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. Christmas Mailing Packets
2. Christmas at the Lake
3. An Alternative Way of Donating to Ministry @ BSBC
4. Financial Report to the End of October
5. College and Career Sunday Lunch Gathering
6. PLEASE Take a SWOT at Our Future
7. Starting Local/Going Global
8. Scouting Wreath Pick Up THIS Sunday
9. Online Traditional Service for Sunday, November 22
10. Our In-Person Services This Coming Sunday, November 22
11. Next Youth “Greenhouse” Service – Nov. 29
12. Vacation – Pastor Steve
13. This Week @ BSBC
1. Christmas Mailing Packets
Are you counting the days? The answer to that question might depend on your age! I’ve been noticing that Christmas decorations seem to be making an earlier appearance – which I often find off-putting, but not this year!
Dreary COVID-19 needs to be decorated and “good will among humans” is certainly welcome. For those of you of ‘an age’ you might join me in singing, Yes, we need a little Christmas, right this very minute, candles in the window, carols at the spinet (yes, you’d have to be of ‘an age’ to define spinet!).
Your office team have worked hard to get materials ready for distribution for this week because, a week from Sunday, Nov. 29, is the FIRST Sunday in Advent.
How to receive yours by email
Many receive these materials (Christmas letter, newsletter, etc.) by email. If you would like to avoid more paper in your life…please email bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca right away and let Janet know you want to switch over.
How to pick yours up Sunday or receive it by mail
If you like paper (I confess, I do!) then, if you make your reservation for Sunday services by 3:30 p.m. on Friday, we’ll pull your envelope and have it ready for you to pick up on Sunday morning. Otherwise, we mail the balance on Friday afternoon.
Christmas at BSBC
You’ll find a variety of Advent/Christmas activities on offer…most in-person AND online. We are planning as though it is wise to offer in-person opportunities BUT we are keeping up on Public Health guidelines and provincial COVID-19 cases and will not hesitate to cancel, even at the last minute, if we discern this to be wise.
So, consider this a packet of ‘tentative plans’ for our BSBC and ministry to the community. BUT, since you will be making reservations for these in-person events, we’ll be able to contact you with the information! So, thanks for being proactive about making your reservations!
Theologically speaking, we all need more than a “little” CHRISTmas. All the activity is purposeful…bringing God’s people together in safe ways…to increase our thankfulness for the gift of Christ.
Advent blessing,
Pastor Greg
2. Christmas at the Lake
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.
4. Financial Report to the End of October
Thank you, church family, for your faithfulness in financial stewardship. I ask you to prayerfully consider the following report as you consider your giving between now and the end of 2020.
Building Fund
We rejoice in increased giving to the building fund. As of Oct. 31, giving was $104,837, almost exactly what it was at this time in 2019. That is just $7,662 below budget compared to $15,000 below budget at the end of both August and September. Thank you for closing that gap. Keep up the good work!
General Fund
As of October 31, giving was $694,429, which is below last year at this point which was at $721,898 for the same period. That is $82,656 below our 2020 budget for this point in the year, compared to $72,393 below budget at the end of September and $69,344 below budget at the end of August. So, that gap is widening. Yet, with lower expenses, we will be in the black, and with some surplus, if your giving stays on track in a similar way for the remainder of 2020.
Every blessing,
Ken Reimer, Treasurer
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. 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
7. 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.
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. Such engagement would require gifts totalling $6,100. Thank you for considering engaging in this BSBC tradition.
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.”
8. Wreath Orders Ready for this Sunday
For those that have ordered wreaths and are attending church this Sunday, Nov. 22, wreaths will be available for pick up in the church parking lot. If you haven’t ordered a wreath yet, there will be some available on Sunday.
Scout leaders will deliver wreaths during the week of November 22-28 to those that are not able to pick up wreaths at the church. The scouting program thanks you for your support!
It's not too late to order
Wreaths: 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.
