The Banner
Growing Faith, Families & Friends to Serve
In this issue:
New Canadians
Thanks From Our Green Hill Lake Camp Summer Staff
From Rebekah Sears
GriefShare Ministry Start Up
DivorceCare Ministry Start Up
September @ BSBC (With News for Parents)
“Bills 4 Bikes” Campaign
This Week’s “Praying for the Watters Family”
This Sunday’s Service – September 5
The Community Kitchen Needs Volunteers
Breakfast Out
Wednesday Library Openings
This Week @ BSBC
1. A Message from Pastor Greg: New Canadians
In a virtual ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 26, 5 people special to BSBC officially became Canadian citizens! 🎉
We celebrate this great accomplishment in the life of Ahmed Jabber and his 4 older children: Rawan (2nd year at UNB), Abdulrahman (Grade 12), Amani (also in high school) and Mustafa (middle school).
After months of praying and anticipation, we had the privilege of welcoming the Jabbers to Canada in September 2015. And many of you have had the privilege of personally getting to know them and love them. Saana, Ahmed’s wife, will make her application for citizenship when she advances in her English language study.
We welcomed this family in September 2015. Is it time to consider sponsoring another family needing support for a new life in Canada? Let’s all pray about that.
Pastor Greg
2. Thanks from our GHLC Summer Staff
Hey Friends!
We are writing to thank you all for all your support, financially and spiritually this summer at Green Hill Lake Camp.
Without support from donors like you, camp would not have been possible this summer. Campers would not have had been able to make life long memories and have the opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ and experience the unending love of God.
So, again, thank you for your continued support.
In Christ,
Allie Dunfield
Dylan Wightman
Hannah Hatchard
Nathan Holmes
3. Partner in Mission: Rebekah Sears
After sharing in our service on Sunday, Aug. 22, our Partner in Mission, Rebekah Sears, is back in Ottawa at her work with the Mennonite Central Committee. I’m happy to share the following excerpt from a recent email:
On August 22, I talked a little bit about what my role is in general, then highlighted a recent/ongoing project I've been compiling/editing around the federal election. Of course, its nonpartisan, as all of our work, and its about the ideas, not the parties. Its a call for us as citizens and Christians to raise issues of concern, and to seek the peace of the city, specifically in caring for others and building Shalom. But of course, all we are called to do is plant and water. God is the one who makes it grow, and in ways we might not expect.
I talked about a reflection and resource that we were launching on Monday, that goes through why we believe we should be raising key issues with candidates, and what some of these issues are. I mentioned I was going to share it with the church office, and you can also share it around, in whatever way makes most sense.
In Peace,
Bekah
Thank you, Rebekah, for sharing your work with your church family!
Pastor Greg
4. GriefShare Ministry
If you are suffering the loss of a loved one, GriefShare, a Christian-based video-discussion support group, is being offered in the Family Room in the Family Life Center at Brunswick Street Baptist Church starting Thursday, Sept. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. for 13 weeks.
More information
Please call 458-8348 for information and to register. There will be limits on group size due to Covid-19.
5. DivorceCare Ministry
If you know someone who is going through marital separation or divorce, invite them to consider joining our 13-week DivorceCare program, a ministry which will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Room of Brunswick Street Baptist Church.
About the program
Each evening includes the presentation of videos with expert counsellors sharing insights on how to move from hurting to healing. In addition, supportive conversation provides encouragement to participants led by Gloria Tranquilla, Pauline Harvey and Bryan McWilliam. Each session stands on its own so participants can join any week.
More information
For more information, please contact facilitator, Gloria Tranquilla or call the church office at 458-8348. You can also register online.
6. September at BSBC & Info for Parents
Dear Church Family,
As I sit listening to The National, I’m taking in news of the return of masking orders in British Columbia and Manitoba. In New Brunswick, we’re watching Covid numbers rise, but, thankfully, our provincial hospital numbers remain very low. In a recent interview with our Minister of Health, Dorothy Shepherd, she suggested that is unlikely that we’ll move from OR have adjustments to our ‘green’ designation unless our hospitals become vulnerable.
