Author: Justin Dyche

13th November 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 19 November 2022

Hello everyone,

On Friday I was at Lodge Park Academy where we observed the two minutes silence at 11am and I was able to share a few words and pray. It was a special time, not least as the Head Girl read the words of the song “Of arms and peaceful men” by David Dearlove. I have heard this many times but have always thought the words about those who “cannot rest when peace is torn by greed and tyranny” to be about the past. This year, with the war in Ukraine continuing, the words had a very modern ring to them. As we observe the silence on Sunday, let us, amid all the other thoughts in our heads, remember those in Ukraine who are, even now, giving up “their hope of Spring”.

THIS WEEK’S SERVICES
We have services for Remembrance Sunday, both including the two minute silence at about 11am, at St Columba and St Leonard’s tomorrow.
At St Columba the service is HOLY COMMUNION, starts at 10.30am and includes ENERGIZE groups for children and young people who will also be looking at the theme of Remembrance.
At St Leonard’s it is a FAMILY SERVICE starting at 10.45am and including the reading of names from the War Memorial.
(Editor’s note: Unfortunately, there is no livestream due to a fault with the camera.)

PRAYER MEETING
We will be meeting for an hour of prayer in St Columba’s at 6pm on Sunday evening, with an emphasis on issues of remembrance and peace this week.

ALPHA – Starting 14th November at 7:30pm in St Columba’s church
What is Alpha? It’s a series of weekly sessions where you can explore the Christian faith in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We’re going to be starting this Monday at 7:30pm and then breaking for Christmas before finishing in January – something interesting and fun to do during those cold winter nights! We’re doing the Alpha film series, which includes a video to watch and then allows us to chat about what we’ve just seen. You can share your thoughts about some of the big questions of life and we can explore the answers together. All of this accompanied by tea, coffee and cake. Why not have a look at the Alpha Film Series trailer and see if it’s for you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fViYK_Xb3Wg

Please speak to Kevin (07512 822422) if you would like to know more or to sign up, although everyone is welcome to simply turn up on the night.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
After last week’s break we meet again on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm and Wednesday morning at 10.30am for the final session of our course on Christlikeness looking at the fruit of the Spirit, focussing on self-control this week. We will also be discussing what might come next…

SHOEBOXES
Two notices about OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD this week:

First there are just two weeks before all boxes need to be handed in so if you have not yet taken and packed a box, and you are able to, please do, and don’t forget the leaflet with important details about what can and cannot go in the box and a label to say if it is for a boy or girl and what age. Don’t forget Sunday 27th November is the final date boxes can be dropped off at church.

Second, St Columba will once again be open as a venue where boxes can be delivered by members of the public. We will be open from 9am to 1pm every day from Monday 21st November. If you are able to be in church for an hour or so that week there will be a sign-up sheet available tomorrow.

And if you need any inspiration to know why we are doing this just watch the film available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nePoQ-nv8fU

CHRISTMAS FAYRE – Saturday 26th November 10am – 12.30
Two weeks today St Columba’s Christmas Fayre will be under way and we still need more help. Please think if you can help run a stall on the day and if so either reply to this message or sign on the list at the back of church. Thank you to everyone who has brought in donations for the raffle or tombolas (bottle or teddy) – the boxes will be at the back of church for the next two weeks for any more contributions.

SUNDAY 20th NOVEMBER
Next Sunday there is a service of Morning Worship, with ENERGIZE GROUPS, at 10.30am in St Columba’s.

AND FINALLY
Here is the latest mini SCANS produced by Steve. These online productions contain lots to amuse, entertain and teach so do make sure you open the attached and have a good read.

God bless you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

6th November 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 12 November 2022

Hello again everyone,

I don’t know about you but I enjoyed the fireworks on Friday evening. The weather was perfect, and it was a good show, but I what I really enjoyed was the crowds of people all walking together to see them. How wonderful would it be of those crowds were walking, not to see a fireworks display but to worship God! Of course, some of us do have a slightly similar experience at Spring Harvest, where we have to queue to get in to worship, but what if it was people in our own town queueing to get into church. Let us pray that the Lord would send revival on his church and we would see scenes like that!

