30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #48: Sunday 28th February 2021 (Second Sunday of Lent)
From the Minister
Spring has sprung in the manse garden. Even I can get plants to grow from bulbs. I stick them in the ground, then wait for them to appear. First out this year were the snowdrops, a gift, transplanted from the garden of a church member, Now, the crocuses that I planted two years ago are in flower once again; the daffodils are almost so; the tulips are on their way. Even in the midst of our difficulties, from the personal to the worldwide, God is still working faithfully to sustain and provide for the place in which we live. As it says in a hymn we are due to sing this Sunday:
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Great is Thy Faithfulness by T. O. Chisholm (1866-1960)
Trevor
Photographs by SGU
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY via ZOOM
God Promises and We Respond
10.30 A.M. MORNING ServiceLed by the Reverend Trevor Jamison
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 in the weeks when the service is led by the Minister or members from Saint Columba’s, please contact Trevor Jamison.
Television BBC1 Sunday Worship for Lent 11.00 a.m. BBC2 this week! Songs of Praise 1.15 p.m.
DISCLAIMER: TV and Radio schedules can change, so check the timings are correct!
Bible readings for this week:
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 From Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah
Psalm 22:22-31 All the families of the nations shall worship God
Romans 4:13-25 God’s promises and human faith
Mark 8:31-38 What’s involved in following Jesus
Abram becomes Abraham (Genesis 17:5) and Sarai becomes Sarah (17:15). Whether Sarai or Sarah, the meaning remains the same: mistress or princess. When God announces that Abram is now Abraham, however, that signals something new. An ‘Abram’ is the father or ancestor of a family, but an ‘Abraham’ is the ancestor of multitudes, of families of nations. It’s a reminder that as well as being concerned with the intimate affairs of individuals – infertility and childbirth in this case – God also has plans on the cosmic scale, ones that are liable to confound human expectations. How do we respond to that realisation in our time? Saint Paul suggests that we should be like Abraham, trusting that God will do the things that God has promised to do. (Romans 4:21)
A song that responds to the readings
Great is Thy Faithfulness
One hundred and sixty members of the Vancouver Zion Mission Choir, which originated in the city’s Korean community, sing an online version of the hymn
We are sorry to inform you of the death of our fellow church member, Ann Carter. Her funeral service is due to take place on Friday 5th March at 3.00 p.m. at Tynemouth Crematorium. It will be conducted by the Reverend Trevor Jamison.
Anne Nathan’s funeral service, taking place on Monday 1st March at 12.00 p.m. at Tynemouth Crematorium, can be viewed online:
To view, click here. Username: Coza9232 Password: 950664
Church Magazine Deadline
Articles for the March edition of our church magazine should be with Valerie Hopper by 28th February please. They can be emailed to [email protected] or posted to 74 Kennersdene, Tynemouth, NE30 2NG.
Easter Hearts
For Easter we are all encouraged to make a heart, by knitting or drawing, or copying from the computer. Then we place it in our windows to show the love of Jesus Christ. We would like to place hearts around the rails of the garden at Church – we have a pattern!!!! If you would like to knit a heart, please let Shirley McKay or Norma McAvoy know. It would look lovely.
Lent Discussion Group Opportunities
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. FOUR sessions, led by Trevor Jamison, following the story as it’s told in Mark’s Gospel. In Week 3 (4th March) we talk about prayer, betrayal, and naked fear (Mark 14:32-52).
Churches Together in North Shields Jesus: Love in Action
Mondays at 1.30 p.m. or Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m. FIVE SESSIONS, using readings from Marks’ Gospel, seeking clues to how disciples of Jesus might contribute to a nation’s recovery from Covid 19.
URC Northern Synod Holy Habits: Following Jesus
Wednesdays at 7.00 p.m. 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.
Our AGM will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 21st April, at 7.15 p.m. This will include the election of Elders. Closing date for nominations for Elders election: Monday 22nd March – names to Alison Drew. Induction of Elders will take place during morning worship on Sunday 2nd May.
St Columba’s Coffee and Conversation
on Saturdays at 10.00 a.m.
Meet friends for conversation and company, online or by phone.
Great is Thy Faithfulness