30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #245 – Sunday 13th April 2025 – Palm Sunday
From the Minister Journeying through Lent – Excitement and Trepidation
Apparently, the advice is that if you are trying to cope with doing something that frightens you then you should “re-frame” your feelings as excitement: “I’m not terrified by the prospect of sky diving for charity, I’m excited by it!” Well, up to a point. In the church year we’re entering a week of excitement and trepidation. On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem, amid cheering crowds, and causing something of a stir. Of course, part of what Jesus stirred up was fear and enmity among those who considered him a threat, both to themselves and to the people in general. Living years after the event, we know that celebration turned into hostility, leading to Jesus’s arrest, suffering, and his death on Good Friday. Aware of what’s coming, and finding the prospect a frightening one, we might be tempted to “re-frame” the event by sticking with the excitement of Palm Sunday, hoping that will get us through to Easter Sunday unscathed (unlike Jesus). In this week, though, to do full justice to Jesus, we want to be as excited as excited can be and own up to the trepidation that we feel about what’s to come before we can get to Easter. Trevor Image by Nina Garman from Pixabay
Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, accept our songs of praise as you journey to your cross; and enable us both to grieve at its necessity and to be renewed by its power; for your own name’s sake. Amen.
(C N R Wallwork)
Worship Sunday 13th April – Palm Sunday
10.30a.m. A Communion service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison: Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph, but the cross awaits …
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,
Worship in Holy Week 17th April at 7.00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Communion service, Lishman Hall 18th April at 10.00 a.m. Churches Together Good Friday Walk of Witness 18th April at 11.00 a.m. Messy Church for Easter
Easter Sunday – 20th April 8.15 a.m.Easter Worship, with Communion, led by Trevor Jamison 8.45 a.m. Breakfast, open to all, following conclusion of 8.15 a.m. service 10.30 a.m. Easter Celebration Service with Communion, led by Trevor Jamison
Bible readings
Isaiah 50:4-9a God’s servant submits to suffering
Psalm 31:9-16 Putting trust in God in desperate circumstances
Philippians 2:5-11 Christ Jesus – obedient unto death
Luke 19:28-40 Jesus enters Jerusalem
Luke 23:1-49 The suffering and death of Jesus
Reflection on the Readings
Philippians 2:5-11 is one of my favourite Bible passages. Paul packs so much into seven verses: a call for us to be Christ-like (5), which avoids trying to make ourselves into gods (6); that Jesus was thoroughly, humbly human (7); willing to die for us in pursuit of God’s plan (8); for which he is exalted above everyone and everything (9), in the whole of humanity and the rest of creation (10); Lord of all, to God’s glory (11). In a week when we are encouraged to remember the death of Jesus on the cross why not ponder one verse a day, all the way to Easter, when we, along with everyone else confess that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’
A song that responds to the readings “Ride on, ride on in majesty, hark all the tribes “hosanna” cry’ – a hymn connecting Palm Sunday and events of the week that followed. To listen click here.
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. Week 6: “Excitement and Trepidation” – featuring palm leaves, a reading (Luke 19:28-38) and a prayer. Photo by LM
Daffodil Afternoon Tea Party – 12th April
We look forward to seeing you at the Daffodil Afternoon Tea Party on Saturday 12th April 2pm, and enjoy a sing-along with Paul.
Curry and Quiz tickets now on sale
Tickets will be on sale from Sunday for the Curry and Quiz lunch on Saturday 3rd May at 1.00 pm.
Apparently, the advice is that if you are trying to cope with doing something that frightens you then you should “re-frame” your feelings as excitement: “I’m not terrified by the prospect of sky diving for charity, I’m excited by it!” Well, up to a point. In the church year we’re entering a week of excitement and trepidation. On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem, amid cheering crowds, and causing something of a stir. Of course, part of what Jesus stirred up was fear and enmity among those who considered him a threat, both to themselves and to the people in general. Living years after the event, we know that celebration turned into hostility, leading to Jesus’s arrest, suffering, and his death on Good Friday. Aware of what’s coming, and finding the prospect a frightening one, we might be tempted to “re-frame” the event by sticking with the excitement of Palm Sunday, hoping that will get us through to Easter Sunday unscathed (unlike Jesus). In this week, though, to do full justice to Jesus, we want to be as excited as excited can be and own up to the trepidation that we feel about what’s to come before we can get to Easter.
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.
Tickets will be on sale from Sunday for the Curry and Quiz lunch on Saturday 3rd May at 1.00 pm.