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:
IN THIS ISSUE:
1 – Fall Business Meeting Agenda – Wednesday, Oct. 21
2 – New Protocol for In-Person Worship Service Seating Starts Oct. 11
3 – “Harvest for Hunger” Ends This Sunday
4 – Tuesday High School Study Time @ BSBC
5 – A New Prayer Time in the Sanctuary
6 – “Prayer Canada” – You’re Invited
7 – Betty & Charlie Ritchie Update/Needs
8 – October’s Adult Opportunities
9 – Financial Update From Our Treasurer
10 – Online Service for Sunday, Oct. 11
11 – Our In-Person Service This Coming Sunday, Oct. 11
12 – “Facility Assistant” Position Available
13 – Library Opening After Services on Sunday Mornings
14 – October Birthdays
1. Fall Business Meeting - Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.
Your moderator gives notice of the Fall Business Meeting to be held Wednesday, Oct 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Agenda items include:
an update from the Board of Management
the presentation of the 2019 Financial Statements
a financial update to the end of September
an update from the Board of Deacons, especially ministry highlights
a report on the April 17, 2019 Special Business Meeting motion asking the Deacons to explore a vision for the use of the sanctuary
a presentation and motion from the Board of Deacons to redirect $10,000 from the education budget to Green Hill Lake Camp
a presentation and motion from the Missions Committee to redirect $7,100 designated in support of a 2021 Africa Mission Tour to Canadian Baptist Ministries in support of pastors and families in Africa and India
a presentation and motion from the Social Action Team to sponsor a refugee couple to come to Canada (no financial implications for the church)
a presentation by Pastor Greg of a New Pastoral Staffing Model for BSBC with a motion from the Board of Deacons to adopt the presented New Pastoral Staffing Model
a motion from the Board of Deacons to empower the Next Gen Search Committee to expand its mandate to relate to the New Pastoral Staffing Model
The constitution requires 40 members attending for a quorum. As our COVID-19 protocols will be observed, reservations will be helpful in determining whether we will need to use the gym as well as the sanctuary. Like the Special Business Meeting in July, you may register to “attend” on ZOOM should you feel uncomfortable meeting in a group with others (you will be able to ask questions) but those on ZOOM will not be able to vote. You may register to attend in-person or on ZOOM by clicking below or contacting the church office (receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca/458-8348).
Please email bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca to request support materials for the above mentioned business items (available Friday, Oct. 9). Thank you.
2. In-Person Seating Adjustments Start Oct. 11
As we continue to offer “in-person services” I want to thank all who have attended for your cooperation with our Covid-19 protocols and patience with those who greet you, as we find best practices for welcoming, seating and worshiping together. You’ve been great!
New seating areas
This Sunday, Oct. 11, in both services, we will be identifying seating areas for those who are willing to remain masked during the entire service and to be seated with 1 meter between “bubbles.” This will allow us to enlarge our capacity for worshipers.
You will have your choice of sitting in these sections or in the sections where you can take off your mask when seated and be seated at a distance of 2 meters. Thank you for your patience this week as we seek to direct you to your chosen area.
We’re all in this together
We are now prepared to receive reservations up to 9 a.m. on Sundays. You can register online, call the church office (458-8348) or email the church office (receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca). We want to make this as easy as possible because, we’re all in this together!
Pastor Greg
3. Harvest for Hunger
Community needs have not disappeared during the pandemic. Many agencies have reported increased requests for help, especially with food. So, we are inviting you to take part in our annual “Harvest for Hunger” which sees you bringing non-perishable food items to the church between Sunday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 11.
These gifts will be divided, as has been our practice, with the Greener Village Food Bank and for use in our New Life Ministry, stocking our Food Pantry for use each week.
How to drop off donations
PLEASE feel free to drop your donations off at the church office any time, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you bring donations on Sundays, there will be receptacles at the entrances for your convenience.
Suggestions of Helpful Items
Pasta Sauce, Pasta Noodles, 1L Juice, Cereal, Canned Soup, Canned Vegetables, Macaroni and Cheese, Canned Meat, Peanut Butter, Brown Beans/Kidney Beans, School Snacks, Juice Boxes, Dish Soap…
4. Tuesday High School Study Time @ BSBC
Hey, Church – here’s a new ministry @ BSBC!
