30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #242 – Sunday 23rd March 2025
From the Minister: Journeying through Lent: Temptation and Faithfulness
Temptation is a powerful force. It can affect any aspect of existence, everything from the trivial to the profound; from one chocolate biscuit too many to betrayal of personal or wider loyalties. It’s part of our human condition, which is why the biblical story of the origin of humankind features a story of temptation: ‘she took of its fruit and ate, and … her husband who was with her.’ (Genesis 1:6) At the beginning of Jesus’s ministry he faced multiple temptations, including another food-related one (Luke 4:1-13). He was able to resist, but later, Judas Iscariot was not when money was offered to betray Jesus. (Luke 22:5) In the Gethsemane garden (in an echo of Adam and Eve and the one in Eden?), refusal to go to the cross was on Jesus’s mind, but he remained faithful to God’s will, to his mission, and to us. It’s in our nature to be tempted, (representative human figures like Adam and Eve tell us that). Although that explains, it does not excuse us when we give in, just like Judas did. Thank God then, for Jesus, who for our sake, continuing his journey to its end, remained faith, and did not give in to temptation.
Trevor Photo by CC.
Prayer
Gracious God, I thank you for the example of your Son, Jesus, who, like us all, was faced with temptation, yet remained faithful to your will for the world. Help me to be like him, but if and when I do give in to temptation, forgive me, and encourage to keep on following in his way. Amen.
Worship 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.
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,
10.30 a.m. A service for Mothering Sunday, led by church members.
Bible readings
Isaiah 55:1-9 ‘Seek the LORD while he may be found … while he is near’.
Psalm 63:1-8 ‘O God, you are my God, I seek you; my soul thirsts for you’.
1 Cor. 10:1-13 Things to avoid if you want to relate well to God.
Luke 13:1-9 The Parable of the Fig Tree – maybe there is still time.
Reflection on the Readings
‘God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13) This is one of those sayings that I have often heard quoted. Usually, it’s said either with the intention of comforting someone who is going through a hard time in life, or as part of an argument to defend God from the charge of allowing needless suffering in the world. That’s expecting a lot from just one part of one verse in the whole Bible! It helps to remember that Paul was not writing his letter with everyone and their life situation in mind. He was writing it to one group of people in Corinth two thousand years ago. He had their specific struggles in mind, and looked back to the (sometimes negative) example of the Jewish people in previous times, led by Moses, on a long journey through a wilderness, fleeing slavery and in search of freedom. So it might be that there really are situations that are too much for us in life. On the other hand, though, there are plenty of challenges in life that we share in common with others – ‘no testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone’ as it says in the same verse. Whichever is the case, whatever we experience in this world is not the last word, for in the end God ‘will also provide the way out,’ which is a hopeful thought that helps us to endure.
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 3: “Temptation and faithfulness – featuring a bag of coins, a reading and a prayer.
Photo by CC.
“The Whole Easter Story” – Lent Conversations
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.
Turn off your lights for Earth Hour – Saturday 22nd March at 8.30 p.m.
Earth Hour is happening at 8.30pm on Saturday 22 March 2025.
The global event takes place every year to encourage people to turn off their lights for 60 minutes to raise awareness about big issues affecting the environment.
The night will also see some of the world’s most famous buildings plunged into darkness for one hour.
This year lots of big landmarks in the UK will be switching off their lights to mark the event including The London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster in London, the Liver Building in Liverpool and Stirling Castle in Stirling.
Temptation is a powerful force. It can affect any aspect of existence, everything from the trivial to the profound; from one chocolate biscuit too many to betrayal of personal or wider loyalties. It’s part of our human condition, which is why the biblical story of the origin of humankind features a story of temptation: ‘she took of its fruit and ate, and … her husband who was with her.’ (Genesis 1:6) At the beginning of Jesus’s ministry he faced multiple temptations, including another food-related one (Luke 4:1-13). He was able to resist, but later, Judas Iscariot was not when money was offered to betray Jesus. (Luke 22:5) In the Gethsemane garden (in an echo of Adam and Eve and the one in Eden?), refusal to go to the cross was on Jesus’s mind, but he remained faithful to God’s will, to his mission, and to us. It’s in our nature to be tempted, (representative human figures like Adam and Eve tell us that). Although that explains, it does not excuse us when we give in, just like Judas did. Thank God then, for Jesus, who for our sake, continuing his journey to its end, remained faith, and did not give in to temptation.
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison, with a focus upon temptation and faithfulness.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
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.