Author: Justin Dyche

9th April 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 15 April 2023

Dear Friends of St Columba’s & St Leonard’s,

I know it is still Saturday and we remember Christ spending this day in the tomb, but we also know that Sunday is coming when we will celebrate with joy the wonderful news that Christ is Risen! I do hope you will be able to join us at one of the services tomorrow, but if not there are details of the livestream from St Columba’s below along with a shorter than usual list of upcoming events, and two attachments to keep you informed and entertained during this Easter season. But before that some encouraging news

PRAYER NEWS
Thank you to everyone who prayed for Les Tibbs, husband of Hazel, father-in-law of Isobel. He had three stents put in and came home from hospital on Friday afternoon, feeling good but tired. Please continue to pray for a full recovery and for Hazel and Isobel.
Another piece of good news is that Margaret Freeland was able to join us for the Hot Cross Bun Feast on Friday and all being well will be in church tomorrow, her first time since going into hospital before Christmas – Praise the Lord.

EASTER DAY SERVICES
6.15am SUNRISE SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – there is always something very special about getting up early to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, and where better to do it than at St Leonard’s. Followed by breakfast in Rockingham Village Hall.
10.30 ALL AGE EASTER CELEBRATION with COMMUNION – join us as we celebrate the glorious news that Jesus is Alive with songs, children’s activities and Holy Communion. The weather is looking good so we will sing our final hymn on the grass outside church before refreshments.
You can watch this service on youtube by going to the following link: https://youtube.com/live/zy8l5WeXm98?feature=share

OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK
There will be no 6pm Prayer Meeting on Easter Day but it will meet again on 16th April. Also no Fellowship Groups this week either.

NEXT SUNDAY 16th April
There is just one service at St Columba’s next Sunday morning at 10.30am: MORNING WORSHIP with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people.

SPRING HARVEST
For those who are coming to Spring Harvest there will be a separate email confirming some details so look out for that.
If you are not joining us for the week in Skegness there are two options available:
Visit for a Day – join us at Butlin’s in Skegness for a whole day or worship, teaching and fun. Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th are the three full days and the cost is £40 per adult & young person (15+) or £30 for children (5-14) – discounts are available for people on benefits as explained in the link that follows.
Try to arrive by 10am for a full day (until 9pm or later!) and do let me know if you are coming.
Booking is essential via this link: https://www.ecevents.uk/sh2023-day-visitors/day-visitors/Site/Register
Spring Harvest Home is also back for ‘23 – bringing five days of worship, teaching and interaction to wherever you are! Join the livestream from the evening of Easter Monday 10th April to late morning on Friday 14th April, featuring teaching from Professor John Swinton and Rachel Gardner, worship from Lou & Nathan Fellingham and Sarah Teibo, and much more. The price is halved from 2022 so it’s just £24.99! All the details can be found by clicking on this link: https://essentialchristian.cmail19.com/t/r-l-tjulfky-edudjdtn-d/

ATTACHMENTS
Please find here an Easter edition of Puzzles and Other Stuff from Steve, also if you missed it last week there is a new print edition of SCANS in church. The latest “Snippets from the Shires” Prayer Letter from Tim & Carol Derbyshire in Australia is also here. There is a new Prayer Letter from M&H at the back of St Columba’s so do have a read as we are not able to forward copies of this by email.

May God bless you all at this Easter season and may the joy of knowing that the Lord is risen fill your hearts.

Ian

2nd April 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 8 April 2023

Hello Everyone,

I have just returned home from a most enjoyable Men’s Breakfast, having had an equally good Ladies Afternoon Tea yesterday! It may seem as if these events don’t fit the usual Lent narrative of fasting, but remember this year my Lent Challenge was to think who you might invite to church at Easter so that we might experience some of the joy of the Lord as people come to faith, or at least begin a journey to faith. As it is just one week until Easter now is the time to be inviting people, and below there is a full list of services at both St Columba’s and St Leonard’s, with a short description so you know what to expect and which would suit the people you are thinking of inviting.

PALM SUNDAY 2nd APRIL – services at St Columba’s
10.30am Morning Worship with groups for children & young people (who will be preparing for the Hot Cross Bun Feast and Easter Day services). Kevin is leading this service and William preaching on the Palm Sunday story. This service will be available to watch on youtube for those unable to get to church by going to this link: https://youtube.com/live/_qxZnKgLeBQ?feature=share
6pm Holy Communion – this service will focus on the whole Passion Gospel with a sermon from Steve and an interactive Bible reading.

