30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #227 – 24th November 2024
From the Minister Seeing the Big Picture of Peace and Truth
It’s the last Sunday of the liturgical church year, though don’t expect any late night parties or fireworks displays to mark that fact. Sunday 1st December will be Advent Sunday. We will turn our faces decisively towards the Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Although choirs of angels and exotic visitors, as well as the Roman Emperor and a murderous king, the focus will be domestic. One travelling couple, one child’s birth in one small town. Of course the implications of the birth are cosmic – universal – so, to help us view Jesus’s birth from the wider perspective, this Sunday we remember that he is a “king” who is sovereign not just over our individual lives, or even over this world, but over everything. So when Jesus is an adult, he will remind Pontius Pilate, a representative of human empire, that his kingdom, his reign, his sovereignty is based not upon military might or fear, but upon peace and truth.
Prayer Almighty God, may your glory fill our worship as we proclaim your Son King of kings, and Lord of lords; and accept the homage of your people as we offer our lives in service of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
Book of Common Worship, 1993
Worship Sunday 24th November
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison on the theme of “The Reign of Christ” . A Church Meeting will follow this service.
6.30 p.m.Memorial Service Our annual reflective service, led by Trevor Jamison, where we remember with thanks those who have died during the previous twelve months.
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, where we look forward to the coming of Christ, Mary and Joseph begin their “posada” journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem via Saint Columba’s URC
3.00 p.m. Messy Church Christmas All ages get to explore the Christmas story together through crafts and activities, and then stay for tea!
Bible readings
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 A vision of a heavenly, kingly being
Psalm 93 Praise to God who reigns over all
Revelation 1:4b-8 Christ, the ruler of the earth
John 18:33-37 Jesus King of Peace, King of Truth
Reflection on the Readings
The readings relate to the Sunday which in many churches is dedicated to the theme of “Christ the King” or “The Reign of Christ”. For the Psalmist, God the creator is the King over all creation: ‘the LORD is King’ (93:1) whose ‘throne is established (2), and is proclaimed by the voice of the floods (93:3) Likewise, in Revelation, God is the beginning and end of all in creation (1:8), but it is his Son, Jesus, who is ‘the ruler of the kings of the earth.’ (1:5) Speaking of God, of Jesus, as “King” is to use metaphorical language. This does mean that Jesus is not really king-like. Rather, the message is that we are invited to take our notions of what constitutes the greatest sort of king and recognise that Jesus is that and more. That’s what happens when Jesus has his conversation with Pontius Pilate, whose notions of kingship are limited to his own experiences. Jesus is happy to speak about his “kingdom”, but as he tells Pilate, his sort of kingdom ‘is not from here.’ (18:36) It needs no fighting armies (18:36). Instead it is a kingdom, a reign, of truth, to which all are invited to belong. (18:37)
A hymn that responds to the readings
‘If my kingdom belonged to this world my followers would be fighting …’ (John 18:36) “King of Glory, King of Peace, I will love thee” a hymn based upon a poem by George Herbert (1593-1633)
Messy Christmas
Bring your family and friends to our increasingly popular informal Messy Church, where all ages come together around craft, activities, worship, and eating and drinking together.
On Sunday December 1st at 3.00 pm we’ll be exploring the Christmas story.
Contributions Sought for Bay Food Bank
HANDS once again are collecting food for the Bay Food Bank. There will be a box in the hall from Sunday 17th to Sunday 1st December. Any contributions will be most welcome.
Fundraising Event at Café 2 21 – Thank You
Thank you to everyone who helped and supported our fund raising morning on Tuesday 12th November at café 2-21. The sum of £305 was raised for the Street Pastors. Chris Lincoln from Whitley Bay Street Pastors will receive a cheque at the morning service on Sunday 1st December.
Operation Christmas Child
One hundred and seven gift-filled shoe boxes will soon be on their way to Malawi. Thank you so much to all for being able to fill a box, and for all donations helping with the postage. Thanks also to Walkergate Community School who donated over fifty five boxes, which were delivered by children and teachers from their school.
Called to Be Knitters Of Fish North Shields is celebrating 800 years in 2025. Next year, Churches Together in North Shields are going to “knit bomb” fish around the town during the summer. St Columba’s has been invited to knit or crochet fish by next Spring. Any help would be appreciated. There is a fish tank at the back of church for the completed fish to go in. You can find a knitting pattern here or obtain one from Liz M.
Next Church Magazine
This is a note to let everyone know that the next issue of the St Columbas Magazine will cover December 2024 and January 2025.
All articles or contributions will be very welcome whether seasonal or not and should be with Valerie H please by 28th November.
Next Update – Sunday 1st December
Trevor Jamison will edit the next Update. Please get your information to him by Tuesday 26th November.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
It’s the last Sunday of the liturgical church year, though don’t expect any late night parties or fireworks displays to mark that fact. Sunday 1st December will be Advent Sunday. We will turn our faces decisively towards the Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Although choirs of angels and exotic visitors, as well as the Roman Emperor and a murderous king, the focus will be domestic. One travelling couple, one child’s birth in one small town. Of course the implications of the birth are cosmic – universal – so, to help us view Jesus’s birth from the wider perspective, this Sunday we remember that he is a “king” who is sovereign not just over our individual lives, or even over this world, but over everything. So when Jesus is an adult, he will remind Pontius Pilate, a representative of human empire, that his kingdom, his reign, his sovereignty is based not upon military might or fear, but upon peace and truth.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
Messy Christmas
North Shields is celebrating 800 years in 2025. Next year, Churches Together in North Shields are going to “knit bomb” fish around the town during the summer. St Columba’s has been invited to knit or crochet fish by next Spring. Any help would be appreciated. There is a fish tank at the back of church for the completed fish to go in. You can find a knitting pattern