Last week was a busy week, with different activities in church every evening from Sunday to Thursday, including a Prayer Meeting, Light Party, PCC, Fellowship Group and Get Closer young people’s group. We should give thanks to God, not only that we are able to do all these things but that we have people wanting to do them as well as volunteers to help make them happen. Thank you if you were involved in any of them.

One decision of our PCC was that we will host a Christmas Lunch for anyone struggling with the cost of living and in danger of missing out on heat, food or company on Christmas Day. Please let me know if you would like to be involved in this and we will be having a meeting to plan the day. This is in addition to the offer made last week for people to have hot meals cooked for them and delivered to their door – if you know anyone who would benefit from this please let me know.

This coming week will be quieter, not least because Kevin and I are away on the Diocesan Ministers’ Conference. Please pray for us and all those attending. If you need to make contact with someone from church before Friday can you contact Janet, her number is at the bottom of this email.

SUNDAY’S SERVICE
This Sunday’s service is being led by members of Get Closer so do come along and support them. It is at St Columba’s at 10.30am tomorrow, and available to watch online via the following link from that time: https://youtu.be/YDH1zwyFufw

PRAYER MEETING
We will be gathering for prayer on Sunday evening at 6pm so do try and join us if you can, especially, but by no means only, if you have anything that you would like us to pray about.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
There will be no groups this week, but they will meet again on Tuesday 15th November at 7.30pm and Wednesday 16th November at 10.30am.

DEMENTIA DAY
This free day of inclusive fun is arranged by the Corby Dementia Friendly Community and is happening on Wednesday 9th November from 10am to 3pm at Corby Cube and includes lunch. It is for both those with Dementia and those caring for them. There is a leaflet on the notice board in church with more details.

AFTERNOON TEA
On Friday 11th November we look forward to our next Ladies Afternoon Tea in the Church Hall at 3pm. All ladies are most welcome to join us for tea, sandwiches, scones and cake, along with good conversation so please do invite any friends and neighbours along, especially anyone who would appreciate an hour or so in a warm place.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – 13th NOVEMBER
We have two services next Sunday morning for Remembrance. At St Columba’s there will be a service of Holy Communion at 10.30am, with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people, and at St Leonard’s, Rockingham a Family Service at 10.45am. Both will feature a two-minute silence at about 11am.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES
There are still plenty of empty boxes at the back of church, and the all-important leaflets that tell you what can, and cannot, go in them, so if you have not yet taken one, and you are able to fill it for a Ukrainian refugee child, please do take one. The deadline for returning boxes is Sunday 20th November so we have just 2 more weeks. Don’t forget to either put a donation in your shoebox or donate online, where you can also pay for a shoebox to be filled and sent on your behalf. You can watch a short film called “A Shoebox Prayer” by going to the following link: https://youtu.be/nePoQ-nv8fU

CHRISTMAS FAYRE – SATURDAY 26th NOVEMBER 10am -12.30pm
Our Christmas Fayre is in just three weeks’ time so I do I hope it is in all your diaries. We still need people to help on the day so please sign up if you are able, and the boxes are at the back of church for donations of Raffle Prizes and for the Bottle and Teddy Tombolas – big thanks to all who have donated so far.

ATTACHMENTS
Please find attached the latest SNIPPETS FROM THE SHIRES from Tim & Carol Derbyshire in Australia with Hope From Above, and also STEVE’S PUZZLES AND OTHER STUFF.

God bless you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

Janet Taylor 07908 603682

30th October 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 5 November 2022

Hello again everyone,

Do read below details of all that is happening this coming week, including our LIGHT PARTY on Monday, a change to our FELLOWSHIP GROUPS, as well as information about HOT MEALS being available for people in need, details of our SUNDAY SERVICES and STEVE’S PUZZLES & OTHER STUFF.

But I must begin with some sad news. Eric Nicholas who was a regular at our Wednesday morning Communion services before Covid, and before that a member of the Church of The Epiphany and then St John’s, has died. His funeral will be at St Columba’s on Tuesday 1st November at 10am, followed by Cremation and then refreshments at the Silver Band Club. Everyone is welcome to come along and support his family at this sad time.

HOT MEALS
We have had a really generous offer from some church members to provide hot meals for anyone in our church family, or known to us, who is struggling with the cost of living, especially as the temperatures drop and the choice has to be made between heating and eating. If you need help, or know someone who does, please contact me and I will arrange for a meal (or meals if it is a family in need) to be delivered to your door.

