13th August 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 19 August 2023

Hello everyone,

I hope you have enjoyed the glimpse of summer we have had over the last couple of days! As we complain about the rain and rejoice in the sun we should remember all those who are suffering the terrible effects of forest fires. We should not only pray for them in their present suffering, but also reflect on what we can do, in action, by campaigning and through prayer, to combat climate change. We may think this is too much for us, but it is not too much for God.

PRAYER REQUEST
Steve Scholes has asked if we can pray for Sue.
“Sue is suffering unbearable pain, especially in her back and side because of her fibromyalgia. I have to help her out of chairs and have taken over some of the things she normally does. At least God answered my prayer that she would sleep better last night [Wednesday]. The ‘gold standard’ tablets for fibromyalgia Sue’s been prescribed are “potentially harmful for the kidneys” according to the internet so she’s not taking them because we’re both afraid of further damage to her kidneys and the need for dialysis. The paracetamol and tramadol tablets do nothing for her.” Steve concluded his message saying “please can we ask (beg?) God for mercy and pain relief for Sue.”

HOMEGROUPS
In September we hope that homegroups will be able to start again, meeting both during the day and in the evening. In order for this to happen we need people who are:
a) willing to host a group in their home
b) willing to lead a group (these could be the same as hosts but don’t have to be). You don’t need to be qualified in any way to do this, if you would like to discuss what is involved please do speak with me.
c) willing to attend the groups!
At Fellowship Groups last week I encouraged everyone to think and pray about the first two of these, and I now extend that invitation to everyone – could you help the church in one of these ways? If so, or you would like to talk about it, do let me know. If you would like to attend a group you can either let me know by emailing me (ianpullinger@btinternet.com), or sign up from next Sunday (20th August).

RIDE & STRIDE
The annual Sponsored Ride & Stride event to raise money for our church and the Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust takes place on Saturday 9th September. We need people who would like to take part, cycling or walking, as well as to be in the church to welcome riders and striders from other churches. Please speak to James Ireland if you would like to be involved. And don’t forget, not only does half the sponsor money come to St Columba’s but by taking part we make ourselves eligible for a grant from the Trust.

SUNDAY’S SERVICES
10.30am at St Columba’s – MORNING WORSHIP led by William with sermon from Linda and Activity Sheets for children. I am sorry that there won’t be a livestream of this service as the new broadband connection has still not been installed and the old system relies on my phone which I will have with me in Southampton!
3pm at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – FAMILY SERVICE led by David.
6pm at St Columba’s – PRAYER MEETING

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
The last in the present series on Amos is taking place on Wednesday at 10.30am and 7.30pm.

SUNDAY 20th AUGUST
10.30am at St Columba’s – ALL AGE WORSHIP
6pm at St Columba’s – PRAYER MEETING

MISSION NEWS
There is a new Prayer Letter from H&M at the back of church. Please do read this as it is not possible to distribute copies by email.
Here is the latest bulletin from HOPE FROM ABOVE.

AND FINALLY
An apology to anyone who has been using their OPEN DOORS Women’s World Cup Wall Chart to follow the football. There was a mix up in the Last 16 match numbers. England v Nigeria should have been Match 5 leading to a Quarter Final on Saturday against Colombia. What is interesting is that England’s last three matches have all been against countries highlighted for prayer: China, Nigeria and Colombia. So perhaps it is best to stick to praying – it’s much more simple!

I will be away over the weekend but please do email ianpullinger@btinternet.com and I will respond when I am back in Corby next week.

God bless you,

Ian

6th August 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 12 August 2023

Hello Everyone,

First of all I must apologise to anyone who was watching last week’s livestream which cut off half way through David’s sermon. I hope that this was an isolated problem and all will be well this week. We are still using the old equipment so this is not an issue with anything new. On the subject of livestream a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the livestream fund, which has now raised enough money to cover our capital costs and the first year’s broadband connection. We are still waiting for Openreach to connect broadband to the church, when they do we will be ready to install the new equipment.