MAUNDY THURSDAY 6th APRIL
7.30pm Holy Communion at St Columba’s – do join us for this special Communion service to recall the Last Supper and Jesus’ instituting this meal to remember Him.

GOOD FRIDAY 7th APRIL
10.30am Hot Cross Bun Feast in St Columba’s Hall – this is an interactive service for All Ages looking at why we have a cross on the Hot Cross Bun with lots of activities shared around the tables and Hot Cross Buns to eat with tea, coffee and juice.
1pm Good Friday in Corby Town Centre (outside McDonalds) – join the Corby churches as we remember the greatest act of love the world has ever seen.
2pm An Hour bv the Cross at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – a quieter gathering to reflect on the significance of Good Friday.

EASTER DAY, 9th APRIL starts early with:
6.15am SUNRISE SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – there is always something very special about getting up early to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, and where better to do it than at St Leonard’s. Followed by breakfast in Rockingham Village Hall.
10.30 ALL AGE EASTER CELEBRATION with COMMUNION – join us as we celebrate the glorious news that Jesus is Alive with songs, children’s activities and Holy Communion.

SPRING HARVEST
For those who are coming to Spring Harvest there will be a meeting at 5pm on Sunday 2nd April to confirm all the arrangements, which will be different from usual because of changes to the Spring Harvest programme and also to our catering.
If you are not joining us for the week there are two options available:
Visit for a Day – join us at Butlin’s in Skegness for a whole day or worship, teaching and fun. Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th are the three full days and the cost is £40 per adult & young person (15+) or £30 for children (5-14) – discounts are available for people on benefits as explained in the link that follows.
Try to arrive by 10am for a full day (until 9pm or later!) and do let me know if you are coming.
Booking is essential via this link: https://www.ecevents.uk/sh2023-day-visitors/day-visitors/Site/Register
Spring Harvest Home is also back for ‘23 – bringing five days of worship, teaching and interaction to wherever you are! Join the livestream from the evening of Easter Monday 10th April to late morning on Friday 14th April, featuring teaching from Professor John Swinton and Rachel Gardner, worship from Lou & Nathan Fellingham and Sarah Teibo, and much more. The price is halved from 2022 so it’s just £24.99! All the details can be found by clicking on this link: https://essentialchristian.cmail19.com/t/r-l-tjulfky-edudjdtn-d/

OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK
There will be no 6pm Prayer Meeting on 2nd or 9th April, but it will meet again on 16th April.
The Wednesday Morning Fellowship Group is not meeting this week, but the evening group will meet at 7.30pm to catch up having missed a week because of the snow.

SCANS
There is a new print edition of SCANS available to collect in church, so no online Puzzles etc this week. The puzzles in SCANS kept some of the men amused during this morning’s breakfast!

I look forward to seeing you, and the person you have invited to church, at one of the services over the next week.

May God be with you as we reflect on all that Jesus did for us in the first Holy Week.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

26th March 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 1 April 2023

Hello again everyone,

The most important message this week is: don’t forget the clocks go forward an hour on Saturday night so you have an hour less sleep before Sunday!

Thank you to all those who sent in photos of their mum for our Mothering Sunday service last Sunday. The photos won’t be on display this week, but the “flowers” made with all your petals giving thanks for your mum will be, and they make an inspiring read so do have a look at them over coffee after church at St Columba’s.

PRAYER NEWS
Sadly two members of our church family have lost loved ones recently. Lesley Virgo’s mother-in-law Greta died last Saturday and Miriam’s sister Hilary died on Wednesday morning. Please uphold Lesley, along with her husband Mark and daughter Imogen, as well as Miriam and all our family in your prayers.

SUNDAY’S SERVICE
This Sunday we have two services of Holy Communion, at St Leonard’s Rockingham at 9am and St Columba’s Corby at 10.30am. There will be ENERGIZE groups for children and young people at St Columba’s. For those who are unable to be in church you can watch the service from St Columba’s by going to this link: https://youtube.com/live/lH8t7OfCaN4?feature=share

PRAYER MEETING
There will be a 6pm Prayer Meeting this Sunday, 26th March, but then a couple of weeks without as we have a 6pm service next week (see below) and the following week is Easter Day and many of us will be packing for Spring Harvest (also see below). The Prayer Meeting will be back on 16th April.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
The Fellowship Groups will meet on Wednesday next week at 10.30am and 7.30pm, both in church.

AFTERNOON TEA
The Ladies Afternoon Tea, cancelled because of the snow earlier this month, will be happening on Friday 31st March at 3pm – all ladies welcome.