SUNDAY SERVICE
We just have the one service on Sunday at St Columba’s, ALL AGE WORSHIP at 10.30am thinking about All Saints. For those unable to be in church the service can be watched by going to the following link from 10.30am on Sunday: https://youtu.be/HaHRryNtsvk

TRAIDCRAFT STALL
After the service there will be a TRAIDCRAFT STALL selling fair trade products including tea, coffee, chocolate, biscuits, and much more as well as a range of Christmas Cards to buy or order. Do have a browse, look in the catalogue, and think about the benefit you are bringing to people in developing countries by buying fair trade products direct from Traidcraft.

PRAYER MEETING
We also have our regular PRAYER MEETING at 6pm in church on Sunday – do come along with any prayer requests you have, for yourself or anyone you know.

LIGHT PARTY
Come and celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World, with us this 31st October, from 5:30pm-7pm. We’ll have a great set of crafts and activities to help us think about how light helps us in the world today and we’ll be exploring light space and quiet space and serving up some hot chocolate and marshmallows. Let’s shine together!
More information from Kevin, either at church tomorrow or by phone on 07512 822422

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Please note there is a change to our Fellowship Groups this week. Both groups will be meeting on WEDNESDAY 2nd NOVEMBER, at 10.30am and 7.30pm. This is to avoid a clash with PCC on Tuesday evening.

SUNDAY 6th NOVEMBER
We have a special ALL AGE WORSHIP next Sunday 6th November at St Columba’s at 10.30am.

PUZZLES AND OTHER STUFF
Please find here the latest edition of Steve’s Puzzles and Other Stuff. This comes with a warning that there’s some tough stories in this issue.

With best wishes,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

23rd October 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 29 October 2022

Hello everyone,

I must say our Men’s Group Pub Night yesterday was a good rival to the Ladies Afternoon Tea last week – both were enjoyable times in good company with good food. It is great to be able to gather in social situations like this once again after the difficulties of the last two and half years.

As we all know one of the hardest aspects of the lockdowns were the restrictions on funerals, and so our MEMORIAL SERVICE at 5pm tomorrow afternoon is once again an opportunity for people to gather and remember loved ones, including those who you were not able to say a proper farewell to as well as people who passed away before Covid but are still very much in our hearts. Those families who had a funeral at St Columba’s over the last 12 months have had an invitation to this service, but everyone is welcome, both to remember loved ones and to enjoy fellowship with one another while we sing some well-known songs, light candles and share some refreshments together after the service.

SUNDAY 23rd OCTOBER
As well as the Memorial Service at 5pm we have two morning services tomorrow as follows:
9am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. This service is also available as a livestream by going to this link: https://youtu.be/bAArR08HTIg
Apologies that last week’s livestream was cut off during the service but fortunately Kevin recorded the whole service, including Linda’s sermon, and made it available on Monday. (Editor’s note: Links in the website do now link to this new version.)

PRAYER MEETING
Because of the Memorial service and refreshments after it there will be no Prayer Meeting tomorrow, but we will meet again next Sunday 30th October.

SHOEBOX APPEAL
Last Sunday James and Louisa launched this year’s OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Shoebox Appeal with the news that all this year’s boxes will go to Ukrainian children, many living as refugees in countries that border Ukraine (see below for more news about Ukraine). There is a supply of boxes for you to collect in church, and the all-important leaflets that tell you what can, and cannot, go in them. Please do take a box (or more) and begin packing it. The deadline for returning boxes is Sunday 20th November so we have just 4 weeks.
You can watch this year’s Operation Christmas Child Campaign Film by going to the following link: https://youtu.be/QPBD2FPBiA8

UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
Last week I mentioned that Deanery Synod had a speaker from Peterborough Cathedral telling us about their scheme to help with the ongoing needs of Ukranian refugees. This was an excellent presentation informing us that there are still refugees who would like to come to this country, but they are unable to find homes. These are people still in Ukraine or neighbouring countries, not those who have been here for 6 months and need a new home. If you think you could help, or would like to find out more, there are leaflets about the scheme giving more information available in church or here:
https://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/userfiles/Homes%20for%20Ukraine_A5%20Flyer_V2%20(lowres).pdf

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
We continue with our weekly meetings looking at the fruit of the Spirit on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm and Wednesday morning at 10.30am. This week we are thinking about faithfulness, and everyone is welcome.

