The Banner
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
In This Issue:
1. Remembrance Day
2. Christmas at the Lake
3. An Alternative Way of Donating to Ministry @ BSBC
4. Fresh Start - College & Career
5. Chinese Services Resume
6. New BODcast
7. Please Take a SWOT at Our Future
8. Starting Local/Going Global
9. BSBC Scouting: Christmas Greens for Sale
10. Online Service: Sunday, Nov. 15
11. In-Person Service: Sunday, Nov. 15
12. Next Youth “Greenhouse” Service – Nov. 29
13. Vacation – Pastor Greg
14. This Week @ BSBC
1. Remembrance Day
I love this reflection on Remembrance Day by David Cerullo of Inspiration Ministries:
I’m so grateful to live in a land where we’re free to worship the Lord and preach His Gospel message. Freedom is never free. It always comes at a cost. The freedom we enjoy today came at a tremendous price—it was bought and paid for by our veterans, both past and present, sacrificing for their country and fellow citizens.
Jesus told us, “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
It was because of LOVE that Jesus laid His life down for you at the cross. And He still loves you today, more than you’ll know.
I hope you’ll join me in remembering those who have also laid down their lives for our freedom. Let’s never forget the brave men and women who served the cause of freedom in the past, nor those whose service today enables us to continue to live and worship freely.
May each of our veterans feel honored, not just today…but every day.
And so, once again, we take a day to remember the sacrifice and the sacrifice-ers, lest we forget.
Pastor Greg
2. Christmas at the Lake
This week, we received an encouraging email from Green Hill Lake Camp (GHLC) sharing the many ways God is providing for the financial needs of our camp AND ways in which God’s people have helped with practical needs at the camp (including our own youth and their families). And now, the next opportunity to support our camp is at the door. Here’s the invitation:
We are excited to invite you to the GHLC campsite on Saturday, Nov. 21 for our family dinner “Christmas at The Lake.” Come out for a delicious turkey dinner, as well as a wonderful time of fellowship and special music.
To maintain physical distancing we will host two sittings, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. An offering will be received for the on-going work of the camp.
Call 463-CAMP (2267) or 1-888-GHL-N-YOU (445-6968) to reserve your seats. (Storm date: Nov 28)
3. An Alternative Way of Donating to the Ministry of BSBC
A donation of securities or mutual fund shares is the most efficient way to give charitably. With a donation of securities or mutual funds, capital gains tax does not apply, allowing you to give more and avoid paying capital gains taxes.
Over the years some individuals have received stock certificates from family members, some people have received shares in life insurance companies, some people have made wise investments in their non-registered accounts, etc. If one were to sell these there could be significant tax consequences, however gifting these investments or some portion of them, benefits both the organization you are giving them to and is tax efficient.
Interested in learning more?
We are partnering with Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada to make this type of donating possible at BSBC. If you are interested in having a conversation about this type of giving, please reach out to Ian Howey at 506-476-6505 or ian.howey@nbpcd.com.
Pastor Greg
4. Chinese Services Resume
Please be in prayer for our Chinese congregation as they resume in-person services THIS Sunday, Nov. 15. May God be present in their worship and ministry together.
5. Fresh Start - College & Career
Fresh Start, a ministry geared to the College & Career demographics, meets on the Third Floor of the Family Life Center, each Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. The objective and the method are simple: encouraging one another to righteousness and obedience, as we meet to eat, say, pray and play, according to Acts 2:42.
Come, College and Career, and be refreshed thanks to a good meal, expository teaching from the Word of God, a time of prayer and some sweet fellowship!
6. Listen to the Latest BODcast
We’re pleased to let you know that Dr. B. has created a new BODcast which is now up and ready to go with further insight on Acts 17.
7. Please, Take a SWOT at Our Future
Dear Church Family,
The month of November is upon us, not only bringing Remembrance Day, but, for our BSBC family, it brings the opportunity to engage in orienting our fellowship for 2021.
What?
You can do this by engaging in prayerful discussions about your understanding of our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats as you understand them at this very point in our ministry of witness to Jesus Christ.
Given the restrictions of the pandemic, gathering is difficult; therefore, I'm relying on you to help give leadership a ‘snapshot’ of what our members and adherents see as the reality of these days.
