30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #224 – 3rd November 2024
From the Minister
I once knew a minister who became a well known and popular figure on the church scene because of a couple of books he had written. Invitations flooded in for him to come to speak at conferences, preach at church, join denominational groups and committees, as well as suggestions about important jobs for which he might like to apply. He was at the breakfast table one morning, sharing at length with his wife about how in demand he had become, about all of the things he had been invited to do, and how this would impact upon his ability to contribute to the demands of the normal family routine. After listening to him for some time, his wife interrupted this litany of “good news” by saying, ‘You know, Peter*, that one definition of a martyr is that they are someone who is married to a saint.’ The 1st November is All Saints’ Day. We are invited to commemorate all the saints of the Church, both known and unknown. There’s a tendency to identify ‘the saints’ with the spiritual superheroes of the Church, both past and present. In fact, ‘the saints’ is a much bigger group. It’s all the people of faith (including you and me); the really saintly ones, and the rest of us who seek to emulate them or just put up with them.
Trevor
* ‘Peter’ is not his real name!
Prayer
Gracious God, let the light of your glory appear among us, that with all your saints we may be sharers in your eternity. Amen.
From ‘Praise in All Our Days’, 1975.
Worship SUNDAY 3rd November 2024
10.30 a.m.A service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison, celebrating the saints of the Church, past, present and future. At this service we hear back how things have progressed in our recent church stewardship campaign.
3.00 p.m. Messy Church – Messy Church all-generations worship, exploring the theme of “Light” through craft activities, takes place on Sunday 3rd November, 3.00 p.m. – 5.15 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this popular event – come along and bring your friends!
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 Communion Service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison, including our remembrance of those who have died in time of war.
Bible readings
Isaiah 25:6-9 God gathers all the peoples of the world for a massive feast
Psalm 24 God arrives to be with the people
Revelation 21:1-6a God, who was there at the beginning, is there at the end
John 11:32-44 Jesus restores Lazarus to life
What happens at the end? Many of think in terms of “going to heaven” – leaving the earth in order to be somewhere else. There’s nothing wrong with that, but two of today’s readings suggest that God’s ultimate plan is for something different. They express a conviction that God’s intention is to renew the earth as a place where we will all live as God intended. The prophet Isaiah pictures this as a worldwide picnic, one hosted by God: ‘God will make for all peoples a feast of rich food.’ (22:6) As part of this feast God ‘will swallow up death for ever.’ (25:7) The image of the end in the Book of Revelation is a different one – a heavenly city descending from the ‘new heaven’ to the ‘new earth’ (21:1). In this new city there is neither suffering nor death. (21:4) There God and the peoples live together. (21:3) Both Isaiah and the author of Revelation make use of imagery because they are having to try to imagine a situation that nobody alive today has ever experienced. That doesn’t make their writing a “fairy tale” but rather it’s reminder that what God intends is even better than the best inspired writers can imagine.
Café 2-21 event in support of Street Pastors – Tuesday 12th November
In addition to the usual good food and opportunities to meet for conversation, on Tuesday 12th November, 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m., Café 2.21 will be running a cake stall and a raffle with lots of prizes, with all proceeds going to Street Pastors.
First Christmas Coffee Morning of the Year? – Saturday 16th November
The ladies of HANDS invite you to their Christmas Coffee Morning on Saturday 16th November at St Columba’s Church Hall from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Coffee/tea and mince pie/cheese scone £2.00 – Tombola, handicrafts, cake stall. All proceeds to Blood Bikes.
Movie Night – Monday 18th November at 7.15 p.m.
A date for your diary – this year our Advent discussion series will be based upon the classic Christmas move, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Each week the theme for discussion will relate to a segment of the movie. Before the series kicks off we’re providing the opportunity to watch the whole film in one go (whether or not you then take part in the discussion series). So bring your snacks and your drinks, your family and your friends, and enjoy the experience.
Quilt of Dreams – Thank You!
Liz M writes, “It’s a couple of months since I was at the Greenbelt Festival, sitting in the sun, listening to music, attending workshops and seeking out talks to listen to. So it was a lovely surprise on Friday to receive a Thank You from those involved with the URC venue there. St Columba’s contributed over 100 knitted and crocheted squares to form part of a huge Quilt of Dreams. See if you can spot your square in the photo. Thank you once again for taking part. Roll on GB 25!”
Next Update – Sunday 10th November
Trevor Jamison will edit the next Update. Please get your information to him by Tuesday 5th November.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
3.00 p.m. Messy Church –
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,