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Experience the love of Jesus. Live it out everywhere.
In this issue:
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from Oct. 5 to 12.
This Sunday: Harvest for the Hungry
Pastor Greg’s Thanksgiving Letter
Thanksgiving Offering
Are You NEW to the BSBC Family?
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: Join a Group
Bereavements
Tempting Treats from Our Church Library
Trunk OR Treat and You
It’s Starting: Junior/Children’s Choir
Sunday Morning Volunteers Needed
Next Gen Ministries @ BSBC (Children/Youth)
New Bible Studies for You
Survey for Seniors – Can You Be of Help to Yewande Akalusi?
This Sunday’s Worship Gatherings
PRAY: Online Community
Community Announcements
This Week @ BSBC
1. This Sunday: Harvest for the Hungry
“Harvest for the Hungry” invites our church family to bring non-perishable food and household items to the church.
Are you able to support our food drive?
These items will be divided between our New Life Ministry (supporting families who struggle to ‘make ends meet’) and the Greener Village Fredericton Food Bank. The food collected makes a positive impact on families with great need and is a sign, we pray, of God’s love and His provision through His Church.
Here are the specific requests from our New Life Ministry: Spaghetti Sauce, Spaghetti Noodles, Soup, Canned Vegetables, Canned Meat, Kraft Dinner, Packaged Items for Kid’s Lunches.
We invite you to do a little shopping and then bring your ‘harvest’ to the Connections Centre (on or before Thanksgiving Sunday) where it will be collected and ultimately distributed. OR you can make a financial donation to the project by simply designating your gift to “Harvest for the Hungry." Following Thanksgiving, we’ll divide these gifts between New Life and Greener Village.
Thank you for making Christ’s love known through your thankful giving and may God use our ‘harvest’ for His glory!
Muffins
Would you consider providing muffins for our Street Ministry? For details and to register, please click the link and all will be revealed. Thank you for considering partnering with those from our church family who visit with those living rough in Fredericton.
2. Pastor Greg's Thanksgiving Letter
Dear Church Family,
Thanksgiving is on our doorstep and with it, an invitation to count our blessings. The gospel hymn writer wrote, “count your blessings, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”
As I consider the lives of our church family — and be sure that I’m grateful when you trust me with your struggles and challenges — I’m reminded that for many, it might be a challenge to be thankful this Thanksgiving. And this makes Paul’s message to the church at Thessalonica a bit hard to hear. How, in the midst of life’s challenges, is it possible to ALWAYS be joyful, NEVER stop praying and be thankful in ALL circumstances?
4. Thanksgiving Offering
Each year at our Annual Meeting the congregation sets a goal for each special seasonal offering. The goal for our Thanksgiving offering, over and above regular giving, is $7,000.
You can give by:
Placing your gift in an offering box on the welcome tables in the gym or sanctuary foyers,
Sending an e-transfer to giving@bsbc.nb.ca,
Contacting the church office (458-8348/receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca) to set up a monthly automatic withdrawal from your account, or
Mailing or dropping off your offering at the church office (161 York St., Fredericton, NB, E3B 3N8).
At this point in our fiscal year, we are running behind the budget the congregation set for church ministries.
Thank you for considering what you could do to close this gap.
4. Are You New To The BSBC Family?
When is something “new?”
Does it have to be just “off the lot?” Just “off the rack?”
On Sunday, Oct. 16, we’re hosting a “New to the Family Luncheon.” In this case, at BSBC, “new” means:
You haven’t met all the pastors
You haven’t met many of our coordinators
You haven’t met Deacon leaders
You haven’t had the opportunity to meet the many others who are “new” to BSBC
So, to be clear, “new” doesn’t have a thing to do with age or how long you’ve been coming.
What to expect
“A New to the Family Luncheon” is a simple event. After the services on Oct. 16, we invite you and those who attend with you to walk over to the Barnabas Center (facing George Street) to enjoy a stand-up lunch, informal conversation, and some introductions. We’ll provide lunch, and you’ll be on your way home within 45 minutes to an hour. We’ve made provision for children — so bring them along.
How to sign up
All we ask is that you let us know you are coming so we can plan for enough food for everyone! You can do this by:
Signing up using the sheets on the welcome tables in the gym or sanctuary foyers
Emailing receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca
calling the office at 458-8348
telling one of the pastors
OR clicking the link below to fill out a form
We haven’t hosted a “New to the Family Luncheon” since the pandemic. Please remember what it means to be “new” at BSBC (see above). We look forward to being with all of you who are “new” to the BSBC family!