Sunday 6th August
We have an All Age service at St Columba’s on Sunday, looking at the Transfiguration of Jesus in an interactive way, so, even though it is the school holidays, children (and everyone else) will be most welcome to join us. If you are not able to be there this week’s live stream link is:
https://youtube.com/live/zL4avenopwI?feature=share

Our Prayer Meeting will also be happening on Sunday at 6pm in St Columba’s.

Fellowship Groups
These will meet again in St Columba’s on Wednesday at 10.30am and 7.30pm to look at Amos chapters 7 and 8 – we would love to see you there.

Afternoon Tea
The Ladies’ Afternoon Tea meets on Friday 11th August at 3pm in the Church Hall – all ladies welcome for tea, sandwiches, cake and conversation.

Next Sunday 13th August
We have two services next Sunday as follows:
Morning Worship at 10.30am at St Columba’s, led by William with a sermon by Linda
Family Service at Rockingham at 3pm led by David.

Kevin’s Licensing
It is not too late to sign up to attend Kevin’s Licensing service in Long Buckby on Wednesday 23rd August. Please sign up by emailing ianpullinger@btinternet.com or on the list at the back of church.

Carers Coffee Morning
Mary Craig has asked me to mention that there is a coffee morning for Carers at the Autumn Centre on Friday 25th August from 9.30 – 10.30 and all carers are welcome. More details from Mary.

And finally, here is the latest Puzzles and Other Stuff. Steve says there are stories of folk who have had encounters with angels, 11 puzzles and quizzes including one based on the first aid of 1815, a new type of crossword and lots of fascinating facts and pictures. Do have a look.

God be with you,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

30th July 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 5 August 2023

Hello again everyone,

I hope you have all had a good week. I was able to attend the Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust Celebration Evening at Rockingham Castle on Wednesday, with James & Louisa, and Trevor and Donna from Rockingham. It was both an enjoyable evening and an encouragement to hear how some of the money we have raised by taking part in the Ride & Stride has been spent. I was pleased to hear that a number of local churches have benefited from grants, and James discovered that, while St Columba’s may not be as historic as some other churches, we are eligible to apply for a grant. This gives an extra incentive to get ready for this year’s Ride & Stride on Saturday 9th September – look out for more details about that.

Women’s Football World Cup!
Have you been following this, or do you know someone who has? OPEN DOORS have produced a wall chart with a difference, as well as having space to record all the results in the matches from group stages to the final, it highlights the five countries, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, Colombia and Morocco, on the World Watch List, these are countries where Christians experience extreme or very high levels of persecution. We are encouraged to pray for these countries on the days they are playing, for example for China on Tuesday 1st August when they play England. There are prayer requests on the wall chart. We ordered copies for the young people but have some spare, so do pick one up from church on Sunday and don’t forget to pray.

Kevin’s Licensing Service at Long Buckby on Wednesday 23rd August at 7.30pm
If you would like to go to this service please let me know, either by emailing ianpullinger@btinternet.com, or by using the sign up sheet in church. We need to know if you would like to go on the minibus and/or if you would be prepared to drive (if so how many passengers you could take, if any). This is because the minibus will not be able to take everyone who wants to go so we will need some people to drive their car.

Sunday’s Service
This Sunday we have a celebration of Holy Communion at St Columba’s at 10.30am, with David preaching about Mary, the sister of Martha. There are no children’s groups as it is the summer holidays, but there will be Activity Sheets available for those who would like them. If you are not able to be in church then you can watch the service here: https://youtube.com/live/6fd2NqLCeFk?feature=share (Editor’s note: Unfortunately due to technical difficulties this recording stopped part-way through.)

Prayer Meeting
We have our regular 6pm gathering for prayer in St Columba’s on Sunday – do come along if you have any special prayer request, for you or for someone else, or simply to enjoy an hour of fellowship and prayer.

