30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #4: Sunday 12th April 2020 (Easter Day)
Photograph Credit: Lenzie Union Parish Church
From the Minister
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Let creation join to say: Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens; thou earth, reply: Alleluia! Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Happy Easter!
In a world where so much seems to have gone wrong, the good news of Jesus’s resurrection proclaims that God’s power is sufficient to save us. To a world where the future seems so uncertain, God’s love demonstrates that this is God’s intention. Or as a more recent hymn writer puts it:
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing, The cross stands empty to the sky. Let streets and homes and praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die!
Brian Wren (1936- )
Trevor
Pray
Risen Lord Jesus, we adore you and praise your name. Today, you defeated death and rose again. Today, you died on the cross that the world might be free. Thank you, risen Lord, that you did this, so that all might enjoy the freedom of eternal life. Amen.
Adapted from a prayer on Roots on the Web
Options for Worshipping at home this Sunday
Online URC audio service (https://devotions.urc.org.uk/ ) 10.00 a.m. This week have bread and wine (or “wine”) to hand to join in communion.
Radio Radio 4 Sunrise Service 6.35 a.m.
Sunday Worship 8.10 a.m.
Television BBC1 Sunday Worship 11.25 a.m.
Songs of Praise 1.15 p.m.
BBC4 Sacred Songs 7.00 p.m.
DISCLAIMER: TV and Radio schedules can change, so check the timings are correct!
Bible readings for Easter Day
From the Revised Common Lectionary
Acts 10:34-43 The life, death and resurrection of Jesus
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become …’
Colossians 3:1-4 Resurrection life in the here and now
Matthew 28:1-10 Two Marys meet with the risen Jesus
‘But the angel said to the women … then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid”.’ (Matthew 28:5, 10) Unlike the guards at the tomb, and the two Marys who came to visit it, usually we associate the resurrection of Jesus with joy, not fear. Anyway, it’s not as if we lack other things to fear at this time, for ourselves, for others. Confronted with the power of God, capable of making and remaking everything, life and death included, fear is a reasonable response. Knowing that this God chooses life for us, not death, however, brings joy, and offers reassurance concerning those other fears.
An Easter Booklet for Everyone
Everyone on our mailing list is receiving the gift of a copy of the United Reformed Church’s new Easter booklet. It’s a simple reminder of what we celebrate and share at Easter (as well as telling us where hot cross buns and Easter eggs come from).
The annual Spring Harvest week of worship, teaching, prayer and activities, aimed at all ages and abilities, is taking place online this year via YouTube. To find out more about the programme and how to access it, click here.
Read Reform for free
During “lockdown” the URC magazine, Reform is available to read for free online.
Church Quiz Time!
Monday April 13th 2020, 7.00 p.m.
We are holding St Columba’s URC’s first quiz by video conference. Bring your own food and drink, and gather around your digital devices, ready to answer.
To register your interest and find out how to join this online gathering (it’s surprisingly straightforward for most people), email Oliver Storey:
(Questions and answers from the 13th will appear in the next edition of Weekly Update so that everyone gets a chance to enjoy the quiz.)
Bible Exploration Meetings Begin on Wednesday April 15th
– Four Experiences of Resurrection
Our Minister, Trevor Jamison, will be leading four Bible exploration sessions online, at 7.15 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning on April 15th. Each session lasts for forty minutes. Contact TrevorJamison for how to join in the conversation.
If you can’t join in online contact Trevor for a copy of the reflection and questions.
15th April Matthew 28:1-10 Two Marys meet the risen Jesus
22nd April Luke 24:13-35 Two disciples walk with Jesus to Emmaus
29th April Acts 10:34-43 Jesus: his life, death, and resurrection
6th May 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 All the people who saw the risen Christ
Keeping in Touch
We will keep in touch with each other. Elders will have a list of members and friends to contact each week, both to provide information and to ensure that people are safe and well. You can contact your designated Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
