30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #37: Sunday 29th November 2020
From the Minister One candle burns…
Sunday 29th November is the first Sunday in Advent, as the picture of this year’s church Advent ring illustrates. “Advent” means “coming to”. It’s a time of preparation, of pondering Jesus coming to earth, both at his birth in Bethlehem and in his return at the end of this era. Traditionally, in the first week of Advent, the emphasis is more on Jesus’s “second coming”, and that’s reflected in this week’s Bible readings. We’re reminded that Christmas is not the story in itself, but part of the bigger story of God’s dealings with creation, in the past, the present, and also in our future.
Trevor
Image: First Candle of Advent (photo by MH; Advent ring by NMc)
People Look East – a song for Advent
Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), best known for penning the words of the poem/hymn, Morning Has Broken, also wrote, People look East, the time is near, for the crowning of the year. This Advent carol is sung to the French traditional carol tune, Besancon. Click here to listen.
Prayer
Gracious God,
As the day of your redemption draws near,
Extend to me your saving mercy,
That my life may be filled with your grace
And my worship may show forth your praise;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From a prayer byC. N. R. Wallwork (altered)
ST COLUMBA’S URC WORSHIP THIS WEEK –
ADVENT SUNDAY
Currently we are worshipping online every Sunday morning, at 10.30 a.m.
For this Sunday’s service, you can also have a candle at home
(or other light)
To join this Sunday’s morning service, which begins the Advent season
When the time comes, click here.
Telephone: 0131 460 1196 Meeting ID: 890 4012 0961 Passcode: 050949
Hymns this Sunday: O come, O come, Immanuel; Lo! He comes with clouds descending; Hark, the glad sound! The Saviour comes
To receive paper copies of orders of service please contact Trevor Jamison
Also, we will continue to worship online at 6.30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. All of these services include holy communion. The next evening service, on December 6th , will include remembering those associated with this congregation who have died during the previous year. To take part in the service:
When the time comes, click here.
Telephone: 0131 460 1196 Meeting ID: 886 0896 7582 Passcode: 975267
Listen to the Australian group, Sons of Korah, singing this version of Psalm 80 here.
Charles Wesley responded to Mark 13 with his Advent hymn, Lo! He comes with clouds descending, sung here by Richard Jensen here.
Reflection on the Readings
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory’ (Mark 13:26) Asked what will signal the end of all things, Jesus replies, using an image from the Old Testament Book of Daniel (7:13) about someone coming with God’s judgment. It’s an unsettling image, but this figure comes to gather up ‘God’s elect’ and no limit on the numbers is mentioned. Attempts to calculate when this will happen and what form it will take are pointless for no one knows when that hour will come (13:32). What matters, says Jesus, is to maintain an attitude of expectation, which influences how we live in the here and now.
Image of clouds: cjohnson7 from Rochester, Minnesota, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
News and Notices
Brenda Beck – We are sorry to share the news that Brenda Beck died on the 18th of November. Her funeral will take place at Tynemouth Crematorium on Monday 30th November at 12.45 p.m. The service will be conducted by Trevor Jamison.Christmas Greetings Booklet – Please let magazine editor, Catherine Collins, have all your contributions for the Christmas Greetings booklet by 30th November
Join In These Advent Activities
Advent Conversations – a series of three relaxed conversations, on Thursday evenings at 7.15 p.m., led by Trevor Jamison, on the themes that will addressed in worship the following Sundays
Thursday 3rd December God’s Word (the prophet Isaiah)
Thursday 10th December Our faith (John the Baptist)
Thursday 17th December God’s love (Mary, the mother of Jesus)
To take part in any of the meetings, click on the Zoom link or follow the instruction for telephone
Northern Synod Advent Prayers – simple daily prayers, lasting approximately fifteen minutes, 9.00 a.m., Monday-Friday, led by members of congregations from around Northern Synod – come and join in with this large and growing group
When the time comes, click here to join.
Meeting ID: 982 5776 5048 Passcode: worship
St Columba’s Coffee and Conversation –
Saturday at 10.00 a.m.
Meet friends for conversation and company
To join, click here when the time comes.
Telephone: 0131 460 1196 Meeting ID: 858 8119 4385 Passcode: 389653
Don’t forget, you’re allowed to invite friends along to take part in the conversation!
Mathew Hall is hosting this week.
Online Prayer Gathering – Sunday 29th November
at 5.15 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIME TO 5.15 P.M.
Our thirty-minute gathering to bring concerns to God in prayer will take place next Sunday 29th November.
To join, click here when the time comes.
Telephone: 0131 460 1196 Meeting ID: 893 6147 2858 Passcode: 257406
Keeping in Touch – Your contact details
If your contact details (address, telephone or email) change please make sure to inform our Church Secretary Alison Drew.
You can contact your designated Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
Sunday 29th November is the first Sunday in Advent, as the picture of this year’s church Advent ring illustrates. “Advent” means “coming to”. It’s a time of preparation, of pondering Jesus coming to earth, both at his birth in Bethlehem and in his return at the end of this era. Traditionally, in the first week of Advent, the emphasis is more on Jesus’s “second coming”, and that’s reflected in this week’s Bible readings. We’re reminded that Christmas is not the story in itself, but part of the bigger story of God’s dealings with creation, in the past, the present, and also in our future.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory’ (Mark 13:26) Asked what will signal the end of all things, Jesus replies, using an image from the Old Testament Book of Daniel (7:13) about someone coming with God’s judgment. It’s an unsettling image, but this figure comes to gather up ‘God’s elect’ and no limit on the numbers is mentioned. Attempts to calculate when this will happen and what form it will take are pointless for no one knows when that hour will come (13:32). What matters, says Jesus, is to maintain an attitude of expectation, which influences how we live in the here and now.