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
Our Online Suggestion Box
“The Fall Is Here” Online Broadcast for 10 a.m., Sept. 13
Hey, Kids! Join “Bible Fall Fun” - Premiers September 16
In-Person Services Start THIS Sunday
Return to the Book of Acts – Notes from Dr. Keith
Middle and High School Youth Events – THIS WEEK
Practical Help for a New Member of the BSBC Family
David Steeves’ New Role in Music Ministry
Bereavement – Praying for the Hildebrand Family
Our Library is Open for You
Mission Update from Leah and Reuben Myles
Who Has a Birthday in September
1. Our online suggestion box
As I “suggested” in my sermon last Sunday, Sept. 6, your leadership covet your use of our online Suggestion Box!
While you are free to suggest anything that you believe will enrich our life together, we are especially interested in suggestions for how your church family can meet YOUR needs in this time of pandemic. How can we serve you? How can we meet your spiritual needs? And then, what needs can we, as a church family, meet in our community? How can we be the hands and feet of Christ in these days? AND, anything else you’d like to “suggest” that you believe will help us connect with our loving God, our community and each other.
Simply click on the Suggestion Box image and you’ll be taken to a form you can fill in and submit directly to my inbox. You can provide your contact information or remain anonymous.
Put on your thinking cap. We are better together so make this investment in our life as the Body of Christ at Brunswick Street Baptist Church.
Pastor Greg
2. “THE FALL IS HERE” – Online Broadcast, Sunday Morning, Sept. 13
Your church staff and lay leadership have been planning for our life together this fall. Get all the news by watching “The Fall Is Here” broadcast, available from 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 13 and ongoing. In this special broadcast you’ll hear about opportunities for children, youth and adults – both in-person and online. This will give you a snapshot of BSBC’s fall 2020!
In addition, you’ll hear from our Green Hill Lake Camp staff who will share what they experienced in ministry at our camp this past summer. Rachel Keirstead and Alexandra Dunfield will be leading in song.
Even if you are coming to in-person worship this Sunday, this is a unique offering you won’t get any other way. Thanks for engaging with us AND for sharing this ‘snapshot’ with those you know who might want to “plug in” to life at BSBC!
3. Fall online children’s ministry
On Wednesday, Sept. 16, kids of all ages can engage in a new online platform with the premiere of our BIBLE FALL FUN with Jesus, their best buddy, EVER!
Our kids will enjoy the return of our VBS “Bible Adventurer” as well as crafts, songs, the Brain Break and our all new “Find It In Your Bible” game. Please register so that the craft kit and support materials can be delivered to your home and feel free to invite other friends to join us!
4. This Sunday we begin in-person services
This Sunday morning, Sept. 13, at 10:30 a.m., we’re offering both a traditional service in the sanctuary and a contemporary service in the gym. Here are some things that will be helpful to remember as we gather again:
Make a reservation
Please, make a reservation through the church office (458-8348/bsbc@bsbc.nb.ca)
Entering the building
Entrance to the sanctuary will be through the main church doors on York Street and for the gym by the door at the end of the building with the ramp
Please remember to physical distance while waiting to enter, inside the building and while exiting
You’ll be greeted at the door and ‘checked in’ by being asked to review our “screening” signs (if you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions you should likely consider returning home)
Please wear a mask (we’ll have them at the doors if you forget!) – the only time you can take the mask off is when you are seated in either worship space (we’ll be wearing masks when singing, standing or moving around)
You can put your offering (and we thank you for your faithfulness) in the offering box on your way in
Before moving to the worship space we’ll ask that you sanitize your hands
We’ll have folks to guide you to your physically distanced seating
Worship & fellowship
We’ll ENJOY worship time together with live preaching in both service (Dr. Bodner will be wearing his running shoes!!!)
At the end of the service we’ll help you exit the building safely
Fellowship in the parking lot should include masks and physical distancing
Continuing online worship services
We invite you to consider if this is the Sunday you should return to ‘in-person’ services at BSBC. We recognize that such an endeavor isn’t wise for everyone SO, by early evening on Sundays you will have access, through our website, to the morning services…and they’ll be available all week long until the next Sunday evening when that morning’s service goes up.
Sincere thanks to all who are helping us open our doors and thank you for your patience as we refine our processes to being together in these days!
Pastor Greg
Return to the book of Acts
Over the summer months there have been lots of unsung heroes who have lent a hand and helped keep our production rolling. But without our “faithful folks” tuning in and supporting our shared ministry these days, not much could have happened, and please accept a sincere “shout out” and word of thanks to everyone who watched and participated in our online efforts.
On behalf of the leadership team, we would also like to express appreciation for the interest in our “Summer Shorts” series, and the chance to explore some of the less-frequented terrain in God’s Word. It was worthwhile, for instance, to study the book of Esther where there is no outright mention of the divine name, or to hear the words of disappointment and promise in the story of Ruth. The volume of emails and unique visits to our website strongly suggest that all sorts of other people were part of our worship experience, and so the influence of TheStreet is extending even in these very strange circumstances.
