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Growing Faith, Friends & Families to Serve
In this issue:
Attention Boys Ages 5 – 10 Years Old: Scouting Event
Christmas Wreaths & Tree Orders
Immediate Needs for Ongoing ‘Street Ministry’
Advent Fundraising Concert with Vivian Ni
Bereavement
Partner In Mission Updates
19th Annual Starting Local/Going Global Campaign
Financial Report: Weekly Countdown
In-Person Study with Pastor Ross
Who Needs Christmas? with Pastor Greg
This Week’s Worship Services
November’s BODcast
Gym Closure
McAdam’s Funeral Home Tree Lighting
This Week @ BSBC
1. Scouting Event for Boys 5 to 10 years-old
The Otter and Timberwolves (that’s boys ages 5 – 10 years old) will be meeting on Sunday Nov. 14 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. We will meet at the church Sunday afternoon and walk to a member of our church family’s house to rake his lawn. We will return to the church to do a woodsmen competition that will include boiling a kettle and rolling some logs among other things. We will end the afternoon with a campfire and a devotional.
2. Christmas Wreath & Tree Orders
Once again this year, the scouting groups of BSBC are selling decorated choice balsam fir Christmas wreaths ($10). Christmas trees are also available ($30-$40) and can be delivered until Dec 14. This is the groups’ only event to raise funds for camp equipment, outdoor activities, and community service.
How to order
Order forms are available on the church gym foyer bulletin board. Completed order forms can be left in the church mailbox of Dale Wilson. Make cheques payable to 1st Fredericton BPSA and please make payment at the time of your order.
Deadline: Order deadline for wreaths is Nov. 28 and trees Dec. 5.
Come back and visit this article next week when we’ll share when/how you pick up your wreaths!
For information or to order by phone call: Dale Wilson 458-1402.
3. Immediate Needs to Facilitate the Street Ministry
So now that you know more about the nuts and bolts of this ministry, how can you get involved?
1. Pray! Every evening as they visit folks in vulnerable circumstances, they are protected and supported through prayer.
2. Tangible donations!
4. A Message from Pastor Greg: Advent Fundraising Concert
Church family, there have been many times when we’ve found blessing in the sanctuary music ministry of our own Vivian Ni. In the summer of 2021, Vivian presented a concert at Christ Church Parish Church and it dawned on me that we had never asked her to present a concert at BSBC. Well that’s all going to change on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 7 pm! I invite you to invite your family and friends to join us for an evening of classical music presented by Vivian as she plays both piano and violin (but not at the same time).
For those who aren’t familiar with Vivian, here is a portion of her professional biography:
Growing up at BSBC, Vivian Ni started taking piano lessons at age 5 and violin at age 8. Since then, her strong musical personality has earned her numerous top awards at international, national, provincial, and local competitions for both piano and violin, and was interviewed on both CBC Radio and television. In addition to competing, Vivian has performed as a guest soloist with Symphony New Brunswick, Fredericton Symphony Orchestra, and St. Andrews Festival Orchestra. She has also been organizing annual charity concerts for many local organizations since 2013.
Most recently, Vivian participated in 3 online musical events, including the “United in Isolation A Gift from Canada’s Young Musicians” event in June 2020, the “Art Lives On Fundraising Concert for Sistema Toronto” virtual concert in August 2020, and Toronto’s Bandology Coast-to-Coast virtual concert in September 2021.
Presently, Vivian is a master’s student in the medical program (MD-MSc) at the Université de Sherbrooke, Moncton campus.
The program will include Sarasate’s “Introduction and Tarentella” for violin and the third movement of Mendelsshon’s “Violin Concerto in E minor." Piano selections include Liszt’s “Campanella” as well as the second and third movements of Beethoven’s beloved “Pathetique Sonata in C minor.” The evening will be rounded out with hymn arrangements for violin and piano. If none of these titles ‘ring a bell’ just come prepared to be engulfed in musical beauty.
There will be a retiring offering which Vivian would like divided equally between BSBC’s “Starting Local” Christmas ministry and The Downton Community Health Clinic for their Christmas caring to our downtown population.
I hope to see you on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 7 pm!