Starting next Tuesday, Oct. 13 the Solid Rock Café, located on the 3rd floor of the Family Life Center, will be open to receive high school students looking for a place to study alone or with friends. With its vast room and a reliable wifi connection, it's the ideal place for a dozen or so students and their hosts/leaders, Pastor Charles and Emily Perrin Colpitts to work and socialize safely and efficiently.
Pastor Charles and Emily are prepared to offer help and support to the students who come. Did you know that Pastor Charles is a trained teacher with specialty in French? Before coming, whether it's for the morning, the afternoon or the whole day (8:30 a.m. to 5 p..m.), please pre-register by emailing charles@bsbc.nb.ca. Don't forget your mask and your lunch! See you there!
Parents/Youth – have questions? Email Pastor Charles!
5. New Prayer Time in the Sanctuary
Dear Church Family – I plan on being present in the sanctuary on Wednesdays, from noon to 1 p.m. to host and lead a casual and organic hour of intercession with whoever comes: connecting vertically and horizontally both safely and intentionally!
We can't help but grow from such times!
No reservations needed!
Please use the Connection Center entrance.
Join for the whole time or for the part you can be present.
Pastor Charles
6. Prayer Canada
1 Timothy 2:1-3 exhorts believers to pray for all those in authority over us. Our “Prayer Canada” group invites you to join us in the Family Room on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 9:45 a.m. as we lift up our political and spiritual leaders in prayer. We will be practising all Covid-19 security measures. Come and be blessed! For more information, contact Doris Ashfield (dougash@nb.sympatico.ca).
7. Charlie & Betty Ritchie Meals/Wheelchair
Charlie and Betty have been blessed by receiving meals — and it is a real help in these days. However, they ask that meals be smaller – their appetites are small and so, planning to feed three (with Emily) for one meal will likely, in itself, provide leftovers for a second. We’re looking for additional members of our church family who would take one day a month to prepare a meal for the Ritchies. It would be great if we could set this up and then let it run – so they will know when meals will come and, can then, plan for offers outside our church family. Could you take one day a month? Contact the church office (458-8348), leave your information, and we’ll be in touch with you.
The second is the need for a wheelchair for Betty. There are some special considerations. It can’t be a chair that folds up. It has to be a stable wheelchair. If you think you might have something that would work, perhaps you could take a photo of it and email it to the church office (receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca). Or contact the church office and we’ll follow up with you.
Thank you for your engagement!
Pastor Greg
8. Adult’s Getting Together to Learn & Share
Considering how you will engage in spiritual enrichment this fall? We invite you to consider these offerings:
Bible Study in the Gospel of John
Hello Church—As we enter the fall months I’ll be offering a study in the Gospel of John. This book was instrumental in getting my attention when I was living without the saving knowledge of Christ, and the preaching from this book woke me from my spiritual sleep some twenty years ago! Please join me on this journey on Tuesday evenings, starting on October 6 at 6:30 pm. You can take part in this study via ZOOM or by joining me, in-person, in the gym. The study will continue until November 26. Thank you for preregistering using the link below.
Let’s learn together, Pastor Steve
Micah 6:8 Nights
I confess that, when confused about the demands of the Christian faith, I return to and find clarity in Micah 6:8—
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Simple, really. Justice...kindness...a humble walk...and yet so challenging when set in the context of contemporary society and the many voices that cry for their own understanding of justice...kindness...and a humble walk with God. In light of social unrest and demands for a changed society how do Christians respond...I would say by turning to the Word of God and by praying.
Micah 6:8 Nights take place in the sanctuary on Wednesdays, starting October 7, from 6:30-7:45 pm. Here we’ll explore the Scriptures and then spend time praying for … whatever the Spirit of God leads us to offer.
Micah 6:8 Nights invite us to study and pray for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done on earth as it is done in heaven … and especially in our own walk with God and others.
To pre-register for ZOOM or in-person participation, please click on the link below.
I look forward to sharing a journey of learning and prayer – Pastor Greg
It’s As Easy As Living
The very last words of Jesus, to his disciples, that we read in Matthew 28, verses 18 to 20, were very clear: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of age.
A very clear passage indeed. But sometimes, the GO, speaks louder than the others words that compose Jesus’ final address to his disciples. As I paused and reflected about this, I came to the conclusion that the GO brings to mind the famous missionary stories and evangelistic initiatives we’ve heard, read about and maybe experienced, which are undoubtedly inspiring and moving.
