30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #42: Sunday 17th January 2021
From the Minister Tenacious Trees
Recently, a church member emailed me a set of images of “tenacious trees” – trees that insist upon surviving and growing in challenging circumstances. These trees were growing from pavements and buildings, through fences, and from rocks in the midst of wilderness. There were even trees that had fallen over and died, only for new trees to grow from them. It struck me that church congregations are a bit like that, still alive and breathing, even in unpromising circumstances, and likely to be around for some time yet.
(Photo by Don Graham on Wikimedia Commons)
Trevor
ST COLUMBA’S URC WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY via ZOOM
With all of England into a lockdown, worship at our church building has been suspended, Services are now offered on Zoom every Sunday morning at 10.30 a.m., and also at 6.30 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month. To join this week’s morning service, Click Here
Meeting ID: 857 7609 2896 NO PASSWORD REQUIRED
Phone: 0203 051 2874
If you want to join a service or other meeting, online or by phone, and are unsure about how to do so, please contact Mathew Hall (07792782647) who will talk you through the process.
Hymns for this Sunday morning:
Christ is the world’s true light Hushed was the evening hymn Thou didst leave thy throne
To receive paper copies of orders of service please contact Trevor Jamison
Television BBC1 Songs of Praise 1.15 p.m. (Back to its “normal” time!)
DISCLAIMER: TV and Radio schedules can change, so check the timings are correct!
Bible readings for Sunday
From the Revised Common Lectionary
1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20) Samuel hears God but does not realise it
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 Wherever you end up, God is there
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 It matters to God how we use our bodies
John 1:43-51 Philip and Nathaniel become followers of Jesus You can read the Bible passages online at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Reflection on the Readings
‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ (John 1:46) It takes a huge leap of the imagination to get back to the world that existed before Jesus Christ. It’s impossible to read Nathaniel’s negative response to Philip’s exciting news, and not smile. Nathaniel could not know what was coming, but we do. John, writing his Gospel, some decades later also knew what was to come in the story of Jesus of Nazareth. He must have written this with a smile on his face. I wonder if Nathaniel got teased by other Christians: “Yeah, Nat, we all remember your first reaction to the good news!” Because of Jesus our world has changed, and one sign of that is that “yes” is now the obvious and expected answer to Nathaniel’s question.
A song that responds to the readings
Thou Art Before Me, Lord, Thou Art Behind – Psalm 139, sung to the tune, Highland Cathedral
Three Elders will be stepping down from service and one Elder is eligible to stand for a further two years of service (Elders at St Columba’s serve for three years, with the option to serve for a further two years. After a break of one year they may again stand for election for a further period of service.)
If you feel this is something God might be calling you to do, please talk to Alison Drew. You may nominate someone for election, but must have their permission to do so. Closing date for nominations: Monday 22nd March – names to Alison Drew.
Church Magazine articles wanted by the end of the month!
Your articles for The Square, our church magazine, are wanted by January 31st. They should be 300 words or less in length, and sent to Catherine Collins [email protected]
Or by post to 22 Lovaine Row, Tynemouth, NE30 4HF.
St Columba’s Coffee and Conversation
on Saturdays at 10.00 a.m.
Meet friends for conversation and company
Join Zoom Meeting, click here when the time comes.
Meeting ID: 831 1664 9678 NO PASSWORD REQUIRED
Phone: 0131 460 1196
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.
Recently, a church member emailed me a set of images of “tenacious trees” – trees that insist upon surviving and growing in challenging circumstances. These trees were growing from pavements and buildings, through fences, and from rocks in the midst of wilderness. There were even trees that had fallen over and died, only for new trees to grow from them. It struck me that church congregations are a bit like that, still alive and breathing, even in unpromising circumstances, and likely to be around for some time yet.
Church Magazine articles wanted by the end of the month!