Fellowship Groups
We continue our study of Amos on Wednesday, at either 10.30am or 7.30pm in St Columba’s. This week we look at chapters 5 and 6. Everyone is welcome and you don’t have to have been to any of the previous weeks to join us.

Next Sunday
There is a service of All Age Worship at St Columba’s on Sunday 6th August at 10.30am and our Prayer Meeting at 6pm

SCaNS
The latest printed edition of SCaNS is still available in church. During the summer Steve will not be producing Puzzles & Other Stuff every week, however there is plenty of reading material to inspire you and your prayers – see below.

Hope From Above Newsletter
Here is the latest newsletter from Hope From Above, which includes the story of how Tim Derbyshire, who we support, came to serve with them.

Hope Into Action Newsletter
Hope Into Action, who we support with a house in Corby, have also published their latest newsletter this week and you can read that here:
https://mailchi.mp/0b616f480202/january-2023-newsletter-5995957?e=200ea690ee

And finally a reminder about…Shoeboxes
A few weeks back I mentioned that James & Louisa sometimes spot suitable presents during the year, perhaps while away on holiday. If you would like to spread your buying for a shoebox it might help to start buying now. Also James plans to organise a shoebox packing time at which any suitable gift can be brought along, you don’t have to fill a whole box, individual gifts can be put together to make up boxes, so if you see something you think is suitable (small toys, games, etc) do buy it and put it in a safe place!

God bless you all in this coming week,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

23rd July 2023

By Riaan Niemandt in Sunday Service on 23 July 2023

Hello everyone,

The school summer holidays are upon us and while I realise that doesn’t impact all of us it will mean a different feel to life, and some church services, over the next six weeks, not least as ENERGIZE will be taking a well earned break after tomorrow. Some families will be away over the summer, whether that is a long delayed trip to Ghana or camping in Cornwall (that’s not us this year!), but others will be around and in church more, so do make sure that we welcome children and young people, as well as parents who perhaps won’t enjoy the peace of church after the children have gone out! 

Thank you to those people who donated to our LIVESTREAM FUND to cover the cost of a camera and broadband installation, as well as the ongoing costs of broadband which enables us to upload the service onto youtube. Any further contributions are welcome, either in an envelope marked LIVESTREAM in the offering basket, on the Card Reader (but please speak with me if you use this so your donation can be properly designated) or direct to our Bank Account using the reference LIVESTREAM. Thank you.

Last Sunday we were blessed and challenged by Spyros, our Tearfund speaker, to reflect on the work they are doing around the world to end poverty by empowering and equipping local churches. There are still a few leaflets at the back of church explaining more about that work and how you can help put prayers into practice by giving, or you can go to tearfund.org/talk to make a donation.   

There is more about Tearfund in the latest edition of SCaNS, a print version, which, all being well, will be available to pick up in church tomorrow so do look out for that. This also includes a piece about Kevin’s farewell and his new benefice, some more of St Columba’s history including when we had robed choirs, as well as 11 puzzles to keep you guessing. Thank you Steve for this.

Sunday 23rd July

We have a choice of three services tomorrow:

9am Holy Communion at Rockingham

10.30am Morning Worship at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for the final time this term. This service will also be available to watch on youtube for anyone not able to get to church by going to the following link: https://youtube.com/live/E2xch1Rm8Kg?feature=share

6pm Holy Communion at St Columba’s – so no Prayer Meeting next week.

Fellowship Groups

These will continue on Wednesday at 10.30am and 7.30pm, looking at the book of Amos, chapter 4 this week, and everyone is welcome.

Next Sunday, 30th July, we have just one service at St Columba’s, Holy Communion at 10.30am. 

May God be with you all in this coming week.

Ian

01536 400225

07903 644609

9th July 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 15 July 2023

Hello everyone,

Welcome to this week’s email (and sorry it is rather late) in which we begin our goodbyes to Kevin and his family.

