“He is not here, but has risen.
Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee…”
—Luke 24:6

Dear family in Christ,

This Easter, I’ve been drawn to the power of that word: remember.

The Bible tells us that women came to the tomb, carrying spices to tend to Jesus’s lifeless body. Instead, they were met with a perplexing sight—the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, and there was no body. Then suddenly, two men in dazzling clothes appeared beside them, bearing startling good news—and a gentle reminder: “Remember how he told you…”

It wasn’t a new message they needed. It was a return to the truth they already knew.

And that act of remembering changed everything.

We live in a world with a growing loss of memory. Not just memory in the personal sense—like cognitive decline, long COVID, aging, or menopause. We also face a deep forgetting in our shared life. Culture fades when we lose the “why” behind tradition. History repeats itself when we forget its lessons. Violence, injustice, and division persist when we forget the humanity of our neighbour. Civilization suffers when we forget the importance of empathy. People lose their sense of worth, direction, and purpose when they forget who—and whose—they are.

But Easter is God’s great act of remembering.

In sending his Son, God remembered the promises.

In teaching us, Christ remembered God’s desires.

In dying for us,
Christ remembered his love for us over condemnation for our sins.

In raising Christ, God remembered us,
fulfilling promises made to us, to all generations.

In the risen Christ, we are remembered into new life.

We are not forgotten. We are not forsaken.

We are held in love that cannot be undone.

To remember Christ is not merely to feel nostalgia for what he once said or did—it is to recognize that his living presence calls us still. The first disciples remembered his words, and that memory changed their lives. They shared the story. They broke bread. They formed communities of compassion, justice, mercy, and joy.

And here we are, still remembering, still witnessing, still called.

Recently, I came across an image of stones painted with Christian symbols.

Simple. Earthy. Durable. And full of meaning. For example:

• • • The Greek symbols—alpha and omega—remind us God is the beginning and the end.
    • The cross reminds us Christ is our redeemer, who took on suffering and death for the sake of love.
    • The open Bible calls to mind Christ as the Word made flesh, our teacher and guide who still speaks through Scripture and Spirit.
    • The flame, the fire of the Holy Spirit, sent by the risen Christ to ignite faith and courage in us still.
    • The candle reminds us Christ is the Light of the World—and the darkness cannot put it out.

These stones don’t just teach; they testify. They remind us of who Christ is, and who we are because of him. In Joshua 4, the Israelites set stones at the edge of the Jordan River to mark God’s faithfulness and deliverance, so future generations would not forget. In 1 Peter 2, we are called “living stones,” being built into a spiritual house—joined together in Christ for God’s purposes in the world.

And how fitting that Christ’s own body was placed in a tomb hewn from rock. From that place of death, God raised him to new life—and in doing so, rolled away more than a stone. The barriers to hope, grace, and transformation were lifted too.

I invite you to journey with us in sacred remembrance.  For example, you can draw nearer to Christ by accessing recordings of our Holy Week services, if you were not able to attend them live.

• • • Palm Sunday at St. Paul’s led by Rev. Dr. Andrew Human
    • Maundy Thursday at St. James Hanwell led by Rev. Wendy MacWilliams
    • Good Friday at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church led by Rev. Wendy MacWilliams

And this Sunday, Easter Sunday, let us come together in worship to celebrate with joy the resurrection of Christ, remembering that we belong to the Risen One who is present with us still.

Christ has risen from the dead!
He has risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Please note: A special coffee hour will take prior to worship at St. Paul’s.  Join us at 10 a.m. for refreshments and fellowship.

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (Woodstock) (11 a.m.)
Led by Rev. Dr. Andrew Human
Scripture Reader: Eugene Craig
Sermon: “Easter Promises”
Scripture Readings:

• • • From the Old Testament – Isaiah 65:17-25
    • Responsive Reading – Psalm 19
    • From the Gospels – Luke 24: 1-12

The service will also be live-streamed at 11 a.m. on YouTube and Facebook.

St. James Presbyterian Church (Hanwell) (11 a.m.)
Led by Rev. Wendy
Scripture Reader: Rev. Dr. Basil Lowery
Sermon: “From Empty Tombs to Idle Tales: When God’s Truth is Called Babble”
Scripture Readings: From the Gospels – Luke 24: 1-12 and John 20: 11 – 18

The service will also be live-streamed at 11 a.m. on YouTube and Facebook.

