30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #46: Sunday 14th February 2021
From the Minister, Show the Love
Q: What do lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers have in common? A: Valentine is their patron saint. Valentine, whoever he was (and that’s not certain) gets recruited not just for romantic purposes. So it’s not too strange that The Climate Coalition uses green hearts as the symbol of its annual, February, Show the Love celebration, concerning all the things that we care about and wish to protect from the adverse impact of climate change. The Climate Coalition is not a church group, of course, but given that the God who loves us is the same God who brought creation into being (2 Cor. 4:6), maybe they’re entitled to recruit this particular saint to their cause. https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/show-the-love
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 (07792 782647) who will talk you through the process.
To receive a copy of the hymn book, Rejoice and Sing, contact Alison Drew.
To request paper copies of orders of service please contact Trevor Jamison.
Other options for worshipping at home on Sunday
Other options for worshiping 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.
Television BBC1 Songs of Praise 13.15 p.m.
DISCLAIMER: TV and Radio schedules can change, so check the timings are correct!
Bible readings for this week:
Transfiguration Sunday
This is the last Sunday of the Epiphany season. Epiphany is about God being revealed – to Magi following a star; at the moment of Jesus’s baptism; in his turning water into wine. Epiphany begins with star light and ends with blinding light. Jesus is transfigured, his clothes, ‘dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.’ (9:3) yet it’s when the light is blinding that the disciples get to see more clearly who Jesus is; the one who succeeds the great figures of Elijah and Moses (God’s prophet and the bringer of God’s law); God’s Beloved Son, to whom we should listen. (9:7)
For a sermon Trevor Jamison previously preached on the Transfiguration, Click here.
There’s a choice of online Lent discussion groups this year. Feel free to join the one(s) that speak to you.
Saint Columba’s URC Palms and Passion: Arriving in the City, Going to the Cross
Thursdays at 7.15 p.m., from this Thursday, February 18th – FOUR sessions, led by Trevor Jamison, following the story as it’s told in Mark’s Gospel. In week 1 we talk about Jesus entering Jerusalem and overturing tables in the temple.
For Zoom link, click here
Meeting ID: 896 6090 0262 Telephone: 0131 460 1196
URC Northern Synod Holy Habits: Following Jesus
Wednesdays at 7.00 p.m., from February 24th– SIX sessions, using Andrew Roberts’ book, Holy Habits in Lent: The Life and Passion of Jesus. For details and to book a place, contact Jane Rowell Tel: 07716 637584. For Zoom link, click here
Meeting ID: 925 0468 4888 Passcode: holyhabits
Churches Together in North Shields are also planning to run a lent course details to follow
Church AGM and Nominations for Election of Elders
Our AGM in April, which will include the election of Elders. If you feel service as an Elder 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.
St Columba’s Coffee and Conversation
on Saturdays at 10.00 a.m.
Meet friends for conversation and company, online or by phone.
e Reverend Dave Herbert
2 Kings 2:1-12