MEN’S GROUP
Men’s Group will be meeting on Saturday 1st April (no jokes about April Fools Day – we are all fools for God) from 9am to 11am in St Columba’s Church Hall for breakfast. All men are welcome, including any guests you would like to bring along with you.

SPRING HARVEST
For those who are coming to Spring Harvest there will be a meeting at 5pm on Sunday 2nd April to confirm all the arrangements, which will be different from usual because of changes to the Spring Harvest programme and also to our catering.
If you are not joining us for the week there are two options available:
Visit for a Day – join us at Butlin’s in Skegness for a whole day or worship, teaching and fun. Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th are the three full days and the cost is £40 per adult & young person (15+) or £30 for children (5-14). Try to arrive by 10am for a full day (until 9pm or later!) and do let me know if you are coming. Booking is essential via this link: https://www.ecevents.uk/sh2023-day-visitors/day-visitors/Site/Register
Spring Harvest Home is also back for ‘23 – bringing five days of worship, teaching and interaction to wherever you are! Join the livestream from Easter Monday 10th April to Friday 14th April, featuring teaching from Professor John Swinton and Rachel Gardner, worship from Lou & Nathan Fellingham and Sarah Teibo, and much more. The price is halved from 2022 so it’s just £24.99! All the details can be found by clicking on this link: https://essentialchristian.cmail19.com/t/r-l-tjulfky-edudjdtn-d/

HOLY WEEK and EASTER SERVICES
Next Sunday, 2nd April, is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week and there are two services, both at St Columba’s:
Morning Worship at 10.30am (with ENERGIZE groups)
Holy Communion at 6pm

On MAUNDY THURSDAY, 6th April, there is a service of Holy Communion at 7.30pm in St Columba’s.

On GOOD FRIDAY, 7th April, there are three things happening as follows:
10.30am Hot Cross Bun Feast in St Columba’s Hall – a great opportunity for people of all ages to get creative thinking about why there is a cross on a Hot Cross Bun – and to enjoy eating some buns as well.
1pm Good Friday in Corby Town Centre (outside McDonalds) – join the Corby churches as we remember the greatest act of love the world has ever seen.
2pm An Hour by the Cross at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – a quieter gathering to reflect on the significance of Good Friday.

EASTER DAY, 9th April starts early with:
6.15am SUNRISE SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – there is always something very special about getting up early to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, and where better to do it than at St Leonard’s. Followed by breakfast in Rockingham Village Hall.
10.30 ALL AGE EASTER CELEBRATION with COMMUNION – join us as we celebrate the glorious news that Jesus is Alive with songs, children’s activities and Holy Communion.

Sorry no puzzles this week but Steve promises a new print edition of SCaNS next week.

With best wishes,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

19th March 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 24 March 2023

Hello Everyone,

I am writing early this week, partly because I am at the Bishop’s Bible Day tomorrow, but also because I wanted to repeat my request from last week for photos of your mums who won’t be with you in church on Sunday. This may be because they have died or simply because they live far away, but it will be great to remember them, as I will be remembering my mum, and having their photos on screen while we pray is one way we can do that. You can either send a photo attached to a reply to this email, or WhatsApp it to me on 07903 644609. It would be helpful to receive them today (Friday) but I will be able to include any photos sent before Sunday.

The young people are going to be leading our MOTHERING SUNDAY service in St Columba’s on Sunday at 10.30am, with plenty of support from the younger children, but there will be lots of variety in the service and so I do encourage you to come along whatever age you are and with your mum if possible – if not send me a photo!
For those who can’t make it to church on Sunday the service will be available to watch on youtube via this link:
https://youtube.com/live/dc7QPp6mxeU?feature=share

We also have our PRAYER MEETING on Sunday evening at 6pm in St Columba’s.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS will be meeting on Wednesday at 10.30am and 7.30pm.

NEXT SUNDAY 26th March
9am Holy Communion at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
10.30 Holy Communion at St Columba’s, Corby with ENERGIZE groups

ANNUAL MEETING
A big thank you to everyone who helped with St Columba’s Annual Meeting and the Lunch that followed last Sunday. It is good that we have so many people willing to serve the church in so many ways. Details of the meeting are available on request, including the finance and other reports, but you may like to know that the following were elected or re-elected:
CHURCHWARDENS: John Lynch and Janet Taylor
DEANERY SYNOD: David Bavin, Steve Scholes, William Taylor
PCC: Michelle Doran, Justin Dyche, Colin Fleming, Susan Fleming, Patience Tafuma

KEEP THE CHURCH FIRES BURNING
Thanks are also due to those who give money to support the church, both regular giving and to the Keep The Church Fires Burning (KTCFB) appeal. Donations to this appeal to help with the cost of heating the church following the increases in energy costs, in addition to your regular giving, are still very welcome, either in an envelope in the offering basket, via the Card Reader, or direct to our church bank account using the reference KTCFB.

