30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #32: Sunday 25th October 2020
Hello from John
Trevor is on ‘Study leave’ this week as part of his ‘Doctorate’ course, we hope that it has been a fruitful and helpful time for him. He will be back this Sunday to lead worship with us.
I am reminded that we gain an hour’s sleep this Sunday morning, well, some of us might! We will miss the gorgeous sunrises of this last couple of weeks, the photos on TV have been outstanding. It all continues around us, despite the pandemic, the world trundles on in its God determined way. Yet some of the smallest things we do affects even how we see the sunrise. The ozone layer is altered by air pollution so light passes through it in a different way. The warmer the climate so our rainfall is affected and thereby the clouds and sky, and ultimately the earth and rivers.
John
Prayer
Lord, we see Your Creation around us through the seasons and we wonder at the magnificence and splendour, especially as the colours change on the trees to herald winter. Help us to value these views and blessings and help us to re-evaluate how we, individually and collectively, steward the world you have provided. Give us courage and determination to change our ways to love and respect Your Creation more, our lives depend upon it.
Amen
Worship in the church buildings – BOOK YOUR PLACE!
There are two Sunday services on our building, one at 10.00 a.m. and one at 11.15 a.m. The content of each service is the same, lasting for approximately thirty minutes. Up to thirty people are allowed at each service.
To be able to attend, you must contact Alison Drew between Monday morning and midday on the Friday in the week before the service. (Contact details below.) Please note, we have been near capacity lately so if you find you cannot come, please tell Alison so that others can have your place.
Please remember to follow the practices that keep you and others safe in worship.
And some special reminders:
If you have a cough or a sniffle, please don’tcome to church that Sunday
Wear your mask over both nose and mouth at all times when in the building
There is a problem with the main outer doors into the church, so for the time being please note that entrance and exit to the church is via the HALL DOOR.
Don’t forget that the hour changes this weekend. No excuse to be late for church!
SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP – NOVEMBER 1ST at 6.30 P.M.
ALL THE SAINTS! Join us on Zoom to celebrate All Saints Day, to induct new Elders into office, and to share in communion. The service will be led by our minister, the Reverend Trevor Jamison.
To join, click here when the time comes.
By phone: 0131 460 1196 Meeting ID: 838 7865 9168 Passcode: 410179
As I delved deeper into these readings one word cried out to me, faithfulness. Moses could not enter the Promised land because in the desert he had broken faith with God in the presence of the Israelites; Psalm 90 shows the faith of Moses in God as he acknowledges His greatness and might, His anger and wrath at their iniquities, and pleads for His compassion and favour as they try to do His work. Paul has been instructed to take God’s word to the nations, and so he faithfully did. Through persecution, torture and prison, whatever the Jewish authorities threw at him. He faithfully presented the word of God in the power of the Spirit and trusted God to work through that. Finally, the Greatest Commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”, how can we do that if we are not faithful to Him?
As we are being tested and tried through this pandemic, it might be easy to just set God and Church aside because of all the other distractions which seem important to us. But just as “Wash hands, wear masks, keep your distance” is a simple and very important message to everyone at this time, “Keep faith with God” is even more important to a Christian.
May God bless you and keep you safe.
Two items of news
We are sad to hear that Mabel has passed on this week, to a better life we pray.
Shirley has received a recent photo of our Compassion boy Isingizwe who is now 10 years old!
Church: An Expensive Business
Lots of people do lots of work for St Columba’s Church, and on a voluntary basis. It’s greatly appreciated. Sometimes they incur expense in doing so. This is a reminder that if you incur expenses as part of our church’s ministry it’s quite reasonable to claim that money back, including for new ways of working during recent months.
St Columba’s Coffee and Conversation –
Saturday 24th October at 10.00 a.m.
Please note: No meeting on 31st October
Join the conversation when the time comesby clicking here.
Meeting ID: 867 4768 9957 Password: 260894
To join by telephone, dial this local rate number: 0131 460 1196
Don’t forget, you’re allowed to invite friends along to take part in the conversation!
Online Prayer Gathering – Sunday 25th October at 6.30p.m.
Our thirty-minute gathering to bring concerns to God in prayer.
To take part online, click here.
Meeting ID: 839 3117 3225 Password: 413968
Mark’s Gospel in an Hour! – Thursday 5th November at 7.15 p.m.
Not this week as Trevor is giving a talk for Synod between 19.30 and 21.00 by Zoom. He will be telling us about his work as the Synod Green Apostle.
To join on the 5th:
When the time comes, click here to join. Meeting ID: 812 0199 6330 Passcode:063418 Telephone: 0131 460 1196
Keeping in Touch – Your contact details
If your contact details (address, telephone or email) change please make sure to inform our Church Secretary Alison Drew.
You can contact your designated Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
