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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
WORSHIP OPTIONS: A Return to “Normal”
These days, the word “normal” pops up in conversation more than…well…normal. “When will things get back to normal?” “Will things get back to normal?” “Will things ever be normal again?” I’m reminded of a quote from one of my psychology professors who cautioned us to remember that “normal” was just a setting on a dryer!
Well, this Sunday, May 10, we not only observe a celebration of mothering but also a bit of a return to “normal” as we begin to offer two worship service recordings reflecting ministry at BSBC – a traditional service and a contemporary service option. You won’t notice much difference in the traditional offering but the contemporary offering will include extended worship in song time with exclusively contemporary selections.
Leading this week will be a “Dad’s Worship Team” led by Mark McAllister – not quite breakfast in bed for mom – but a tribute nonetheless. ☺️ The soloist for both services will be Sarah Hoyt and we look forward to Deborah VanSlyke leading the children’s time while David and Leah Steeves will lead the traditional hymns. We’ll have another front line testimony from Faith Louis and Yewande Akslusi will lead in prayer.
Dr. “B” takes us further in Acts with a focus on chapter 14, lines 1-28 in a sermon entitled Urban Promise. This is what he writes: The tour of Paul and Barnabas enters unfamiliar territory with healing, proclamation, and a mixed response to the message of the gospel.
With the dual service recordings we seek to expand our reach just as we do with the services each Sunday when things are normal. Thanks to all who are making this expanded reach a possibility. Let’s celebrate our diversity as BSBC.
Pastor Greg
Graduates
We invite the church family to be in prayer for our 2020 Post-Secondary and High School graduates.
It has to be a challenging thing to work for 12 years, anticipating all that can come with being a graduate and then not having any of it. The same must be true for our post-secondary crew.
So, this year, especially, we want to celebrate our graduates and we need your help.
Please email the church office with the names of graduates you know and the high school or institution from which they will graduate this year. As a church family we want to do something special for them and this is the first step in that process. Thank you for your cooperation. The first to be celebrated will be our post-secondary grads — who we’ll honour near the end of May.
Your Education Committee
Stewardship Update
If you have questions about ways to give financially please visit our giving page.
Thank you for your faithfulness.
Update From Our Partner in Mission: Rebekah Sears
Mennonite Central Committee, Ottawa Received April 30, 2020
Hello BSBC folks,
Blessings and peace, and prayers for health and grace
Greetings from my house in Ottawa, week 7 working from home. But our work continues. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is well placed to respond to additional needs created by COVID-19 around the world, being linked to community organizations in over 50 countries, working with them on relief, development and peace with the most vulnerable.
Our biggest concern is that the most vulnerable and marginalized become even more at risk because of the spread of the virus, and we believe that our local partners, based within communities are the best to respond, as they already have been doing. There are a lot of other issues that are only exacerbated by Covid-19, including addressing essential needs for people who have been forcefully displaced, hunger, poverty, living in close proximity, conflict, and others.
Some of the things we’ve been working on include a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau to thank the gov’t for its response so far, and to encourage Canada to continue to do more to support humanitarian and development responses, carried out by local organizations, combined with long-term human rights and peace support, internationally and at home on our own border in response to COVID-19.
In the letter we highlight two major case studies: what we’ve been hearing from local partners in Central America (particularly Guatemala) supporting vulnerable migrants, and Gaza, which has an incredibly dense population, and incredible lack of access to essential resources. We’ve also created an action tool, where people can send in their own letters. MPs are keenly listening to the concerns of their constituents these days, and hearing a lot, but we think this is also important.
Our office has also put out several blogs about how our work continues during COVID-19, and how we can support MCC’s partners, as well as reflections and prayers. Here are a couple:
I also have a forthcoming blog on mental health and Covid-19 - stay tuned! My own health has been fairly good - keeping in touch with family and friends regularly, and continuing counselling virtually. Praying that this continues to be the case!
Finally, seemingly a million years ago (mid-March 2020), I did a podcast interview with Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) a Christian ecumenical organization where I worked as an intern in 2009-2010. I talk about my work with MCC, the foundation of Christian faith, and how we work for justice and change.
Please pray for our organization as we continue to respond, also echoing prayers for our government, church and community leaders. One more prayer request. MCC is being hit hard financially (as I’m sure everyone is), we’re praying that we’re able to access the emergency wage subsidies, and for directors who are having to make difficult decisions.
Blessings and peace to all
Bekah
Coffee with Pastor Steve
Hello Zoomers!
We're not going to let this Covid-19 thing keep us from getting together!
Even though it's not quite the same as sitting together at Second Cup or Timmy's, it's still making connection to say hello!
I’d like to welcome you to come together on a Zoom call Tuesdays at 7pm OR Fridays at 10am.
We’ll meet online to visit with one another (who do you think will be there?) and I’ll end our call with a word from THE WORD and prayer.
If this is something you would like to participate in, please contact Naomi at the office to confirm your current email address, so she can help keep track of who I’ll be sending the Zoom invites out to! (receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca OR call 458-8348).
If it's too late for coffee, have an herbal tea instead!! See you next week.
With warmth and love,
Pastor Steve
BSBC Kidz Klub
Today, we’ve posted the third edition of our BSBC KIDZ KLUB and it will be up all week to be enjoyed by children of all ages! We’re studying The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and this week we focus on the second fruit – JOY.
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
Jon Wilton, Youth & Young Adult Ministries
