Jesus asked a lot of questions, often responding to a question with another question.
Depending how you count them, there are at least one hundred and fifty Jesus questions in the Gospels, far more than he answered. For example:
- If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? (Matt 5:46)
- Are you not of more value than the birds of the air? (Matt 6:26)
- Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan? (Matt 6:27)
- Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, yet fail to perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? (Matt 7:2)
- Why are you so afraid? (Matt 8:26)
- Do you believe I can do this? (Matt 9:28)
- Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? (Matt 12:48)
- Why did you doubt? (Matt 14:31)
- Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink? (Matt 20:22)
- What do you want me to do for you? (Matt 20:32)
- Could you not watch for me one brief hour? (Matt 26:40)
- My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Matt 27:46)
This Sunday, thanks to the initiative of the Nurture Committee there is an inaugural, exploratory time for questions at St Columba’s. Planned as an informal gathering after morning service, it is an opportunity for anyone who would like to come and raise questions about issues of faith/the Christian life – or hear the questions of others. There is no guarantee that all answers will be found, but in the conversation and sharing of ideas and insights, new understandings may emerge. Questions were very much part of Jesus’ faith tradition – why not cherish them as part of your own journey of faith?
Angus
Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream. Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live-stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary. Note that the Evening Services on the 1st of the month are not live streamed as they are held in the London Scottish Chapel. If you experience any issue with livestream on the day, please email livestream@stcolumbas.org.uk (please note that this address will only be monitored on Sundays).
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 phone in to join the Sunday service. Those interested should follow:
Step 1: At 10.40am call phone number 0208 080 6591.
Step 2: You will be prompted to enter a meeting ID. Please type (using your telephone keypad) 884 4746 5645
Step 3: You will then be asked for a participant number – simply press the #.
Step 4: You will be asked to enter the password. Enter 838727
Step 5: Enjoy the service! You will hear the organ music from 10.50am.
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 27th October 2024, Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 124 Praise to the Lord, the almighty (Lobe den Herren)
Hymn 27 I will always bless the Lord (Psalm 34) (Taladh Chriosta)
Hymn 193 God is love, let heaven adore him (Ecce, Deus)
Hymn 352 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Desert Lyngham)
Anthem: Jesu, the very thought of thee (Bairstow 1874-1946)
Musical Interlude: Holy is the true light (Harris 1883-1973)
Old Testament Reading: Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 46-52
Reader: Kate MacNish
Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columbas 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: Morning Service followed by refreshments in the Upper Hall.
A warm welcome this weekend to Revd Scott Rennie, minister of Crown Court Church of Scotland. Scott will preach at St Columba’s, as part of the Pulpit Exchange Sunday. The Minister will lead worship at Crown Court.
THIS SUNDAY: St Columba’s Question Time, Sunday 27th October, 12.15pm
(See Newsletter above.) An informal discussion group over coffee. Led by members of the Nurture Committee it is a chance to explore and share ideas. 12.15pm – 1.15pm. No need to sign up, just bring your questions and come along.
THIS SUNDAY: Change of Clocks
Clocks go back an hour on Sunday at 2am. Enjoy an additional hour in bed!
St Columba’s members
We are sorry to announce the death of former St Columba’s member, Margaret Vallance. Funeral service will take place on Tuesday, 19th November at 11am at Paisley Abbey, PA1 1JG
Glass Door’s Night Shelter Volunteers
Glass Door Night shelter at St Columba’s will start on Sunday 10th November in the Upper Hall. We always need volunteers to run the shelters and ensure the best possible experience for guests. Register your interest with Stef at the Church office office@stcolumbas.org.uk
LENT APPEAL 2025: Small UK registered charity, providing help within UK
Over the last five years, thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of £42,990 for small, registered charities, as a direct result of our Lent Appeals; this is a major part of our work on Mission. The Mission Committee would be grateful for any suggestions you may have for a small UK registered charity, that provides help within the UK, that could be considered for the St. Columba’s Lent Appeal 2025. For more information, please contact Naomi Donaldson, naomi.60@live.co.uk (or via the Church Office) before Friday 8 November.
