News Letter

Stockton Road Church News
April 2024
Mark 12: 30-31
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your mind, and with all your strength, and you shall
love your neighbour as yourself”.
We are a union of Presbyterian and Congregational
churches at the heart of Sunderland city life, growing from
a past rich in mission and hospitality. We embrace this
heritage utilising the Five Marks of Mission to guide and
enable us to take forward current opportunities for mission
and service.

Reflection
Acts 4.5-12. Lectionary reading for April 21st – 27th
During a famous interview in 1966, John Lennon of The
Beatles remarked that: ‘We (The Beatles) are more popular
than Jesus’. Despite the predictable outrage, he was
probably right as far as Western culture was concerned.
Their influence was prodigious, affecting music, fashion and
hairstyles and spawning a host of imitators, such as The
Monkees. Many young men who lived in that era sported
Beatle haircuts and wore sharp suits, unless they favoured
the Rolling Stones! Today social media influencers such as
Justin Bieber or Ariana Grande, with many millions of
followers, wield considerable power when they recommend
a particular brand or lifestyle. As a result, they are courted by
market brands.
However, we are less likely to be influenced when it comes
to changing our core values or moral behaviour simply
because a view is promoted by a celebrity or by media
exposure. Many will probably demand a higher standard
than simply ‘X’s’ say so. We look for authenticity. Does their
life ring true? Clever marketing may hide their secrets, but
not indefinitely.
And the same is true of us. If we want to commend our faith,
we must be exposed to another’s inspection as Peter was.
He did not pretend that he had the power to heal – that
came from someone else, and the ‘evidence’ stood by his
side in the dock. His opponents had no answer for the truth
who literally stared them in the face. They were left with an
impossible dilemma: if Peter was right about the healing,
then it lent authenticity to his claim that Jesus rose from the

dead and they were in the wrong. They may have had the
power to arrest, but they had no power over the truth.
Let us pray. Lord God, all power and authority belong to
you. We thank you that you call us to help build your Church.
Help us to discover and learn how to use rightly the power
and influence you give us, in love and in service.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Lectionary Readings
7 – 13 April – Living as a generous community
Easter 2: Acts 4.32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1.1-2.2; John
20.19-31
14 – 20 April – Learning to live after our mistakes
Easter 3: Acts 3.12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3.1-7; Luke 24.36b
48
21 – 27 April – How we use our power and influence
Easter 4: Acts 4.5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3.16-24; John
10.11-18
28 April – 4 May – Journeying alongside others
Easter 5: Acts 8.26-40; Psalm 22.25-31; 1 John 4.7-21; John
15.1-8
Church Services April
Services at 10.45am in the Sanctuary unless indicated otherwise
April 7th
April 14th
Barbara Ledger. Coffee and Croissants in
the Lower Hall.
Elisabeth Meikle.

April 21st
Christine Hutchinson and Barbara
Mitchell.
April 28th
Revd Dr David Whiting.
Bible Study Group
The Bible Study Group meets on Tuesdays at 10.30am in the
Church, providing a welcoming and informal space to discuss,
share and reflect on God’s Word. You will be made very
welcome, please do come and join us.
Food Cycle Lunch
Food Cycle is providing free meals at Stockton Road Church
every Tuesday lunchtime.
Just pop in at 12,30 for a warm welcome, meet new friends
and enjoy a delicious free meal.
Heritage Events
From 30th May to 2nd June the Church will be hosting a
number of events. Full details will be given in the next
Newsletter, but below are listed three events to put in your
diary, as the Heritage Group particularly hopes members will
attend these

Thursday 30th May 7.00pm: Talk by Revd John McManners:
Wearside Women Who Astonished the World (includes
Margaret Dryburgh)
Friday 31st May 6.00pm: We will be returning the Mountains
of Miracles and Fire’s hospitality of last year by providing an
English social and cultural evening, including refreshments
and entertainment.
Sunday 2nd June: After the service there will be a
performance by the Kathleen Knox Dance School, followed
by lunch.
Neil Sinclair
Gardening Group
With Spring now upon us, the gardening group will be
starting up again on Thursday 18 April from 10.30am. We
look forward to welcoming back helpers and hope to
encourage new helpers to come along and continue the
garden makeover work. If you have even an hour to spare
on Thursdays and would like to help you will be very
welcome.

Click on link to view previous News letters

March Newsletter 2024