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Growing Faith, Friends & Families to Serve
Hello Brunswick Street!
Check out what's coming up at BSBC from Oct. 6 to 13.
In this issue:
Pastor Greg’s Thanksgiving Letter
Meet The Watters
Harvest for the Hungry
Thanksgiving Sunday Combined Service
Thanksgiving Offering Goal for 2021
October’s Bodcast
Introducing Pastor Nikki Leftley
“Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting” Prayer Meeting Zoom
“Walking With Jesus” Bible Study – Postponed
A Request from the Salvation Arm
“Covid 19, Religious Freedoms and a Christian Response”
L’Arche Fredericton Fundraiser
This Week @ BSBC
1. A Thanksgiving Message from Pastor Greg
Dear Church Family,
Today, as Margaret and I were out and about, we recognized that fall is slowly making its presence seen, especially as we crossed the Westmorland Street Bridge with full view of “the hill.” This is always my favourite time of the year. Not as hot as summer. Not as cold as winter (and no shoveling!). Not as mushy as spring. Just a season of nature’s beauty and a reminder to count our blessings...
2. Meet the Watters Family
The wait is over and the Watters family have not only ‘landed’ in Fredericton, but are actively settling in. We put Pastor Ross right to work as, this past Sunday, he offered the sermon in the Contemporary Service. This coming Sunday, at our combined service in the sanctuary, we’ll have another opportunity to get to know him.
In our fall mailing, we invited Pastor Ross to share a greeting and introduce the Watters family to the church family. Enjoy this newsy introduction and continue to remember them in prayer as they ‘unpack’ their new life in Fredericton.
3. 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?
4. Thanksgiving Sunday Combined Service
Join us in-person or online as worship with a theme of thankfulness for all God’s blessings – temporal and spiritual. We thank Him because we know that “every good and perfect gift” comes from Him.
For this combined service in the sanctuary, we will back Hollie Weaver who was a guest worship leader for two Sundays in August. Hollie, a student and worship leader at Crandall University, will lead the contemporary worship in song time. David Steeves will lead us on the organ and in addition to Gloria Tranquilla on the piano, we’re so pleased to add Vivian Ni on Violin. A vocal ensemble if preparing to share their gift of song.
Thanksgiving worship will also include a “His Name is Power” segment, led by Denise Mersereau and featuring Josie Livingstone. We’ll have opportunity to welcome and pray over the Watters family and Pastor Ross will join me for an interview/sermon entitled, “Thankful for a Secure Future”, based on I Peter 1:3-9.
Please remember that members of our Education Committee are providing two preschool classes, one for infants to age 2 and another for age 2 to age 4. These are offered on the first floor of the Family Life Center. Children Kindergarten to Grade 5 are invited to join our KidzTown program on the second floor of the Family Life Center. Both areas open at 10:15 am prior to the 10:30 start of the combined service.
Thank you for being prepared, if this is your first service with us since the new protocols, to show your proof of double-vaccination before entering.
Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
5. Thanksgiving Offering Goal
In February of this year, when our church family met for our Annual General Meeting, those gathered considered the financial life of our church family. A budget for our ministry work for 2021 was presented and adopted. Part of the giving profile for 2021 included a special/additional offering for Thanksgiving.
The goal for this offering, given in addition to whatever each household regularly gives, is $7,000. Thank you for prayerfully considering this opportunity to give. Please be sure to mark you gifts “Thanksgiving Offering.” Your church leadership remain grateful for the faithful giving of our church family.
Pastor Greg
6. October's BODcast
You’re invited to tune in for the next instalment of Dr. Keith’s BODcast series. Here is the introduction to this month’s offering:
With striking detail and deeply-felt pain, the poet of Psalm 79 describes the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the aftershocks of invasion. Why are the voices of this psalm preserved for us, where does it occur in the Psalter, and does it apply to our Christian lives right now (some 2600 years after its composition)? In this short Bodcast we will listen to the words of Psalm 79, and suggest that it is a powerful (and challenging) resource as we seek to follow the Lord Jesus during this season of uncertainty for our surrounding culture.
7. Introducing Pastor Nikki Leftley
Hailing from Barrie, Ontario, Nikki is a spring graduate of the Youth Ministry program at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario. Her smile brings light and her openness and thoughtfulness make her engaging in the extreme. She has a passion for youth to grow in a deep relationship with Christ.
8. "Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting" Prayer Meeting — Tonight on Zoom
Each Wednesday, at 6:30 pm, consider joining Deacon Charlie Ritchie for this online gathering for teaching and engagement in prayer. If you are uncomfortable praying out loud, no one will put you on the spot. If you are wanting to explore what it means to pray of if prayer is central to your life, there’s a place for you in this gathering. To secure the ZOOM invite please contact the church office (receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca).
