Recent photo of St Columba’s sanctuary, taken by Pat, our electrician, while installing new lights in the chancel area.
Friends,
On Wednesday morning Hill House School returned to St Columba’s for their first School Assembly of the new academic year. It was lovely to have the sanctuary full of young boys and girls, their teachers and some family members. They were curious about the scaffolding that has been in the church this week. It has been erected to change the lightbulbs in some of the highest, least accessible parts of the building. The new lights make a wonderful difference. One of the school staff said: “It shows someone loves this building.” I thought that was a lovely remark, and it definitely pleased Michael and Pat, who undertook the work.
At the start of the “new year” we can be grateful for a visitor who reminds us of the beauty and gift of our church building – the sanctuary’s space, light and sense of peace. We should also appreciate and offer thanks for the many people who make St Columba’s feel like a place “that is loved” – caretaking and cleaning staff, Fabric Committee members, elders and beadles who prepare the sanctuary for worship and tidy up afterwards, and many others.
This Sunday, whether we are drawn to join the congregational prayer time in the London Scottish Chapel (10.00am), Sunday School gathering or come to celebrate the three family baptisms (11.00am) – in church, or watching via the livestream – may you sense that St Columba’s is both a dwelling that is loved, and a place where love dwells.
Have a great weekend and see you on Sunday,
Angus
Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website,
https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream.
To access the live stream from the homepage (front page) click the Menu button in the top right-hand side of the page and scroll down and click on “Live Stream”. This will bring up the live stream to the church. The act of worship of approximately 60 minutes, includes include prayers, a sermon and music. The words for the hymns will be on the website.
We believe it is really important to continue to live-stream the Morning Service under its current format i.e. for the benefit of those joining worship from afar or those as yet unable to make the journey to Pont Street. For those without internet, the Dial-In facility continues. Many people comment that they do have a sense of worshipping together, even if invisible to each other.
Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live-stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary.
Please note that the Evening Services on the 1st of the month will not be live streamed as they will take place in the London Scottish Chapel.
Dial into Sunday Service
If you are aware of church members or friends who do not have access to internet please inform them that they can now phone in to join the Sunday service. No visuals clearly, but at least they can hear the service. Those interested should follow:
Step 1: At 10.40am call phone number 0203 051 2874.
Step 2: You will be prompted to enter a meeting ID. Please type (using your telephone keypad) 266 883 5072#
Step 3: You will then be asked for a participant number – simply press the #.
Step 4: Enjoy the service! You will hear the organ music from 10.50am.
THIS SUNDAY: Baptisms & Sunday School
A special welcome this week for the families of Charles Conci, Isla Sanz de Acedo & James McConnell who come for baptism. A special welcome too for our families coming for the first gathering of Sunday School in the new school year.
Hymns, Music & Readings,
13th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 11th September
Hymn 132 Immortal, invisible, God only wise (St Denio)
Hymn 555 Amazing grace! How sweet the sound (Amazing Grace)
Hymn 462 The King of Love my Shepherd is (Dominus Regit Me)
Hymn 680 You are called to tell the story (Regent Square)
Anthem: O pray for the peace (J. Goss)
Musical Interlude: Te lucis ante terminum (H. Balfour Gardiner)
Organ Postlude: Prelude in C by Mendelssohn
New Testament Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Gospel Reading: Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10
New Choir members
Following auditions in the summer, we welcome our newly constituted professional choir. Three singers are new – Freya, Helen and Oscar – and three are long-serving -Isaac, Alex and James. For the significant contribution to our worship in the past – thank you. For all that is to come – may your music-making be blessed and a blessing.
Congregational Offerings
Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columbas
Would anyone wishing to contribute to St Andrew’s, Newcastle please contact the Session Clerk on standrewssessionclerk@gmail.com for bank details or other means of donating.
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Time, 10.00 – 10.15am, 2nd Sunday of the Month
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
After a long pandemic-pause, the monthly congregational prayer time is recommencing, in-person, on Sunday, 11th September, at the new time of 10.00-10.15am. We meet in the London Scottish Regimental Chapel on the second Sunday of the month.
Usually, the designated leader for the day shares a bible reading and short prayers. There is then the opportunity for others to offer their prayers, either spoken out loud or prayed silently. (There is no obligation to pray out loud.) The prayers are for the ongoing life and work of St Columba’s, the wider Church, our loved ones, and any special concerns for the time. Anyone who feels drawn to pray with others or is curious about doing so, is very welcome. Knowing that members of the congregation are praying together on a regular basis is a great encouragement to others, especially the ministry team. The revised time also permits a cup of coffee before 11am service! See you there.
Enquirers’ Course – Autumn 2022
For those interested in meeting with others to find out more about faith and the life of the Church, we are running a short series of meetings this autumn. For some this may lead to formally joining the congregation as a member of St Columba’s; others may simply enjoy the chance to discuss. The meetings will be 1-3pm on Sunday 16th October, Sunday 23rd October & Sunday 6th November 2022. Participants are invited to have congregational lunch together on Sunday 16th October.
William writes: “There will be opportunity to explore what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century and the history and traditions of the Church of Scotland, as well as our relationships with other denominations. We will also look at the vows of church membership but there is no obligation on anyone to “join the church” after attending these meetings – this is an enquirers’ course and there is no such thing as a bad question!”
If you have any questions about the course please contact the Associate Minister, William McLaren and to sign up please contact the Church Office by 1st October.
Rising Living Costs: Help at Hand
We are aware that with the cost of living and fuel costs rising that some of our community may be struggling financially. If you, or someone you know, are in need of help, please do get in touch with the Church Office or the Ministers. All conversations will be held in the strictest of confidence.
