30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #65
27th June 2021
From the Minister Update From the Manse Wildflower Meadow
In 2020, we sowed some seeds in a circle of uncut grass in front of the manse. We manged to grow a lot of grass and half a dozen small flowers. In 2021. We dug up the circle, removing the grass, and sowing all sorts of wildflower seeds. Now, as you can see, cornflowers, poppies, borage, daisies, and lots of other flowers have gone wild. As one passer-by put it to me, ‘You know, no one else on this estate has anything like that.’ I’m fairly confident that was meant as a compliment! I like, and it seems that the bees do as well.
Trevor
Prayer
God bless our gardens through which your glory shines. May we see in their beauty the wonder of your love. Amen
You need to book your seat for a service in the building. To do so, please contact Alison Drew between 9.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon.on the Friday immediately prior to that service.
We have one 30-minute service at 10.30 a.m. Physical distancing and wearing of face coverings are observed, but those from the same household should be able to sit together.
Seats will be filled from the front of the church to the back, and you must take the seat allocated to you by the stewards.
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.
Television BBC1 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
Bible readings for this week
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-17 David mourns for Saul and Jonathan
Psalm 130 Crying out to God for help
Lamentations 3:22-33 ‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases’
Psalm 30 Celebrating receiving God’s help
2 Corinthians 8: 7-15 Jesus was generous to all, so be generous to others
Mark 5:21-43 Jesus is asked to help two women
Reflection on the Readings What Do You Want in Your Sandwich?
Do you like sandwiches? If so, what’s your favourite filling? The gospel writer, Mark, likes sandwiches. We know that because on a number of occasions he creates them in his Gospel i.e. he likes to put a story inside another story, like a filling between two slices of bread. Mark 5:21-43 is an example of that. Jesus receives a request to visit and heal a twelve year old girl . (21-24a) Just as he starts out on that journey, however, he has an encounter with a woman who has been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. (21b-34) No sooner has that meeting concluded with the woman’s healing, in which her faith plays a part (34), than we’re back with the young girl, who has to be revived from death (35-42), without her faith, or that of others, playing any part. Younger or older, ostracised or much-loved, full of faith or lacking it, God, through Jesus Christ can still bring healing.
How is Christianity responding to the challenge of the Climate Crisis?? Does the Bible help or hinder us when thinking about creation-care?
These are some of the questions addressed in The Bible and Ecology Course., taking place via Zoom, 7.30-9.00 p.m., on Thursdays 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 July.
The course is free, and anyone can join, but places are limited. To book a place contact [email protected]
St Columba’s Coffee and Conversation
on Saturdays at 10.00 a.m.
Meet friends for conversation and company, online or by phone
Do you like sandwiches? If so, what’s your favourite filling? The gospel writer, Mark, likes sandwiches. We know that because on a number of occasions he creates them in his Gospel i.e. he likes to put a story inside another story, like a filling between two slices of bread. Mark 5:21-43 is an example of that. Jesus receives a request to visit and heal a twelve year old girl . (21-24a) Just as he starts out on that journey, however, he has an encounter with a woman who has been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. (21b-34) No sooner has that meeting concluded with the woman’s healing, in which her faith plays a part (34), than we’re back with the young girl, who has to be revived from death (35-42), without her faith, or that of others, playing any part. Younger or older, ostracised or much-loved, full of faith or lacking it, God, through Jesus Christ can still bring healing.
