30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #229 – 8th December 2024 – Second Sunday of Advent
From the Minister Eating Out?
So we have just hosted “Mary” and “Joseph” at our house as part of “posada”. During the coming weeks different church households receive and host figures of Mary and Joseph as they make their journey to Bethlehem in time for Christmas Day. Hosts are invited to place the figures somewhere prominent in their house and reflect upon what they represent and what is to come at Christmas. Here, at the manse, Mary and Joseph joined me for breakfast (see below for photo). That made me wonder about what the original Mary and Joseph did for food on their ninety-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. On foot or by donkey that’s possibly a four-day journey, and there was unlikely to be a McDonald’s on the way. The same probably held true for hotels. I imagine they carried some food for their journey. Perhaps they had friends with whom they could stay. Maybe they relied on the hospitality and kindness of strangers. It made me wonder about how hospitable I am to my friends and how kind I am to the strangers that I encounter.
Gracious God, by whose tender compassion the Christ child comes to us, open our hearts that we may be reconciled with you, with other people, and with your creation here on earth. Amen.
(Inspired by a prayer in ‘Uniting in Worship’ 1985)
Worship Sunday 8th December
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison – we hear from God’s prophets about the hope of a Messiah/Christ to come from among the Jewish people.
Livestreamed Worship from Saint Columba’s
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison – John the Baptist points to the coming of Jesus, and we respond to the hopes, dreams and prayers that people from North Shields have shared with us this year.
Bible readings
Malachi 3:1-4 A messenger is sent to prepare God’s way.
Luke 1:68-79 God’s mercy will break upon us (”The Benedictus”).
Philippians 1:3-11 Lives that produce “a harvest of righteousness”.
Luke 3:1-6 John the Baptist begins to “prepare the way of the Lord”.
Reflection on the Readings
God ‘spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.’ (Luke 1:70,71) These words are from “The Benedictus” the song which in Luke’s Gospel comes from the lips of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Previously struck dumb when he first received the news that he would be the parent of a child who would be ‘great in the sight of the Lord’ (1:15), Zechariah, ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ (1:67) now bursts into song. God should be blessed, Zechariah proclaims, for good news which came from previous ‘holy prophets’ (1:70). The people will be rescued from their enemies, and so freed to live as God says they should (1:74-75). Zechariah and Elizabeth’s child, John, will stand in this tradition as ‘the prophet of the Most High’ (1:76). He will precede the Lord, preparing his ways (1:76), which will open up the way to salvation for the people. (1:77) Those who are our enemies – whether these are others or ourselves – will not be allowed to get in the way of the ‘tender mercy of our God’ which is about to dawn upon us (1:78), bringing us light, life and peace. (1:79)
Please note that Café 2-21 will be closed on Tuesday 17th December and will re-open on Tuesday 7th January.
Advent Discussion Group
The third of our Advent conversations, based on the Christmas movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life” takes place this coming week on the theme of “In The dark Times.” Monday afternoons at 2.00 p.m. at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton; Monday evening on Zoom at 7.15 p.m.; Thursday night at St Columba’s at 7.15 p.m. To join the Monday Zoom meetings: click here.
Posada Journey Underway
By Sunday 8th December “Mary” and “Joseph” will have been hosted by the first seven households of Saint Columba’s members, and have travelled around all of the classes at St Edward’s Primary School. Next week will also be busy for M&J. Not only will they put up for the night at another seven church households, but also will be visiting all of the classes at Riverside Primary School.
Image: “Mary and Joseph breakfast at the manse after the first night of their journey Photo by TJ.
Christmas Market –
Church Open for Visitors and Churches Together Carols
The North Shields Christmas Market will be taking place on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December. The church will be open for visitors on both days with a festival of Christmas trees, plus refreshments in the church hall. This year we will also be running activities outside of the front of the building. Also, the market commences at 10.00 a.m., on Saturday with a short carol service in Northumberland Square, led by representatives of Churches Together in North Shields. Do come along and support that part of the day if you can do so.
UPDATE
Due to the Storm that is predicted to be with us this weekend, North Tyneside Council have decided to cancel this years Victorian Christmas Market. However St Columba’s will still be open for tea, coffee and light lunches from 10am on Saturday Morning. At present we are playing it by ear as to whether we will be open on Sunday. For more information please contact Norma M.
Church Christmas Post Box now open
If you are wishing to send cards to fellow church members (and receive them!) then the Church Christmas Post Box is now available in the church hall.
Our Synod Pioneer Worker, Irene Frith, is planning a family dining experience project, connecting with local families. She is looking for volunteers, some to help within the kitchen and some to chat with families in the hall. If you might be interested in serving in this ministry please contact Irene: 0735 0397770 or irene.frith@urc-northernsynod.org. You can find more details about the project by clicking here.
Book now to see Cinderella
The church has a booking at the Tynemouth Priory Theatre to see Cinderella on Friday 17th January 2025. If you wish to join the party please put your name on the list which is on the notice board in the church hall.
So we have just hosted “Mary” and “Joseph” at our house as part of “posada”. During the coming weeks different church households receive and host figures of Mary and Joseph as they make their journey to Bethlehem in time for Christmas Day. Hosts are invited to place the figures somewhere prominent in their house and reflect upon what they represent and what is to come at Christmas. Here, at the manse, Mary and Joseph joined me for breakfast (see below for photo). That made me wonder about what the original Mary and Joseph did for food on their ninety-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. On foot or by donkey that’s possibly a four-day journey, and there was unlikely to be a McDonald’s on the way. The same probably held true for hotels. I imagine they carried some food for their journey. Perhaps they had friends with whom they could stay. Maybe they relied on the hospitality and kindness of strangers. It made me wonder about how hospitable I am to my friends and how kind I am to the strangers that I encounter.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
God ‘spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.’ (Luke 1:70,71) These words are from “The Benedictus” the song which in Luke’s Gospel comes from the lips of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Previously struck dumb when he first received the news that he would be the parent of a child who would be ‘great in the sight of the Lord’ (1:15), Zechariah, ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ (1:67) now bursts into song. God should be blessed, Zechariah proclaims, for good news which came from previous ‘holy prophets’ (1:70). The people will be rescued from their enemies, and so freed to live as God says they should (1:74-75). Zechariah and Elizabeth’s child, John, will stand in this tradition as ‘the prophet of the Most High’ (1:76). He will precede the Lord, preparing his ways (1:76), which will open up the way to salvation for the people. (1:77) Those who are our enemies – whether these are others or ourselves – will not be allowed to get in the way of the ‘tender mercy of our God’ which is about to dawn upon us (1:78), bringing us light, life and peace. (1:79)
By Sunday 8th December “Mary” and “Joseph” will have been hosted by the first seven households of Saint Columba’s members, and have travelled around all of the classes at St Edward’s Primary School. Next week will also be busy for M&J. Not only will they put up for the night at another seven church households, but also will be visiting all of the classes at Riverside Primary School.
The church has a booking at the Tynemouth Priory Theatre to see Cinderella on Friday 17th January 2025. If you wish to join the party please put your name on the list which is on the notice board in the church hall.