NEXT SUNDAY – 30th October
We have just the one service next Sunday: ALL AGE WORSHIP at St Columba’s at 10.30am. As mentioned above the PRAYER MEETING will also be happening at 6pm.

LIGHT PARTY – Monday 31st October, 5:30pm – 7pm
Children and Parents are invited to join us here at St Columba as we celebrate the Light of the World, Jesus! This year we’re going to do something a little different and we’ll be lighting up the church so come along and enjoy. We’ll have a great range of fun activities to do as well. Wear something bright, come along and enjoy our time together!

CHRISTMAS FAYRE – Saturday 26th November, 10am – 12.30pm
For our Fayre to be a success, we would really appreciate if you can get involved by volunteering:
Beforehand on the Friday evening setting up tables, Christmas Tree, etc;
Helping on one of the stalls on Saturday;
Clearing up afterwards.
If you are unable to volunteer, you can still be involved in any of the following ways:
Donate prizes for the Raffle – these can be placed in the box at the back of church
Donate bottles for the Bottle Tombola – these can be placed in the box at the back of church
Make cakes for the Cake Stall – these obviously can’t be brought in until the day!
Donate soft toys for the Teddy Tombola
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO COME
COME YOURSELF AND SUPPORT THIS EVENT!
Thank you very much, any questions please speak to Miriam.

AND FINALLY
Thanks to Steve for producing another PUZZLES AND OTHER STUFF which is attached to keep us informed and entertained. As Steve says it is always fascinating to discover information about people that you would never guess just by looking at them (see p.3).

God be with you all in this coming week.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

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16th October 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 22 October 2022

Hello everyone,

I am about to set off for Peterborough to support some of our Lay Ministers who are being re-licensed by the Bishop in the Cathedral this afternoon. It is good to give thanks for the ministries of Janet, Linda, Rosie, David and William who are all being relicensed today as well as Steve and Sue who will be re-licensed later in the year, and to pray for them as they continue to minister among us. We should also give thanks for the ministry of Sheila Pender who is retiring as a Licensed Lay Pastoral Minister, although Sheila will still be active in many ways (including organising the Afternoon Tea which many of us enjoyed yesterday). The PCC decided to award Sheila the title of Lay Minister Emeritus, an honorary title in recognition of her years of service. You can read an archive article about Sheila in Steve’s Puzzles and Other Stuff.

THIS SUNDAY 16th OCTOBER
We just have one service at St Columba’s tomorrow: MORNING WORSHIP at 10.30am with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. For those unable to be in church there will be a livestream available from 10.30 on Sunday by going to this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AHf2RCjQes
Also tomorrow our PRAYER MEETING is at 6pm in church, and everyone is very welcome to join us for that, especially if you have anything you would like prayer about.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Our Fellowship Groups continue to look at the Fruit of the Spirit and how we can be more like Jesus. This week our focus is on goodness. The groups meet at 7.30pm on Tuesday and 10.30am on Wednesday.

DEANERY SYNOD
Deanery Synod is a gathering of people from Church of England churches in and around Corby. Clergy like Kevin and me are always members and every church also elects representatives, ours are presently David, Steve and William, but the meetings are open to anyone. This Thursday, 20th October, we are thinking about the ongoing needs of Ukranian refugees with a speaker from Peterborough Cathedral who have a scheme to help them. If you are interested the meeting is at St Mary’s, Weldon with refreshments from 7.15pm. Do ask one of us if you would like a lift.

MEN’S GROUP
Our next men’s group (ROCK) is on Friday 21st October, arrive from 7pm and start at 7.30pm, in the church hall. It will have a pub theme…a pub quiz and pub food: pie, gravy, mash and peas. Because we are serving food we need to have numbers so please let us know if you are coming…via list at the back, email or text, but no later than Tuesday 18th October, that would be good. You are welcome to bring your own choice of beverage seeing that it’s a pub theme!