SPONSORED WALK/CLIMB up the Three Peaks
A further opportunity to give to St Columba’s is presented by John Lynch and friends (James Ireland and Colin Fleming at present) sponsored walk up Snowdon (in April), followed by Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis later in the year. Please do look out for John and his sponsor form and give what you can, both to encourage the walkers and to support the church.

ATTACHMENTS
Please find here the latest Puzzles and Other Stuff from Steve, including some Mother’s Day material as well as news of an answered prayer and lots of Puzzles. Also here is the latest update from HOPE FROM ABOVE for you to read and pray about.

May God bless you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

12th March 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 18 March 2023

Hello Everyone,

Over the last two Sundays in St Columba’s I have spoken about a Lent Challenge, to use this season as preparation for Easter by inviting people to church. This will make our Easter, the most joyful of Christian festivals, even more joyful as we share in the joy of heaven as we see people repenting and putting their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. I have mentioned in passing how the more usual Lent disciplines of prayer, fasting and Bible study may help us to meet this challenge. This was confirmed to me this week when I read:
“Serious prayer and seeking the mind of Christ through studying the Scriptures (perhaps with disciplines such as fasting) are vital if we are to engage in witness that truly brings people to life in Christ”. So may we engage in these disciplines in order that we may engage in that truly effective witness.

As a result of the snow this week we cancelled Wednesday evening’s Fellowship Group and the Afternoon Tea. The Fellowship Groups will meet again next week, on Wednesday morning at 10.30 and evening at 7.30. The next Afternoon Tea will be on Friday 31st March – earlier than usual because of Easter and Spring Harvest.

Below are details of all that is coming up tomorrow, including services at St Columba’s and at Rockingham Village Hall, as well as St Columba’s Annual Meeting and Lunch. There are also details of next Sunday’s MOTHERING SUNDAY service. You will see there a request for photos of Mums who won’t be with us on Sunday, either because they have died or simply because they can’t be there next week. Please send me the photos in advance if at all possible – full details below.

KEEP THE CHURCH FIRES BURNING
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this special appeal to help with the costs of heating the church this winter. This was the first week the appeal was open so it was encouraging to see the envelopes in the offering basket – but there is still plenty of time to contribute to help boost our income so that we can cover the hugely increased cost of gas and electricity. If you are able to give a little extra on top of your regular giving to the church please place money in an envelope marked “Keep The Church Fires Burning” or KTCFB in the Offering Basket or use the Card Reader or make a Bank Transfer with KTCFB as the reference. THANK YOU for all contributions to this fund.

SUNDAY 12th MARCH
This will be a busy day so here are all the timings:
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups (who will be preparing for the Mothering Sunday Service on 19th March).
For anyone who can’t be in church you can watch the service via this link: https://youtube.com/live/j_xGyWVCfeE?feature=share
12.00noon (approx) St Columba’s ANNUAL MEETING in the Church Hall (see below)
1pm (approx) BRING & SHARE LUNCH (think main meal with main course and dessert!) also in the Church Hall
2pm (approx) Short PCC meeting at St Columba’s to elect officers for the year ahead.
3pm FAMILY SERVICE in Rockingham Village Hall
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.

ST COLUMBA’S ANNUAL MEETING
We will meet in the Church Hall at about 12 noon. We will be electing Churchwardens to serve us over the next 12 months, Deanery Synod representatives to serve for three years and one third of our PCC members who also serve for three years, plus one casual vacancy for one year. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles please do ask me for a nomination form (all roles require the person nominated to be proposed and seconded by two people entitled to vote at the meeting).
The revised ELECTORAL ROLL is on display at the back of church, along with the formal notices about the meeting (strictly speaking it is two meetings, one for electing churchwardens and one for the rest of the business).
Any questions please do speak with me.