Trees: You can still order Christmas trees that will be $30 for trees 6.5 to 8 ft and $40 for trees taller than 8 ft — available after Dec. 5. To order one, email 6wilson@nb.sympatico.ca or call Dale Wilson at 458-1402 for more information.
Merry Christmas from 1st Fredericton BPSA Scouts!
9. Online Traditional Service: Sunday, Nov. 22
In the absence of Pastor Greg, we’re grateful to Bob and Deacon Sally Crawford for leading this week’s online 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.
Tune in Sunday morning at www.thestreetonline.ca!
10. In-Person Services: Sunday, Nov. 22
Can't make it? Tune into the Contemporary Service on Facebook Live
Reminder: You can tune into the gym service on Facebook Live — just visit the BSBC page a little before 10:30 a.m. to join your church family.
In-person services
We gather on this coming Lord’s day to worship our loving God and to sit under God’s powerful word. In the gym, Julianne Moore will be leading contemporary worship, while, in the sanctuary the JOY Trio will be offering the gift of song and David Steeves (organ), Leah Steeves (piano) and Gloria Tranquilla (piano) will be leading from the keyboards. Both services will include a special testimony time led by Pastor Charles and Sheila Ross will be sharing the invitation for us to take part in the “Starting Local” part of our annual Christmas project.
In both services, Pastor Greg will be preaching, inviting us to consider the implications of using the “talents” God has given each of us to build the Kingdom (Matthew 25:14-30). Of this text he writes:
I know, this portion of Matthew 25 offers a preaching pastor the opportunity to engage in a Scripture-infused ‘guilt trip’. BUT, that’s not what’s on the menu for Sunday! Let’s consider the “resources” all believers have to “invest” in building the Kingdom at BSBC. Remember, I’ll be preaching to myself…as well as you 😊
Please note that 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-19 measures are in place. Thank you for noting this change.
11. 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!
12. Vacation
Pastor Steve and Cindy would appreciate your prayer for a time of vacation that will start after lunch on Thursday, Nov. 19. Pastor Steve will be back at the church on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 29. May they find this a time of renewal and blessing.
13. This Week at BSBC
Wednesday, Nov. 18
9:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
10:00 Library Open
10:30 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Prayer Time with Pastor Charles (Sanctuary)
6:15 Vocal Ensemble (Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (3rd Floor)
6:30 Micah 6:8 Bible Study with Pastor Greg (Sanctuary)
Thursday, Nov. 19
9:30 New Life Ministry (3rd Floor)
1:30 Bible Study with Mary McMulkin (3rd Floor)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study with Carol Bray (Family Room)
6:30 Adult Handbell Choir (KidzTown)
7:00 GriefShare (3rd Floor)
Friday, Nov. 20
9:30 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
10:30 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
7:00 Middle & High School Youth Groups (3rd Floor)
Saturday, Nov. 21
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
7:00 Just Church (Gym)
Sunday, Nov. 22
10:30 Traditional Service (Sanctuary)
10:30 Contemporary Service (Gym)
12:00 College & Career (3rd Floor)
2:00 Chinese Service (Gym)
Monday, Nov. 23
7:00 Board of Deacons (Zoom)
Tuesday, Nov. 24
8:30 Solid Rock Café
1:30 Quilters for Missions
1:30 Pastoral Staff Meeting (Family Room)
2:45 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room)
6:30 Bible Study with Toon Pronk (Choir Room)
6:30 Bible Study with Pastor Steve (Family Room)
6:30 DivorceCare (3rd Floor)
7:00 Nominating Committee Meeting (2nd Floor Boardroom)
Wednesday, Nov. 25
9:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
10:00 Library Open
10:30 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Prayer Time with Pastor Charles (Sanctuary)
6:15 Vocal Ensemble (Choir Room)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (3rd Floor)
6:30 Micah 6:8 Bible Study with Pastor Greg (Sanctuary)
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