SUNDAY 23rd OCTOBER
We have three services next Sunday as follows:
9am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s
5pm MEMORIAL SERVICE for all those we love but see no longer. This service is open to all and while those who have been bereaved in the last year will receive a special invitation (sorry if you have not had yours yet) everyone is welcome to attend and light a candle in memory of loved ones who have died.

RODGER CRAIG
It is two years since Mary’s husband Rodger died and as his funeral was in Covid times we are holding a special service in memory of Rodger on Friday 21st October, the second anniversary of that funeral, at 10.30am in church, followed by refreshments in the Hall. Please come along and support Mary in this service, and if you would like to share a memory of Rodger be prepared to do that.

HOPE FROM ABOVE
Please find here a Newsletter from Hope From Above. This is a longer read than the regular Prayer Updates that we receive so why not pour yourself a coffee and read about their worldwide ministry.

May God bless you all in this coming week,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

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9th October 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 15 October 2022

Hello everyone,

I hope you enjoyed our Harvest celebrations last Sunday. The children and young people did a great job in the service and all those who contributed provided a wonderful lunch, so grateful thanks to all involved. Below you will find news of tomorrow’s service and other events coming up in the next couple of weeks, and in one case next month, so do have a good read.

SUNDAY 9th OCTOBER
We are looking forward to a service of HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s on Sunday at 10.30am. This will include ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. For those who are unable to be in church the livestream link, available from 10.30am on Sunday and afterwards is:
https://youtu.be/YL9ehs7Hp_Y
Also tomorrow St Leonard’s, Rockingham will be celebrating their Harvest with a FAMILY SERVICE at 3pm and we will have our usual PRAYER MEETING at 6pm in St Columba’s.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Don’t forget we have our Fellowship Groups meeting on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm and Wednesday morning at 10.30am. This week we are looking at Kindness, the fifth fruit of the Spirit. Do come along even if you have not been before – you would be most welcome.

AFTERNOON TEA
On Friday 14th October we have our next Ladies Afternoon Tea (men – see below) in the Church Hall at 3pm. Last month we had a wonderful time together, eating sandwiches and cake, drinking tea, chatting and hearing Sheila’s testimony. Do come along and think if there is someone you could invite to this very relaxed but most enjoyable time to meet together.

SUNDAY 16th OCTOBER
We look forward to a service of MORNING WORSHIP at 10.30am at St Columba’s, with Rosie leading and Linda preaching.

MEN’S GROUP
Our next men’s group (ROCK) is on Friday 21st October in the evening at the church hall. It will have a pub theme…a pub quiz and pub food: pie, gravy, mash and peas. Because we are serving food we need to have numbers so please let us know if you are coming…via list at the back, email or text, but no later than Tuesday 18th October, that would be good. You are welcome to bring your own choice of beverage seeing that it’s a pub theme!

On the subject of Men’s Group we had an email today from one of the founder members, John Melvin, who moved to Ireland last year with his wife Pamela. They especially asked us to pray for the family and friends of the deceased and injured from the Creeslough Petrol Station tragedy, which is about 40 miles north of where they now live. They also asked if we could pray for an outreach meeting on Saturday nights from their church which meets at Anne’s hut, 10 doors up the lane from them (about a mile away) and also for a Friday afternoon charity shop singalong, asking that folks will be reached.

SUNDAY 23rd OCTOBER
In addition to our morning services of Holy Communion (9am at Rockingham and 10.30am at St Columba’s) we have a MEMORIAL SERVICE for all those we love but see no longer at 5pm. This service is open to all and while those who have been bereaved in the last year will receive a special invitation everyone is welcome to attend and light a candle in memory of loved ones who have died.

CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Our Christmas Fayre will be on Saturday 26th November from 10.00am – 12.30pm
For this to be a success, we would really appreciate if you can get involved by volunteering:
Beforehand on the Friday evening setting up tables, Christmas Tree, etc;
Helping on one of the stalls on Saturday;
Clearing up afterwards.
If you are unable to volunteer you can still be involved in any of the following ways:

• Donate prizes for the Raffle
• Make cakes for the Cake Stall
• Donate bottles for the Bottle Tombola
• Donate soft toys for the Teddy Tombola
• INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO COME
• COME YOURSELF AND SUPPORT THIS EVENT!

Thank you very much, any questions please speak to Miriam.