However, it is not this word that is at the center of Jesus’ concluding words. In fact, in Greek, the only verb that is written in the imperative tense is MAKE (disciples). Thus, we must understand that Jesus emphasizes and prioritizes the discipleship-making process more than the ‘going’ and the trips.
Now that we are more than ever before limited in our comings and goings, we are left with the core of this important verse: focusing on making disciples of all nations, as we go about our daily life, here, right where God has us! Not a bad Covid-19 side effect if you ask me!
But what does that mean for us at Brunswick Street? It means that we have a unique opportunity, as individuals and as a congregation to hear from God, look around us and notice the ones who are earnestly seeking God and start engaging with them! Stay tuned for the upcoming series of workshops that will challenge us all to embrace Jesus’ mission on earth to seek and save the lost!
Workshops will take place on Thursday evenings, both in-person and on Zoom—so you can take part in whatever format is best for you. You won’t be weighed down with a load of guilt but will be encouraged to live life with a renewed desire to introduce your family and friends to your awesome friend, Jesus. It’s as easy as living and since your going to be living anyway, why not live in a way that builds the kindgom by loving others?
The first workshop will take place on Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. in the gym. To pre-register, click on the link below. I’m excited about what we’ll share together – Pastor Charles.
9. Financial Update
Financial Giving Update, January 1 to August 31
Current Yr Prev Year Budget
General $559,497 $557,831 $618,172
Building $77,035 $81,391 $90,000
The giving has been steady and God's faithfulness to us and His people is evident in our finances. The General Fund giving is slightly ahead of last year ($1,666 more), although it is below our budget target by $58,675. The Building Fund is behind on all counts, being $4,356 behind last year's giving and $12,965 below our budget target. Since summer expenditures have been quite low, our cash balance is healthy and we are meeting all our financial obligations.
God bless,
Ken Reimer, Treasurer
10. Online Service for Sunday, Oct. 11
This coming Sunday, we’re presenting the service recorded on Sunday, Oct. 4, which included our first Sunday service of Communion since March.
Dr. Keith leads us to consider text from the Old Testament book of Joshua focusing on God’s provision for His people, then and now. For the contemporary recording our guest worship leaders are Faith and Adam Moore. Traditional worship is led by another of our new vocal ensembles and soloist, Margaret Geldart. The children’s time is presented by Sarah Duguid.
11. In-Person Services: Thanksgiving Sunday, Oct. 11
Our services this Sunday morning sound a note of Thanksgiving as we gather on this special Sunday to thank God for His faithfulness.
Pastor Steve will be preaching in the Contemporary/Gym service and Pastor Greg in the Traditional/Sanctuary service. Musical worship in the gym will be led by Julianne Moore, Mark McAllister and Jon Wilton. Musical worship in the sanctuary will be led by two individual vocal ensembles, in addition to soloist, Beth Snow and violinist, Vivian Ni.
12. Facility Assistant Position Available
BSBC is seeking the services of a part-time Facility Assistant. While some duties will be regular, others will be required on an as-needed, on-call basis.
Examples of regular duties include:
Gym chair set up for Sunday services
Weekly check of fire protection systems
Additional visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the building
Completing spring, summer and fall yard work (i.e. lawn mowing and leaf raking)
Examples of on-call duties include:
Odd jobs (i.e. replace light bulbs, repair leaking faucets, install and remove air conditioners)
Setting up chairs for events such as weddings and funerals
Providing building security during events such as weddings and funerals
This position does not require advanced maintenance skills and will be supported by professional contractors (i.e. plumber, electrician, etc.) should the need arise. Snow removal is excluded from responsibilities. Hours will be flexible; a guideline is 20‑30 hours per month. This projection is based on current operating conditions and is subject to change with the evolving COVID-19 situation and related church activity.
The Facility Assistant will report to the Personnel Committee and work cooperatively with church office staff for day-to-day identification of needs and scheduling.
How to apply
Interested candidates may drop off a resume at the church office Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; email receptionist@bsbc.nb.ca; or mail to 161 York Street, Fredericton, NB, E3B 3N8, by Oct. 12, 2020.
13. Sunday Library Opening
In addition to our Library being open on Wednesdays from 10 am until noon, it will now be open after the morning services. Please note that you might be asked to wait outside the door for a moment or two so that we can observe Physical Distancing, but we’ll be open until everyone gets in…and OUT! Thanks to our Librarian, Sharon Gosselin, and her team for extending the Library ministry to Sunday mornings.
14. October Birthdays 🎉
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, Full-time Pastor to the Chinese Congregation
