For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

 –  Job 19:25-27

 

Kindred in Christ,

 

We come to the end of some things and the beginning of others as we move from this week into next week. This Sunday will be our last worship service as one congregation, because on June 28th we join with Wilmot for Downtown United. We are also coming to the end of our journey through the book of Job, an exploration of struggle and faith.

 

It’s hard sometimes to face the end of something in our lives, but part of what we learn as an Easter people is that one ending marks another beginning. We see this in our world with the turning of the seasons as Spring comes to an end and Summer begins, a reminder that our lives in Christ move from life to death and into new life.

 

As we continue to live into the church in the midst of these strange times, God calls us to build community and strengthen our relationship with one another. Below we have some of the ways that we are gathering and experiencing God’s word together.

 

Annual Meeting Information: Everything has been backed up when it comes to meetings and finances,but the good news is that the Board is looking to get information out to the congregation as soon as possible. This Sunday the Board is meeting to finalize the 2019 Annual Report, along with the financials.

 

Downtown United 2020: Every year we gather with our kindred in Christ at Wilmot United Church to journey on a path of faith we call Downtown United. This year, we will continue that joint effort, but we will be doing it in a different way. Richard and Ellen have worked out a worship schedule that divides our worshipping time this summer between pre-recorded services from both Wilmot and St. Paul’s leadership. The schedule for these worship services can be found here: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/summer-worship-schedule/

 

Vacation Week: This coming week (June 22-28th) Rev. Richard and Church Manager Eric will be on vacation. Someone will be in the office in a limited capacity to help as needed. On Tuesday June 23rd Chris Grant will be in and Thursday June 25th Cathy Davis. In both cases, they will be in the office from 10-2. If you would like to drop anything off, please call 458-1183 during those hours.

 

Emergency Pastoral Care: Your spiritual health is so important to us. While Rev. Richard is on vacation this coming week, you can still reach out for prayer and support. Ellen Bearisto is available for emergency pastoral care concerns, and can be reached at (506) 206-1943

 

More Music in Worship: We want to extend the invitation to anyone who would offer their gifts – whether you can play or sing – to make our worship experience even better. Please contact Rev. Richard if you would like to sing or play (or both) during an upcoming Sunday service: rev.bowley@outlook.com, (506)262-2150

 

Online Offerings:

Sunday Worship: Every week since suspension of in-person activities at St. Paul’s, we have been holding live worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM. This will change this coming Sunday, June 21st. The service will be pre-recorded and uploaded to Youtube for 10:30 AM Sunday morning. Rev. Richard will host a Zoom call at 10:30 AM where the recorded worship will be played, followed by the usual conversation time.

 

Prayer Services: Every week, Rev Richard has been recording an evening and a morning prayer service. This Sunday, June 21st will be the last Evening Prayer service. After he returns from vacation, Rev. Richard will record a weekly prayer service on Wednesdays. It will be available on Youtube at 10 AM Wednesday mornings.

 

This week we finish our journey through the book of Job, and we are ending that journey in hope. In Job’s wondering a possible end to his suffering, Job exclaims with deep hope something that he feels he knows even if he cannot explain it. “I know my Redeemer lives,” he says, turning again to God and yearning for the embrace that he knew and will know again.

 

Join us this Sunday as we move forward in hope with Job into what comes. Join us as we call out to God in praise and follow Christ on the way.

 

As we move towards worship on Sunday, let us pray.

 

Giver of all hope and light, 

encourage us;

enliven us;

inspire us to be followers who reflect your light on the world.

 

Nurture within us the seed of hope that we might flourish as builders of your kingdom.

 

We ask this in the name of Christ,

our Redeemer;

Our Hope.

AMEN

 

Blessings to you this day,

Yours in Christ

Rev. Richard