This morning I read these words from James 1.12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” I thought what a good description of Kevin that is. He has persevered under trial from day one when they moved to Corby and Kate went into hospital, never mind the fact that we were living under Covid restrictions at the time, and there have been other setbacks along the way, but in all of this Kevin’s love for the Lord has shone through. He can indeed look forward to receiving the crown of life that the Lord has promised.

Look out for details below of what is happening tomorrow as we say goodbye to Kevin, Kate and their family.

The description of one who perseveres through trials may also be applied to Steve Scholes, who has endured many problems in recent years, not least with his and Sue’s health, but he too has persevered. The evidence for this is that he has produced 100 editions of Puzzles and Other Stuff for us to enjoy, along with mini-SCaNS and printed SCaNS. Do look at the 100th edition of Puzzles and Other Stuff.

Sunday 9th July
At 10.30am we have a service of HOLY COMMUNION with Kevin preaching and presiding. This will be Kevin’s last service at St Columba’s, and there will be ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. For those who are unable to be in church the service will be available to watch via this link:
https://youtube.com/live/t-LU_dqthfU?feature=share

After the service there will be a LUNCH in the Church Hall to which everyone is invited. This will also include some people speaking about Kevin’s time with us, and a presentation. If you have not yet contributed to Kevin’s leaving gift please do bring your gift to church tomorrow and place it in the box provided or use the Card Reader (but please make sure it is set to Kevin’s Gift).

Then at 3pm Kevin will be leading a FAMILY SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham, and everyone is welcome to join him there.

In the evening there will be the usual PRAYER MEETING at 6pm in which we will be praying for Kevin (although he may not be there if he has not finished packing boxes ready to move on Monday!)

Fellowship Groups
We will have Fellowship Groups again this week on Wednesday, at 10.30am and 7.30pm so do come along and enjoy some time to study the Bible, pray, and, as the name suggests, enjoy fellowship with one another.

Jesus Revolution FILM
Having mentioned this for the last two weeks I understand it is the SILVER SCREEN showing on Wednesday 12th July. This is for over 50’s and the price of £4.50 includes FREE tea and coffee so do go along and enjoy this true story, if you are not at Fellowship Group.

Next Sunday
We have another special service next Sunday morning at St Columba’s when we welcome a speaker from Tearfund to tell us more about their work. This will be at 10.30am as usual and will include ENERGIZE groups.

Please note that work on refurbishing the church toilets is continuing, and while there are now three toilets in place it will be easier to use the Hall toilets during the service.

With best wishes

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

2nd July 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 8 July 2023

Hello Everyone,

Sunday 2nd July
We have a service of ALL AGE WORSHIP at 10.30am at St Columba’s with lots of participation by the children. If you are unable to join us you will be able to watch the service via this link: https://youtube.com/live/D9ZDs0VJrZ8?feature=share
In the evening we have our usual PRAYER MEETING at 6pm – do come along and join us if you can.

FILM “Jesus Revolution”
I don’t know how many of you made it to see this film last week but the screenings were obviously popular because it is being shown again this week. I would thoroughly recommend it to everyone, although it is 12A so not suitable for young children. The screenings this week are on:
Sun. 2nd July at 8.30pm;
Mon. 3rd July at 1.15pm;
Tues. 4th July at 2.30pm;
Thurs. 6th July at 1.15pm
The film is described as follows: “In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher. Together with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), they open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love, leading to what TIME Magazine dubbed a Jesus Revolution.”

Fellowship Groups
For various reasons we won’t be having Fellowship Groups again this week.

Next Sunday
10.30am at St Columba’s, Corby for Holy Communion – Kevin is presiding and preaching at this and has chosen the reading and songs.
Lunch in St Columba’s Hall between the two services (12 – 2.30). If you can help with the catering please speak to Miriam (we are cooking a meal not having a bring & share so please check what we need).
3pm at St Leonard’s, Rockingham for a Family Service.