AND FINALLY
Please find here a new mini SCANS from Steve. It includes a reflection on Jo and my visit to the lying in state of Queen Elizabeth as well as other interesting articles and challenging puzzles. Please note this is a completely different edition from the printed edition that is available to pick up in church.

With best wishes to all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

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2nd October 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 8 October 2022

Hello everyone,

I hope you are looking forward to our Harvest Festival Celebration service at St Columba’s, tomorrow, Sunday 2nd October at 10.30am. This is followed by a Bring & Share HARVEST LUNCH in the Church Hall. Please note the following additional details:

Children and Young people – it would be really helpful if all children and young people could arrive by 10.15am at the latest so we can quickly go through the parts of the service you will be joining in with. Please come at this time even if you were not in church last Sunday or at Get Closer on Thursday as there is lots to do!

Food Bank Collection – if you can please bring a donation for the Corby Food Bank. The items most in need at the present time are:
SOUP, SPAGHETTI IN SAUCE, TINNED FISH, TINNED FRUIT, LONG LIFE JUICE, FEMININE PRODUCTS, SHAMPOO, and SHOWER GEL.

Live stream – the service will be livestreamed (apologies for the technical issues last Sunday) and can be watched by going to the following link from 10.30am on Sunday or afterwards: https://youtu.be/w6LDHcOaR5I

Bring & Share Lunch – if you are able to bring some food to share (think dinner not sandwiches) that would be great but please stay for lunch even if you don’t bring anything. The Hall will be open before the service so you can drop off contributions.

PRAYER MEETING
We will be meeting for Prayer at 6pm on Sunday evening so do please join us then if you are able.

ALPHA
I am really sorry to say that we have decided to postpone the start of the ALPHA course until next month. We are really sorry for the confusion over the start of this course but promise it will be worth the wait. It will now start before Christmas and finish afterwards. Any questions please do speak with me. While you wait for ALPHA to start you would be most welcome to join one of our Fellowship Groups – see below.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Out Fellowship Groups continue on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm and Wednesday morning at 10.30am. This week we will be looking at the fourth fruit of the Spirit, patience. You don’t need to have been to one of the earlier sessions so why not come along on Tuesday or Wednesday.

PCC
Our PCC will be meeting on Wednesday evening and among the items being discussed will be St Columba’s charitable giving. As a church we aim to give away 10% of our income to other charities at home and overseas. This includes support for our mission partners M&H and Tim & Carol Derbyshire. If you have any suggestions for charities we may support please do let me know BEFORE Wednesday.

NEXT SUNDAY
On 9th October we look forward to a HOLY COMMUNION service at St Columba’s at 10.30am with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people, as well as a HARVEST FAMILY SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham at 3pm.

SCANS
There is no Puzzles etc attached this week but there will be a new print edition of SCANS available tomorrow so do look out for that.

AND FINALLY
Sheila has added up all the money that she had from Lunch Club, which has now closed and been replaced by the Afternoon Teas. The money came to over £1200 which has been donated to the Church HEATING FUND. So a big THANK YOU to all those people who used to belong to the Lunch Club, as well as to Sheila who organised it for so many years. We also owe Sheila our thanks as she steps down from being a Lay Pastoral Minister, although this does not mean she will stop being a caring member of our church, only that she is now devoting more time to her family, including JOHN, who is home from hospital, having been told he is healthy, and just in time to celebrate his 80th birthday. Many Happy Returns John!

With best wishes and a Happy Harvest to all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

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25th September 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 1 October 2022

Good morning everyone,

We began this week with the Queen’s funeral and, apart from the spectacle, what a wonderful sermon by the archbishop. Something to talk with people about perhaps…
Do continue reading for news of what is happening over the next week.

PRAYER REQUEST
Please do pray for John Pender who is in hospital awaiting further tests after suffering from angina.

SUNDAY’S SERVICES
Tomorrow, Sunday 25th September, we have three services as follows:
9am at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – Holy Communion
10.30am at St Columba’s, Corby – Holy Communion with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people who will be preparing for next week’s Harvest Service (see below).
5pm at St Columba’s, Corby – Songs of Praise do come along and join in singing some of our favourite songs and hymns (you may even learn a new one) as well as hearing why these songs are favourites as people from our church family introduce them.

