Friends,
Early in my ministry I conducted the funeral of an old man whose brother had been killed in the First World War, bringing home to me the fact that that terrible conflict was not ancient history. In fact, when I was at school there were still men living who had served in World War One, including my grandfather and I regret that I did not ask more questions and learn first-hand from their experience. Later I did speak to my great aunt about her time working in a munitions factory near Dumfries. It was hard work and dangerous but thankfully she survived and lived to be 105. Anyone who served in the Second World War is at least 95 today so I always encourage children and young people if they know someone who lived through that war and is willing to speak about it, to ask questions and learn from them about the reality of war, on the frontline and at the home front.
Of course, at this time of year we remember not only those who
fought and died in two world wars and many conflicts since then but those who serve in the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force today. We ask a great deal of them and they and their families deserve our gratitude and our support. We also give thanks for the emergency services and over the last year and a half I suspect that we have perhaps come to a fresh appreciation of what we owe to them. I would like to give thanks too for those volunteers in the RNLI, the Mountain Rescue Teams, St John Ambulance, the Red Cross and numerous other voluntary organisations who in war and peace serve the community. The best tribute we can pay to those who made the ultimate sacrifice is to create a renewed sense of community and build a better world for those who come after.
William McLaren.
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.
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, 14th November 2021
Introit Remember not, Lord, our offences, Purcell
Hymn 63 All people that on earth do dwell (Old 100th)
Hymn 260 Eternal Father, strong to save (Melita)
Hymn 557 O love that wilt not let me go (St Margaret)
Hymn 704 I vow to thee, my country (Thaxted)
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 4:9-14
Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17
Anthem Introit and Kyrie from Requiem, Duruflé
Musical Interlude Greater love, Ireland
Organ Postlude Prelude in C minor BWV 546 by J.S. Bach.
Short Service of Weekly Holy Communion
Following Morning Service there is a short service of Holy Communion, combined with prayers for those in need, at 12.15pm in the London Scottish Chapel. Worshippers can receive bread and wine; wine is distributed via small individual “thimble” glasses. The names gathered from the prayer cards, at the back of the sanctuary, are prayed for during the communion service. This is a very welcome return for a small but precious part of St Columba’s life.
Volunteers needed for the Night Shelter
St Columba’s operates a Night Shelter on behalf of a Homeless charity called Glass Door and in co-operation with six other churches in the locality to offer supper and a
place to stay to the homeless and street-sleepers between the end of November and the beginning of April. Our evening is Sunday and we would welcome Volunteers, who are needed for approximately two and a half to three hours on Sunday evenings between 6.30pm and 9.30.pm once or twice a month to help prepare and serve supper for 25-30 Guests and then clear-up. No expertise necessary – just people over 18 who have been double-jabbed and have a smiling face and kind words. If you are interested, please make contact via margaret@margaretgoslett.co.uk.
Office Hours
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
Sunday School (4-9) & New Youth Group (10-12)
Future dates: Sunday 14th November (Remembrance Sunday) 10.45am Sunday 12th December (3.30pm, Christingle making, pizza family tea & Carols by Candlelight at 5pm)
Sunday Lunch Dates
A reminder that due to the reduced number of available lunch teams (9 down to 5), lunches will only be served on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, and on the 5th Sunday where there are 5 Sundays in any month.
The dates for lunch until the end of 2021 are as follows –
7th November / 21st November / 5th December / 19th December in the Lower Hall unless circumstances change.
Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
Advent Study
This year we are offering an advent study on the book “The Whole Christmas Story: An advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation, and points in between” by Jo Swinney. You can order the book through the Bible Reading Fellowship here https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/new-titles/products/thewholechristmasstory. William will lead the group on Wednesday evenings from 7pm (via Zoom) from the 24th November to the 15th December. Angus will lead the Thursday morning group from 10.30am on the 25th November to the 16th December. If you would like to take part please email the office to book a place (office@stcolumbas.org.uk).
Maintaining Community and Supporting Each Other
Everybody can play a part in maintaining contact with others via telephone, e-mail or letter, especially those who are particularly vulnerable.
Our Elders are encouraged to make contact with those in their districts, and church members are welcome to contact the church office to request a contact from their elder or the Minister.
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.
Annual Parliamentary Service, Wednesday 21st November 10.30am St Margaret’s Church, Westminster
As part of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland’s “London Week”, the Moderator will preach at the annual Parliamentary Service. In past years members of St Columba’s have attended the service in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Houses of Parliament. Due to Covid restrictions, the usual venue is unfortunately unavailable; hence the service at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster. The Moderator would be delighted to welcome representatives of St Columba’s at the service.
October/November Church Magazine
The current Church Magazine is available both in hard copy and via the website https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/news/. (Scroll down Latest News box to find.)
St Columba’s Coffee Mornings – Future Dates
November’s meeting is actually “afternoon tea” on the 17th November (2pm) with Revd Camille Cook, Senior Pastor at Georgetown Presbyterian Church in Washington will discuss Thanksgiving and its role within the Church. Camille will be well known to many at St Columba’s so a nice chance to see her again also!
Looking ahead please put the 15th December (10.30am) in your diary. Revd Dr John McCulloch, Minister St Andrews, Jerusalem & Tiberias will discuss Christmas in the Holy Land.
St Columba’s Book Club
The next online meeting of the St Columba’s Book Club is the 29th November at 7pm. The book this month will be 419 by Will Ferguson. The joy of the St Columba’s book club is that is all on Zoom so you can join from anywhere in the world in the comfort of your own home.
Sounds of St Columba’s
The ‘Sounds of St Columba’s’ concert series will restart on Sunday 16th January 2022 at 1:15pm. Recitals will continue throughout the year on the third Sunday of the month (excluding April, August & December). Full details of the performers and repertoire will follow a little later this year. These recitals are free to attend, with a retiring offering. For more information contact Ben Lewis-Smith music@stcolumbas.org.uk
Stamps
If you would like to leave stamps for Crossreach, please pop them into the Church Office on Sundays.
PRAYER RESOURCES FOR SUNDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2021
(Prepared by Congregational Prayer Group)
God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end, that the earth may know the peace of heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae
God of justice and peace,
we pray for those who have been injured
or disabled through war.
For those who have lost homes
and security through conflict;
for those who have lost loved relatives in wars;
for those who face danger and take risks for peace;
for all those, especially children, caught up in current conflicts;
for refugees and all those in need of aid and other help. God of encouragement
and Saviour of the despairing,
comfort those who remember past sacrifices
and guide us in building
a just and peaceful community for all.
Amen.