Also, the latest news from Tim & Carol Derbyshire in Australia is here. If you would like to read more about the work of Hope From Above please go to this link: https://hfa.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ff9e0b92324bbbd9d5b480162&id=b034bc05e5&e=5106e36ee9

May God bless you all in this coming week.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

25th June 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 1 July 2023

Hello everyone,

I am writing early this week because I wanted to draw your attention to a Christian film being shown at the Savoy cinema this evening, although tickets are limited so you may be better off looking at the other days/times – see below. There are also details of everything else coming up this week, plans for Kevin’s final day with us on Sunday 9th July, and, surprisingly for the end of June, a notice about shoeboxes!

Before all of that can I thank everyone who helped on Wednesday evening to make the Churchwardens’ Admission Service and refreshments go so well.

FILM “JESUS REVOLUTION”
This Christian film is described as follows: “In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher. Together with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), they open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love, leading to what TIME Magazine dubbed a Jesus Revolution.”
You can see this at the Savoy Cinema, Corby either today (Friday 23rd) at 6pm – VERY LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE,
or Sunday 25th at 8.30pm, Monday 26th at 3pm or Tuesday 27th at 2pm – PLENTY OF TICKETS for these three showings.
It looks as if this will be a good film, and it is always good to support films like this being shown in cinemas as it will encourage Savoy, and other cinemas, to show more of them.

MEN’S BREAKFAST
Don’t forget it is Men’s Breakfast at 9am tomorrow, Saturday 24th June. I’m sure there will be plenty of food for all and all men are most welcome.

SUNDAY 25th JUNE
There are three services on Sunday as follows:
9am at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – Holy Communion
10.30am at St Columba’s – Morning Worship with Energize groups. This service will also be available to watch on youtube by going to this link:
https://youtube.com/live/XZ2mNiX0i4s?feature=share
6pm at St Columba’s – Holy Communion. So there will be no Prayer Meeting this week, but do join us for Communion instead.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
No Fellowship Groups again this week.

NEXT SUNDAY 2nd JULY
We have one service at St Columba’s next week: ALL AGE WORSHIP at 10.30am and the PRAYER MEETING also at St Columba’s at 6pm.

SUNDAY 9th JULY – Kevin’s last Sunday
We have a service of HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s at 10.30am, with ENERGIZE groups, followed by LUNCH in the CHURCH HALL. This will be a main meal, if you would like to help with this please speak with Miriam (or reply to this email). After Lunch Kevin, and anyone who wants to join him, will be going to St Leonard’s Rockingham for his final FAMILY SERVICE there at 3pm. Also please do think if you could say a few words at the Lunch to thank Kevin for all he has contributed to the life of our churches and to wish him well for his future ministry at Long Buckby, Watford, West Haddon and Winwick.

SHOEBOXES
James asked if I could give an unseasonable mention for shoes boxes! He says that they sometimes spot suitable presents over the year and if people would like to spread their buying in this way it might help. Also If you don’t feel you can fill a whole box we can take whatever people have and put together full boxes nearer the time, perhaps at a shoe box get together when anyone interested could meet and assemble the boxes and pray over them. Watch this space for details of that and keep an eye out for suitable small toys, games, etc for including in shoeboxes.

AND FINALLY
Here is the latest Mini-SCANS from Steve, with the usual puzzles and funnies and an interesting questionnaire for parents on “How well do you know your children?”

God bless you all in this coming week,

Ian

18th June 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 24 June 2023

Hello everyone,

It is good to be back in Corby, although I did not feel quite that way on Tuesday when it was so hot and humid here, without the sea breezes we had become accustomed to in Cornwall! On our trip to the Isles of Scilly we visited the most south westerly church in the British Isles, on St Agnes, where they had some wonderful modern stained glass windows illustrating Bible verses. I will be looking to use those as a sermon illustrations at some point.

Please see below details of what’s happening over the next week.

