Friends,
You may have noticed there’s a Coronation in the offing. At St Columba’s we currently have Rt Revd Dr Iain Greenshields, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, staying in the church flat. He is down for no less than four days of rehearsals prior to the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey. Dr Greenshields will present a Bible to the King in a tradition which dates back to the joint Coronation of William III and Mary II in 1689, though it was only at the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth in 1953 that the Moderator of the Church of Scotland took part in the ceremony to symbolise the unity of the Christian family.
Last Sunday we had a memorable Coronation-themed joint service with Crown Court – with especially wonderful music, both from massed choirs and for congregational singing. This Wednesday St Columba’s was packed for the Coronation Assembly of Hill House School. The King is one of its former pupils. At the Assembly their choir sang, “Defender of All.” Composed by Daniel Nicholls, former piano teacher of the Princess of Wales, it has been given as a challenge to schools all over the country to sing on Friday. Daniel himself conducted the Hill House singers in what we might claim was a world premiere! Meanwhile our own Nadia Dalsingh and her team are making great preparations for our Street Party Lunch in the Lower Hall on Sunday.
In the Daily Prayers for the Coronation that were handed out on Easter Day the final day is entitled Celebrating Community. It concludes: “Many communities will have planned street parties, church services, and other celebrations for this Coronation weekend. We pray that in these occasions we, with King Charles, may recognise the face of Christ in those with whom we share them.” It concludes with this prayer:
Living God, you bring us
together in community
and teach us to love one another
as you have loved us.
May we be beacons of your light
in the communities
in which we are set,
that through truth,
justice and action
we may see your kingdom
come upon earth,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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 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 for Morning Service, 7th May 2023
Hymn 130 Ye servants of God, your master proclaim (Laudate Dominum)
Hymn 129 The Lord is King! lift up your voice! (Church Triumphant)
Hymn 461 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds (St Peter)
Hymn 704 I vow to thee my country (Thaxted)
Anthem: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace (Wesley)
Musical Interlude: Beati quorum via (Stanford)
New Testament Reading I: Acts 7:55-60
New Testament Reading II: I Peter 2:2-10
Gospel Reading: John 14:1-14
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 Group, Sunday School, Coronation Street Party Lunch & Evening Service
Amid a bumper Coronation week in the Capital, St Columba’s is offering quite a variety of things to enjoy and share this Sunday. The Congregational Prayer Group gather for prayers in the London Scottish Chapel before main service, Sunday School activities are provided and a wonderful Street Party Lunch is being prepared, with an Evening Service to end the day in calmer fashion. If you are planning to attend the lunch and haven’t already signed up, please do so, via office@stcolumbas.org.uk to assist with catering numbers. (Lunch is £3.50 per person.)
NEXT WEEK: Sunday 14th May 2023 Ordination of New Elders, Congregational Lunch, Christian Aid Cake Sale & St Columba’s Congregational Meeting
Sunday 14th May will be a very special Sunday when ten new elders are set to be ordained. Rev Andrew Anderson is our guest preacher. Congregational lunch follows. Then at 1.30pm we hold the Annual Congregational Meeting in the Upper Hall. It is a good chance to hear and ask questions about, the work and plans of our congregation. If you wish to look at the accounts and annual report before the meeting, you can do so here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/financials.
Sunday School & future dates:
Between March & June, we offer Sunday School on the first and third Sundays of the month.
- Sunday 7th May – Plus King’s Coronation Street Party Lunch
- Sunday 21st May
- Sunday 4th June (Second Sunday of half term)
- Sunday 25th June (Families Communion & Congregational Picnic)
Congregational Sunday Lunch & Future Dates
Future dates for lunches are 7th May (see below), 14th May (extra lunch) & 21st May 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 Member
The funeral of St Columba’s elder Alison Buchanan will take place at St Columba’s on Friday 12th May 2023 at 12pm.
Rest eternal grant unto her and let light perpetual shine upon her.
Congregational Prayer Group, Sunday, 14th May
Come and join us to pray (10.00 – 10.15am) in the London Scottish Chapel…everyone is welcome!
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’.
