17th August 2025

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 23 August 2025

Hello everyone,

Thank you to everyone who has helped with the different activities that have happened in the last week, the International Food Fair, the visit by our CMS mission partners, and the Children’s Showstopper Summer Showcase. I am pleased to say that we can all now take a breath, as there is less happening in the next couple of weeks, before we begin again in September. Do look out for news of a new Wednesday Course in church and a new Alpha Course for those wanting to find out more about Jesus and His church – perhaps you know someone who might like to attend such a course, if they had an invitation from a friend like you!

Below you will find details of our services over the next couple of weeks, including a special BACK TO SCHOOL WITH GOD service on 31st August, and don’t think this is just for children, we can all play a part in supporting children and schools through prayer, so plan to join us then to find out how. There is also some prayer news, details of our CHARITY OF THE WEEK, one which allows us to introduce this year’s sponsored Ride and Stride, see below for more details, as well as a recap on our STEWARDSHIP REVIEW.

But before all that I will be taking part in a VJ DAY COMMEMORATION in Coronation Park tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm. This is part of a Neighbourhood Family Fun Day which is running from 12noon to 5pm with Food, Games, Stalls, Family Challenges and Music, as well as the Commemoration. Lyn Buckingham has organised the Commemoration and writes: “we will be commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the ending of World War Two on VJ Day, please feel free to join us in commemorating this milestone, and if you have a story you would like to share of a parent or grandparent please do get in touch.”

PRAYER NEWS
A quick update on John Pender and Kath Wade, who both thank everyone for their prayers.
Last week I wrote that Kath was making slow progress, not helped by an infection, and that has continued to be the case. Kath saw a doctor today and has more antibiotics so please pray these are effective in clearing up the infection and that Kath will be back to full health very soon. Kath felt a bit better today but has not been very cheerful so please also pray that Kath feels more uplifted.
After last week’s update John Pender had a cardiac arrest in hospital, from which he was not only resuscitated but, miraculously, he was told his heart did not suffer any damage. John also has a blockage in an artery that needs to be treated so please pray that this can happen sooner rather than later and that John would make a full recovery from this and his broken hip.
I am sure Kath and John would be pleased to hear from friends at church, either by phone or a visit in person. Kath is at home and John is on Ashton Ward at KGH.

STEWARDSHIP REVIEW
Our annual Stewardship Review has started with some leaflets distributed last Sunday to church members. The Finance Committee are handing out copies of the leaflet, and are available to answer any questions you have about the financial needs of St Columba’s and how you can respond. The leaflet includes a RESPONSE FORM and I do encourage you to prayerfully consider your response before completing the form and returning it, either in the box provided or to the person who gave you the leaflet. I know there are many people who would not consider themselves active members of the church, and so you will not be receiving a leaflet, but that does not mean you are not welcome to give! If you would like to know more please email ianpullinger@btinternet.com and I can send you a form.

SUNDAY 17th AUGUST
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with a sermon from David looking at Luke 13 v18-30. There will be an activity for children at the back of church. This service will be available to watch on Youtube here: https://youtube.com/live/Fx_douR1CeI?feature=share
6pm PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s

SUNDAY 24th AUGUST
10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with a sermon from Rosie looking at Luke 14 v1, 7-14. There will be an activity for children at the back of church. This service will be available to watch on Youtube here: https://youtube.com/live/QLXyhBAm3mI?feature=share
There is no Communion service at Rockingham today.
6pm PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s

SUNDAY 31st AUGUST
10.30am BACK TO SCHOOL WITH GOD SERVICE at St Columba’s. Please come along if you are a child going back to school, a parent or teacher, or just someone who cares about the children and young people in our church family, and the schools in our local community, and who wants to support them in prayer – and that should be everyone.
6pm PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s

CHARITY OF THE WEEK – NORTHANTS HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST (NHCT)
This local organisation was founded in 1955 with the object of raising funds to make grants to churches in Northamptonshire of all denominations for their “preservation, repair and maintenance, improvement, upkeep, beautification and reconstruction”. Rockingham have received several grants over the years to help with the cost of maintaining St Leonard’s, and St Columba’s are applying for a grant to help with the cost of our accessible WC and Servery. Please give thanks for the help NHCT are able to give to many churches, and pray for St Columba’s bid to be successful.
We also raise money for NHCT (and our churches) through the annual RIDE AND STRIDE sponsored bike ride which is happening again on Saturday 13th September. Look out for requests for sponsorship from our cyclists because if we raise money in this way we are more likely to be successful with the grant application.

I hope those of you who are going away over the next couple of weeks are blessed with time to relax and to enjoy God’s creation.

Best wishes to all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609