BISHOP’S BIBLE DAY
This is taking place at Northampton High School next Saturday 18th March from 9.30am to 4pm. It is a day for everyone to explore the Bible together, with a focus on the Psalms. The keynote speaker, Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, will be looking at Psalms 23 and 137, and there are a range of workshops. You can book tickets (there is no charge for the day, which includes a cold lunch, but donations are welcome) and find details of all the workshops here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bishops-bible-day-tickets-503194848337

MOTHERING SUNDAY 19th MARCH
We have a special All Age Celebration for all mums so do come along and bring your mum if you can. If your mum has died, or is not able to be with you next Sunday, please could you send me a photo of her. This could be as an email, sent via WhatsApp to me on 07903 644609, or bring a photo along to church with you next Sunday. I don’t need photos of Mums who will be in church. The children and young people will be helping to lead the service and so it will be a great help if they are able to come along this Sunday (12th March) to prepare during their ENERGIZE groups.

PRAYING FOR M&H
Many of you will remember M&H visiting us last summer with their children. They were featured in the CMS Prayer Diary this week. I would like to have shared the prayer request with you, but sensitivities about their location mean we can’t put anything in emails. Do look at the Notice Board at the back of St Columba’s to see the prayer request from CMS.

AND FINALLY
Please find here the latest Puzzles and Other Stuff from Steve with an inspiring story of an eighteenth century preacher and a Northamptonshire Quiz. I think I was right with half of the answers, which isn’t bad for someone who has only lived here for ten years! In fact it will be ten years on Friday since my licensing as Vicar of St Columba’s – thanks be to God for all that has happened over those ten years, but oh how quickly they have gone!

Hoping to see you at church on Sunday and for the Annual Meeting and Lunch afterwards.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

5th March 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 11 March 2023

Hello everyone,

I hope you have had a good week and been thinking about the Lent Challenge I shared in my sermon last Sunday. This was to invite people to church so that we can use Lent to prepare for the joy of Easter by sharing the joy of heaven when people come to faith! For those who missed it you can watch back by going to this link: https://youtube.com/live/OqHDf3V35_0?feature=share
I will be sharing more this coming Sunday so do come along to find out about the help that is available to us.

KEEP THE CHURCH FIRES BURNING
Last week I launched an appeal to help with the costs of heating the church this winter. As we all know energy prices have gone up so much, and the church is considered a commercial building so is not entitled to as much help as we receive for our homes. As a result the church budget is not balancing as our predicted income is considerably less than our predicted expenditure. Sadly there is not much we can do to limit expenditure, so we thought we would try and boost income by asking those people who are able to give a little extra on top of their regular giving to a special fund called KEEP THE CHURCH FIRES BURNING. This will be used to cover heating costs and is therefore different from last year’s HEATING FUND which has covered the cost of replacing and repairing the heaters in the church.
Contributions to this fund can be made by placing money in an envelope marked “Keep The Church Fires Burning” or KTCFB in the Offering Basket or via the Card Reader or making a Bank Transfer with KTCFB as the reference. THANK YOU for any contributions to this fund.

SUNDAY’S SERVICE
We just have the one service on Sunday, MORNING WORSHIP in St Columba’s church at 10.30am with ENERGIZE groups. This service is available to watch on Youtube either as a livestream or afterwards via this link: https://youtube.com/live/yyPtEfT1R_w?feature=share
We will also have the PRAYER MEETING at 6pm.
There is a special evening service at 6pm at Christ the King in Kettering with JOHN COLES (one of the founders of NEW WINE) speaking on the subject “From meeting God to serving God”.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
We were blessed with 12 people at the evening group last week which was great, although we had an equally good discussion with just four people the following morning. Do come along, even if you have not been before. Both groups this week are on Wednesday 8th March at 10.30am and 7.30pm

AFTERNOON TEA
The Ladies Afternoon Tea will be happening next Friday, 10th March at 3pm in the Church Hall. Do come along if you are able and enjoy tea and sandwiches, cakes and conversation!

NEXT SUNDAY 12th MARCH
This will be a busy day so here are all the timings:
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups (who will be preparing for the Mothering Sunday Service on 19th March).
12.00noon (approx) St Columba’s ANNUAL MEETING in the Church Hall (see below)
1pm (approx) BRING & SHARE LUNCH (think main meal with main course and dessert!) also in the Church Hall
3pm FAMILY SERVICE in Rockingham Village Hall
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.

ST COLUMBA’S ANNUAL MEETING
We will meet in the Church Hall at about 12 noon please do try and come along. We will be electing Churchwardens to serve us over the next 12 months, Deanery Synod representatives to serve for three years and one third of our PCC members who also serve for three years, plus one casual vacancy for one year. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles please do ask me for a nomination form (all roles require the person nominated to be proposed and seconded by two people entitled to vote at the meeting).
The revised ELECTORAL ROLL is on display at the back of church, along with the formal notices about the meeting (strictly speaking it is two meetings, one for electing churchwardens and one for the rest of the business).
Any questions please do speak with me.

