Dr. Keith writes: For the next several weeks, we will study the parables of Jesus that invite us to have a new experience of grace. Rather than striving for what doesn’t satisfy, we will look afresh to the risen Lord Jesus.
In a recent book, Tom Wright remarks: “The modern Western world is built on anxiety. You see it on the faces of people hurrying to work. You see it even more as they travel home, tired but without having solved life's problems. The faces are weary, puzzled, living with the unanswerable question of what it all means. This world thrives on people setting higher and higher goals for themselves and each other so that they can worry all day and all year about whether they will reach them. If they do, they will set new ones. If they don't, they will feel they've failed. Was this really how we were supposed to live?”
Pastor Greg will begin the next three-week installment of our continuing study in the book of Ephesians, “Releasing the Church” in the sanctuary. This week, we’ll consider Ephesians 4:17-24 in a sermon entitled “How to Change Your Mind.” He writes: In Ephesians, Paul instructs the church at Ephesus that they need to change their minds. And it can be hard to change your mind when old patterns and habits are comfortable. But, as Christians, we are offered a new way of life that is not only healthy but life-giving.
Online or in person, we hope you’ll take the time to connect with us this week!
11. Cooking Together with Anna Marie
Anna Marie Colpitts welcomes you to join her in the kitchen tomorrow, March 10, to make French bread and Chocolate Raspberry Cream Cheese Tarts. Please note that due to the rising time of the French Bread dough, we will start at 4 p.m. Get the recipe and grocery list.
Join us on this Zoom link for some fun!
Meeting ID: 875 4144 6372 | Passcode: 001910
12. This Week at BSBC: March 9 to 16
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre.
Wednesday, March 9
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
6:00 Ensemble Rehearsal (Sanctuary AND Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, FLC And Zoom)
7:00 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (Charles Millette) (Zoom)
Thursday, March 10
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)
4:00 Cooking Together (Zoom)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
7:00 March Break Youth Night Sports Drop-In (Gym)
Friday, March 11
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Zoom)
7:00 Youth Group “Nerf Night” (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Saturday, March 12
9:00 Gym Set-Up
1:00 Worship Team (Gym)
Sunday, March 13
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)
Monday, March 14
10:00 Senior Exercise (Gym)
2:00 World Day of Prayer Broadcast/WMS (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
6:30 Education Committee (Zoom)
6:30 Camerata Singers (Choir Room)
Tuesday, March 15
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
1:00 CVITP - Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (Gym)
1:30 Pastoral Staff (Family Room)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
2:15 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room)
5:30 Sports Friends (Gym)
6:30 DivorceCare (Family Room, FLC)
6:30 Bible Study “Why Easter Matters” (Greg Geldart) (Zoom)
7:00 Fresh Start (Gym/3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
7:00 Missions Committee (3rd Floor Boardroom)
Wednesday, March 16
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary AND Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, FLC And Zoom)
7:00 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (Charles Millette) (Zoom)
7:00 Bible Study “All the Places You’ll Go” (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
