Weekly Update #43: Sunday 24 January

St Columba’s United Reformed Church

30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #43: Sunday 24th January 2021

Hello from John

John's GospelI am standing in this week while Trevor is away on Study Leave, he returns in time to do Sunday’s service which is interesting; last week he prepared ‘The Weekly Update’ knowing that I would be conducting the Sunday worship and this week I am aware that he is there this Sunday.
Have I tuned into his thoughts for the sermon or not? In discussion groups I sometimes find that people can have very different ideas about a passage of scripture, one church we attended had 4 different preachers on consecutive Sundays, they all used the same text and we got 4 different messages. It worried some people but it just proved to me that when God speaks to us, He tells us each what we need to hear, and when we share that with others sometimes a big penny drops and things suddenly become very clear to all of us. We all understand, in our own ways, what the passage means specifically for us.

(Photo by John Snyder on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA)

Pray

Lord, we are going through changing times. We worry, we are apprehensive about the journey we face, how long must it last, are we nearly there yet, Daddy? We place our hope in the vaccines and treatments which are available and being developed, but we place our trust in your unfailing love to carry us through safely, as we do your will and follow you. Amen

Other options for worshipping at home on Sunday

Online           URC audio service (https://devotions.urc.org.uk/ )                10.00 a.m.

Radio            Radio 4                           Sunday Worship                              8.10 a.m.
Radio Newcastle            Sunday Worship                              8.00 a.m.

Television       BBC1                             Songs of Praise                              1.15 p.m.
(celebrating 60 years)

Online             Yourchurch Zoom service – share nationwide worship          6.30 p.m.
Click here to join
Meeting ID: 965 1457 5443    Passcode: YourChurch

DISCLAIMER: TV and Radio schedules can change, so check the timings are correct!

ST COLUMBA’S URC WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY via ZOOM

We now offer worship online, and telephone, every Sunday morning, at 10.30 a.m.
To join this Sunday’s morning service, online or by phone
When the time comes, click here, for online.

Meeting ID: 850 3443 7784            No password needed.
Telephone: 0203 051 2874

Hymns this Sunday:
Lead us, Heavenly Father lead us.           R&S  543
Lord you have come to the sea shore      CH4  532
O Jesus, I have promised                         R&S  509

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.

Bible readings for Sunday

From the Revised Common Lectionary

Jonah 3: 1-5, 10. Jonah does as God instructs, the Ninevites repent and God does not punish them.

Psalm 62: 5-12. Trust in God at all times for He is our rock and our refuge. He has unfailing love and rewards us according to our deeds.

1 Corinthians 7: 29-31. This present world is changing, be prepared to forego all that is important to you at this time.

St Mark 1: 14-20. Jesus calls the 4 fishermen to follow Him. They stop what they are doing and follow Him there and then.

You can read the Bible passages online at https://www.biblegateway.com/

Reflection on all the Readings

It’s Monday afternoon and the sky has turned dark where before there were patches of bright blue. The forecast is for a couple of days of heavy rain with varying winds followed by winter weather, possibly flooded roads and swollen rivers.
Very little in this life is constant, very little is guaranteed, plans we have made can change in an instant, as we have found out these last few months! I wonder, are we a people who need a degree of stability and rhythm in our lives, of pattern and sequence in our daily routine?
If the media told us that a major pandemic was coming our way which will disrupt our lives, kill 100,000 people in this country and bring chaos to the normalities of this world we live on, would we panic buy toilet rolls?
If Jesus knocked on our own front doors and said, “Please, I have a job for you to do, will you come and follow me?” Would we trust Him and do as he asks straight away?

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18th–25th January 2021)

Read a pastoral letter from the Northern Church Leaders

….and now a few notices for you: –

Firstly, a couple of reminders: –

Church AGM and Nominations for Election of Elders

We will be holding our AGM in April.

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.

Church Meeting will be held on 27th January at 7.15pm via Zoom and phone

Our first Ordinary Meeting of the new year so please join in if you are able.
The Agenda is attached.

Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 867 4830 0984            No password needed.
Telephone: 0203 051 2874

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: 812 6605 3401 Passcode: 496946
Telephone: 0131 460 1196

Online Prayer Gathering on Sundays at 6.30 p.m.

These gatherings have paused for the time being, hopefully to re-start for Easter so watch this space.

For information or help on any of these, contact Mathew: 07792782647 or mathew.hall@stcolumbas-urc.org.uk.

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.

Minister: Reverend Trevor Jamison                 Church Secretary: Alison Drew
minister.northshieldsurc@gmail.com               [email protected].com
0191 290 1193         07896 899538                 0191 251 9774

Copyright © 2021 St Columba’s United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.

Registered Address:
St Columba’s United Reformed Church

30 Northumberland Square

North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE30 1PW

United Kingdom

St Columba’s United Reformed Church Charity is a registered charity in England & Wales, number 1164784.

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