Peace and grace,
Pastor Greg
5. Join a Group: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
I'm late, I'm late for
A very important date.
No time to say hello, good-bye,
I'm late, I'm late, I'm late.
"Alice in Wonderland" – Lewis Carroll
Would you say that you often find yourself channelling the words of Lewis Carroll's "White Rabbit" as you make your way through the world? Well, have we got a fall study for you and your existing or newly started small group.
"Who am I becoming?"
That was the question nagging pastor and author John Mark Comer. Outwardly, he appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren't pretty. So, he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words:
"Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life."
It wasn't the response he expected, but it was--and continues to be--the answer he needs. Too often, we treat the symptoms of toxicity in our modern world instead of trying to pinpoint the cause. A growing number of voices are pointing at hurry, or busyness, as a root of much evil.
In The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, you'll find a fascinating roadmap for staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world.
Your Pastors believe that a rich spiritual life isn't characterized by hurry and we hope that your investment in five weekly sessions will help orient us to a new experience of spiritual fullness. Follow-up studies are available for those who feel led.
Just after Thanksgiving, we're inviting the church family to join in this video study on Right Now Media, a free Christian streaming service available to all households in our church family. RNM includes brilliant children's programming, youth titles and an unbelievable variety of offerings for spiritual growth and just plain fun. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
Gaining personal access is as easy as emailing bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca, and we'll get you set up…once again…for free!
Join a Group
Please note we're postponing the start dates to give more time for registration.
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8 pm, ONLINE
With Pastor Greg
Tuesdays: Oct. 18 and 25; Nov. 1, 8 and 15
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8 pm, IN-PERSON
With Pastor Ross
Wednesdays: Oct. 19 and 26; Nov. 2, 9 and 16
Sundays, 6:30 – 8 pm, IN-PERSON
With Pastor Greg
Sundays: Oct. 23 and 30; Nov. 6, 13 and 20
6. Bereavement
Donna Morehouse
Our love and sympathy to Dale Moorehouse and family on the loss of his wife, Donna, who passed away at the DECH on September 27, 2002. Donna was born on July 2, 1936, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her Obituary shares: Donna’s greatest love was her family, and she enjoyed spending every moment she could with them. There will be no visitation or service, but a family committal service will take place as Donna requested. The full obituary can be found at: https://www.bishopsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/165238
Wanda Klingbell
Our love and sympathy to Lois Cunningham on the passing of her sister, Wanda Klingbell on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Hospice Fredericton.
Her obituary includes: In 1969, Wanda graduated from Nursing School at Saint John General Hospital and began a 35 year long nursing career that led her from Manitoba to Newfoundland, Quebec, the Northwest Territories and then back to Manitoba. It was there that she met Fred and his son Michael Klingbell. Wanda and Fred got married in 1974. She experienced Fred’s untimely death in 1989. In 2004 Wanda decided to retire and move “back east” to Fredericton and spend her twilight years with her sister Lois, enjoying holiday dinners and watching her grandnephews’ hockey games. Over the years, Wanda had become less of a bothersome little sister as time seemed to shrink the age difference between them…although she was still known to boss her older sister around.
Funeral service for Wanda was held today, Wednesday, October 5 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Her full obituary can be found at: https://necrocanada.com/obituaries-2022/wandalynneklingbell-1947-2022/
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
7. Tempting Treats from the Church Library
Whatever your age, our library has something for you! Have a look below and see if these might be a blessing to your children/youth or you!
8. Trunk or Treat and You
Trunk or Treat is coming up, and you can get involved in a few ways!
Volunteer to decorate your car
We're looking for volunteers who would like to decorate their cars. Please let Pastor Nikki know if you and your family would like and are willing to decorate and have your car in this event! If you need ideas for how to decorate your vehicle, Pastor Nikki would be happy to send some your way! Please RSVP your car for this event ASAP.
Donate candy and chips
We are also in need of candy, chips, and other items to hand out on the day of the event. If you're able to donate food, please bring it to the main office.
Pray
Lastly, you can support this event by praying. Trunk or Treat is an event we welcome our community to participate in. Please be praying for this event, those who will be serving in it, and those attending.
If you have any questions or would like to serve in either of those areas, please email pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca. She would love to hear from you!
9. It's Starting: Junior Choir
We are looking for children from kindergarten to grade 5 who love to sing!
This fall, Junior Choir will run for an 8-week block with the purpose of singing in worship services in December. Practices will be Wednesday evenings from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
How to register
Starting date and ministering date coming soon. Please email naomi.c.robert@hotmail.com to register your child(ren) or with any questions.