Fall ministries
As you can imagine, your BSBC’s leadership team are finding challenge in making plans for what would normally be the full fall launch of our ministries. The decision has been made to postpone the start up of children and youth programming that is not already in motion until the week after Thanksgiving Sunday. This will allow us to monitor the provincial Covid situation and review and adjust October plans based on Public Health guidelines as they stand in late September.
Youth ministries
Youth ministries already begun (Friday Youth Groups, Wednesday Youth Bible Study and Sunday College and Career “Refresh”) will continue unless provincial health guidelines change. For these groups, masking will be welcome and sanitizing will continue.
Adult ministries
Adult ministries may begin as leaders feel led to engage. For adult ministries we’ll welcome masking, ask for sanitizing and allow individual participants to engage as they are comfortable.
Sunday mornings
Between Sunday, Sept. 12 and Thanksgiving Sunday, Oct. 10, our focus will be on Sunday morning worship gatherings. Starting on Sept. 12 at 10:30 a.m. we’ll be back to our normal format of Contemporary (gym), Traditional (sanctuary) and Mandarin (3rd floor) services. Masks will be welcome, sanitizing encouraged, in the sanctuary the socially-distanced sections will remain but reservations will no longer be requested.
KidzTown & preschool ministries
We ask parents to note that KidzTown will continue to require pre-registration, masking and sanitizing for all participants. In addition, starting on Sept. 12, members of our Education Committee will be offering Preschool Ministry during the worship hour in classrooms on the first floor of the Family Life Centre. There will be 2 rooms available: infant to new age 2's AND older age 2’s to age 4. Again, we’ll depend on the preregistration system, sanitizing and masking of leaders. As with Kidztown, we’ll also be inviting participating parents to take a turn, working with our leaders, to provide preschool care during the church hour.
The Covid Pivot
As leadership, we recognize that nothing can be written in stone. Our plans will adapt and change as Public Health advises. So, I invite you to continue to pray for the Covid situation in our city, province, nation and world. Please pray for our public health officers, that they will have wisdom from above and for a spirit of understanding and cooperation within our church family.
Every blessing,
Pastor Greg
7. Bills 4 Bikes
Thanks for considering making a donation toward the $1,600 price tag for two new mountain bikes for use at Green Hill Lake Camp.
Every little bit helps.
As of today, $1,315 has been given.
8. Praying for the Watters Family
Well, August 30th came and went and no kilts appeared at the Fredericton Airport! BUT, we’re praying toward a new goal!
Tickets have been rebooked for Wednesday, Sept. 15 with arrival in Fredericton at 11:39 p.m.
At least by the e-newsletter on the 15th, we’ll confirm that we can expect the Watters that night.
There is a key document that needs to be issued for them to fly…please pray that will come to them before the 15th.
9. This Sunday's Services: Sept. 5, 2021
This Sunday at BSBC you continue to have two choices for engagement with God’s word.
Sermon Café
In the gym, you are invited to our “Sermon Café” where you’ll be welcomed by our hosts and offered hot or cold beverages and baked goods. You and your guest(s) will enjoy background worship music, each other's company and conversation — check out the sermon prep question handout. Then, when the sermon starts in the sanctuary, you’ll be invited to watch it in the gym. Sundays in the gym are relaxed, personal and allow you to engage with God’s word and each other.
Blended Worship
In the sanctuary, you’re invited to engage with elements from both contemporary and traditional services as we seek to offer ourselves to God through various acts of worship and engage with Dr. Keith in the study of God’s word.
Worship Leaders
This Sunday, as we gather at the Lord’s Table, our musical worship leaders will be Deacon Jon and Alyse Wilton and Gloria Tranquilla.
