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In this issue:
Christmas Wreaths and Tree Orders
Advent Fundraising Concert – Vivian Ni
Daily Devotionals for Advent
A Quick Review of Advent Events
Who Needs Christmas? Zoom Study
Upcoming Mission Sale @ BSBC
Right Now Media – An Amazing FREE Resource for the Home
Bereavement
Starting Local/Going Global Christmas Project
Financial Report Weekly Countdown
Practical Support for Our Street Ministry
This Week’s Worship Services
Bishop Hockin Online Advent Series
This Week @ BSBC
1. 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.
For information or to order by phone call: Dale Wilson 458-1402.
2. Advent Fundraising Concert with Vivian Ni
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).
3. A Message from Pastor Greg: Daily Advent Devotionals
Greetings, Church!
Sunday, Nov. 28 marks the first Sunday in Advent which officially marks our journey, one day at a time, toward the manger of Bethlehem. This year, the theme of our Advent journey is HOPE RESTORED. Through each of the four weeks of Advent we’ll consider these themes: Promise, Preparation, Peace and Praise. All designed to help us ‘rekindle’ our hope in the Lord.
This advent, through the willingness of 28 members of our church family, we’re producing a daily devotional series which includes (1) an opening prayer, (2) Scripture reading, (3) a personal reflection from one of the members of our church family, (4) a question or two for you to consider and (5) a photo and brief biography of that day’s writer. In this way, as the body of Christ, we all have the opportunity to be on “the same page” in terms of our daily “heart preparation” for Christmas.
So, what do you need to do?
There are a few options for you this Advent Season! We can print a daily devotional guide for you or you can receive the daily devotional by email.
I would like a printed copy of the devotional guide
If you would rather have a printed copy of the devotional guide, click below to register and we’ll arrange you getting your copy (pick up at church/deliver to home).
YES, I would like to get the daily devotional by email
If you would like to participate electronically, and you regularly receive this newsletter in your inbox — then you don’t have to do a thing. Each day it will just pop into your inbox and be there waiting for you.
NO, I would prefer not to get the daily devotional by email
If you do not wish to receive the daily email during advent, please click below to unsubscribe from this option. You will still receive the weekly newsletter in your inbox.
I’m looking forward to a wonderful Advent season with YOU!
Pastor Greg
4. Save the Date! A Preview of Our Advent Season
If you like to plan ahead…here’s a list of special advent events coming up this season! Full details will be released next week:
Saturday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. (In-Person Only)
Concert with Vivian Ni (Fundraiser for Starting Local and the Downtown Community Health Clinic)
Sunday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. (In-Person and on Youtube)
Annual Hanging of the Greens Service
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. (In-Person and on Facebook Live)
Children’s Christmas Party
Click here for details/to register
Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. (In-Person Only)
The Atlantic Brass Christmas Concert for All Ages
Sunday, Dec. 19 (In-Person and on Youtube)
Annual Candlelight Service
Friday, Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. (In-Person and on Facebook Live)
Family Friendly Christmas Eve Service
Friday, Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. (In-Person and on Youtube)
Reflective Friends Christmas Eve Service
5. 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.
6. Upcoming Mission Sale at BSBC
Are you hoping to find a unique gift for family and friends? Are you looking for that gift for a favourite Aunt? The Missions Committee will have items for sale on Dec. 5. These gift items will be from several of our mission fields including Peru and India.
Funds raised will be donated to the Going Global Campaign. So please come out to the missions sale to find that perfect gift.
The sale will take place in the Connections Center before and after the morning services on Dec. 5.
7. RightNow Media: An Excellent Resource for the Home
RightNow Media's mission is to work with the global church to inspire people to love others before self and Christ above all. We have amazing Bible Study and Children's resources available for the whole church to use. If you are interested, please email Pastor Ross on ross@bsbc.nb.ca so he can give you access to the material.
Go ahead, check it out for yourself: www.rightnowmedia.org
8. Bereavement
Please be in prayer for Dan and Cynthia Lutes and family on the passing of Dan’s mother, Ada Taylor, on Monday, Nov. 15 at the Jordan Life Care Center in Petitcodiac. She is survived by her daughters, five sons, 14 grandchildren including, here at Brunswick Street, Dan and Cynthia’s daughter, Katherine and her husband Josh, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Resting at The Salisbury Funeral Home, 3350 Route 106, Salisbury West, (372-4800) from where visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. and from where Funeral Service will be Thursday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. with Rev. Chris Hayes officiating.
