30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update # 207 – 16th June 2024
Hello again everyone, from John.
Last week saw our news programmes split between the events of 40 years ago across the Channel and the event in a few weeks happening around us here. Both events are striking examples of democracy. The first was when it was threatened by a dictator, the second is our using our hard won right to vote for which party we want to govern this country for the next 5 years. Both result in great cost to our country and community. The 1st had a massive loss of life which took many years to recover from, if indeed we have. The 2nd has a possible cost to us financially and in freedom. Note the word ‘possible’, we do not know what will be the result of our vote at the time. However, we give thanks for the sacrifice of others to keep our democracy, for those willing to work within our democracy and we pray for those who do not live in a democracy. I think of Russia, North Korea, China, especially but there are other countries within Asia, Africa and South America, and yes, even Europe where they have a dictatorship or a weak democracy. So while we pray for others, we also give thanks and praise God for what we have and pray that we can keep it, may we see more of God’s Spirit working in it.
Image – License Dove, Freedom, Peace under Pixabay Content
Prayer
In every aspect of our lives, we ask for Your blessing and leadership Lord. May we ask for Your guidance as we cast our votes. May those elected know You and listen to You in all they do, Amen.
Worship Sunday 16th June 10.30 a.m. Led by Revd Louise Sanders, minister at St. Andrew’s URC Monkseaton and Trinity LEP Ashington.
Trevor will be leading worship at St. Andrew’s that day.
Livestreamed Worship from Saint Columba’s
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
Sunday 23rd June 10.30 a.m.A service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison
Bible readings
1 Samuel 15: 34 to 16: 13 – Through Samuel, God rejects Saul as King and appoints David in his place.
Psalm 20 – David writes ‘May the Lord grant all your requests and give victory to his anointed King’.
2 Corinthians 5: 6-10, 14-17 – How we live in the body by faith and should see others through God’s eyes.
St. Mark 4: 26-34 – The parables of the harvest and the mustard seed being like His kingdom.
Reflection on the Readings
The story of Samuel and Saul is sad, there was great hope in Saul and he started out well but then thought more about his standing than his obedience to God, so he had to go. When we look at the anointing of David, we have what appears to be a contradiction by God, he tells Samuel not to go by outward appearances but God looks in the heart but then we read what a great looking lad David was and God chose him! If he had not been a great looking lad God would still have chosen him because of what He saw within David. But would he have still had the impact on the people around him?
David knew that he was anointed by God and that God was in charge. Only He could lead the people through David’s kingship. When we look at people, how do we see them? Initially we can only go by their appearance but as we get to know them our opinion changes as we see into their depths, into their hearts and minds. We need to remember that God died for all and he sees ‘all’ of them. Paul writes “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!” Jesus talks about God’s kingdom as being seeds which grow into crops and trees, both useful to man and birds. When the seed of God’s kingdom is planted in mankind it flourishes and grows and so God’s kingdom spreads everywhere.
Image – Conger design under Pixabay Content license
A hymn for the reflection
I am a new creation, no more in condemnation here in the grace of God I stand.
(No 254 in Complete Mission Praise)
This is cancelled for Saturday 15th June due to the Synod trip to Bishop Auckland.
Café 2.21
The cafe will re-open on Tuesday 18th June after a short break, welcome back!
New screen system being installed at Saint Columba’s this month
Our upgraded screen system has been installed in the church this week. During next week it will be tested and our tech team will be getting used to them. Those attending the Church Meeting on 18th June might get a sneak preview. Then, providing all goes to plan, we will begin using them in worship on June 23rd.
Get Crafting for Greenbelt
Last year, many of you made Kintsugi hearts for the URC marquee at the Greenbelt Festival, taking place in August. So I’m asking for your help again, please.
Be a part of the URC’s presence at this year’s Greenbelt festival, entitled ‘Dream On’, even if you can’t be there in person. Show us what your dreams for yourself, for the Church and for the world are by designing a 15 x 15cm square. Knit, crochet, make a patchwork square or even draw. All the squares will be joined together to make one massive quilt of dreams. To find out more, click here. The squares need to be with me by Sunday 7th July at the latest so that I can send them on to be sewn together. Liz M.
African Lives North-east
Newcastle City Centre Walks to learn how the lives of Africans are embedded into the fabric of our region are being offered. The Synod plans on making a group booking for the walk taking place at 6.30 pm on Wednesday, 19 June.
If you are interested in joining the walk, can you please contact the Synod’s Racial Justice Advocate, Pat Poinen, so that she can make a group booking on behalf of the Synod.
Pat’s email address is in the email version of the Weekly Update. Use the contact us page on the website if you can’t find it.
Next Update – Sunday 23rd June
Trevor Jamison will edit the next Update. Please get your information to him by Tuesday 18th June
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
Last week saw our news programmes split between the events of 40 years ago across the Channel and the event in a few weeks happening around us here. Both events are striking examples of democracy. The first was when it was threatened by a dictator, the second is our using our hard won right to vote for which party we want to govern this country for the next 5 years. Both result in great cost to our country and community. The 1st had a massive loss of life which took many years to recover from, if indeed we have. The 2nd has a possible cost to us financially and in freedom. Note the word ‘possible’, we do not know what will be the result of our vote at the time. However, we give thanks for the sacrifice of others to keep our democracy, for those willing to work within our democracy and we pray for those who do not live in a democracy. I think of Russia, North Korea, China, especially but there are other countries within Asia, Africa and South America, and yes, even Europe where they have a dictatorship or a weak democracy. So while we pray for others, we also give thanks and praise God for what we have and pray that we can keep it, may we see more of God’s Spirit working in it.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
The story of Samuel and Saul is sad, there was great hope in Saul and he started out well but then thought more about his standing than his obedience to God, so he had to go. When we look at the anointing of David, we have what appears to be a contradiction by God, he tells Samuel not to go by outward appearances but God looks in the heart but then we read what a great looking lad David was and God chose him! If he had not been a great looking lad God would still have chosen him because of what He saw within David. But would he have still had the impact on the people around him?
Last year, many of you made Kintsugi hearts for the URC marquee at the Greenbelt Festival, taking place in August. So I’m asking for your help again, please.