NAT WHITE’S BAND IN CONCERT
Nat White’s band MID LIFE CRISIS are performing at St Giles church Northampton on Saturday 11th March at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 (concessions £7) and details of how to buy them are on the poster. They are raising money for “Baby Basics, Northampton”. If anyone is planning to go and has space to give someone a lift please let me know.

BISHOP’S BIBLE DAY
This is taking place at Northampton High School on Saturday 18th March from 9.30am to 4pm. It is a day for everyone to explore the Bible together, with a focus on the Psalms. The keynote speaker, Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, will be looking at Psalms 23 and 137, and there are a range of workshops. You can book tickets (there is no charge for the day, which includes a cold lunch, but donations are welcome) and find details of all the workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bishops-bible-day-tickets-503194848337

AND FINALLY
No Puzzles etc from Steve this week but there is another HOPE FROM ABOVE UPDATE so please do read it and pray for the matters highlighted.

With best wishes for this coming week,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

26th February 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 4 March 2023

Hello everyone,

Just a quick email with details of tomorrow’s services and other events happening in the next few weeks as well as attaching a mini SCANS from Steve, which I thought deserved to be first on the email this week rather than at the end – thank you Steve.

SUNDAY 26th FEBRUARY
We have a choice of three services tomorrow:
9am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
10.30 HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s, Corby with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people and a live stream for anyone unable to be in church via this link: https://youtube.com/live/OqHDf3V35_0?feature=share
5pm HEALING SERVICE at St Columba’s – do come along if you or someone you know needs prayer for healing, or simply to join us in praying for those in need.
Please note because of the Healing Service there will be no PRAYER MEETING tomorrow.

ALPHA – will be meeting again this week at 7.30pm

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS Tuesday 28th February at 7.30pm and Wednesday 1st March at 10.30am
Do think of these as a Lent Group and join us even if you have not been before. The evening group is meeting on Tuesday for this week to avoid a clash with PCC.

ST COLUMBA’S PCC
This will meet in church at 7.30pm on Wednesday 1st March.

NEXT SUNDAY 5th MARCH
We have just the one service next week: MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s at 10.30am with ENERGIZE (please note the All Age Service next month will be on Mothering Sunday 19th March).
However there is a special evening service at 6pm at Christ the King in Kettering with JOHN COLES (one of the founders of NEW WINE) speaking on the subject “From meeting God to serving God”.

ST COLUMBA’S ANNUAL MEETING Sunday 12th March after the Morning service
We will meet in the Church Hall at about 12 noon for our meeting after which there is a BRING & SHARE LUNCH to which everyone is invited. Please do try and come along to the meeting and stay for lunch.
This meeting is the time when we elect Churchwardens to serve us over the next 12 months, Deanery Synod representatives to serve for three years and one third of our PCC members who also serve for three years, plus one casual vacancy for one year. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles please do ask me for a nomination form (all roles require the person nominated to be proposed and seconded by two people entitled to vote at the meeting).
The revised ELECTORAL ROLL is on display at the back of church, along with the formal notices about the meeting (strictly speaking it is two meetings, one for electing churchwardens and one for the rest of the business).
Any questions please do speak with me.

NAT WHITE’S BAND IN CONCERT
Nat White’s band MID LIFE CRISIS are performing at St Giles church Northampton on Saturday 11th March at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 (concessions £7) and details of how to buy them are on the poster. They are raising money for “Baby Basics, Northampton”. If anyone is planning to go and has space to give someone a lift please let me know.

BISHOP’S BIBLE DAY
This is taking place at Northampton High School on Saturday 18th March from 9.30am to 4pm. It is a day for everyone to explore the Bible together, with a focus on the Psalms. The keynote speaker, Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, will be looking at Psalms 23 and 137, and there are a range of workshops. You can book tickets (there is no charge for the day, which includes a cold lunch, but donations are welcome) and find details of all the workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bishops-bible-day-tickets-503194848337

With best wishes for this coming week,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

19th February 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 25 February 2023

Hello again,

Let me begin with some good news and answers to prayer. I visited both Margaret Freeland and Pam Williams in the last few days, both are now at home after lengthy stays in hospital, both are doing well and grateful for prayers from the church family. Those who are still in need of prayer will be a particular focus of the Healing Service at St Columba’s on Sunday 26th February. Please do come along to this service to pray for them, to bring your own request for healing (either for yourself or someone you know), or simply to enjoy fellowship with the church family at 5pm.