10. Sunday Morning Volunteers Needed
We’re celebrating our new Sunday morning Children’s Ministry routine — where parents now come in and stop at the Connections Centre desk to sign their children into preschool or elementary ministry. This is all done on an iPad to print the required labels and a note in the binder for Children’s Ministry leaders. Easy-peasy!
We’re in need of teams of two to welcome children and parents and complete the registration process. WE PROVIDE TRAINING! We’re hoping that teams will take 2 weeks in a row and that the frequency will be every 2+ months. If you would like to see how it all works before making a commitment, we’d love to introduce you to this important ministry from 9:15 until 10:40 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Click below to express your interest. Thank you!
11. New Bible Studies for You
Bible Study: The Case for Faith | Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Doubt is familiar territory for Lee Strobel, the former atheist and award-winning author of books for skeptics and Christians alike. But he believes that faith and reason go hand in hand, and that Christianity is, in rational terms, a defensible religion.
Description: In this six-session video Bible study, Strobel explores the most common emotional obstacles to faith in Christ, including:
The natural inclination to wrestle with faith and doubt.
The troubling presence of evil and suffering in the world.
The exclusivity of the Christian gospel.
Behind each of these considerations is the question: Can I doubt and still be a Christian?
When: Six Wednesdays — Starting Oct. 19, 6:30 until 8 p.m.
Where: In person — The Board Room, Third Floor, Family Life Center OR Online — via Zoom
Who: For all people who have questions regarding their faith. No need to attend Brunswick Street Baptist Church. Bring a friend.
Facilitator: Daniel Savard
Cost: Free
For more information: Please contact Daniel Savard at 506-452-0319, or by email at timberwolfe57@live.ca.
12. NextGen Ministries
Children at BSBC
Junior Choir Opportunity
This fall, Junior Choir will run for an 8-week block with the purpose of singing in worship services in December. Practices will be Wednesday evenings from 6 to 6:30 p.m. We are looking for children from kindergarten to grade 5 who love to sing! Starting date and ministering date coming soon. Please email naomi.c.robert@hotmail.com to register your child(ren) or with any questions.
Scouting Boy’s K- Grade 5: Wednesday, Oct. 5
BSBC offers a scouting program for boys from kindergarten to high school. Outdoor adventures, fun activities, and community service projects are used to teach boys how to live the great commission, and to love God and our neighbours. Meetings will be held weekly in the church gym on Wednesday evenings for those in Kindergarten to Grade 5. For more information, please contact the church office at 458-8348 or bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca.
Hands-In Girls Ministry: Saturday, Oct. 15
Hands–In Girls Ministry is happening again this month, on Saturday, Oct. 15 up in KidzTown from 10 a.m. to noon! All girls from Kindergarten to Grade 5 are encouraged to join Allie Dunfield and her team for this time of friends, faith, and fun!
Youth at BSBC
WEDNESDAY
Youth Choir: Wednesday, 6 – 6:30 p.m.
We would love for our youth to come out and join this opportunity to grow in the gifts/ talents that God has given them. For more information on this, don't hesitate to get in touch with Julianne Moore at julianne.d.moore@gmail.com.
Bible Study: Wednesday 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Youth are encouraged to come out tonight for Bible Study. This will be a great time of connection, diving into the Word, and snacks! Pastor Nikki will be leading the Bible study, going through a RightNow Media series. We can’t wait to see you! For more information email Pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
THURSDAY
Middle and High School Scouts: Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
The Scouting program is also available for middle school and high school boys at 6:30 p.m. Scouts is packed full of outdoor adventures, fun activities, and community service projects that are used to teach boys how to live the great commission and to love God and our neighbours. Meetings will be held biweekly in the church gym at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact the church office at 458-8348 or bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca.
FRIDAY
Youth Group Pumpkin Carving: Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
This Friday we as a youth group will be carving pumpkins as our youth activity! All of our youth are welcome to come out Friday, Oct. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. Please bring a pumpkin, and wear something you do not mind possibly getting pumpkin guts on! Invite your friends to join you on this fun night of carving! If you have any questions regarding the night please email pastor Nikki at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca.
SUNDAY
No High School Youth Group
There will be no high school youth group this Thanksgiving Sunday. We will be meeting again Sunday, Oct. 16 at 7 pm!
COMING UP
Fredericton Youth Rally (FYR), Friday, Oct. 14, 6 - 9 p.m.