Sunday 18th June

We have a service of Holy Communion tomorrow at 10.30am at St Columba’s, with Energize groups for children and young people. I will be preaching on Romans 5 v1-8, sadly not one that was illustrated by a window in St Agnes. The service will be available as a livestream for anyone not able to join us in church.

The Prayer Meeting will also be happening at 6pm in St Columba’s for anyone who would like to join in an hour of prayer.

Fellowship Groups

Having completed our study of the Beatitudes there will be a break in Fellowship Group meetings for a couple of weeks as there are other things happening, particularly on Wednesday evenings (see below).

Churchwardens’ Admission Service

Although we elect our churchwardens (Janet Taylor and John Lynch) at the Annual Meeting they do not officially take up their office until they attend an Admission Service led by the Archdeacon. This year we are hosting the Admission Service for Corby and Kettering Deaneries at St Columba’s on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm. You are welcome to come along and support John and Janet in the service (there will be about 100 churchwardens from different churches present!) but we also need help with refreshments. If you can make cakes, or help serve in the Hall after the service, please do speak with Miriam – thank you.

Men’s Breakfast

Men of the church! Come and join us for a special Men’s Breakfast next Saturday 24th June at 9am in the Hall. There will be a sign-up sheet at the back of church this Sunday or you can email Riaan by Tuesday to let him know you’d like to come – riaan.mandy@hotmail.co.uk

Sunday 25th June

There are three services next Sunday as follows:
9am at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – Holy Communion

10.30am at St Columba’s – Morning Worship with Energize groups

6pm at St Columba’s – Holy Communion

And finally…no puzzles etc this week but a request from my neighbour Rab for people to support his friend Hilmi Say to fight Stage 4 Rare Sarcoma Cancer. Any donations would be welcome at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/help-our-hilmi1?utm_term=wdabJ3z2w&fbclid=IwAR3KZANVxwnWlFaZnWXUll-CIyxQqNu5zvtrKZLfeX12pyR8d8mIRnK3IV0

May God bless you all in this coming week,

Ian

01536 400225

07903 644609

11th June 2023

By Kevin Montgomery in Sunday Service on 11 June 2023

Good Morning Church!

I wonder how many of you will have spotted something about yesterday (Friday 9th June)?

It’s not social media, or celebrity, or something particular in the news. Instead Friday 9th June is the day we remember St Columba, or as we call him in Ireland, Colum Cille (it means Dove of the Church). If you’re at church this Sunday or indeed watching online then do keep your eyes and ears open and I’m sure you’ll hear a mention of him!

St Columba was heavily involved in setting up the monastery in Iona and even through the ups and downs of the centuries we are still seeing the fruit of the spirituality of that community today as God is worshipped daily amongst the people who reside there still.

Why not stop in the stillness and the quiet and spend a moment with God, in amongst all the busyness of life, relax and refresh yourself in His presence. I pray that each of us will know that moment of peace each day as we dwell in that place of peace.

SUNDAY 11th JUNE 2023

10:30am Holy Communion – Join us this Sunday for our Holy Communion service as we come before God together. If you are unable to be there you can still be with us online; https://youtube.com/live/wx9eLhGNqEw?feature=share

3pm Teddy Bear’s Service at St Leonard, Rockingham. You don’t have to go down to the woods today to meet the Teddy Bears – just come along to St Leonard at 3pm and enjoy our service and making a Bear biscuit, bring a Teddy Bear if you have one and of course yourselves!

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

Our fellowship groups return this Wednesday, in the morning at 10:30am and then in the evening at 7:30pm, do come along as we spend some time looking at God’s word together.

NEXT SUNDAY 18th JUNE 2023

10:30am Holy Communion – It’s Fathers Day and we come together in Holy Communion worshipping our Father God and celebrating those father figures we have in our lives.

