30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #241 – 16th March 2025
From The Minister Journeying through Lent – Service I imagine that most of us would rather be masters than servants. That’s probably just human nature, though if so, it doesn’t say a lot for human nature. Only in recent decades have stately homes which are open to the public put much effort into showing us what went on below stairs – the kitchens, store rooms, and accommodation for the staff. We who dream of being Fitzwilliam Darcy or Elizabeth Bennet aren’t so keen to think about the work conditions of their/our footmen and housemaids. And in recent years some are distinctly unhappy that the National Trust feels obliged to point out that money that built beautiful homes often came from profits made through owning enslaved people who toiled in terrible conditions. I imagine they had more personal insight than do we concerning the physical suffering served out to Jesus. It was Jesus, of course, who turned things upside down, telling his followers that if they wanted to be great they needed to serve, not expect to be served, and demonstrated this by washing his followers’ feet. (John 13:1-15) No wonder then, that so many who want to be great, but be served, rather than serve, have not been so keen on Jesus, whatever nice words they to say about him. Trevor Photo by LM
Prayer
Lord Christ, our Servant and Saviour, on earth you washed the feet of your disciples, and now through your cross and resurrection you always live to make intercession for us: give us grace to be your faithful disciples and servants to our lives’ end.
Amen. (Stephen S. Smalley, 1931-2024)
Worship Sunday 16th March 10.30 a.m. A service led by Dr Ann Sinclair, St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton.
Livestream of morning services from Saint Columba’s
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
Sunday 23rd March 10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison, with a focus upon temptation and faithfulness.
3.00 p.m. Messy Church – worship for all generations, this week with a focus on reflecting God in all that we do.
Bible readings
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 God makes a covenant with Abram
Psalm 27:1-14 Depending on God when others forsake you
Philippians 3:17-4:1 Keeping a heavenly perspective on earthly experiences
Luke 13:31-35 God cares for us, but are we willing to be cared for?
Reflection on the Readings
‘On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram.’ (Genesis 15:18) “Covenant” is not a word that gets used much these days. There might be a covenant on land in property matters. Occasionally, one hears of marriage as being a covenant. There are, however, a number of covenants mentioned in the Bible – between God and Noah (and all other life on earth); between God and Israel, via Moses; between God and King David, and his descendants; one foretold by Jeremiah between God and the people. Between the covenants involving Noah and Moses comes this one between God and Abram, where Abram is invited to contemplate the numberless stars. In the Bible a covenant is a type of contract, but one in which both sides make significant personal promises, which both sides need to keep. God promises Abram descendants (he and his wife, Sarai, have no children), plus a land where they will live. Abram and his descendants will be God’s people, but they will be expected to live in ways which demonstrate that they are God’s people. God gives Abram things he cannot possess for himself, so this a covenant of grace. Once received, however, there is a moral obligation to respond well to the gifts God gives. And what goes for Abram, goes for us too. Image: “Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Van_Gogh_-_Starry_Night_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg
A song that responds to the readings
“All my hope on God is founded” click here to listen. Including the assertion that “daily doth the almighty giver bounteous gifts on us bestow”
News and Notices
Prayer Space for Lent – Open Every Tuesday and Sunday
During Lent the church will be open every Tuesday, 10.30 am–1.30 pm to allow for quiet reflection and prayer. A prayer table and seating at the front of the church is available for anyone to use. The space will also be available before and after each Sunday morning service.
There is a different theme each week. Week 2: “Service”, featuring a bowl of water and a towel, readings and a prayer.
Photo by LM
“The Whole Easter Story” – Lent Conversations PLEASE NOTE: the meeting on Monday 17th March at St Andrew’s Monkseaton will be at 3.00 pm
Six discussion group sessions for Lent, taking place on Thursday evenings at St Columba’s URC, then repeated on the following Mondays at 2.00 p.m. at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton, and 7.15 pm. that night on Zoom. click here to join Zoom.
Church Eco Team Recycling Request
In a recent Synod Newsletter an article appeared detailing the recycling that St James’s URC, Newcastle, is undertaking. Our Eco Team has given some thought to the ideas and items that can be recycled (independently of the normal recycling bin). Click here to read the article and share any thoughts and ideas you may have with members of our Eco Team.
Next Update – Sunday 23rd March
Please get your information to Trevor Jamison by Tuesday 18th March.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
I imagine that most of us would rather be masters than servants. That’s probably just human nature, though if so, it doesn’t say a lot for human nature. Only in recent decades have stately homes which are open to the public put much effort into showing us what went on below stairs – the kitchens, store rooms, and accommodation for the staff. We who dream of being Fitzwilliam Darcy or Elizabeth Bennet aren’t so keen to think about the work conditions of their/our footmen and housemaids. And in recent years some are distinctly unhappy that the National Trust feels obliged to point out that money that built beautiful homes often came from profits made through owning enslaved people who toiled in terrible conditions. I imagine they had more personal insight than do we concerning the physical suffering served out to Jesus. It was Jesus, of course, who turned things upside down, telling his followers that if they wanted to be great they needed to serve, not expect to be served, and demonstrated this by washing his followers’ feet. (John 13:1-15) No wonder then, that so many who want to be great, but be served, rather than serve, have not been so keen on Jesus, whatever nice words they to say about him.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
‘On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram.’ (Genesis 15:18) “Covenant” is not a word that gets used much these days. There might be a covenant on land in property matters. Occasionally, one hears of marriage as being a covenant. There are, however, a number of covenants mentioned in the Bible – between God and Noah (and all other life on earth); between God and Israel, via Moses; between God and King David, and his descendants; one foretold by Jeremiah between God and the people. Between the covenants involving Noah and Moses comes this one between God and Abram, where Abram is invited to contemplate the numberless stars. In the Bible a covenant is a type of contract, but one in which both sides make significant personal promises, which both sides need to keep. God promises Abram descendants (he and his wife, Sarai, have no children), plus a land where they will live. Abram and his descendants will be God’s people, but they will be expected to live in ways which demonstrate that they are God’s people. God gives Abram things he cannot possess for himself, so this a covenant of grace. Once received, however, there is a moral obligation to respond well to the gifts God gives. And what goes for Abram, goes for us too.
During Lent the church will be open every Tuesday, 10.30 am–1.30 pm to allow for quiet reflection and prayer. A prayer table and seating at the front of the church is available for anyone to use. The space will also be available before and after each Sunday morning service.