30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #256 – Sunday 29th June 2025
From the Minister Grace and Gratitude
The United Reformed Church’s 2025 General Assembly will be taking place soon (see below for further details). Each year the Synod Moderators write a ‘report’, though it’s actually more of a reflection than a report. This year ‘grace’ is the theme of their report. ‘Grace,’ as a recent hymn tells us, ‘is when God gives us the things we don’t deserve.’ That’s a challenging thought because most of the time most of us take for granted the good things that come our way. It’s when things go wrong in life that we want to have a conversation with God about why things are the way they are. For a denomination like the URC, which has been shrinking in numbers ever since it came into being in 1972, it’s all too easy to focus on the bad stuff. Yet, as the Synod Moderators note, all sorts of good things are also happening in our churches. For instance, just think of all the good things that have happened at Saint Columba’s during your time associated with it. Recognising these as experiences of God’s grace – the good things given us which we did nothing to deserve – leads to a sense of gratitude, and grateful people want to respond in positive ways, which benefit both themselves and others. Trevor Image by John Hain from Pixabay
Hymn
“Grace is when God gives us the things we don’t deserve” click here to listen.
Prayer
“Not with the hope of gaining aught; not seeking a reward; but as thyself hast loved me, O ever-loving Lord.’ (Francis Xavier, 1506-1552) Thank you, O God, that you are gracious to me. Amen.
Worship Sunday 29th June
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Louise Sanders, from St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton
From 3:00p.m. “Summer In The Square” – our outdoor worship event and picnic in Northumberland Square.
Follow the trail, based on the first six days in creation in Genesis
On the “seventh day” gather for a 15-minute worship
Then bring your rug or chair, and your food and drink for a picnic, accompanied by summer-themed music.
Volunteers wanted on Sunday – we’re moving tables and other items into the Square at 1.00 p.m. on Sunday. One or two extra helpers would be appreciated. Please contact Trevor Jamison if you can make an offer.
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,
Bible readings 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 Elisha called away from work in the field to be a prophet
Psalm 16 Thanking God for the good things in life
Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Love sums up the law
Luke 9:51-62 Jesus is not about fire and brimstoneYou can read the Bible passages online at https://www.biblegateway.com/.
Reflection on the Readings
‘Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.’ (Galatians 5:19-21) If Paul felt he had to warn Galatian Christians about such things then we’re reminded not to have too romantic a view of the biblical church! Obviously, no one is suggesting that these attitudes and practices should characterise a congregation today, though I wonder if we tend to avoid “such people” or speak about such things because we are more concerned about respectability. Paul, and the church in Galatia, were ready to get involved with all sorts of people, to tell them about Jesus, and to welcome them into the life of the church. They would do so, however, showing qualities of ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.’ (5:22-23).
A song that responds to the readings
“Brother, sister, let me serve you” click here to listen.
News and Notices
Church Prayer Space – this week: Would-be followers (Luke 9:51-62)
This space in the church is available for personal prayer on Tuesday and Sunday mornings.
Lord, Your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same. In your company I’ll go, where your love and footsteps show. Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me. Amen.
Words: John Bell (1949 -) and Graham Maule (1958-2019) Photo by LM
I Love North Shields HANDS open meeting, Wednesday 2nd JulyHANDS would like to give a warm welcome to anyone wishing to attend their meeting on Wednesday 2nd July 2025. when they will be welcoming Simmie from the community group “I Love North Shields”. Please invite your friends, relatives and neighbours. The more the merrier. Image: https://ilovenorthshields.com/
URC General Assembly, 4th – 7th July
The annual meeting of the URC, with representatives from all thirteen of our Synods across England, Wales and Scotland, takes place at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire, from the 4th to the 7th of July. Four people from our congregation will be there in various capacities. You can read the Book of Reports HERE For those who want to watch, the meeting will also be livestreamed.
Frederick Douglass’s North Shields Connection, Saturday 5th July
The famous anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) visited North Shields, speaking at the Baptist Church. Dave Young from North Shields Heritology Project will be speaking about Douglass and this connection at North Shields Baptist Church on Saturday 5th July at 2.00 p.m. All are welcome to this free talk.
Next Update – Sunday 6th July
Please get your information to Trevor Jamison by Tuesday 1st July
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
The United Reformed Church’s 2025 General Assembly will be taking place soon (see below for further details). Each year the Synod Moderators write a ‘report’, though it’s actually more of a reflection than a report. This year ‘grace’ is the theme of their report. ‘Grace,’ as a recent hymn tells us, ‘is when God gives us the things we don’t deserve.’ That’s a challenging thought because most of the time most of us take for granted the good things that come our way. It’s when things go wrong in life that we want to have a conversation with God about why things are the way they are. For a denomination like the URC, which has been shrinking in numbers ever since it came into being in 1972, it’s all too easy to focus on the bad stuff. Yet, as the Synod Moderators note, all sorts of good things are also happening in our churches. For instance, just think of all the good things that have happened at Saint Columba’s during your time associated with it. Recognising these as experiences of God’s grace – the good things given us which we did nothing to deserve – leads to a sense of gratitude, and grateful people want to respond in positive ways, which benefit both themselves and others.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
HANDS would like to give a warm welcome to anyone wishing to attend their meeting on Wednesday 2nd July 2025. when they will be welcoming Simmie from the community group “I Love North Shields”. Please invite your friends, relatives and neighbours. The more the merrier.