PLEASE NOTE
Because of the 5pm service we will not have a HIA Prayer Meeting tomorrow evening.

ALPHA COURSE
For various reasons, not least to give more people opportunity to sign up (COULD THAT BE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW) we have decided to postpone the start of the ALPHA course until Monday 3rd October. Please don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover more about the Christian faith in a small, relaxed group meeting at the back of church.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Our new Fellowship Groups continue on Tuesday at 7.30pm or Wednesday at 10.30am. The groups are like a home group but are being held in church, they have identical content but with different people the discussion goes in different directions. Both groups last about an hour and a half and include a time of prayer. This week we will be look at the third fruit of the Spirit – peace, something we could all do with. Do come along if you are able, it doesn’t matter that you have missed the first two sessions.

NEXT SUNDAY – HARVEST
On Sunday 2nd October we will be celebrating Harvest at St Columba’s at 10.30am (and at St Leonard’s on 9th October at 3pm). This means that we will be looking for a bumper collection of donations for the FOOD BANK. The latest list of most needed items includes: SOUP, SPAGHETTI IN SAUCE, TINNED FISH, TINNED FRUIT, LONG LIFE JUICE, FEMININE PRODUCTS, SHAMPOO and SHOWER GEL but all donations of IN DATE canned food are welcome, as they are every week, but it is especially good to remember those in need at Harvest time.
We are also having a HARVEST LUNCH after the service that morning, so if you are able to stay and enjoy fellowship please bring along some food to share, hot or cold, but think dinner rather than sandwiches…and don’t forget the dessert! BUT PLEASE COME EVEN IF YOU CAN’T BRING ANY FOOD.

HOPE FROM ABOVE PRAYER UPDATE
Here is the latest Prayer Update from Hope From Above in Australia. Do make use of this in your prayers during the week.

With best wishes to all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

Addendum:

Hello again,

Please find here the latest edition of Puzzles and Other Stuff. Steve recommends the piece about Elvis Presley’s Christian faith on pages 3 & 4, and the amazing bravery of Shavarsh Karapetyan who saved so many lives – twice!

Also an update on John Pender. He has not had his angiogram and is hoping this will happen on Monday as he has another procedure booked for Tuesday so please pray for this.

Best wishes,

Ian

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18th September 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 24 September 2022

Dear Friends of St Columba,

Jo and I went to London on Friday for the Lying in State of Her Majesty. We had to wait 13.5 hours, from 1am to 2.30pm, but made friends in the queue and were rewarded with an historic moment by the side of the Queen’s coffin. As Christians we believe that the body inside that coffin is an empty shell and that the soul of her majesty has been given a new body as she has gone to be with the Lord she served so faithfully. See below for one final commemorative service to be held at St Columba’s tomorrow (Sunday) evening, a special commemorative edition of “Puzzles & Other Stuff”, as well as news of other upcoming events.

SUNDAY SERVICES
We have our scheduled service of Morning Worship at 10.30am in St Columba’s on Sunday morning. This will include my latest sermon on the book of Ezra (looking at chapter 7) as well as our ENERGIZE children and young people’s groups – they will be remembering our late Queen in a special session. The service will be available to watch online from 10.30am on Sunday, or later, via the following livestream link: https://youtu.be/2JI4BGLIJfc

In the evening, at 6pm, we will have a special service to mark the eve of the Queen’s funeral. This will be in place of our usual Prayer Meeting at that time but will include space for people to pray for the needs of our world, our nation, our neighbours, and ourselves. We will finish at 7pm with a minute’s silence (I know this is an hour earlier than the national minute’s silence but you can observe that at home at 8pm). If anyone would like a lift to this service please let me know so we can organise this. Do also think if there are other people you know who may like to spend an hour in church at this significant moment in our nation’s life and invite them along.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
It was, perhaps understandably, a quiet start for our Fellowship Groups this week. But everyone is very welcome to join us this coming week, either on Tuesday at 7.30pm or Wednesday at 10.30am. Both groups will last about an hour and a half and include a time of prayer. This week we will be look at the second fruit of the Spirit – joy!