How do you do it? I encourage you to gather as family, friends, small groups, teams, committees, or boards, and spend one hour discussing (and recording) your views on our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It’s as simple as that.
How?
(1) Take a piece of paper and make a list of what you determine under these four headings. Here are a few questions to help you get started. (2) Then, email receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca with your findings OR drop your notes off to the church office.
We’ll take the month of November to engage in this reflection. The wisdom you offer will be compiled and reviewed by pastors and deacons with a view of making a detailed ministry presentation at the February annual meeting based on these findings.
Why?
I don’t believe that your elected leadership can operate in a vacuum…we need grass roots input. While we seek to lead this fellowship, we shouldn’t do that on our own. I long for the investment of all members of our congregation in this process. Unusual? Yes. Needed? I would also respond, YES!
We appreciate your prayers
Together, let us shape our future under God. Please pray that many will be inspired to engage in this and include yourself in that prayer. And that this may be an engagement that will begin to prepare us for deeper reflection and sharing in 2021 as we look further down the road.
Each member of the Body of Christ is essential
In late October, I preached a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul teaches about the importance of each member of the Body of Christ. This passage flies in the face of any sense that an individual brother or sister lacks important to the effective operating of the Church. Our church family has been put together by God to fulfill His purposes, from the corner of Brunswick and York Streets and beyond.
As your new Lead Pastor, I ask you to step up, consider what God has put on your heart, and share it for the strengthening of the ministry we seek to do to fulfill the Great Commission.
I need your input. We need your input. Won’t you invest an hour in our future under God?
I thank you in advance,
Pastor Greg
8. Starting Local / Going Global
Have you heard that we are living in “unprecedented” times? Yes, it’s become the watchword of 2020. And so, this year’s Starting Local/Going Global Christmas Campaign will take a different shape as we continue our pattern of blessing others in Jesus’ name…at home…and abroad. Here’s the scoop:
Starting Local
We invite you to share "Christmas love" through this annual event at BSBC. Designating money to the "local" part of our project will help provide ‘gift cards’ for the families of our New Life Ministry AND to some of our benevolent families. This ‘gift card’ initiative replaces the past tradition of the congregation purchasing gifts as we face the new challenges of the pandemic.
If we're able, we will also look to provide a street level offering to our downtown friends. We'll share our financial goal with you in the upcoming weeks, but you can start giving today! You can give to this part of the project by marking your donation “Starting Local.” We thank you for considering this opportunity to be a blessing.
Going Global
Our “Going Global” initiative invites our church family to designate the gift of money to sharing the gospel with the Mising Tribe who are an unreached people in north eastern India. You can give to this project by marking your gift “Going Global.”
9. BSBC Scouting: Christmas Greens for Sale
An update from the Scouting program at BSBC
The Scouting program at BSBC is on hold for the fall of 2020. There will be a review of the COVID-19 situation in the new year and a decision will be made to either slowly start the program again this winter or delay until fall 2021. Stay tuned for an announcement in January 2021!
Annual Christmas trees and wreaths
Even though Scouts are not meeting this fall, we're offering our annual Christmas trees and wreaths to the BSBC congregation.
How to order
To order a Christmas tree or wreath, please email 6wilson@nb.sympatico.ca. The Scouting leadership will deliver wreaths and trees while following COVID-19 protocols.
Wreaths: We have 75 wreaths available this year, selling for $10 each — available after Nov. 28.
Trees: Christmas trees will be $30 for trees 6.5 to 8 ft and $40 for trees taller than 8 ft — available after Dec. 5.
More information
Please use the email address above or call Dale Wilson at 458-1402 for more information.
Merry Christmas from 1st Fredericton BPSA Scouts!
10. Online Traditional Service: Sunday, Nov. 15
This Sunday, we offer you our ‘service of remembrance’ recorded on Sunday, Nov. 8. Jill Homes offers pre-service music and a beautiful piano reflection on “Abide With Me” as we paused to remember the sacrifice of many. Following the service of remembrance our Ensemble sang and Gloria Tranquilla offered a word of testimony to God’s faithfulness based on Psalm 20.