Of this evening Charlie writes: The purpose of this prayer group is to pray for the ministry of the church, for the pastors and for the congregation using various forms of prayer. So, as we are praying, we will also broaden the ways in which we pray. Let’s depart from what can become a gathering to offer God a ‘grocery list’ of concerns. I hope we will worship in prayer, practice thanksgiving, pray for healing, pray for the world scene, pray for the lost, pray for our nation, pray for our leaders and more. This will be a time for us to seek the presence of God…together.
9. 'Walking With Jesus' Bible Study - Can You Help With Tech?
Due to the pandemic situation in New Brunswick, “Walking With Jesus” will not be meeting in person. Daniel Savard is willing to lead it online, but we have not been able to find a Zoom ‘technician’ to provide that part of offering.
If you, or someone you know, would be willing to take care of the zoom needs or this study, please contact the church office (bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca). Daniel will be prepared to offer the study as soon as a technician is found. Thanks to Daniel for his willingness to serve in this way.
Study Details
A fall Bible study for all. Walking With Jesus is an 8-part video journey through the land of Israel on which Pastor Matt Reagan of Southeast Christian Church. In the series we will visit the places where Jesus lived, walked, and ministered with His disciples. As the land of the Bible comes alive before your eyes, you’ll gain fresh perspective on the life-changing power of Christ’s love and His church’s calling to make disciples who follow Him.
10. A Request from the Salvation Army
This week, our office received a call from Major Deering, pastor of the Salvation Army Citadel here in Fredericton. Major Deering was calling to ask the congregation of BSBC to assist with their annual Christmas Kettle Campaign.
11. “COVID-19, Religious Freedoms And Christian Response”
Tomorrow, Oct. 7, Alan Sears will be giving a public online webinar sponsored by the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton with the title “Covid-19, Religious Freedoms, and Christian Response: Seeking the Peace and Prosperity of the City.” A description of the talk and a link to register is available using the button below.
12. L’Arche Fredericton Fundraiser
Are you familiar with the L’Arche movement? “L’Arche has a broad social vision beyond providing care and services for people with disabilities. L’Arche seeks inclusion for people with disabilities but also seeks to change the society in which they are included. How? One heart at a time.
Did you know that Fredericton has a L’Arche community?
“L’Arche Fredericton started as Willow Tree Community in 2010 when a group of people was brought together by a note in a church bulletin. The seeds of L’Arche had been planted in that group in different places and at different times. Some had lived in other L’Arche communities, others had family members living in L’Arche communities, some had attended a retreat with Jean Vanier held in Saint John, NB. All had been inspired by the message of Jean Vanier and were interested in seeing a L’Arche community in Fredericton.” Want to know more? Visit www.larchefredericton.org.
Fundraiser
L’Arche is offering their annual Fredericton Fall Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 23, with pick-up of your dinner at Greener Village between 5 and 6 p.m. Dinner for two is $50.
Dinner includes melt-in-your-mouth Lasagna and Caesar Salad prepared expertly by Chef Yves Dechaine, followed by something for your sweet-tooth from The Muse and Colburn’s fresh apple cider.
To purchase your tickets, please contact larchfredericton@gmail.com by Tuesday, Oct. 12.
13. This Week at BSBC: Oct. 6 - 13, 2021
Please note: FLC stands for Family Life Center
Wednesday, October 6
9:30 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Zoom)
6:30 “Not Your Usual Prayer Meeting” Prayer Meeting (Zoom)
Thursday, October 7
9:30 New Life (3rd Floor, FLC)
1:30 Ladies Bible Study (Family Room)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
7:00 GriefShare (Family Room, FLC)
Friday, October 8
9:30 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
6:00 “Friends Are Us” Puppet Team (Puppet Room, KidzTown, FLC)
7:00 Youth Group (3rd Floor, FLC)
7:00 Mandarin Fellowship (Zoom)
Saturday, October 9
1:00 Worship Team Practice
Sunday, October 10
06:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over the Main Kitchen)
9:00 Asian Class (Boardroom Over the Main Kitchen)
10:15 Preschool Classes (1st Floor, FLC)
10:15 KidzTown (2nd Floor, FLC)
10:30 COMBINED THANKSGIVING SERVICE (Sanctuary)
10:30 Mandarin Worship Service (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Monday, October 11 – THANKSGIVING MONDAY
Offices Closed
6:30 Education Committee (Family Room)
Tuesday, October 12
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom over Main Kitchen)
1:30 Pastoral Staff Meeting (Family Room, FLC)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room, 2nd Floor)
2:15 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room, FLC)
6:30 DivorceCare (3rd Floor Assembly Area, FLC)
Wednesday, October 13
9:30 Seniors Exercise (Gym)
10:00 Library Opens
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary)
6:30 Not Your Usual Bible Study (Zoom)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (Zoom)