NEXT SUNDAY
On 25th September we have three services for you to choose from, or you can come along to two or even all three if you wish.
There are COMMUNION service at 9am in St Leonard’s, Rockingham and at 10.30am in St Columba’s. The St Columba’s service includes ENERGIZE groups for children and young people where they will be preparing for the following week’s Harvest Festival.
Then in the evening at 5pm we have our SONGS OF PRAISE service at St Columba’s. This includes songs and hymns chosen by members of the congregation who will introduce them to us. If anyone has a last minute choice please do let me know.
This service will be followed by the PRAYER MEETING at 6pm.

ALPHA
Many of you will have been on an ALPHA course at some time and will know what a good introduction to the Christian faith it is. I thoroughly recommend that everyone should join one of these courses at some time in their life, and what better time than…now! We have a new ALPHA course starting in St Columba’s on Monday 26th September at 7.30pm so please do come along if you are at all interested, or why not invite someone you know to come along. Kevin is going to be leading the course, so you can contact him with any questions (07512 822422) or ask me on Sunday (Kevin is away taking his second daughter, Rebecca, to Queen’s University in Belfast and visiting his father).

HARVEST
On Sunday 2nd October we will be celebrating Harvest at St Columba’s (and at St Leonard’s on 9th October). This means that we will be looking for a bumper collection of donations for the FOOD BANK. The latest list of most needed items includes: SOUP, SPAGHETTI IN SAUCE, TINNED FISH,
TINNED FRUIT, LONG LIFE JUICE, FEMININE PRODUCTS, SHAMPOO and SHOWER GEL but all donations of IN DATE canned food are welcome, as they are every week, but it is especially good to remember those in need at Harvest time.
We also plan to have a HARVEST LUNCH after the service that morning, so if you are able to stay and enjoy fellowship please bring along some food to share, hot or cold, but think dinner rather than sandwiches…and don’t forget the dessert (says the Vicar with a sweet tooth!)

ATTACHMENTS
Thanks to Steve for producing a special commemorative Puzzles and Other Stuff celebrating the Queen’s life. It also includes the usual selection of puzzles and an invitation to an event from CARE FOR THE FAMILY for parents, carers and anyone concerned with raising children to be held in Kettering on 13th October – see the attached for more details, pick up a postcard from the back of church or visit:
https://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/events/tourevents/a-mind-of-their-own/
Also here is the latest Snippets from the Shires, the Prayer Letter of Tim & Carol Derbyshire working in Australia with Hope From Above.

And finally a BIG thank you to everyone who sponsored Colin, James or myself to do the cycle ride last weekend. If you have not paid your sponsor money please bring it to church on Sunday – thank you.

May God bless you all at this time,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

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11th September 2022

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 17 September 2022

Hello Everyone,

Just a short email tonight with brief details of upcoming events and the livestream link for tomorrow.

SUNDAY SERVICES
Both of these services will be to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and will include material specially prepared for that purpose. The service at St Columba’s at 10.30am includes HOLY COMMUNION and ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. The service at St Leonard’s, Rockingham at 3pm will be similar in content but without Communion or children’s groups.
The Book Sale at St Columba will close after tomorrow so do have a final browse and please bring money for any books bought but not yet paid for.
The service from St Columba can be watched on youtube via the following link: https://youtu.be/6YGA6rWFa6M

PRAYER MEETING
The usual 6pm Prayer Meeting at St Columba will be happening tomorrow, with lots to pray about for our nation and beyond.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Our new Fellowship Groups begin on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in church and is then repeated on Wednesday morning at 10.30 also in church. I do hope you can join us as we embark on a journey looking at the fruit of the Spirit in a course called 9-A-DAY.
A little later in the month we will also be starting an ALPHA course for those who are new to faith or church, or just want to find out more about what we believe. Sometimes it is really helpful to invite a friend to an ALPHA course, so do think and pray if there is someone who might like to go along if you went with them. More details from Kevin (07512 822422).

OTHER NEWS
We completed our Sponsored Cycle Ride earlier today so if people could bring sponsor money to church that would be helpful – THANK YOU
Please could you let us have your suggestions for the SONGS OF PRAISE service on Sunday 25th September at 5pm.
Next Sunday we have a service at St Columba at 10.30am. This will probably include the sermon held over from this week and we may hold a further act of commemoration on the eve of the Queen’s funeral later in the day, but these plans are not yet finalised.

God be with you all at this time of change for our country.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

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