Pastor Greg
5. Bereavement
Please be in prayer for Althea Savard and family in this time of the passing of her mother, Lenna McNeill, on Friday, Nov. 5 in Ottawa. Althea and her daughter, Jessica were able to be at the bedside with Althea’s dad, Hugh. Mr. and Mrs. McNeill celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on April 8 of this year.
Althea’s mother and father have drawn heavily on their faith in Christ during the challenging days of Mrs. McNeill’s battle with cancer. Please pray for strength and peace as Althea and Jessica help Mr. McNeill make his way through these days. Also, please be in prayer for Althea’s husband, Daniel and son, Deacon Adam Savard, here in Fredericton. A graveside service will be held in the future in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Jesus said, Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.
6. Updates from Our Partners in Mission
Thank you for remembering our Partners in Mission in prayer. Click the link below to read updates from Tim & Diane Bannister, Charlie Ritchie and Charles & Sarah Millette.
Pastor Greg
7. 19th Annual Starting Local, Going Global Campaign
While the first Sunday of Advent isn’t until the last Sunday in November, it’s time for the BSBC church family to prepare to engage in our 19th annual “Starting Local/Going Global” Christmas campaign— providing practical help here in Fredericton and, this year, in Rwanda.
Click the button below to learn more about both campaigns and watch a new video about Going Global.
8. Weekly End-of-Year Financial Report
As we move closer to the end of 2021, we’ll be providing you with a weekly financial COUNTDOWN. Thank you for doing what you can to help us meet our target for this year’s budget.
Financial Countdown
(Final 7 Sundays in 2021)
General Fund
Budget Target for 2021 $920,000
Giving to Nov. 7 -705,980
Required by Dec. 31 to Meet Target $214,020
Building Fund
Budget Target for 2021 $135,000
Giving to Nov. 7 -112,652
Required by Dec. 31 to Meet Target $22,348
9. Dream Big Study with Pastor Ross (In-Person)
DREAM BIG!!!
Please come and join us TONIGHT @ 6:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Family Life Center for the last 5 weeks of a look at Dream Big by Bob Goff.
In this video study, bestselling author, Bob Goff, dares to ask the questions: What would you do if opinion, reason, or probability were no objects? What do you deeply desire to do even if it scares you to the marrow of your bones? What were you meant to do even if no other person thinks you should?
He shares stories from the Bible that show how God called certain individuals to follow him—regardless of their lack of "qualifications"—and how those people changed the world when they dared to follow God's dreams for their lives. In the same way, God is calling us to step into the version of our lives that he intended for us before others told us it was impossible and once again dream big.
SO looking forward to seeing you there and spending time with you all.
Pastor Ross
10. Who Needs Christmas? Study with Pastor Greg
Do you need the ‘jab’ that amazement provides as a means of connecting with Christmas? Does it seem that the hustle and bustle robs the Christ event of meaning and joy? Do you need to drill down on the truth of God’s Word in order to put Christmas back in perspective…as the life-changing event is it?
If so, consider spending four Tuesday evenings, starting Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom with Pastor Greg.
This is what Andy Stanley says about his study:
The details of the Christmas story are amazing . . . and can seem a bit unbelievable. There is the angelic announcement to Mary that she will give birth to the Messiah. The dream from God that convinces Joseph to take Jesus as his own son. The angelic host who announces Jesus' birth to the shepherds. The madness of a king who tried to put an end to Jesus' life.
The narrative of Jesus' birth is miraculous. But as pastor Andy Stanley explores in this four-session video study, when you look at all the events in the Old Testament leading up to this point in time, the unbelievable story of Christmas becomes quite remarkable.
It was only "when the set time had fully come" that God sent Jesus into the world "that we might receive adoption to sonship" (Galatians 4:4–5). God sent Jesus to do what laws and regulations, judges and prophets, and exile and punishment could not accomplish. He sent Jesus not merely to deliver us from the penalty and consequences of our sin, but to actually break the power of the enemy and free us from our slavery to sin.
Through Christmas, we are reminded that even when it seems God is silent, he is always working. God sent Jesus not simply to be the Savior of the world but to be the Savior in our world. Through Christmas, we are reminded that God always keeps his promises to us.
11. This Week's Worship Services
Join us in-person or online for worship this Sunday morning!
Contemporary Service
In the gym, Julianne Moore, Greg & Rebecca Keezer and friends will be our musical worship leaders. Denise Mersereau will be leading another His Name is Power segment with testimony from Deacon Graeme Powell.