On Oct. 14, 6 - 9 p.m. there is a Fredericton-wide youth rally happening at Journey Church put on by a group of churches (ours included) to bring the youth of Fredericton together for a great evening of worship, fun, games, connection, and Jesus! We would love for all of our youth to go to this, we as a youth group will be going together. So parents, if you would like to volunteer to help with driving or set up at the event please reach out to me ASAP so we can get those details together!
Greenhouse Service: Sunday, Oct. 30, 10:30 a.m.
We will be having our first Greenhouse Service of the fall on Oct. 30. If your youth would like to be involved in this please get them to contact me so we can get them serving and using their gifts!
TRUNK OR TREAT: Sunday, Oct. 30
Coming up we have our annual Trunk or Treat event. We're asking for volunteers who would like to decorate their cars. If you and your family would like and are willing to decorate and have your car in this event, please let me know! If you need ideas for how to decorate, I would be happy to send some your way! Please email me at nikki@bsbc.nb.ca to RSVP your car for this event ASAP.
If you have any questions or would like to serve in either of those areas please email me, I would love to hear from you! Please encourage your youth to come out this week, and to bring a friend along!
13. Seniors Survey
We always want to be supportive of positive endeavours. This past week I received an email from Yewande Akalusi who is engaged in Masters work at UNB. To complete an important project she needs to hear from the “chronologically gifted” — and wondered about inviting our seniors to engage in her survey. So, here we are!
Below you will read Yewande’s letter of introduction and then you can click on the survey if you would like to take part. Thank you for considering aiding our sister in her studies.
Pastor Greg
Dear BSBC Church Family,
Hello dear brethren! I am studying business administration at UNB and working in a class group research project with Patrick Bidlake. As part of our coursework, we were asked to validate a need, or a problem experienced by some people and to offer those people a solution. While brainstorming, we realized that there are many senior citizens who live alone in our community. It is our impression that they may have many needs, such as needs for regular human interaction and more opportunities for Christian fellowship. They may also occasionally need help with physical and/or technological tasks. We would like the opportunity to speak with members of BSBC church family to better understand the needs of our senior citizens who live alone.
Any information collected from members would be recorded separately from any personally identifying information to protect the anonymity of participants. Collated data would be shared with the leadership of BSBC and members of our management class for educational purposes. Data will not be published, or otherwise made publicly available. I confirm that articulation of need does not mean any related services can be provided by BSBC.
Please let me know if you have any concerns.
Yours in Christ,
Yewande Akalusi
For Team Yewande & Patrick
(Research group in New Venture Creation Class, Faculty of Management, UNB)
14. This Sunday's Worship Gatherings
Give THANKS to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1
That’s what we’ll be doing this Sunday morning: giving thanks for the goodness of God!
Pastor Ross will be preaching in the gym service and Pastor Greg in the sanctuary service. Both will be leading you to consider how thankfulness to God can be seen in the way we use our time. This will be your official introduction to our fall study: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.
Jon and Alyse Wilton will be leading worship in the gym and in the sanctuary our soloist will be Talia Kennedy with musical offerings from Scott and Tara Kennedy (violin and piano). As well, we’ll find blessing in the ministry of the Sanctuary Choir.
In both services, come prepared to share what makes you thankful this Thanksgiving Sunday!
15. PRAY: Online Community
If you were in the gym or sanctuary services, you might have noticed the poster boards on the walls of the worship spaces, each one with the word PRAY at the top.
As your Lead Pastor, I’m excited about the fall and anticipate that God has much for us as we seek deeper experiences of Jesus’ love and seek, in return, to live out of that love in the spaces where we each live and move and have our being.
Mixed with this excitement is an irrevocable “still small voice” that is affirming for me that both of the above goals (experiencing Jesus' love at new levels/sharing that love in our lives) requires a renewed commitment within our church family in each one of us, to connect with God in prayer.
What’s your relationship with prayer? I evaluate mine and recognize that there is room for improvement. But, left on my own, “moving the needle” on personal prayer has been disappointing. So, I selfishly want you to join me on a prayer journey. And I want you to engage in this journey online.
My vision is a weekly blog where your pastors will post our own beliefs, experiences and understanding of prayer, along with a testimony from a member of our church family. You can engage in this “class” at your leisure. In this way, we can form a prayer community at BSBC. On this blog, you’ll be able to (1) leave comments and (2) have access to your pastors to ask confidential questions.