STEVE’S PUZZLES AND OTHER STUFF

Steve has provided us with another edition and we’re up to 99, no flake in this one but plenty of fun puzzles and more! I also hear from him that there will be another Mini-SCaNS coming up soon.

Have a great week, may you know God’s blessing and strength in all that you do. May you know the peace of God in the moment of stillness and may His Spirit be with you.

Kevin

07512 822422

4th June 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 10 June 2023

Good afternoon church!

Although I realise it may not be afternoon when you read this! Nonetheless I am sitting here at the Montgomery household enjoying the glorious sunshine this weekend has brought us and looking at God’s creation around me, thankful for all He has done and is continuing to do.
My thoughts are also with all those who need prayer this week, and I would encourage us to remember all of those in prayer who continue to need healing, to know God and His love for them.

Do also be praying for all that is going on in the life of the church as we continue to love and serve our church family and our community.

Ian and Miriam are away after this Sunday for a week, so please pray for a relaxing and refreshing time for them both – and that the sunshine continues!

TRINITY SUNDAY 4th June 2023
10:30am After celebrating Pentecost last week, we look forward to Trinity Sunday this week and our All Age Celebration Service here at St Columba, we’d love to see you there but if you aren’t able to be there in person you can still be with us online as normal. https://youtube.com/live/cFXfnuGLql4?feature=share
6pm We gather for our prayer meeting here at St Columba, we have a faithful core of people joining us each week but are happy to welcome more so if you keen to pray, or indeed need prayer then do join us this Sunday evening.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
There are no fellowship groups this week but they will be back next week on the 14th June.

LADIES AFTERNOON TEA
The Ladies afternoon tea is on this Friday at 3pm in the St Columba church hall, do come along and enjoy a great afternoon together.

UPCOMING FUNERALS
We have several funerals coming up at St Columba, please do be praying for all the families involved. I’d like to particularly mention the funeral of Eileen Hippey this Tuesday the 6th June at 12pm at St Columba. Please be praying for Caroline and for all the family and friends of Eileen at this time.

I also met with the family of John Burnett whose funeral is on the 12th June at 10am here at St Columba, I understand he and his wife Carol attended St Columba regularly and were involved in children’s work and pathfinders, although a good few years ago some you might well remember them, please keep Carol and the family in your prayers as well.

We also have the funeral service of Marjorie Childs on the 13th June at 12pm, who again I understand was part of the St Columba church family in the past. Please pray for her family at this time.

NEXT SUNDAY 11th JUNE
We have our Holy Communion service at 10:30am at St Columba in the morning and our prayer meeting at 6pm.
St Leonard also have something very special happening, Rockingham Castle is having a Teddy Bear’s Picnic and as it coincides with the St Leonard Family Service they are having a Teddy Bear’s service led by our very own David Bavin and the crew from St Leonard. It’s at 3pm so do go along if you can and of course – take a teddy bear!

ANNOUNCEMENT
Most of you will have heard this if you were at church last week, but to let you all know I have been offered and accepted the post of Vicar of the parishes of Long Buckby with Watford and West Haddon with Winnick. It’s a wonderful set of four rural parishes about 10 miles outside of Northampton in the evangelical tradition of the Church of England.
Obviously I am sad to be leaving the St Columba and St Leonard church families but for curates it is expected and always a season to learn and grow in their ministry before moving on to lead and serve another church family.
My last Sunday at St Columba will be the 9th July and my licensing at the new parishes takes place on the 23rd August at 7:30pm at St Lawrence, Long Buckby.
We are planning a church lunch on the 9th July straight after the morning service to have a proper opportunity to say goodbye, do put it in your diary if you are able to make it – it would be great to have you there.
I have linked here a copy of the announcement for those who like to see these things.

STEVE’S PUZZLES AND OTHER STUFF
There’s another great edition of Steve’s Puzzles and Other Stuff here, ducks quack, eagles soar – have a read to find out more!

May you know the peace of God this week and the presence of the Holy Spirit with you.

Kevin

07512 822422