30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #112 12th June 2022
From the Minister Now That The Party Is Over
Well, I hope that you had a good time during the four days of celebrations marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, whether you participated to the full, or hibernated at home in order to avoid it. My own participation level came somewhere between these extremes. As ever, I was in awe of the precision and spectacle of Trooping the Colour. I caught a few moments of documentaries, pageants and concerts. I enjoyed watching the Queen have tea with Paddington Bear, including the shocking revelation of what’s in the royal handbag. I also appreciated the subsequent political play with that sketch: images of Paddington pursued down the street by police, when the Home Secretary realises he’s in the UK as a refugee and so should be shipped off to Rwanda; cartoon speech bubbles of the Queen declining Paddington’s offer of more tea, but hoping he would form a new government instead. And, of course, I enjoyed our church events – coffee morning with scones and cakes; Sunday morning service, including political guests; and post-service lunch, including the trifle. Having looked back on seventy years, I hope that we feel are able to look to the future in such positive ways.
Trevor
Image: The Official Platinum Jubilee Trifle, as it appeared at Saint Columba’s on 5th June
Prayer
Dear God, help me to look back with joy, to live life in the present, and look forward with hope. Amen.
WORSHIP SERVICES AT ST COLUMBA’S
WORSHIP SERVICES THIS SUNDAY – Sunday 12th June 10.30 a.m. Service at churchA communion service, led by Mr John Drew, seeking answers to the question, “Who Will Tell us The Truth?”
NEXT WEEK – Sunday 19th June 10.30 a.m. Service at church A service led by the Reverend Dave Herbert, Moderator of the United Reformed Church Northern Synod.
Bible readings for this week
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 God’s wisdom raises her voice
Psalm 8 The majesty of God and the place of humankind
Romans 5:1-15 Peace with God through Jesus, God’s love from the Holy Spirit
John 16:12-15 God’s Spirit as our guide into all truth
The first Sunday after Pentecost is often celebrated as Trinity Sunday, and that’s reflected in this week’s Bible readings, where God, the Father, Son and Spirit frequently appear together. Some Christians spend a lot of time trying to explain the doctrine of the Trinity, usually coming up with explanations that are opaque to others, or which fail to do justice to reality. It’s better to start with our encounters with God. We live in a universe created and cared for by God who is present everywhere. Yet we meet with God in Jesus Christ, who was located in one place in that creation. Jesus is no longer here on earth, yet we feel his continued presence, which is somehow the same presence of the creator God. That’s difficult to explain! Talk about the Trinity is our attempt to explain the experience. The doctrine is there to help us, not be to be a puzzle that burdens.
Please note that Trevor is on holiday, this week, returning to work on 19th June, when he will be leading worship at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton. For any significant and urgent matters during this time, please contact Alison Drew, our Church Secretary.
Saturday 2nd July – Trip to Beamish
URC Northern Synod are gathering together to give thanks to God for 50 years of the United Reformed Church which was founded in 1972.
Enjoy a day at Beamish Museum and come and join us to celebrate in the Marquee.
This event is free, including entry to Beamish and a simple picnic lunch – further details are available here.
A list is on the noticeboard in the Church Hall for anyone who wishes to come along. St Columba’s is arranging transport. Please sign up by June 19th.
Next Week’s Update
Next week’s Update will be edited by Andrew. To get your information in both the online and printed editions, please have it with him by Tuesday.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
Well, I hope that you had a good time during the four days of celebrations marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, whether you participated to the full, or hibernated at home in order to avoid it. My own participation level came somewhere between these extremes. As ever, I was in awe of the precision and spectacle of Trooping the Colour. I caught a few moments of documentaries, pageants and concerts. I enjoyed watching the Queen have tea with Paddington Bear, including the shocking revelation of what’s in the royal handbag. I also appreciated the subsequent political play with that sketch: images of Paddington pursued down the street by police, when the Home Secretary realises he’s in the UK as a refugee and so should be shipped off to Rwanda; cartoon speech bubbles of the Queen declining Paddington’s offer of more tea, but hoping he would form a new government instead. And, of course, I enjoyed our church events – coffee morning with scones and cakes; Sunday morning service, including political guests; and post-service lunch, including the trifle. Having looked back on seventy years, I hope that we feel are able to look to the future in such positive ways.
The first Sunday after Pentecost is often celebrated as Trinity Sunday, and that’s reflected in this week’s Bible readings, where God, the Father, Son and Spirit frequently appear together. Some Christians spend a lot of time trying to explain the doctrine of the Trinity, usually coming up with explanations that are opaque to others, or which fail to do justice to reality. It’s better to start with our encounters with God. We live in a universe created and cared for by God who is present everywhere. Yet we meet with God in Jesus Christ, who was located in one place in that creation. Jesus is no longer here on earth, yet we feel his continued presence, which is somehow the same presence of the creator God. That’s difficult to explain! Talk about the Trinity is our attempt to explain the experience. The doctrine is there to help us, not be to be a puzzle that burdens.