If you feel moved to make a special Easter offering, special envelopes are available at church. E-givings can also be received at [email protected]. Your gifts support St. Paul’s ongoing ministry as we continue to witness to Christ’s love in our community and beyond.

May this season of resurrection stir in you a memory that is alive—not just in thought, but in practice. May you remember not only the story of Christ, but your place in it.

Because to remember Christ is more than recalling—it is re-membering in the truest sense: being joined anew to his life, his body, his mission. It is reconnecting with the one who never forgets us.

Christ remembers you. Will you remember him?
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

With gratitude and Easter blessing,

Rev. Wendy MacWilliams

St. Paul’s invites you to our Good Friday service at 11 a.m. on April 18. The service will also be live-streamed.

Dear friends,

Palm Sunday invites us to step into the story—not just by waving branches or laying down cloaks, but by lifting our voices, welcoming Jesus with open hearts, caring for one another, and choosing to follow him. Even if we do so in spirit, let us stay with him faithfully on the journey through this sacred week.

May the Lord be with our church community on Sunday and in the days ahead. Let us walk the road together, remembering the love of God who gave everything—even his very self—for the salvation of the world.

Join us for worship this Sunday, Palm Sunday, at 11 a.m.—either in person or online. Children are always welcome to take part in J.A.M. (Jesus and Me) during the service.

Stay after worship for coffee, refreshments, and time to connect—we’d love to see you there.

Details about Sunday’s service and this week’s announcements, including information about Holy Week services, are below.

Grace and peace be with you all,
Rev. Wendy

SUNDAY, APRIL 13TH WORSHIP
PALM SUNDAY

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (Woodstock) (11 a.m.)
Led by Rev. Dr. Andrew Human
Scripture Reader: Julie Craig
Sermon: “We Know the Story”
Scripture Readings:

• From the Old Testament – Zechariah 9: 9 – 13
• Responsive Reading – Psalm 118: 19 – 29
• From the Gospels – Luke 19: 28 – 44

The service will also be live-streamed at 11 a.m. on YouTube and Facebook.

Invitation to Read the Bible in a Year with Rev. Wendy:

As we enter the new year, I invite you to embark on a journey of faith and discovery by reading the Bible together in 2025. This “Read the Bible in a Year” plan is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of God’s Word, reflect on its relevance in our lives, and grow together as a community of faith.
Whether you’ve read the Bible in full before or are approaching it for the first time, this is an invitation to engage with Scripture in a meaningful way. To support you, I will provide:

• A structured reading plan to guide you through the year,
• Resources throughout the year to enrich your reading, and
• Opportunities to gather and discuss what we’re reading, share insights, and encourage one another.

Reading the Bible is not just about knowledge; it’s about transformation, as God speaks to us through His Word. Let’s take this journey together, discovering anew the stories of faith, hope, and love that have shaped our lives and continue to guide us today.  I will be following this plan too.

Attached is a copy of the reading plan.

Let’s make 2025 a year of walking with God through His Word!

December Greetings,
in the Year of our Lord 2024

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders; 
and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6-7

Dear Beloved St. Paul’s Family,

As we step into Advent, we find ourselves surrounded by the familiar traditions of the season: the twinkling lights, the Christmas carols, the warmth of gathering with family and friends. These traditions bring us comfort and joy, grounding us in the faith we share and reminding us of what really matters.

But we also know this season can bring its own challenges. We live in a world full of noise—the rising costs of living, homelessness, political divides, illness, and the sadness of those we love who struggle. Some of us may feel a silence inside, unsure of how to carry on or questioning why things feel incomplete. In the midst of it all, Advent isn’t just about remembering Christ’s birth long ago; it’s about making space for God to speak into all moments of our lives, right here, right now.

Whether you’ve been part of our church family for years or haven’t been in a while, Advent is a time for us all to reflect on Christ’s presence in our lives. We welcome you, just as you are, to come and experience this season with us.

This year, I’ve chosen to share an image with you that may surprise some. In this image, Christ is not lying in a stable, but in a maternity ward. Unto us, this child was born. This baby, swaddled and resting in a crib, reminds us that Advent is about recognizing Christ’s ongoing presence in our lives today and the promises of God’s Kingdom still to come.