Harvest Festival – Advance Warning
We will celebrate Harvest Festival on Sunday 2nd October. The Mission Committee are organizing the Harvest collection. As in recent years we are asking for donations of specific food types to send to the Upper Room/UR4Meals. Next week’s newsletter will give more detail, but the three collection Sundays will be 18th & 25th September, and 22nd October.
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
Future lunch dates are the 18th September & 2nd October in the Lower Hall. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
St Columba’s Coffee Mornings
We are looking forward to seeing many faces on our upcoming Zoom coffee mornings. Please pop the dates below in your diary and contact the office if you haven’t joined before so the Zoom joining instructions can be sent to you.
- 14th September 2022- Revd Scott Rennie the new Minister at Crown Court will be joining us. An opportunity to meet him and hear about his time in the ministry.
- 13th October 2022- In prisons week, Jake Tily, Creative Programmes Director at the Irene Taylor Trust will talk to us about The Lullaby Project where they have collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra to write lullabies for prisoners’ children.
Sounds of St Columba’s
On Sunday 18th September, please join us for a recital in the Upper Hall at 1:30pm. Students from Knightsbridge Music will perform in the ‘Sounds of St Columba’s’ series. This informal recital will feature performers of all ages and abilities keen to share a varied repertoire for an attentive audience. There will be a retiring offering for the upkeep of music in the church.
St Columba’s Tennis Club Open Day – Save the date!
For the first time in a long time, we are organising a congregational outing to our very own St Columba’s Tennis Club, stcolumbastennis.co.uk 30-32 Carbery Avenue, Acton, W3 9AL). An afternoon of fun, tennis-related activities for all ages will be provided by their coach followed by a BBQ. Open to everyone- keen tennis player, total beginner or relaxing spectator. Equipment can be provided. For catering purposes please let the office know if you plan to attend.
Christian Aid’s Annual Lecture on Monday 12th September at St Martin-in-the Fields in London.
The lecture – A Force for Good: Co-operating Across Borders in an Age of Authoritarians – will be given by Rt Hon David Lammy MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, followed by a conversation with Christian Aid’s chair, Dr John Sentamu.
In his lecture, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP will argue that the UK has a moral duty to return to multilateral engagement to tackle the three greatest challenges the world is facing: climate, conflict and famine. Doors will open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start. To RSVP please sign up at our Christian Aid Annual Lecture Eventbrite page.
If you have any questions, please contact annual.lecture@christian-aid.org (Note: If you are planning to attend please also notify the Church Office in order to receive some additional material in advance.)
St Columba’s Book Group
The St Columba’s Book Group next meet on Monday 17th October 2022 at 6.30pm via Zoom. They will be discussing, “I’ll keep you safe” by Peter May. This is a murder mystery set in Paris and Lewis, in the outer Hebrides. Those interested in the production of tweed May find it interesting, even if they are not crime fans! To sign up please contact the Church Office. See you on the 17th!
Happy Hour
Happy Hour returns on the 5th October with a session called “Prayer Matters”, we will be joined by Revd Andrew Anderson. We meet at 6.30pm at the Carpenters Arms, 12 Seymour Place which is just behind Marble Arch tube station.
Sleepouts – Save the date!
Restart will be holding their annual sleepout at St Columba’s on Friday 18th November 2022. If you would like to help fundraise/join the sleepout or volunteer for the Friday evening drop in’s please contact Programme Manager, Olivia on olivia@restartlives.org.
Glassdoor’s tenth annual sleepout will be on Friday 7th October. You can either take part at Duke of York Square in Chelsea, or virtually, by sleeping out at a location of your choice. If you’re interested, register at https://www.glassdoor.org.uk/Event/sleep-out-2022
Sir Walter Scott 250: The Annual Caledonian Lecture
Thursday 15th September 2022, 6.00pm, at the Caledonian Club Guest speaker: Professor Sir Tom Devine. There is a warm invitation from the organisers to attend the lecture and dinner. It is open to all. To book, or for more information, contact the Caledonian Club’s Event’s Office at caledonianclub.com
RSDCS Tuesday Socials
From 27 September 2022 a new Scottish dance group will meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Upper Hall. ‘The Tuesday Social’ is aimed at people in (or close to) their 20s and 30s living and working in London. The session will combine great teaching from Gill O’Dell with live music from Adam Brady, lots of dancing, plus a social break with time to relax and chat. Please pass the word to any dancers or would be dancers in your family and social network. St Columba’s has been home to Scottish dancing groups for many years hosting balls, dances and classes for RSCDS London, London Reels, The Highland Club, St Columba’s Dancers, Little Ship and more. St Columba’s Dancers meet on Monday evenings from October to May, London Reels dance on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and RSCDS London’s Mixed Ability class enjoys an afternoon of dance every Wednesday in the Upper Hall.
To learn more about The Tuesday Social, email classes@rscdslondon.org.uk or visit https://www.rscdslondon.org.uk/ .
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact details; Tel: 020 7584 2321
E-mail: office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbaschurchpontstreet. Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271
Prayers & Readings for Sunday, 11th September,
prepared by the Congregational Prayer Group:
Praise to God for a living hope
Beginning
“I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the Name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7: 17
Offer a short prayer of thanksgiving for the week passed and the gift of today.
Scripture
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1: 3-9
Prayers
(As a guideline, we might include prayers for):
- Our world
Illness/ instability/ racial inequality/ political incivility - Our church
Growing/ praying/ giving/ serving Our ministers, elders, members, visitors & volunteers - Ourselves
Finish with the Lord’s Prayer