30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #97 February 27th 2022
From the Minister Mountain Top Experiences
Next month I’ll probably pay a visit to Newcastle – the real one though, not that other one just down the road from North Shields! I’m talking about Newcastle, County Down, of course. I’ve been there most years in my life. It’s a popular seaside town, but what makes it special is that not only does it have sand and sea, but it also nestles at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. (There’s even a song about where ‘the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.’) There’s something special about hills, heights and mountains. The need to look up draws us out of ourselves and speaks to the hope that there is a reality beyond ourselves. If we are able to get there, then the view from the top of the mountain reveals to us a wider world than the one we see at street level. No surprise then, that so many significant moments in the Bible feature hills and mountains. That speaks to something within us, something ‘spiritual’, something God-given, something to be nurtured and encouraged.
O God, from the mountain came the Ten Commandments, and on the mountain your Son, Jesus preached his sermons. In this world, encourage me to look up for you and look out for what you want me to do. Amen
WORSHIP SERVICES AT ST COLUMBA’S
Sunday 27th February at 10.30 a.m. A service led by the Reverend Trevor Jamison, continuing to explore the theme of what resurrection means for us today and tomorrow.
Sunday 6th March at 10.30 a.m. Worship on the first Sunday in Lent, led by Roberta Ritson, with Trevor Jamison preaching. There will be a retiring collection for the work of Christian Aid in Afghanistan.
Sunday 6th March at 6.30 p.m. – Communion Service on Zoom Led by Trevor Jamison, with Roberta Ritson preaching. A further exploration of what the Book of Job says to is about living in today’s imperfect world.
Bible readings for this week (from the Revised Common Lectionary)
Transfiguration Sunday
Exodus 34:29-35 Moses changed by meeting with God on a mountain
Psalm 99 Worship at God’s holy mountain
2 Cor. 3:12-4:2 Being transformed by seeing God’s glory
Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) Jesus transfigured on a mountain top
‘Moses came down from the mountain’ after an encounter with God (Exod.34:29) and Jesus ‘took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.’ (Luke 9:28) Other Gospel mountain top experiences include Jesus being tempted (Luke 4:5), occasions of preaching (Matthew 5:1) and the ‘Great Commission’ (Matthew 28:16) for Jesus’s followers to go out into the world. On this occasion in Luke’s Gospel, being on the mountain is where Jesus’s disciples are given a glimpse of divine reality. God speaks to us through law (Moses) and prophets (Elijah), but now God ‘has spoken to us by a Son.’ (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory – Thomas Troeger’s hymn, responding to the transfiguration, here sung at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, N.Y.
News and Notices
Creative Conversations about future ordained ministry in Northern Synod
The second online discussion FOR ANYONE in URC churches to share views, ideas and contribute to plans for future ministry in Northern Synod, takes place on Tuesday, March 1st at 7.00 p.m.
Please dial 0131 460 1196 and enter Meeting ID: 865 5649 2924
Any problems, please contact Mathew as he is the host of the Zoom Meeting
Funeral Service for John Carter – Monday March 7th 10.30 a.m.
John’s funeral service is due to take place on Monday 7th March at 10.30 a.m., at Tynemouth Crematorium.
Planning for Evening Services at Church – Monday March 7th 7.15 p.m.
We will start holding one evening service per month at the church, on the last Sunday of the month. We will start in March and the services will continue up to and include September. Then we’ll review how things are going. A group will meet at church on 7th March to sort out the practical details. Anyone who is interested may come along and take part.
Lent events at St Columba’s
Three Pictures for Lent
7.15 p.m. Thursday 24 and 31 March, and 7 April – on Zoom
Gentle conversation and prayer, around pictures of the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus ‘cleansing the temple’, and the Last Supper.
Thoughtful Art for Lent
2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., Friday 18 and 25 March, and 1 and 8 April – at St Columba’s
Creating a shared artwork, where your gender, age, previous experience (or lack of artistic talent!) is no bar to taking part. Each session will end with a short act of worship, followed by a cuppa and a hot cross bun.
Prayer Walk on the Beach
Saturday 9 April at 2.00 p.m.
A guided stroll with pauses for listening and for praying, both with and without words.
Next month I’ll probably pay a visit to Newcastle – the real one though, not that other one just down the road from North Shields! I’m talking about Newcastle, County Down, of course. I’ve been there most years in my life. It’s a popular seaside town, but what makes it special is that not only does it have sand and sea, but it also nestles at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. (There’s even a song about where ‘the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.’) There’s something special about hills, heights and mountains. The need to look up draws us out of ourselves and speaks to the hope that there is a reality beyond ourselves. If we are able to get there, then the view from the top of the mountain reveals to us a wider world than the one we see at street level. No surprise then, that so many significant moments in the Bible feature hills and mountains. That speaks to something within us, something ‘spiritual’, something God-given, something to be nurtured and encouraged.
‘Moses came down from the mountain’ after an encounter with God (Exod.34:29) and Jesus ‘took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.’ (Luke 9:28) Other Gospel mountain top experiences include Jesus being tempted (Luke 4:5), occasions of preaching (Matthew 5:1) and the ‘Great Commission’ (Matthew 28:16) for Jesus’s followers to go out into the world. On this occasion in Luke’s Gospel, being on the mountain is where Jesus’s disciples are given a glimpse of divine reality. God speaks to us through law (Moses) and prophets (Elijah), but now God ‘has spoken to us by a Son.’ (Hebrews 1:1-2)
We will start holding one evening service per month at the church, on the last Sunday of the month. We will start in March and the services will continue up to and include September. Then we’ll review how things are going. A group will meet at church on 7th March to sort out the practical details. Anyone who is interested may come along and take part.