Dr. Keith shared an inspiring message from the book of Judges, focused on Gideon. He writes:
Every year when Canadians celebrate Remembrance Day it is an opportunity to be thankful for what we have in this nation, and not to take our freedoms for granted. This annual commemoration is also a reminder to the church that we are surrounded by all kinds of battles in our fallen world. In the turbulent world of the book of the Judges, the character of Gideon affords a chance to reflect on the nature of such battles.
Long before he has to face the powerful Midianite oppressors, Gideon needs to first battle against his own cynicism, and then battle against the idolatrous addictions of his own family. Psalm 20 is a prayer before the day of battle, and it outlines a strategy for confronting such battles in every believers’ life.
Tune in Sunday morning at www.thestreetonline.ca!
11. In-Person Services: Sunday, Nov. 15
Pastor Steve will be leading our Facebook Live gym service. A celebration of God’s faithfulness.
In the sanctuary service Bob and Deacon Sally Crawford will be leading the service which will include soloist Sandra McMullin, one of our vocal ensembles and a piano duet provided by Rebekah Kierstead and Alexandra Dunfield. The children’s time will be led by Tina Franca.
Dr. Keith will be taking us through Acts, chapter 18. Of this text he writes:
After departing from Athens, Paul’s next stop is the comfortable city of Corinth. We find out Paul is a tentmaker by trade, and he soon meets Aquila and Priscilla because they were expelled from Rome. Although what they suffered was unjust and discouraging, God worked in a powerful way through these evil circumstances. Had they not left Rome, they would not have met Paul and had a vital partnership role in planting the churches in Corinth and Ephesus.
Acts 18 also provides BSBC with a timely reminder of the Christian’s role in civic affairs: while it might be easy to drift into despair and derision, this episode provides a timely reminder to pray for, and support, those in our government and positions of responsibility.
PLEASE NOTE: In the sanctuary, the two downstairs ‘outside’ sections will be re-tapped to allow for worshippers to sit at a 1 meter distance between “bubbles.” The centre downstairs section and the balcony will remain at 2 meters distance between “bubbles.” This is in accordance with provincial guidelines for seated groups when masks remain on and the other Covid measures are in place. Thank you for noting this change.
12. Next Youth Greenhouse Worship Service
Continuing on Sunday, Nov. 29, and every second Sunday at 10:30 a.m., the youth and their leaders will engage in the ‘BSBC Greenhouse of Servant Leaders.’ A place where Middle and High School students are invited to worship together in the assembly area on the Youth Floor.
Why Greenhouse? Youth, come and discover the answer for yourself! Expect to attend a Sunday service that will spark your growth and your participation, and possibly sit on a comfortable couch to worship God, like you’ve been doing over the past 8 months!
For more info write me at charles@bsbc.nb.ca — thanks!
13. Vacation
Pastor Greg and Margaret would appreciate your prayer for safe travel as they engage in a fall vacation time. Pastor Greg will will return to the office on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
While he is away Pastor Steve will be available for pastoral care – simply contact the church office (458-8348 or bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca).
14. This Week at BSBC
Thursday, Nov. 12
9:30 New Life Ministry (3rd Floor)
6:30 Adult Handbell Choir (KidzTown)
7:00 GriefShare (3rd Floor)
Friday, Nov. 13
9:30 Senior’s Exercise (Gym)
10:30 Senior’s Exercise (Gym)
7:00 Middle & High School Youth Groups (3rd Floor)
Saturday, Nov. 14
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
7:00 Just Church (Gym)
Sunday, Nov. 15
10:30 Traditional Service (Sanctuary)
Contemporary Service (Gym)
2:00 Chinese Service (Gym)
Monday, November 16
7:00 Board of Management (Zoom)
Tuesday, Nov. 17
1:30 Pastoral Staff Meeting (Family Room)
3:00 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room)
6:30 DivorceCare (3rd Floor)
Wednesday, Nov. 18
6:30 Youth Bible Study (3rd Floor)
6:30 Micah 6:8 Study/Prayer
YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Dr. Keith Bodner, Preaching Pastor
Pastor Greg Geldart, Lead Pastor
Pastor Jim McLellan, Pastor of Senior’s Visitation
Pastor Charles Millette, Missionary in Residence
Pastor Steve Patterson, Outreach Pastor
Pastor Changbin Tian, Pastor to the Chinese Congregation