If you have a sense of inadequacy in the area of prayer or you just don’t have a clue how to start – please sign up to join PRAY. If you are a mature believer who enjoys a rich prayer life – please sign up to join PRAY. Let’s create a new place for community – online. Let’s give this initiative to God and trust in the Spirit to lead us to new places. I have complete confidence that God will use PRAY to align us with his will and lead us as a church family.
I realize this might sound like a very namby-pamby (def: lacking in character or substance) approach and that the idea of a community online might seem strange. But let’s do it. Let’s not tell God what he will do for us through this…let’s find out what he has for us in this!
How to sign up
So, this Sunday and next, please be so bold as to sign your name on one of the prayer poster boards and leave your email address. We’ll get in touch with you before the October launch of PRAY. Why am I asking you to take this step? Well, I hope we’ll see many names added to those poster boards – helping to express that we are a church family who want to PRAY. I hope this will build some excitement within our congregation as you add your name to others.
Remember, PRAY doesn’t require you to engage in more than reading weekly posts. No one will put you on the spot! I think (HOPE!) this is the perfect way for people to put their toes in the water and…PRAY!
Pastor Greg
P.S. If you can’t come to the church to write your name on the poster board, you can signup for PRAY by clicking here and leaving your name and email. Each week you’ll get an email to let you know the newest edition of PRAY is available!
16. Community Announcements
Turkey Dinner
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St., will be hosting a "Turkey Dinner", Wednesday, Oct. 26, 4 - 6 p.m. Cost $15/adult and $5/child. Please call 457-1951 to reserve your tickets.
Floor Curling at Forest Hill United Church (FHUC)
Join us from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays at FHUC for floor curling. Instead of ice, broom and flat stones, we use the floor and stones on 3 wheels. They can be thrown the regular way, or by using a stick which goes over the handle. You can be upright or seated to play.
Curling provides gentle exercise in a friendly surrounding. Try it out for two weeks free of charge. The annual cost is 10.00 plus 2.00 each time you come. For more information, please contact Mary or Margie at foresth.office@bellaliant.com or leave your contact information at 455-0988.
Covid protocols require hand washing or sanitizing when entering the hall and masking when moving about in the building. FHUC is an accessible location. FHUC is at 45 Kimble Court, around the corner from St. Margaret’s Anglican Church and beside the ball diamonds at Bliss Carmen Middle School.
17. This Week at BSBC: Oct. 5 to 12
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Centre.
Wednesday, October 5
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
1:00 Mandarin Bible Study (Barnabas Center)
6:00 Youth Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
6:30 Sanctuary Choir Practice (Choir Room)
6:30 Scouts Boys Ministry (Kindergarten-Grade 5) (Gym)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Third Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Thursday, October 6
9:00 Benevolent Ministry (By Appointment)
9:30 New Life Ministry (Third Floor, FLC)
1:30 Bible Study “Gospel of John” with Mary McMulkin (Third Floor Boardroom, FLC)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study with Carol Bray (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Handbell Choir (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
7:00 Scouts Boys Ministry (Grade 6 - 12) (Gym)
Friday, October 7
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
6:00 Friends Are Us Puppets (KidzTown, Second Floor, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Barnabas Center, KidzTown, 2nd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Youth Group Pumpkin Carving (Third Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Saturday, October 8
10:00 Stage Set-Up (Gym)
1:00 Worship Team Practice (Gym)
Sunday, October 9
6:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
9:00 Asian Sunday School Class (Boardroom Over Main Kitchen)
9:30 12 Curious Verses Bible Study (Family Room, FLC)
9:30 Biblical Prophesy Bible Study (Under the Sea Classroom, First Floor, FLC)
9:30 Sunday School Classes (FLC)
10:15 Preschool/KidzTown (First Floor & KidzTown, Second Floor, FLC)
10:30 Contemporary Worship Service (Gym)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (Third Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
10:30 Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)
Monday, October 10
Thanksgiving – Church Offices Closed
2:00 WMS Meeting (Family Room, FLC)
6:30 Education Committee (Third Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Tuesday, October 11
10:00 Library Open
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Second Floor 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)
6:00 Sports Friends Leadership Meeting (Gym)
6:30 DivorceCare (Family Room, FLC)
7:00 Fresh Start (Gym And Third Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
7:00 Missions Committee Meeting (Third Floor Conference Room, FLC)
Wednesday, October 12
10:00 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
12:00 Men’s Basketball (Gym)
1:00 Mandarin Bible Study (Barnabas Center)
6:00 Youth Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
6:30 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)
6:30 Scouts Boys Ministry (Kindergarten-Grade 5) (Gym)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Third Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
