Friends,
This Sunday we will be thinking once more about John the Baptist; John pointed away from himself towards Jesus which is what any effective preacher should do. When John said, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” (St. John 1:35) two of John’s disciples were intrigued and followed Jesus who invited them to “Come and see”. Later, one of the two, Andrew, brought his brother Simon Peter to meet Jesus. Andrew was very good at introducing people to Jesus, on another occasion he brought the young boy with the loaves and fish to meet Jesus (St. John 6: 1 – 14) leading to the feeding of the five thousand.
The personal invitation is very important. In a previous congregation of mine a lady started coming to church after she saw her neighbour leaving the house on Sunday morning – wearing trousers! When she realised that she didn’t need to “dress up” to attend church she started coming with her friend. Sometimes people just need a little bit of encouragement. If every member of the congregation invited a friend, neighbour, or work colleague to come to church, not all would accept but some might. If we invited any newcomer to St. Columba’s to stay for lunch that personal invitation might give them the courage do so.
The church is a community, a family, as we said when we were thinking about baptism last week, and the gentlest invitation can show people that they belong.
William.
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 and readings will be on the website.
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 are not live streamed as they are held 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.
Hymns, Music & Readings, 15th January 2023, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Hymn 30 I waited for the Lord my God (Ballerma)
Hymn 334 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry (Winchester New (Crasselius)) Hymn 459 Crown him with many crowns (Diademata)
Hymn 122 Let all the world in every corner sing (Luckington)
Anthem: Father of heaven (Walmisley)
Musical Interlude: Tribus miraculis (Marenzio)
Organ Postlude: Fugue in G minor BWV 542 by J.S. Bach
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 49: 1 – 7
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 1: 1 – 9
Gospel Reading: John 1: 29 – 42
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday School & future dates:
We very much look forward to welcoming our young people for Sunday School activities this week. Between January and March, we offer Sunday School on the first and third Sundays of the month.
Sunday 15th January
Sunday 5th February
Sunday 19th February
Sunday 5th March
Sunday 19th March (Mothering Sunday)
Arrangements and activities for Easter to be confirmed.
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
This Sunday there will be a fine lunch served in the Lower Hall. Future lunch dates are 29th January, 5th February and 19th February 2023 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.
THIS SUNDAY: Sounds of St Columba’s 2023
The fantastic Sounds of St Columba’s series is back for 2023. Please note the dates in your diary, bring your friends and enjoy the marvellous music in the Upper Hall. 1.30pm start.
15th January 202 3- Maria Sotiropoulou will sing a programme of French Aria’s
19th February 2023 – Friend of St Columba’s, JonathAn Radford will play a programme of music on his classical saxophone
19th March 2023 – Axel Krogness, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Dowland, Bach and Goroto.
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.
Burns Supper 2023
The 2023 Burns Supper will be held on the 21st January 2023, 7pm. Tickets will be available after Sunday Worship in the entrance vestibule. If you have any queries, please contact the Church Office. We also need people to help serving food on the evening. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Church Office.
St Columba’s Book Group
Our next meeting will be on 20th February 2023, 6.30pm. The book choice for February is The Wonder by Emma Donoghue. Set in 1860s Ireland when an English nurse is commissioned to go to an Irish village to investigate the case of a 10-year old girl who, apparently, has not eaten for four months. It has recently been adapted into a film with Florence Pugh in the role of the nurse. The film had a limited cinema release and is now available on Netflix. The novel examines lots of issues – faith, miracles, rural life, Irish History…
The choice after the Wonder (for those who like to get ahead) is Tennessee Williams’ A Street Car Named Desire. The St Columba’s Book Group meet by Zoom, just contact the Church Office for the joining details. Newcomers are welcome.
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
To sign up and receive the weekly newsletter detailing future events, contact the church office or go to www.stcolumbas.org.uk (News Section.) Paper copies of this week’s newsletter are available at the bookstall.
If you require this information in a different format please contact the Church Office.