Where do you find your spark? By that I mean, what makes you passionate, what do you love? For some in our community of faith, that spark is singing, for others it is making connections with people, making the environment in which we meet pleasing to the eye, or uncovering new understandings of our faith through study. We are uniquely blessed, in that each of us has been given some passion. In following our passion/spark we live into being the body of Christ. It is in following our passions that Church stops being a chore and becomes a delight and a joy. That joy and excitement grows further as we join our lives with others.
Now, life together is not always easy, Paul’s letters seek to guide the early church as they fell into the potholes and gaps. Yet even Paul holds out the joy of Christian community, and that it is in community that we are shaped as followers of Christ’s way, experience and encouragement. It is this unique community of believers, of unconditional support and encouragement, of grace and blessing and dedication to be like Jesus that makes the church unique and powerful. It is the people living together that will attract or repel those around us.
There is a Christian Song called City of a Hill, by Casting Crowns, that has been on my heart this week. Instead of a prayer this week I wish to share with you the poetic lyrics to this song.
Did you hear of the city on the hill
Said one old man to the other
It once shined bright, and it would be shining still
But they all started turning on each other
You see the poets though the dancers were shallow
And the soldiers thought the poets were weak
And the elders saw the young ones as foolish
And the rich man never heard the poor man speak
But one by one, they ran away
With their made up minds to leave it all behind
And the light began to fade
In the City on the Hill, the City on the Hill
Each one thought that they knew better
But they were different by design
Instead of standing strong together
They let their differences divide
(repeat)
And the world is searching still
But it was the rhythm of the dancers
That gave the poets life
It was the spirit of the poets
That gave the soldiers strength to fight
It was fire of the young ones
It was the wisdom of the old
It was the story of the poor man
That needed to be told
The lyrics speak to the diminishment of the church because the body didn’t work together or value each other. As we face the challenges of being the church today, this song rings out reminding us to be attentive to each other and work to see those around us as a blessing and in the best light.
The interesting thing is that as the song begins to wrap up, it changes from past tense to present… reminding us that this interconnectedness is not just something that was, but is. It reminds us that if we stop showing up, stop engaging, that the light which we shine on Christ’s behalf fades. It also reminds us that Christ is calling us to be engaged, to create the authentic Christian community where we are known and all valued as beloved. The church is to reflect the living Christ, to be the city on a Hill, shining a way for those traveling this world with us.
It is the rhythm of the dancers
That gives the poets life
It is the spirit of the poets
That gives the soldiers strength to fight
It is fire of the young ones
It is the wisdom of the old
It is the story of the poor man
That’s needing to be told.
But one by one will we run away
With our made up minds to leave it all behind
As the light begins to fade in the City on the Hill
(Come home)
And the Father’s calling still
(Come home)
To the city on the hill
(Come home)
May we all listen to the Father’s call to come home, connect and let the City on the Hill that is St. Paul’s, shine bright. As we ponder what is our Spark and how can we cultivate joy, let us pray,
God you call us to be a light to the nations, a city on a Hill
We hear your call but sometimes we struggle to live into that,
Help us to see how interconnected we truly are
And how we need everyone, to truly be your body.
Draw out our passions, that we may put them into action.
Let us in living into who you created us to be,
so that in doing so we may inspire others to do the same.
As we gather up the knowledge and experience of you that we each have,
May the depths of our understanding grow, that we may cast more light,
hope and joy into the world.
These things we pray in the name of the Risen Christ. Amen
1) Worship Sunday May 1st
2) FundScrip Orders Due Today!
3) TP The Town Fundraiser
4) Bible Study
5) PAR Registration
6) Brown Bag Lunch Program
7) Hybrid Sunday School
8) The Lord’s Prayer ~ a spiritual practice
9) Pantry
10) 190 Years
11) Upper Room Daily Devotional – May-June
12) Youth Group for Pre-Teens and Beyond
1) Worship May 1st, 2022
To attend in-person worship at St. Paul’s United Church we will no longer require you to show proof of vaccination. COVID protocols still in play include:
– Wearing a mask at all times
– Sanitizing one’s hands upon entry
– Sitting in the marked pews to maintain distance
– Being aware of social distancing when entering and leaving building
– Coffee time will be available for those who wish to partake. Tables will be set up and you are asked to maintain masks while not eating/drinking and stay seated.