THIS SUNDAY
Please join us at St Columba’s tomorrow, 19th February, for a service of MORNING WORSHIP with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. David is leading this and Linda preaching on Matthew 17 v1-9 and 14-23. If you can’t make it to church you can watch online by following this link:
https://youtube.com/live/oAnJ9TOdIAc?feature=share
We also have our PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s at 6pm on Sunday evening.

ASH WEDNESDAY
Lent starts this week and it is always good to mark the beginning of this special season in the life of the church with worship. We have two identical services of HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s, at 10.30am and 7.30pm. These will be in place of Fellowship Groups for this week, but the Groups will be back next week – perhaps one of your Lent disciplines could be joining one of them? I do encourage you to think of ways in which you might observe Lent this year, and if you don’t have any ideas come along on Wednesday and next Sunday to be inspired!

NEXT SUNDAY
We have a choice of three services next Sunday. At St Leonard’s, Rockingham there is a service of HOLY COMMUNION at 9am and at St Columba’s there is COMMUNION at 10.30am with ENERGIZE groups, and, as mentioned above, a HEALING SERVICE at 5pm. You would be most welcome to any or all of these.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING
St Columba’s ANNUAL MEETING this year is on Sunday 12th March and will be held after the morning service in the Church Hall at about 12 noon. It will be followed by a BRING & SHARE LUNCH to which everyone is invited. Please make sure you have made a note of this date, and do try and come along to the meeting, even if you can’t stay for lunch.
This meeting is the time when we elect Churchwardens to serve us over the next 12 months, Deanery Synod representatives to serve for three years and one third of our PCC members who also serve for three years. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles please do ask me for a nomination form (all roles require the person nominated to be proposed and seconded by two people entitled to vote at the meeting).
The revised ELECTORAL ROLL is on display at the back of church, along with the formal notices about the meeting (strictly speaking it is two meetings, one for electing churchwardens and one for the rest of the business).
Any questions please do speak with me.

BISHOP’S BIBLE DAY
This is taking place at Northampton High School on Saturday 18th March from 9.30am to 4pm. It is a day for everyone to explore the Bible together, with a focus on the Psalms. The keynote speaker, Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, will be looking at Psalms 23 and 137, and there are a range of workshops. You can book tickets (there is no charge for the day, which includes a cold lunch, but donations are welcome) and find details of all the workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bishops-bible-day-tickets-503194848337

ATTACHMENTS
Please find here the latest PRAYER UPDATE from HOPE FROM ABOVE in Australia and STEVE’S PUZZLES & OTHER STUFF. Steve tells me there are some new types of puzzle, some great stories and aahhhs! As a football fan I was struck by the front page article about Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool striker, do have a read even if you don’t support Liverpool. There is also an article by Bishop John with ideas about what we might do during Lent.

May God be with you in this coming week, and especially may He inspire you to do something special during the season of Lent.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

12th February 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 18 February 2023

Hello everyone,

It has certainly been quite a week, with the Church of England General Synod’s debates occupying much time and attention, and not a little space on Facebook. If you would like to talk to me or Kevin about anything, either from the debates themselves, or from the comments made in response to those debates, please do get in touch.

Of course, the people of southern Turkey and northern Syria have had the worst possible week with the utter devastation caused by the earthquakes. I am sure many of you have been moved by the pictures of people being rescued from under the rubble, but this is only the beginning of a long journey to recovery, and there is much that they need to survive the cold winter nights. If you would like to support the relief effort can I encourage you to give direct to a Christian charity such as Tearfund who are already working in Syria. You can give to Tearfund by following this link:

https://www.tearfund.org/get-involved/donate/donation-forms/donation-form?appeal={4DE36746-C78E-49F5-8E5D-CE559F8BD692}&tf_source=224930

PRAYER NEWS

I am pleased to be able to share the good news that Pam Williams was due to come out of hospital today. While this is a cause for thanksgiving please continue to pray for Pam to regain her strength.

Please also pray for Sue Scholes who passed out yesterday morning. She did not injure herself but was clearly shaken, as was Steve, and with her other medical conditions Sue really does need God’s healing.