NEXT WEEK: Midweek Prayers, Wednesday 30th October, 1pm, London Scottish Chapel
NEXT WEEK: St Columba’s Book Club, Monday 28th October, 6.30pm.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 28 October when we shall be discussing Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. For those of you who like to read ahead, we shall be reading The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina. The date for that discussion will be fixed at our next meeting. The meeting will be by Zoom. The meeting will be by Zoom and new members are welcome. For details, please contact the Church Office.
NEXT SUNDAY: Morning Service, Sunday School, Baptisms & Congregational Lunch, Sunday 3rd November
NEXT SUNDAY: “100 Days”, Congregational Talk, 1.30pm, Lower Hall.
To launch the publication of “100 Days”, his new collection of daily bible readings, meditations and prayers, Revd Andrew Anderson will offer advice and encouragement in answer to some of the questions often asked about prayer: Why bother to pray? How do we pray? How can I start praying, if I’ve never really tried? How might we use scripture to pray? What are some of the difficulties in prayer?
NEXT SUNDAY: Annual Bereavement Evening Service, 5pm.
Each year we write to the families of those whose funerals we have taken, either at St Columba’s or crematoriums around London and beyond, in the past seven years. During the quiet and reflective evening service, we specifically remember, and light a candle for, those who have died in the last twelve months. The service is open to anyone who may wish to remember and give thanks for a loved one. The gathered presence of others at a time of loss, recent or long-passed, can be a source of peace and consolation. (The service is also livestreamed.)
ST ANDREW’S BOOK FESTIVAL: 25th November to 1st December 2024, St Columba’s & other venues
The box office is now open for the inaugural St Andrew’s Book Festival in London (25th of November – 1st of December 2024). Seven days celebrating all things literary, featuring a star-studded line up of authors, riveting discussions, and exclusive book signings. Whether you’re an avid reader or a budding writer, this festival is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the world of books and creativity. Check out the website for a full author A to Z listing and book tickets from here: https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/
The St Andrew’s Book Festival is delighted to be able to offer every ticket purchaser the chance to win a two-night luxury getaway for two at Prestonfield Hotel. This weeklong celebration of Scottish authors and themes in central London is showcasing over 40 authors across 36 events!
More details available in the full newsletter here: Festival Offers and Prize Draw (mailchi.mp)
Scots in London Newsletter
Read the latest Scots in London newsletter here, packed full of our autumn news and events: https://mailchi.mp/f940da96f79e/scots-in-london-october-newsletter
Subscribe to the newsletter directly to hear all the latest news and make the most of our current special offers with The Scotsman newspaper.
UPCOMING: SCOTSCARE CEILIDH, Saturday 16th November 2024, Lower Hall 7pm – 10.30pm
ScotsCare are excited to announce that they will be hosting their first ever Ceilidh on Saturday 16th November at St Columba’s Church, from 7.00 to 10.30pm (doors open from 6.30pm). The ScotsCare St. Andrew’s Festival Ceilidh will have live entertainment provided by the Craigievar Ceilidh Band and London Scottish Pipes and Drums. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun! We will have a caller to guide dancers, step by step so everyone can join in regardless of experience. Tickets include light bites, and a bar will be available to purchase drinks. All profits from the evening will go back into ScotsCare’s services. We look forward to seeing you on what a festive and memorable evening will be. Tickets are £20 each and can be bought via this link www.scotscare.com/project/scotscare-ceilidh/.
RESTART’s Annual Sleep Out, Friday 6th December 2024, outside St Columba’s Church.
Every year the staff, volunteers and supporters of Restart Lives spend one night outside. Although there is much that separates the experience of the controlled environment of the Sleepout from that of a person living life on the streets, we hope the event will help all those who participate to imagine what London’s homeless have to contend with.
We can only accommodate 80 sleepers at this event, so if you would like to reserve your spot, don’t delay and sign up now.
Crown Court and St Columba’s Sunday School Families Pantomime trip
It’s that time of the year again. Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! Sunday School families from Crown Court and St Columba’s are invited to join us on Sunday 8th December at 17:30 to see Jack and the Beanstalk at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Please email Gary (gary@thewallis.com) to reserve tickets. Numbers are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so grab your magic beans and don’t delay!
Church Magazine, October – November 2024 – Available via the Bookstall for £1.50.
Pick up a copy with its stunning front cover, from the bookstall. Then pick up another to give to a friend! Thanks once again to our Editor, Susan Pym and her team of contributors.
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
E-mail: office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbas churchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271