As always, if you are not ready to join us in person we hope to see you on Zoom – link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode: 165090
You can also join by phone only if you would prefer, if you don’t have a long distance plan charges would apply. All you need to do is call 1 647 558 0588 and follow the prompts to enter Meeting ID: 868 5471 8551 and Passcode: 165090
2) FundScrip Orders Due Today! Welcome and thank you to three new supporters who ordered gift cards recently! Who would like to join us on our next order? The deadline is this Sunday, May 1st. Please take your order and payment to the office or bring it to church on May 1. I will have the gift cards for you the following Sunday, May 8 . . . Mother’s Day . . . a chance to treat your mother or yourself! Order forms are available in the narthex, at the office or click here. If you have questions, speak to Carole Peacock (452-1016 or cpeacock@bellaliant.net). Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s.
3) TP the Town Fundraiser: Fredericton High School, Student Representative Council, is hosting the 7th annual TP the Town fundraiser with a goal collecting 25,000 rolls of toilet paper as well as feminine hygiene products. These will be donated to various service organizations across Fredericton. If you are able to donate any TP rolls, they will be collected in the church office until May 6th, 2022 when they are picked up.
4) Bible Study: What happens when 6-12 people join together to read the bible? Amazing discussion, deepening faith, and connection. Join Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays at 11:15am for bible study. We are back in person, meeting in the boardroom. Generally, sessions run 45min-1hour. This coming week’s scripture is Acts 16:16-34. You can also join online. Log in using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190
5) PAR Registration: PAR is an easy way to make your financial contributions to St. Paul’s on a monthly basis. This pre-authorized bank withdrawal or credit card payment is processed on the 20th of each month by the UCC and deposited directly to St. Paul’s. Please consider joining the PAR participants at St. Paul’s and increasing your contribution. Please contact Meghan for registration information at 458-1183 or stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
6) Brown Bag Lunch Program: The program needs juice boxes, pudding cups and cans of proteins with flip top lids such as soups, meats, fish. Thank you for your donations to this important program.
7) Hybrid Sunday School: We are EXCITED to welcome you to Sunday School. You can join us in person or through the Zoom platform virtually. For now, our Sunday school lessons will be delivered in a hybrid fashion (simultaneously in person and on Zoom).
8) The Lord’s Prayer ~ a spiritual practice ~ I invite you to join me every morning at 8 AM, or sometime that is good for you (set your alarm), And sing or say the Lord’s Prayer, the Our Father for World Peace and Personal Peace! Shalom, Barbara
9) Pantry: The pantry needs miracle whip, canned ham, cooking oil, Mr. Clean, laundry detergent, peanut butter, Ritz crackers, salt, large juice (1L). Thank you for your continued generosity!
10) 190 YEARS: You are encouraged to add significant events in our congregation’s history to the timeline installed in Fraser Memorial Hall. There’s a black marker sitting on the ledge just below it. On that same chart, you’ll notice that our fundraising efforts have started!
11) Upper Room Daily Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotional for May-June has arrived! Both the May-June and March-April booklets are available for purchase in the office for $2.
12) Youth Group for Pre-Teens: Simon Wilby will be starting a Sunday evening youth drop-in program for the pre-teen age group, starting Sunday May 22. This will be post supper for about an hour. Mark your calendar and keep watch for the time. If you are interested in attending or helping develop this program, please let us know!
St. Paul’s United Church
190 Years of Glorifying God through Worship, Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and Serving others in Christ’s name
Contact Information
224 York St., Fredericton, N.B. E3B 3P1
Web: www.stpaulsunited.ca | Tel: 506-458-1183 | Email: stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
Minister: Rev. Michelle Armstrong | Organist: Dr. Sharon Pond
Church Administrator: Meghan Roebuck | Custodian: Rusty Blakely