Masks, ID, and proof of double vaccination are required to attend. Interment in Salem Cemetery.
Jesus said, Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.
9. 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.
10. Weekly End-of-Year Financial Report
Updated Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 8:30 p.m.
Earlier today, we published last week’s financials. Below are the updated numbers as of Nov. 14. Apologies for any confusion this has caused.
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 6 Sundays in 2021)
General Fund
Budget Target for 2021 $920,000
Giving to Nov. 14 -710,779
Required by Dec. 31 to Meet Target $209,221
Building Fund
Budget Target for 2021 $135,000
Giving to Nov. 14 -113,207
Required by Dec. 31 to Meet Target $21,793
11. Supporting The Street Ministry
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
How can you be of practical support for our ongoing Street Ministry?
Pray! Every evening as they visit folks in vulnerable circumstances, they are protected and supported through prayer.
Tangible donations!
12. 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.
Sermon notes
In the gym this week, For the next two weeks, the gym congregation will reengage with the “Unleashing the Church” series. This week, Deacon Charlie Ritchie will focus on Ephesians 3:1-13…considering the purpose of the Christ’s church.
Traditional Service
In the sanctuary, our musicians include David Steeves, organ and Gloria Tranquilla, piano with ministry from a vocal ensemble and David will be our soloist, accompanied by his wife, Leah.
Sermon notes
For the next two weeks, Dr. Keith will be bringing 2 more instalments of his “Turning a New Leaf” series.
Focusing on Galatians 5:13-26, he’ll be offering a sermon entitled “Keep in Step”. Of this sermon he writes: Throughout God’s Word, the Holy Spirit is active and engaged. At the outset of the creation narrative in Genesis 1, the “Spirit of God” is hovering over the dark and turbulent waters, poised and ready to transform chaos into order, and bring forth the possibilities of life and flourishing. In Judges 3, God’s Spirit alights upon Othniel, and he delivers the nation from the perilous threat of servitude and oppression. Strikingly, the Holy Spirit is grieved in Isaiah 63, as a response to miserable waywardness of God’s people. But on the Day of Pentecost there is an unrivalled outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is a fulcrum of history, and the spread of the gospel in the book of Acts is linked to the activity of the Holy Spirit. In this message we will study some practical tips for “keeping in step” with the Spirit that Paul shares with the Galatian believers, and draw attention to intentional ways that we at TheStreet can allow the Holy Spirit to empower our lives and equip us to live in freedom as disciples of the risen Lord Jesus in our day.
Join us online
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.
13. Bishop Hockin Advent Services
The 2021 Online Advent Series with Bishop Bill Hockin and friends is just around the corner. This year’s title is, CHRISTMAS: The Day God Took Off the Mask. The series promises to lead us to “see a breathtaking love of Biblical proportions.” The series can be found online at: www.billhockin.ca.
The series is offered on Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. and features Bishop Bill Hockin (Nov. 29), Canon Albert Snelgrove (Dec. 6) and Dr. Barry Craig (Dec. 13). Music will be provided by The Alice Boyd Trio (piano, saxophone and voice). All are welcome.
14. This Week at BSBC: Nov. 17 to 24, 2021
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Center & Z stands for Zoom Gathering
Wednesday, November 17
9:30 Senior Exercise (Gym)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary/Choir Room)
6:30 Dream Big Bible 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 18
9:30 New Life (3rd Floor, FLC)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (Family Room, FLC)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Choir Room)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, November 19
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
9:30 Senior Exercise (Gym)
6:00 Friends Are Us (Puppet Room, KidzTown, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Zoom)
7:00 Youth Group
Saturday, November 20
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
Sunday, November 21
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)
5:00 Third Sunday Supper (Gym)
Monday, November 22
9:30 Senior Exercise (Gym)
7:00 Board of Deacons Meeting (Zoom)
Tuesday, November 23
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)
6:30 Who Needs Christmas? Study (Zoom)
Wednesday, November 24
9:30 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
10:00 Library Open
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary/Choir Room)
6:30 Dream Big Bible 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)