SUNDAY SERVICES

We have two services tomorrow. HOLY COMMUNION at 10.30am at St Columba’s, with my final sermon on the book of Ezra and ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. Then in the afternoon at 3pm there is a FAMILY SERVICE in Rockingham Village Hall. If you have not been before the Hall is on the left as you drive through Rockingham from Corby, before the Sondes Arms and there is a small car park up the lane by the old telephone box. Everyone is welcome to either or both of these services, but if you can’t make it then there is  livestream link to the St Columba’s service here: https://youtube.com/live/RF5qaYXe0uw?feature=share

PRAYER MEETING

There will be the usual Sunday evening Prayer Meeting at St Columba’s tomorrow at 6pm. Do come along and join in us in an hour of prayer for our Hope Into Action House and Tenant, for the Church and the World, especially those affected by the earthquake, and for one another, especially those in need.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

We continue our studies in the book of Colossians, this week looking at chapter 2 v6-23. The groups meet on Wednesday morning at 10.30am and evening at 7.30pm. Once again everyone is welcome and it doesn’t matter if you have not been to the previous studies.

NEXT SUNDAY

On Sunday 19th February we just have the one service of Morning Worship at St Columba’s at 10.30am.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Lent begins on 22nd February and to mark the beginning of this special season in the life of the church we will have two services of Holy Communion at St Columba’s at 10.30am and 7.30pm, in place of Fellowship Groups.

AND FINALLY

There are no Puzzles etc from Steve this week but there are still printed copies of SCANS in church. And also if anyone lost an earring in St Leonard’s church Rockingham at Christmas please do let me know.

May God bless you and watch over you,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

29th January 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 4 February 2023

Hello everyone,

I hope you have all had a good week as I did up in North Wales at Gladstone’s Library.

PRAYER NEWS
Some of you will have heard that Roy Tosh had a fall on Monday and had to go into hospital. He is still there, having had a number of tests. Roy will not be able to return home when he is discharged so while we continue to pray for him to recover we also need to pray for a suitable residential place for him, and for Jess as she comes to terms with this new situation.
James Robb is continuing to improve although he struggles to understand everything, especially that he has now been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes so needs insulin and regular blood tests. He may be allowed home next week, but only to Jim & Debbie’s so please pray that his condition improves enough to allow this, as well as for a full recovery.
Pam Williams is also still in hospital but doing ok. She is now eating a little and has targeted anti-biotics. Her family have been able to visit her and she is most grateful for all our prayers, but please do continue to pray for Pam’s recovery and that she is able to return home soon.

SUNDAY 29th JANUARY
We have two services at St Columba’s, Corby tomorrow. At 10.30am there is HOLY COMMUNION celebrating the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and during that service there will be ENERGIZE groups for children and young people who will be preparing for next week’s All Age Service. If you are not able to attend the service then it will be available as a livestream by going to this link: https://youtube.com/live/1a8HNLzmpcQ
Then at 5pm we have a SONGS OF PRAISE service. A big thank you to those people who have chosen songs and hymns for this service. Do come along if you like a good sing, or if you would like to hear why the songs are special to different people in our church family. After the service there will be a time of prayer.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Our Fellowship Groups continue on Wednesday at 10.30am and 7.30pm. This is a great opportunity to meet with other Christians to read God’s word together and learn from one another. We have just started a new series looking at Colossians and everyoine is very welcome.

PANTOMIME – Dick Whittington
This week we are looking forward to performances by the Great Easton Little Theatre Company of theor 2023 Pantomime, DICK WHITTINGTON. This is happening in the Church Hall on Friday 3rd February at 7.30pm, Saturday 4th February at 3pm and Sunday 5th February also at 3pm. Tickets cost £7 for adults, £5 for children and £20 for a Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) and are available either after the services tomorrow, by phone to 01536 400225 or by email to gelttickets@gmail.com
I understand there are plenty of tickets for Friday evening and Sunday afternoon while Saturday afternoon is selling fast but there are tickets available. Do plan to come along, bring family and friends with you, and tell everyone you know.

NEXT SUNDAY 5th February
We have a service of ALL AGE WORSHIP at St Columba’s next Sunday morning at 10.30am and everyone is welcome as we celebrate the wonderful world God created for us.

MEN’S GROUP
The next meeting of the Men’s Group will be on Saturday 11th February from 9am to 11am in St Columba’s Church Hall for breakfast. All men are welcome, including any guests you would like to bring along with you.

AND FINALLY
Steve has taken a well deserved week off from Puzzles & Other Stuff, in order to concentrate on producing a printed edition of SCANS! Here is a prayer update from HOPE FROM ABOVE so do make use of that.

May God be with you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609