Sermon notes
For the next three weeks, the gym congregation will reengage with the “Unleashing the Church” series. This week, Pastor Greg will focus on Ephesians 2:11-22…considering the implications of ‘belonging’ to Christ.
Traditional Service
In the sanctuary, our musicians include David Steeves, organ and Gloria Tranquilla, piano with ministry from a vocal ensemble and soloist Beth Snow.
Sermon notes
In the sanctuary, Dr. Keith will be bringing his next three-week instalment of the “Turning a New Leaf” series. Focusing on James 1:1-27 he’ll be offering the sermon entitled “Tweeting Wisdom from James”. Of this sermon he writes: There are many prominent younger brothers in the pages of Scripture: Joseph in Genesis, who rises to become prime minister of Egypt and rescues his family from famine; David is the youngest of eight sons, yet is named king of Israel; or Jacob, who supplants his older brother Esau and manages to finagle the blessing of his father. Notably, the Greek name for Jacob is James, and James could be among the prominent younger brothers in the entire New Testament. The story of James is intriguing because even though he was the younger brother of Jesus, for the longest time he was not a believer! But James has an encounter with the risen Savior after the resurrection, and in due course is transformed into an influential leader of the early church. By all account, the letter of James is written by this very individual, and it is dripping with wisdom for our present cultural moment. Dealing with a host of practical issues that range from celebrity culture and temptation to self-control and using words in beautiful and creative ways, this message will explore some of the wisest tweets of the first century (in 147 characters or less!).
To join our online congregation, check out Facebook Live for the Contemporary service and Youtube for the Traditional service. However, the easy-peasy way is to visit www.thestreetonline.ca and on the homepage click the WORSHIP ONLINE button that will take you directly to the service of your choice.
12. November's BODcast
This month’s BODcast is up for your edification and listening pleasure.
Here’s Dr. Keith’s introduction to November’s edition: "Have you ever underestimated something that turned out to be of great value? If so, then Psalm 100 is worth your attention! Even though this is one of the shorter compositions in the Psalter, there is powerful message in its handful of poetic lines. Located at the midpoint of Book Four -- as the people of God are seeking to rebuild their broken world -- this psalm calls to a deeper appreciation of the Lord's personal care in every aspect of our lives as we seek to be faithful stewards of the gifts we've all been given."
13. Gym Closure
We’re very excited that Signature Sound will be completing extensive AV Upgrades in the gym which will require it to be out of use from the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 10 through to the evening of Monday, Nov. 15.
However, the gym will be available for use on Sunday morning, Nov. 14. The Contemporary Service will proceed as usual.
14. McAdam's Christmas Tree Lighting
15. This Week at BSBC: Nov. 10 to 17, 2021
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Center & Z stands for Zoom Gathering
Wednesday, November 10
GYM CLOSED FOR UPGRADES
10:00 Library Open
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary)
6:30 Dream Big Study (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
6:30 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (2nd Floor Counselling Centre Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, FLC)
Thursday, November 11
REMEMBRANCE DAY | CHURCH OFFICES CLOSED
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, November 12
GYM CLOSED FOR UPGRADES
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
1:00 Benevolent Committee Meeting (Family Room, FLC)
6:00 Friends Are Us (Puppet Room, KidzTown, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Zoom)
Saturday, November 13
11:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
1:00 Youth Group (Killarney Lake)
Sunday, November 14
06:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
9:00 Asian Sunday School Class (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
10:15 Preschool Classes (1st Floor, FLC)
10:15 KidzTown (2nd Floor, FLC)
10:30 Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)
10:30 Contemporary Worship Service (Gym)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
12:00 Fresh Start (Barnabas Center)
2:00 Outdoor Scouting Event
Monday, November 15
GYM CLOSED FOR UPGRADES
7:00 Board of Management (Zoom)
Tuesday, November 16
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
1:00 Pastoral Staff Meeting (Family Room, FLC)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
2:15 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room, FLC)
6:30 DivorceCare (Family Room, FLC)
Wednesday, November 17
9:30 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary/Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Family Room, FLC)
6:30 Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting (2nd Floor Counselling Centre Room)
6:30 Dream Big Bible Study (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
