30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #262 – Sunday 10th August 2025
From The Minister A Temporary Measure Coming Towards its End
The first edition of our church’s Weekly Update appeared on 22nd March 2020. We were experiencing the first “lockdown” of the COVID era, and we could not meet in-person at church. The Update was launched to keep us connected in those challenging times. COVID has come and gone, and hopefully it will not return in so challenging a way. And now, two hundred and sixty editions later, it is almost time to stop producing the Weekly Update. Next week’s edition will be the final one.
Information will continue to be shared in two main ways. First, you can ask for it to be included in the church magazine, which now will include a reflection from a church member in each issue. Second, you can ask the Church Secretary to include your information in the verbal notices on a Sunday morning – but make sure to have that with her by the preceding Friday! Producing the Weekly Update is a labour-intensive but rewarding experience, so here’s a big thank you to our rota of editors and contributors, to those who worked to make it appear online, and those who ensured paper copies got to those who needed them. Trevor Image: Image by Alexa from Pixabay
Prayer O Lord that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness. Amen. (William Shakespeare, 1564-1616)
Worship Sunday 10th August 10.30 a.m. A service led by Revd. Dr. Trevor Jamison 6.00 p.m. Churches Together summer service at North Shields Methodist Church
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 17th August 10.30 a.m. A service led by a team of church members 6.00 p.m. Churches Together summer service, Holy Saviour’s C of E, Tynemouth.
Bible readings
Genesis 15:1-6 God promises Abram a child, and Abram believes God
Psalm 33:12-22 Seeking God’s loving kindness
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Abraham, Sarah and the life of faith
Luke 12:31-21 Storing up treasure in heaven
Reflection on the Readings
How should we spend our time in the here and now? Abram was invited to look forward to a future with a child who would become his heir, making him the ancestor of many people. But that moment had not yet arrived. (Gen. 15:4) Jesus invited his disciples to look a future where God would give them ‘the kingdom’ (Luke 12:32), something that would involve the coming of ‘the Son of Man.’ (12:40) In the interim period between promises and their fulfilment Abram ‘believed’ (15:6). Jesus’s disciples are told to do the same, but are also reminded that belief is not only about what goes on in our minds, but also something that leads to action: ‘sell your possessions and give alms … [which is] an unfailing treasure in heaven.’ (12:33) So we spend our time in the here and now both believing in God’s promises and looking out for our neighbours, which is a foretaste of heaven to come.
A song that responds to the readings
“Where Your Treasure Is” – a hymn by Marty Haugen, sung by Sharon Institute Mennonite Singers click here
News and Notices Churches Together Summer Services – Sunday 10th and 17th August, 6.00 p.m. Join with others from Churches Together for our popular summer evening services at 6.00 pm
Sunday 10th – North Shields Methodist Church
Sunday 17th – Holy Saviour’s, Tynemouth
Church Prayer Space – a Summer Prayer Tree
The prayer space is available in the church for your personal prayers on Tuesday and Sunday mornings. Simply write your prayer and add it to the tree.
Photo by LM
Next Update – Sunday 17th August
Your last chance to get information in the Update. Please get that to Trevor Jamison by Tuesday 12th August.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
The first edition of our church’s Weekly Update appeared on 22nd March 2020. We were experiencing the first “lockdown” of the COVID era, and we could not meet in-person at church. The Update was launched to keep us connected in those challenging times. COVID has come and gone, and hopefully it will not return in so challenging a way. And now, two hundred and sixty editions later, it is almost time to stop producing the Weekly Update. Next week’s edition will be the final one.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
Join with others from Churches Together for our popular summer evening services at 6.00 pm
The prayer space is available in the church for your personal prayers on Tuesday and Sunday mornings. Simply write your prayer and add it to the tree.