When a baby is born, we are filled with wonder and excitement. We embrace the mystery of new life. We look forward to all that this child will become, and we know we must be a part of their life to witness and nurture their potential. The same is true of Christ. Even now, Christ gives us new identity and purpose. Until he returns, he calls us to follow him with our attention, our lives, and our faith, because he is doing something new in us and in the world.

This year, my worship theme for Advent was inspired by our Minister Emeritus Rev. Doug Blaikie’s desire to begin Advent with Psalm 46. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” In a world that often feels overwhelming, it’s important to pause and take a moment to recognize God’s presence. Advent is the time to reclaim the quiet and hear God’s voice in the midst of it all.

Let’s reflect not just on the baby in the manger, but on the deeper reality of Christ’s coming into the world. This Advent let’s remember that Christ came not just as a baby in the manger, but to offer us new life in a world full of noise, fear, and suffering. This new life isn’t just something we celebrate once a year; it’s something we’re called to experience every day, even in the midst of our struggles.

That’s why during Advent, we do not rush to the manger. We stop and listen again to the words of the prophets, who inspired people in troubled times to be a people of living hope. The prophets encouraged us to move forward in faith, believing that God was with us and for us. Advent is a time for us to hear again those words, reminding us that hope and faith in God, revealed in his son Jesus, are still the way forward.

I invite you to experience this transformation with us: join us for Sunday worship at 11 a.m., where we’ll hear God’s voice through the prophets, the psalmists, and the Gospel writers. Journey with us to Bethlehem at our 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Join your fellow church members in the many activities, ministries, and missions that help bring Christ’s presence into our community.

Advent calls us to pause and listen. Christ is not only the reason we celebrate; Christ is the reason we love, forgive, and have faith that sin, suffering, and death are not the final word. Christ is the reason we hope—hope for change, hope for renewal, hope for peace. The nativity story isn’t just a memory—it’s an invitation for Christ’s love to change our hearts and our lives, and to bear witness to this good news through word and action.

So, I invite you to come to the manger this year—not just as a place of tradition, but as a place of encounter. I invite you to come to the manger as a place to meet Christ. We’ve also provided Christmas envelopes at the church if you feel moved to support St. Paul’ ministries and missions, helping others in our community. We also accept e-transfers at [email protected] . Let the birth of Christ be more than a memory—let it be a living, breathing moment that changes us, here and now. As we wait for Christ’s return, may His birth bring light into our darkness, hope into our despair, and peace into our noisy, fragmented world.

God is with us, here and now. Can you see God? Can you hear God?
Can you feel God? Can you receive God?
Yes, yes, you can.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14

In Christ’s love,

Rev. Wendy MacWilliams

St. David’s 148^th anniversary in Kirkland on Sunday, August 25

St. David’s Presbyterian Church in Kirkland will celebrate its 148^th anniversary on Sunday, August 25 at 2.p.m.

Rev. Wendy MacWilliams, minister of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (Woodstock) and St. James Presbyterian Church (Hanwell), will lead this time of worship and celebration. Musical performances will be provided by Tracey and Emily Burkhardt.

A free will offering will be received during the anniversary service in support of the ministries of St. David’s.

Following the afternoon service, families, friends and guests are invited to stay for refreshments at the Kirkland Community Hall.

St. David’s Presbyterian Church was named a provincial historic site in 2005. It was built by the community of Kirkland in the late 1800s, primarily by Scottish, Irish and English settlers who came to the area as pioneers. The established date of the church is 1876. The community of Kirkland is named after St. David’s which was once referred to as the Scottish Kirk.

Located at 1589, Route 540 in Kirkland, St. David’s holds special services throughout the year, such as weddings and this anniversary service, which gathers together friends and visitors from throughout New Brunswick, Ontario and the State of Maine.

On Sunday, April 14 the Fredericton Organists’ Association presented “From Darkness into Light: Organ Music for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter” at Christ Church Parish Church.

Nolan Golding, organist for St Paul’s Presbyterian Church – Woodstock played “Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing” (hymn tune “Truro”) by J. Wayne Kerr.

All the organists were wonderful and there was a special choir performance which, unfortunately, did not get recorded, but we share Nolan’s musical offering for your enjoyment.

Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing

CCLI License: Copyright – 1430996; Streaming – 20522837

St. John the Baptist Parish will host World Day of Prayer for 2024.   This year’s service is prepared by the World Day of Prayer Committee of Palestine and the theme is  “I Beg You… Bear with One Another in Love” based on Ephesians 4:1-3.  Artwork is by Halima Aziz.

St. John the Baptist Parish will host the service on Friday, March 15 at 11 a.m. in St. Gertrude’s Hall (St. Gertrude’s Street, Woodstock).  Following service they will provide a lunch.

Christmas Greetings

Dear family and friends of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church,

May the grace of God be with you!

How many of you enjoy using Advent calendars as a way to countdown to Christmas?

It is believed that the origins of Advent calendars date back to the 19^th century, when German protestants developed creative ways to mark the days leading up to Christmas.  The earliest forms of countdowns included ticking off chalk marks on walls or doors, placing straws in a nativity manger, or lighting candles.  Some families also hung devotional images each day, which led to the first-known handmade, wooden Advent calendar in 1851.  Over time, Advent calendars came to be made with doors (or drawers) that would reveal 24 small treats, like a Bible verse, piece of chocolate, or small toy.  Today, some are filled with Lego, cheese, and even 24 days of individual puzzles that together create one large nativity puzzle.

This past year we, as a congregation, looked more closely at ways to open ourselves, individually and as a church, to growing in Christ’s ministry here in the community.

Each week we open our doors to invite people to gather in worship to encounter the power and grace of God revealed in Christ.  We have also opened doors to discerning and seizing possibilities to share worship space with other communities of faith. We have opened our doors on special occasions as well to share music and our Christmas traditions.

This past year, we opened doors for neighbours to help neighbours through new missions such as St. Paul’s Closet and St. Paul’s Pantry.  With the help of students from Woodstock High a blessings cupboard was built. Neighbours can take food and toiletries as they need (at no cost) and they can also stock the cupboard with items to help one another.   While St. Paul’s closet has only been open a few months, people have opened doors and drawers in their home to share clothes and other household items to furnish other people’s homes and closets.  This has been particularly helpful for those moving to the area for school and adapting to New Brunswick’s ever-changing temperatures and weather conditions!

When we reflect on Christ’s birth as told in Luke, we picture Mary and Joseph knocking on the door only to find out there was no room in the inn, or main house.  But that didn’t stop the home owner from opening the doors of their stable to them, an area that provided shelter, warmth, safety, and even bedding for Christ to come into the world.  Although surrounded by animals and later visited by shepherds, we can imagine that Mary was not without the assistance of female family members or midwives when labour came.

Sometimes we have to push ourselves or think creatively to open doors to see God drawing near to us in wondrous ways.  Likewise, we might have to think about other, less obvious, doors that can be opened to help us be the church.

Jesus said “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7: 7-8)

For the ways this past year we have turned to Jesus and found renewed purpose and ministry this past year, we give thanks.  For faith that has been nurtured and relationships that have grown, we are blessed.  For strength and support that has been provided in times of hardship, we are comforted. And for the possibilities that await us, doors to be open – in our building, in in our lives, in our hearts – we are filled with hope, for God – in Christ – has done – and is still doing – more that we can ever imagine.

May God open our hearts and draw us nearer to him in worship as we draw closer to Christmas and the new year.  May God bless each of you in worship each Sunday at 11 a.m.  On the 4^th Sunday of Advent – Christmas Eve Day – at our 11 a.m. service we will celebrate the sacrament of communion.  At 7 p.m. you are also welcome to experience the wonders of Christmas at a Christmas Eve service of lessons and carols led by our organist Nolan Golding and members of the congregation.

It is our ongoing hope that as a community of faith God will continue to help us to grow in worship, in faith, in relationships, and in care of God’s creation.  May God continue to help us open doors in ways that welcome and meet people in their place of need, and equip us to foster joy and gladness in the world around us, that others will find cause to rejoice in God’s goodness.  And may our time, presence, words, gifts, offerings, and service continue to bear witness to God’s presence in this world.  Should you feel moved to further support Christ’s ministry through St. Paul’s above with a special Christmas offering, we have provided envelopes at the church.  E-transfers are also accepted at [email protected] .  On behalf of Session, I wish to thank you for your generous spirit.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Christ,

Rev. Wendy on behalf of the Session of St. Paul’s

Enjoy a Sunday afternoon on December 10 visiting local churches to see and hear some of their sights and sounds of Christmas!