With the Fall season upon us, we are now poised to continue our series in Acts—Thirty Years that Changed the World—and we are confident that the fifth book of the New Testament will provide with ample inspiration for living effectively and sharing our faith with our neighbors. There has been no shortage of excitement so far in our study, with the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit, powerful calls to repentance and to embrace new life in the risen Lord Jesus, prison breaks, chariot chasing, Gentile conversions, the demise of Herod the hoarder, and the first missionary tours in the Roman Empire. And there is plenty more to come in this next installment of the series, ranging from more imprisonment and dialogue with the leading intellectuals of ancient world, to the “trial of the century and shipwrecks on the journey to the Imperial City itself.
We are grateful for the opportunity to think carefully about how the gospel transforms lives and affects so many different audiences in the second half of Acts, and calls each of us to renewed commitment and energy in these times. Thanks in advance for working together and encouraging others to join us (as they see fit) or to make it a priority to tune in to our broadcasts as we seek to be a humble and influential church for a world in need of good news!
Dr. Keith
Our focus for this week is on Acts 16: 6-24. Entitled, “Reaching Europe,” we see that after some frustrations and an unexpected vision, the journey of the gospel ventures toward the great cities of Europe.
The days ahead for middle & high school ministry
Youth Group STARTING THIS Friday, Sept. 11
We are all made of flesh and bones, but what are REALLY made of? Come find out this Friday the 11th @ 7pm, for the opening Youth Night of the fall for the middle and high schoolers. We will welcome you in the parking lot and later move safely into the building.
**Very Important Information: Come with a mask and a snack!**
Oh yeah, I was about to forget: come ready to compete in a special and never-before-seen Olympics! If you are coming, pre-register by writing me at charles@bsbc.nb.ca .
Bible Study starting on Wednesday Sept. 16: Mark my words!
Starting on Wednesday, September 16th, all middle and high schoolers are invited to join me and study Mark’s gospel, the second book in the New Testament. You can join in-person (gym) or on Zoom, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Together, we will travel with Yeshua, his 12 disciples and the crowds and mark my words, we will certainly be moved by the person of Jesus-Christ, the extent of his love and the power of his ministry to seek and save the lost! If you are coming in person or wanting to join on Zoom, pre-register by writing me at charles@bsbc.nb.ca.
Pastor Charles
Practical help for a new member of our church family
Dear Church, we have a female student who is new to our congregation with some needs for her apartment.
First, she is looking for a quiet, responsible, female student or professional to share her apartment. The apartment is in a great location in downtown Fredericton, walking distance to the UNB campus and grocery stores. Rent is $550, heat lights and fibre op included. The room is available on Sept. 15.
We are also hoping for a:
Double size mattress and box spring
Dresser
Small study desk
Curtain rod about 1 inch diameter.
Please contact Pastor Steve at steve@bsbc.nb.ca if you or anyone you know can help, especially if you know someone who would make a good roommate!!
David Steeves’ new role at BSBC
I remember one pastor who was famous for saying that the only one who likes change is a wet baby. Well, with my move to the role of permanent Lead Pastor my responsibilities need to change and so it is that, after 17 years, I will be stepping down from leadership of the Sanctuary Choir. My feelings about this extraordinary group of brothers and sisters in Christ and the time we’ve shared run deep and lead to a thankful heart. I will treasure memories of the time we’ve shared together.
BUT, I am very happy to let the traditional congregation know that our choral music ministry is now in the talented and faithful hands of David Steeves, who, many will remember, reprises his role as director from decades ago! Until it is safe to resume full choir rehearsals, David will be preparing smaller ensembles to lead in the traditional service.
I’m grateful for David’s willingness to share his gifts in this way and for the continued possibility of partnership with him in worship planning for the traditional service.
Pastor Greg
9. Praying for the Hildebrand Family
On Sunday, September 6, Eldo Hildebrand’s 96 year old mother passed away in Ontario. Eldo and Johanna are comforted by the assurance of her eternal home and the reunions brought about by God’s grace. Mrs. Hildebrand was able to be here for Martina and Adrian (Verboom’s) wedding which will be a treasured memory for her granddaughter, Martina. Thank you for praying for these members of our church family in these days.
10. Our library is open to you
Our Librarian, Sharon Gosselin, doesn’t even require you to be quiet when you visit our church library which you can do any Wednesday between 10 a.m. and noon.
Bring your children for a great selection of faith-based children’s books! Enjoy reading fiction? We’ve got shelves full. Looking for something more serious – no problem, our library has LOTS to offer from discipleship to study materials.
Drop in next Wednesday and have a look around. If it’s your first visit, we doubt it will be your last! Oh, and if you’ve been in before…please have a look around your home for any books you might like to return – we’re a ‘fine free’ library!
11. Myles On a Mission update video
Some months ago we introduced you to Leah Morrison and Reuben Myles and their anticipated mission to Faith Academy in the Philippines. Here’s a video update from the now MARRIED Leah and Reuben Myles.
If you would like to make a financial gift you can do so through your church offering by designating the gift “Myles on a Mission” – please indicate if this is a one-time gift or a commitment for monthly or annual support.
To sign up to be part of their prayer team or two contact them email: reuben.myles@faith.edu.ph – so wonderful to see young people ready to serve!
12. Celebrating those celebrating September 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
