30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #83 14th November 2021
From the Minister Tis the season … to remember and …
Although the increasing volume of Christmas adverts tries to tell a different story, it is not yet the ‘the season to be jolly’. Before we reach Christmas, or even get to Advent, we go through a season of remembrance. First we have All Souls (aka Halloween), then All Saints, when the Church remembers all have died, including those who died in the Christian faith. Then we have a national remembrance of those who have died in war. Usually this commemoration focuses most upon two world wars. This year, however, perhaps we might give extra thought to those killed and injured during a twenty-year military campaign in Afghanistan, one which seems to have made little impact on the long-term prospects for that nation, even if, arguably, it kept some of us safer within our own nation for a while. Then, in the early evening of 5th December, as a congregation we will remember those associated with this congregation who have died within the last year. In all of this we are invited to balance sadness with thanksgiving for the lives and contribution of those no longer with us. Tis to the season to remember others, and be grateful for them.
Trevor
Prayer
O God, help me to remember others, being grateful for all the good they have done, and being inspired by them to do good for others.
Amen.
WORSHIP AT ST COLUMBA’S – 14th November 2021 10.30 A.M
A Service of Remembrance
Led by the Reverend Trevor Jamison
WRAP UP WARM – the relevant parts for the church boiler have been obtained, and we’re trying to get a slot in the busy diaries of the specialist staff who are needed to fit them, but we can’t guarantee all will be working this Sunday.
CONTINUING TO STAY SAFE IN WORSHIP – see here for a reminder of how things work at this time to keep people safe
Options for worshipping at home on Sundays
Radio 4 Sunday Worship 8.10 a.m. OnlineURC audio service https://devotions.urc.org.uk/ 10.00 a.m. Television BBC 1 Songs of Praise 1.15 p.m. DISCLAIMER: tv and radio schedules can change, so check the timings are correct!
Bible readings for this week (from the Revised Common Lectionary)
Isaiah 52:7-19 Announcing the good news of peace and salvation
Psalm 72:1-19 Blessing the nation’s leader for the good they do
Romans 8: 31 – 39 Nothing, not even the sword, separates us from God’s love
Matthew 5:38-48 Love your enemies and prayer for your persecutors
Jesus is prone to pronouncing hard sayings, and here’s a whole selection of them in a few verses in Matthew 5. Some of Jesus’s sayings we find hard to understand, so it’s difficult to know what to do in response to them. These sayings, though, are hard, because although they are very easy to understand they are very (impossibly?) hard to put into practice – do not resist an evil doer, turn the other cheek when someone strikes you, love your enemy and pray for your persecutor. Perhaps, given that Jews (of whom Jesus was one) had long lost their war against the Roman empire, his words apply to people living under occupation, not than those going battle. On the other hand, given how Jesus lived his life, maybe he really meant this to apply in all circumstances, and we just have to try to do our best to follow him.
News and Notices
Church Meeting on Tuesday 23rd November at 7.15 p.m. in the Lishman Hall
Papers for the November Church Meeting have been sent out to all members. At this meeting we will be discussing and responding to a proposal from the URC Northern Synod Pastoral Committee concerning future provision of ministry at St Columba’s. Please read the relevant documents carefully and come prepared to discern together what would be the best response.
News and Notices
Volunteers needed for Christmas Market weekend
Norma needs people to make tray bakes, act as stewards and doorkeepers, and serve in the café during the Festival of Carols on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December. Please sign up for these duties on the notice board in the hall if you are able to help.
Sleeping Beauty
To join with others in attending Tynemouth Priory Theatre’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty on January 14th 2022 at 7.00 p.m., please book with Shirley, in person, by email, or by phone. Tickets: Adult £8-00 Child £6-50
Traidcraft Christmas Orders – FINAL CHANCE
Please contact Aileen with your Traidcraft by Sunday 14th November.
European Pilgrims Reach Glasgow
Christian eco-pilgrims from Sweden and Poland, who landed in North Shields on October 12th, completed their walk to Glasgow and the COP26 conference by the end of the month. Looks like the weather in Glasgow was no better than it was when they got off the boat in North Shields!
Photo by Adrian Shaw
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your designated Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
Hymns:
WRAP UP WARM – the relevant parts for the church boiler have been obtained, and we’re trying to get a slot in the busy diaries of the specialist staff who are needed to fit them, but we can’t guarantee all will be working this Sunday.
European Pilgrims Reach Glasgow