30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #173 8th October 2023
From the Minister Season of Mists and mellow Fruitfulness Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run. John Keats (1795 – 1821)Well, that’s my nod to O-Level English Literature, and one of the poets that I was required to study. I memorised the lines in order to pass the exam, but I suspect that they have stuck in my memory for reasons other than that. We’re into October now. We’ve held our church harvest service. The conkers are falling from the Horse Chestnut trees. Across the land leaves are turning from green to yellow, gold, brown and red. Surely Autumn has arrived. I know that Autumn is not my favourite season, though I could not tell which one is my favourite. Still, there’s something splendid in observing the change of colours, in gathering fruit, and in kicking your way through heaps of dry leaves. It’s a gift from God to we who live in this part of the world, with its changing seasons. I hope we can make the most of it.
Prayer‘The plains of summer and the depths of winter separated by the slopes of Autumn.’ (Stuart Barrie)
O God, I thank you for the changing seasons – in the world, in life. Help me to make the most of each season when it comes along.
Amen.
WorshipSunday 8th October
10.30 a.m. Communion service lead by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison, including welcoming two new church members.
Sunday 15th October 10.30 a.m. Service led by the Revd Louise Sanders, minister St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton (Trevor will be leading worship at St Andrew’s). After the service, there will be cake and wine shared to mark a special wedding anniversary for two church members.
Livestreamed Worship from Saint Columba’s
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services, click here
Bible readings for this week
Exodus 20:1-20 The Ten Commandments
Psalm 19 God’s law is a gift to humankind
Philippians 3:4b-14 Everything’s worth judged against knowing Christ
Matthew 21:31-46 A parable about a landowner and murderous tenant
Reflection on the Readings
So, how many of the Ten Commandments can you remember without looking up Exodus 20:1-20 or Deuteronomy 5:1-21? Does it matter if you can’t remember all of them? Some years ago, the public proponent of atheism, Richard Dawkins, seized on the findings of a poll which showed that most church goers could not remember all ten of the commandments when asked. This, he argued was evidence that even many of those who attended church were not Christians. If you can’t remember and recite all ten does that mean you are not a Christian? Of course not! Faith is not a memory game. It’s important, though, to be able to recognise the ten when you encounter them, when you are tempted to fib, to “borrow”, to put your trust in something more than in God. So take a moment, read through the list; refresh your memory and your faith.
The dearest idol I have known, whate’er that idol be, help me to tear it from thy throne, and worship only thee.’ William Cowper’s hymn, ‘Oh, For a Closer Walk With God’ references one of the Ten Commandments. Here, it is sung by Stuart Townend
To listen click here
News and NoticesTickets Available for Pie and Peas Lunch – Saturday 14th October
Another of our very popular pie and peas lunches is taking place on Saturday 14th October at
1.30 p.m. in the church hall.
There will also be a singalong, with Paul on the keyboard!
Get your ticket now from Norma, while there are some still available!
North Shields Church Pioneer Worker Job Advert
URC Northern Synod is readvertising the role of pioneer worker, to work with Saint Columba’s, focused on North Shields town centre, making community links which have a Christian faith element to them.Please share this link to the job advert widely, to increase the chances of finding good candidates for the role.
There are a number of jobs at Saint Columba’s which are being done by a few, or by only one person. Each task might not be gigantic, but taken together they can be burdensome. So we’re looking to spread the load. Might you be able to offer to take on one or two of the following? – Oversee weekly count of monies received during the week and on a Sunday morning after church service. Ensure that monies received are banked on a weekly basis. Prepare Agenda and issue with papers for Finance & Property Care Team meetings. Read church Gas / Electricity meters periodically. Issue Room Rental Invoices (and also ensure they are paid). Complete and issue half yearly returns to Synod of all church rental bookings. If you want to find out more about any of these or make an offer, please contact Alison Drew, our Church Secretary, in the first instance. Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
Painters and Decorators – recommendations sought
Someone moving to North Shields in the near future is seeking recommendations for painters and decorators. If you have a recommendation to share please contact Trevor Jamison.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services, click 
So, how many of the Ten Commandments can you remember without looking up Exodus 20:1-20 or Deuteronomy 5:1-21? Does it matter if you can’t remember all of them? Some years ago, the public proponent of atheism, Richard Dawkins, seized on the findings of a poll which showed that most church goers could not remember all ten of the commandments when asked. This, he argued was evidence that even many of those who attended church were not Christians. If you can’t remember and recite all ten does that mean you are not a Christian? Of course not! Faith is not a memory game. It’s important, though, to be able to recognise the ten when you encounter them, when you are tempted to fib, to “borrow”, to put your trust in something more than in God. So take a moment, read through the list; refresh your memory and your faith.
Another of our very popular pie and peas lunches is taking place on Saturday 14th October at
There are a number of jobs at Saint Columba’s which are being done by a few, or by only one person. Each task might not be gigantic, but taken together they can be burdensome. So we’re looking to spread the load. Might you be able to offer to take on one or two of the following? – Oversee weekly count of monies received during the week and on a Sunday morning after church service. Ensure that monies received are banked on a weekly basis. Prepare Agenda and issue with papers for Finance & Property Care Team meetings. Read church Gas / Electricity meters periodically. Issue Room Rental Invoices (and also ensure they are paid). Complete and issue half yearly returns to Synod of all church rental bookings. If you want to find out more about any of these or make an offer, please contact Alison Drew, our Church Secretary, in the first instance.