Sermon Notes: Point of Surrender
Dr. Keith is back in the pulpit with a communion meditation entitled “Point of Surrender.”
On this Communion Sunday we will begin by considering the words of Jesus in Matthew 13:44: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” As it turns out, there is an episode in 2 Kings 7 that illustrates this parabolic truth: during a dark time in the history of God’s people, the city of Samaria is under siege and their situation appears hopeless. The scene shifts to four lepers outside the city gate, facing certain peril. Reluctantly, they decide to surrender to Aramean military, only to discover an empty camp and a table set before them!
Preparing to come before the Table on this Lord’s Day, we at TheStreet are provided with an opportunity to reflect on the fullness of gospel in our lives and give thanks afresh for the presence and provision of the Risen Lord Jesus who joyfully shows each of us how to find treasure hidden in a field.
KidzTown
Parents, remember that KidzTown is running for children K-Gr 5. And, there’s a preschool room on the gym hallway if you should need to use it.
Worship Online
Please note that for July and August the online service will be on YouTube only. You do not need a YouTube account to watch the service. The Contemporary Facebook Live Service Returns the second Sunday in September.
We look forward to seeing you Sunday! If you're attending in-person, please be sure to make your reservation by clicking the link below.
10. The Community Kitchen Needs Volunteers
The Community Kitchen is reaching out to churches seeking volunteers to partner with them in this important ministry of feeding Fredericton. Below is a list of shifts for which they immediately require assistance and here’s an excerpt from their email:
We are ideally looking for individuals that might be willing to commit to a weekly shift, but we will obviously take whatever is offered by your congregation!! If it is of interest, some church groups pick a day each week and fill it with individuals from the congregation on a rotating schedule.
Thank you for prayerfully considering how you, your family and friends could help provide meal security for those who need it most.
More info & to sign up
For more information please call 457-1788 and ask for Cassandra or Danielle. Sign up on their website.
Thursday, Sept. 2
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (4 volunteers needed)
2 to 6 p.m. (2 volunteers needed)
4 to 6 p.m. (2 volunteers needed)
Friday, Sept. 3
7 to 8:30 a.m. (1 volunteer needed)
9 a.m. to 1p.m. (4 volunteers needed)
2 to 6 p.m. (3 volunteers needed)
4 to 6 p.m. (3 volunteers needed)
Saturday, Sept. 4
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (1 volunteer needed)
2 to 6 p.m. (2 volunteers needed)
4 to 6 p.m. (3 volunteers needed)
Sunday, Sept. 5
4 to 6 p.m. (1 volunteer needed)
11. Breakfast Out
Gibson Memorial United Church, 183 Gibson St. will be hosting a “Welcome Back Breakfast” on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Menu: Bacon, eggs, pancakes, toast, coffee/tea, juice, muffins or donuts.
Cost: $8/person
“All are welcome in this place.”
12. Wednesday Library Openings
Your librarians invite you to visit the library the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10 am until noon. Come and engage with our huge collection of books — there’s something for everyone!
13. This Week at BSBC: Sept.1 to 8
Wednesday, September 1
9:00 VBS (K-Gr 2) (KidzTown, Fellowship Hall)
6:00 Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal (Sanctuary/Choir Room)
Thursday, September 2
9:00 VBS (Gr 3-5) (KidzTown, Fellowship Hall)
7:00 Mandarin Choir Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, September 3
No Events Scheduled
Saturday, September 4
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, September 5
06:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom Over the Main Kitchen)
10:15 KidzTown (2nd Floor, Family Life Centre)
10:30 Blended Service (Sanctuary)
10:30 Sermon Café (Gym)
2:00 Mandarin Worship Service (Sanctuary)
Monday, September 6
Labour Day – Church Offices Closed
Tuesday, September 7
12:00 Mandarin Prayer Meeting (Boardroom over Main Kitchen)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room, 2nd Floor)
Wednesday, September 8
10:00 Library Opens
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary)
