30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #254 – Trinity Sunday 15th June 2025
From the Minister Celebrating Rather Than Explaining
I am not preaching this Sunday. Some might allege that this is because it is Trinity Sunday. It’s a standing joke that some ministers intentionally find they have to be elsewhere this Sunday, leaving it to another preacher to struggle to explain the doctrine of the Holy Trinity to a bemused congregation. Actually, I enjoy preaching on Trinity Sunday, though not because I enjoy bemusing congregations – such occasions are unintentional, honestly. Rather, I like preaching on Trinity Sunday because I don’t try to explain the Church’s doctrine about that. Instead, I celebrate it. How is that God is the creator and sustainer of all creation everywhere and always, yet stepped into a place and time in-person to be with us and save us, yet at the same time is present with us in the here and now as a spiritual presence and power? I don’t know! There are explanations (doctrines) to help us understand that, though none will do full justice to reality. It’s good to discuss the explanations, but much more satisfying to enjoy the good news the trinitarian reality that our One God exists and acts in trinity, and that we are the beneficiaries of it.
Trevor Image: “In the Beginning” by Brian Whelan(1957 – ) Creation with the three Persons of the Trinity all portrayed at work. Via Wikimedia Commons.
Video – St Patrick fails to explain the Trinity St Patrick is challenged to explain the doctrine of the Trinity and (whilst speaking with an American accent) fails to do so! click here
Prayer O God our mystery, you bring us life, call us to freedom, and move between us with love. May we so participate in the movement of your Trinity that our lives may resonate with you, now and for ever. Amen. Prayer by Janet Morley (altd)
Worship Sunday 15th June
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Ron Forster, URC minister, from Morpeth
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 led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison – this service will be followed by a Church Meeting.
Sunday June 29th from 3.00 p.m. “Summer In The Square”
Saint Columba’s is going to hold a worship event and picnic in Northumberland Square. We’ll have a trail of six simple activities, based on the first six days in creation in Genesis 1. On the “seventh day” we’ll gather for a 15-minute worship, followed by a picnic, accompanied by summer-themed music. You can come and go as you please from 3.00 p.m. It’s designed so that anyone, whatever their church experience can take part, so do invite others to come along: “Summer in the Square” is happening It’s going to be good! I’m going. Would you like to come with me?
You can find a flyer about this event to share with othersHERE
Image: North Tyneside Council
Bible readings Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 God’s Wisdom rejoices in the creation
Psalm 8 Exalting God’s name above the earth
Romans 5:1-5 God’s love, poured into our hearts
John 16:12-15 God’s Spirit is a spirit of Truth
The phrase “Holy Trinity” appears nowhere in the Bible. It is a term invented by the Church to try to explain our experience of God. At the same time, you can see how experiences of faith, shared in the Bible, led to the doctrine. Our reading from Romans 5 is one example of that. Paul writes about how we obtain ‘peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (5:1) God’s granting us peace is a gracious act – ‘this grace’– which gives us hope of ‘sharing the glory of God.’ (5:2) That doesn’t mean that life is all plain sailing. We need God’s peace, which comes to us though Jesus Christ, to help us endure life’s afflictions.’ (5:3) Such peace in such circumstances gives us ‘hope’ (5:4), and such hope is not mistaken, because God’s love ‘is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been give to us.’ (5:5) God (who in Paul’s mind is always the God who has created and sustains the world), grants us peace through Christ, and sustains us with love through the Spirit. God is Creator, Saviour, Sustainer, or if you prefer, Father, Son, Spirit (“Holy Trinity”). Image by Philip Barrington from Pixabay
A song that responds to the readings
“Jesus, lead us to the Father by your Spirit” – a hymn suitable for Trinity Sunday, written by Sam Hargreaves from Resound Worship. click here
News and Notices
Church Prayer Space – this week: Trinity (Romans 8:5, 9-17)
This space in the church is available for personal prayer on Tuesday and Sunday mornings.
Loving God, Creator, Son and Holy Spirit, We thank the Creator for all the gifts of this created world. We thank the Son for the sacrificial outpouring of love and the new life that is promised. We thank the Holy Spirit for empowering
and sustaining us. Amen.
Image: Glass dish from Iona featuring a triquetra (Celtic Trinity symbol) Photo by LM
Marjorie Dalrymple’s funeral – Tuesday 17th June, 2.45 p.m.
The funeral of Marjorie Dalrymple will be held at 2.45 p.m., on Tuesday 17th June at the church, led by the Minister.
Strawberry Fayre – £1000+!
Didn’t we do well on Saturday!! Lots of visitors enjoyed our refreshments and the exhibition in the church. We raised over £1,000 for church funds. Thank you for all your support and hard work. From Norma and the Social Events Team.
Kaleidoscope Request
Do you have a kaleidoscope you would be willing to lend to the church for our summer afternoon event in Northumberland Square on Sunday 29th June? If so, please contact Trevor Jamison.
Next Update – Sunday 15th June
Please get your information to Trevor Jamison by Tuesday 17th June
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
I am not preaching this Sunday. Some might allege that this is because it is Trinity Sunday. It’s a standing joke that some ministers intentionally find they have to be elsewhere this Sunday, leaving it to another preacher to struggle to explain the doctrine of the Holy Trinity to a bemused congregation. Actually, I enjoy preaching on Trinity Sunday, though not because I enjoy bemusing congregations – such occasions are unintentional, honestly. Rather, I like preaching on Trinity Sunday because I don’t try to explain the Church’s doctrine about that. Instead, I celebrate it. How is that God is the creator and sustainer of all creation everywhere and always, yet stepped into a place and time in-person to be with us and save us, yet at the same time is present with us in the here and now as a spiritual presence and power? I don’t know! There are explanations (doctrines) to help us understand that, though none will do full justice to reality. It’s good to discuss the explanations, but much more satisfying to enjoy the good news the trinitarian reality that our One God exists and acts in trinity, and that we are the beneficiaries of it.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
Saint Columba’s is going to hold a worship event and picnic in Northumberland Square. We’ll have a trail of six simple activities, based on the first six days in creation in Genesis 1. On the “seventh day” we’ll gather for a 15-minute worship, followed by a picnic, accompanied by summer-themed music. You can come and go as you please from 3.00 p.m. It’s designed so that anyone, whatever their church experience can take part, so do invite others to come along: “Summer in the Square” is happening It’s going to be good! I’m going. Would you like to come with me?
The phrase “Holy Trinity” appears nowhere in the Bible. It is a term invented by the Church to try to explain our experience of God. At the same time, you can see how experiences of faith, shared in the Bible, led to the doctrine. Our reading from Romans 5 is one example of that. Paul writes about how we obtain ‘peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (5:1) God’s granting us peace is a gracious act – ‘this grace’– which gives us hope of ‘sharing the glory of God.’ (5:2) That doesn’t mean that life is all plain sailing. We need God’s peace, which comes to us though Jesus Christ, to help us endure life’s afflictions.’ (5:3) Such peace in such circumstances gives us ‘hope’ (5:4), and such hope is not mistaken, because God’s love ‘is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been give to us.’ (5:5) God (who in Paul’s mind is always the God who has created and sustains the world), grants us peace through Christ, and sustains us with love through the Spirit. God is Creator, Saviour, Sustainer, or if you prefer, Father, Son, Spirit (“Holy Trinity”).
Loving God, Creator, Son and Holy Spirit,