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Growing Faith, Friends & Families to Serve
In this issue:
Tomorrow Night’s “Worship & Prayer”
Christmas Wreaths and Tree Orders
Advent Fundraising Concert – Vivian Ni
Daily Devotionals for Advent
A Quick Review of Advent Events
Upcoming Mission Sale @ BSBC
Right Now Media – An Amazing FREE Resource for the Home
Starting Local/Going Global Christmas Project
Financial Report Weekly Countdown
Practical Support for Our Street Ministry
This Week’s Worship Services
Get to Know Our New Members
Bishop Hockin Online Advent Series
Church Sale
December Birthdays
This Week @ BSBC
1. Tomorrow Night's Worship & Prayer Service
On Thursday, Nov. 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. we are excited to host an evening of worship and prayer for all ages. This isn’t a Sunday Morning Service, it’s an informal time to spend together singing songs, some familiar and others not, and meeting with our Lord in prayer.
Whether you come to sing, mediate, or dance, we invite you to join us as we worship our Lord and fellowship with one another.
Jon & Alyse Wilton
2. Christmas Wreath & Tree Orders
Once again this year, BSBC scouting groups 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.
3. 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 this 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).
4. Daily Advent Devotionals
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 Rekindled. 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
5. 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 were sent to your inbox on Monday.
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
6. Sunday Dec. 5: Missions Sale
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 Sunday, 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 Sunday morning services.
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. 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.
9. 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 5 Sundays in 2021)
General Fund
Budget Target for 2021 $920,000
Giving to Nov. 21 -727,546
Required by Dec. 31 to Meet Target $192,454
Building Fund
Budget Target for 2021 $135,000
Giving to Nov. 21 -117,672
Required by Dec. 31 to Meet Target $17,328
10. Supporting The Street Ministry
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!
11. This Week's Worship Services
Join us in-person or online for worship this Sunday morning and for our first stop on our Advent Journey — with a focus on the Promises of God. We'll pause to light the first candle in our advent wreath.
Contemporary Service
This week in the gym Pastor Ross will be preaching, offering the third in this three-part instalment of our Unleashing the Church series. The Scriptural focus is Ephesians 3:14-21 with the key verses being:
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Is it possible that as Christians we should EXPECT God to ‘blow our minds’?
Traditional Service
In the sanctuary, our musicians include David Steeves, organ and Gloria Tranquilla, piano with ministry from a vocal ensemble and Margaret Geldart will be our soloist. This Sunday, Dr. Keith is bringing the last sermon in this instalment of the Turning a New Leaf series.
Concluding the book of Acts, we study the 28th chapter in a sermon entitled “Rome Sweet Home.” Of this sermon he writes:
Our extensive adventure in the book of Acts draws to a close with the arrival of the apostle Paul in the Imperial City, and his journey ends under Roman house arrest. This concluding message will have three parts based on this final chapter. First, we will read vv. 1-10 and discover what happens after the shipwreck on the island of Malta, replete with survival, snakebites, and healings. Second, we arrive on the shores of Italy in vv. 11-22, where there is some amazingly warm fellowship with the believing community that for years Paul had longed to visit. He also meets with the leaders of the Jewish synagogue and explains some important matters of the gospel. Finally, in vv. 23-31 the narrative draws to completion (“Paul lived there for two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed everyone who came to see him. He announced the kingdom of God, and taught the things about the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, with all boldness, and with no one stopping him”). Our message this week will focus some attention on this last paragraph of the book, and discover several compelling points of application as we at BSBC seek to live the good news in this province and beyond.
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.
12. Get to Know Our New Members
Meet our most recent new members. During the days of the pandemic, we’ve taken to extending the “elbow of fellowship” (instead of a handshake!) at the homes of our new members. Chairman of the Deacon’s Board, Ron McMullin, myself and our wives have found such blessing in meeting these wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ, presenting them their membership certificates and praying with them. Enjoy “meeting” these eight new members of our church family.
Pastor Greg
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. Wilmot United Church Sale
Wilmot United Church is holding a New-To-You and Bake Sale on Friday Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Be sure to visit our Fair Trade coffee and chocolate cupboard for great Christmas gifts. Corner of King and Carleton Streets, downtown Fredericton.
Please wear community mask and bring proof of full vaccination.
15. December Birthdays
A whole new group from our church family are celebrating birthdays in November. And if your name is on the calendar….happy birthday to you!
16. This Week at BSBC: Nov. 24 to Dec. 1
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Center & Z stands for Zoom Gathering
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)
Thursday, November 25
9:30 New Life (3rd Floor, FLC)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (Family Room, FLC) CB
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (3rd Floor Boardroom, FLC) MM
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Choir Room)
6:30 Prayer and Praise (Gym)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, November 26
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 27
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
2:00 GHLC Event (Connection Center)
7:00 Concert with Vivian Ni (Sanctuary)
Sunday, November 28
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)
Monday, November 29
9:30 Senior Exercise (Gym)
Tuesday, November 30
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, December 1
9:30 Seniors 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)