Christian Aid Week: 14th to 20th May
The focus has switched this year to Malawi and the terrible effect climate change is having there, particularly for the families that rely on farming to survive. Malawi suffers with such erratic and severe weather due to climate change, drought, sometimes terrible flooding and it was also hit by a devastating cyclone a couple of months ago. Your donations could help fund the purchase of drought resistant seeds/crop such as the amazing hardy pigeon peas, farming tools, a bicycle so that experienced farmers can travel by bike to train other less experienced farmers, money towards a co-operative oven to enable local people to turn their pigeon peas into profit by baking bread and funding would also help provide business training of local farmers.
Ways to donate are:
Cake Sale – Sunday 14th May – Entrance Vestibule – Calling all cake bakers!
Following on from the success of last year’s cake sale we thought we would do it again. If you would like to bake a cake(s) or biscuits and either bring in to the Entrance Vestibule before the service on Sunday 14th May, or you can leave it with the Church Office a few days beforehand. Please label cake packaging with what type of cake it is. Cakes can then be purchased after the service. All money raised will go to Christian Aid Week. Please do come and buy a cake, or even a slice of cake to have with your coffee in the Upper Hall.
- There will be red CA collecting buckets in the Upper Vestibule after the service on Sunday 7th, 14th and 21st May. The main CA collection Sunday will be on Sunday 14th May.
- CA envelopes will be available on a table in the Upper Vestibule, and a tick box for those eligible to Gift Aid their donation. Some CA envelopes will also be in the pews.
- Online donations: We have our own church online giving page for Christian Aid Week (GiveStar). Please click on the link:
https://giving.give-star.com/online/christian-aid/chelsea-st-columba-christian-aid-week-2023
Your donations will help improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. Thank you.
Petition: Please do sign the online Christian Aid: East Africa Hunger Crisis Petition, thank you for your support.
East Africa Hunger Crisis petition – Christian Aid
Friends of St Columba’s Visits
The Friends of St Columba’s have two exciting trips coming up. Priority is given to those who are already Friends of St Columba’s but please do get in touch if you would like to join the trips but aren’t a “friend”.
- Saturday May 20: Visit to Canterbury Cathedral and City (www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit). This is the mother church of the Anglican faith, and seat of the Archbishop. We shall discover the history of the Cathedral from the re-establishment of Christianity in England in 597, to the murder of Thomas Beckett, which made Canterbury one of the most important pilgrimage sites. Rendezvous by ticket booth at the Cathedral entrance, 11 a.m.
- Friday 23rd June: Visit to the Handel and Hendrix Museum. George Frideric Handel lived at 25 Brook Street from 1723 until his death in 1759. It was here that Handel wrote and rehearsed his greatest works, including his Messiah. In 1968, Jimi Hendrix moved into an adjoining flat at number 23. He entertained, inspired and collaborated with other icons of British 60s rock music. Handel & Hendrix in London present these buildings as an evolving celebration of Handel’s and Hendrix’s lives. Tickets must be purchased in advance so please get in touch with Isobel Carter if you would like to attend.
For more detail about all the trips and to book please contact Honorary Secretary of the Friends of St Columba’s, Isobel Carter on isobel@in-carter.com or visit the St Columba’s website here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/friends-of-st-columbas.
St Columba’s Book Group
The St Columba’s Book Group will meet (on Zoom!) on Wednesday the 7th June at 6.30pm. The book we will discuss is Lesson’s in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
New members are always welcome. Contact the Church Office for the log in details.
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.
21st May 2023 – Fredrick Seines, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Bach, Poulenc and Dowland.
18th June 2023 – Emily Sun, in demand international violinist will play the Tchaikovsky’ Violin Concerto
16th July 2023- Ashley Fripp, Piano recital
Songs of Praise – Choose your favourite hymns!
Our last evening service before the summer is on Sunday 4th June (5pm.) It is our annual Songs of Praise, based on congregational choices. You can make a recommendation via the sign up board outside the sanctuary or make a recommendation and explain a little of why that hymn is special via email to William at associateminister@stcolumbas.org.uk All recommendations by Sunday 28th May.
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.