30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #84 21st November 2021
From the Minister It’s kingship, but not as we know it …
Welcome to the end of the Church year, in terms of worship and preaching anyway. Sunday 28th November will be the first Sunday in Advent, the four-week preface to the story of God’s special act of reaching out to the world in the person of Jesus Christ, beginning at Bethlehem. Soon then we will recommence that story of salvation; the life of Jesus from Christmas to Easter and the story of our response to that. This Sunday, however, we conclude the story by thinking about the kingship or reign of Christ. Pontius Pilate, interrogating Jesus, asks if he is claiming to be ‘King of the Jews’. Jesus says he is not a king with armies. Pilate presses him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus replies that he was born to testify to the truth. It’s kingship, but not as we know it – army-free and truth-centred; it’s kingship as practised by God. It might not be our way of doing things, but it would a better way of doing them.
Sovereign God, help me to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, the one who reign has no end.
Amen.
WORSHIP AT ST COLUMBA’S – 21st November 2021 at 10.30 A.M
Shoebox Service
A service focusing on the work of Operation Christmas Child and the boxes of gifts for those in need which have been provided by member of the congregation this year.
The service will be led Mrs Shirley McKay
SUNDAY 5th DECEMBER AT 5.30 P.M. – at Saint Columba’s A service to remember those associated with Saint Columba’s who have died during the previous twelve months.
This reflective service, open to all, will be led by Trevor Jamison and John Drew It will be followed by refreshments and conversation in the church hall
CONTINUING TO STAY SAFE IN WORSHIP – see here for a reminder of how things work at this time to keep people safe
Options for worshipping at home on Sundays
Radio 4 Sunday Worship 8.10 a.m. OnlineURC audio service https://devotions.urc.org.uk/ 10.00 a.m. Television BBC 1 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 (from the Revised Common Lectionary)
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 A vision of ‘The Ancient One’ taking their throne
Psalm 93 The world, and the majesty of God
Revelation 1:4b-8 God, the Alpha and the Omega of all things
John 18:33-37 So, Jesus, you are a king?
Psalm 93 is a short psalm. It is only five verses long. First, it tells us that God is sovereign over the world God created: ‘robed in majesty … girded with strength.’ Second, God will not be replaced by any other sovereign: ‘you are from everlasting’. Third, creation is a mighty thing (‘the floods lift up their roaring’), but fourth, God is more majestic yet: ‘more majestic than the mighty waters.’ Fifth, God calls us to live rightly in the world God has created and sustains: ‘your decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O LORD, for evermore.’
News and Notices
A Warm Feeling at Church
Thank you to those who made the arrangements to get the heating back on at church by the time of our Remembrance service last Sunday.
Church Meeting on Tuesday 23rd November (please note the correct day and date for this meeting) at 7.15 p.m. in the Lishman Hall
Papers for the November Church Meeting have been sent out to all members. At this meeting we will be discussing and responding to a proposal from the URC Northern Synod Pastoral Committee concerning future provision of ministry at St Columba’s. Please read the relevant documents carefully and come prepared to discern together what would be the best response.
Change of email address for Church Secretary
Please note that the email address for the Church Secretary has changed to [email protected]
Sleeping Beauty
To join with others in attending Tynemouth Priory Theatre’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty on 14th January 2022 at 7.00 p.m., please book with Shirley, in person, by email, or by phone. Tickets: Adult £8-00 Child £6-50
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your designated Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
Welcome to the end of the Church year, in terms of worship and preaching anyway. Sunday 28th November will be the first Sunday in Advent, the four-week preface to the story of God’s special act of reaching out to the world in the person of Jesus Christ, beginning at Bethlehem. Soon then we will recommence that story of salvation; the life of Jesus from Christmas to Easter and the story of our response to that. This Sunday, however, we conclude the story by thinking about the kingship or reign of Christ. Pontius Pilate, interrogating Jesus, asks if he is claiming to be ‘King of the Jews’. Jesus says he is not a king with armies. Pilate presses him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus replies that he was born to testify to the truth. It’s kingship, but not as we know it – army-free and truth-centred; it’s kingship as practised by God. It might not be our way of doing things, but it would a better way of doing them.
‘Take away the love of sinning, Alpha and Omega be …’ 
A Warm Feeling at Church