It is well known that when the British general, Allenby, entered the city of Jerusalem on 11 December 1917 he did so on foot, walking through Jaffa Gate, saying that he could not ride a warhorse into the city Christ entered on a donkey. The crowds were impressed by his modesty and the respect he showed for Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions for all of whom Jerusalem was and is central to their faith. Yet over a hundred years later we can see the horrifying consequences when political and military leaders take the view that “Might is right” and we continue to pray for peace with justice for all the people of Ukraine and this week we have also been reminded of the continuing tensions in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
On Palm Sunday we remember how Christ turned the values of the world upside down when he entered Jerusalem; the crowd acclaimed him as “The Son of David” but he was not the warrior king they hoped for and in their disappointment, they turned against him. He was the king who rode a donkey, a humble beast of burden, not a mighty charger but that was not a message they were ready to hear. Sadly, it is a message the world needs to hear more than ever today.
The Donkey
When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon the thorn
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The Devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms beneath my feet.
(G.K. Chesterton, 1874 -1936).
William
Worshipping at St Columba’s & COVID Precautions.
While Government guidance has changed and we are still assessing the best and appropriate way forward. This Sunday we continue to recommend mask wearing within the building (unless exempt) and social distancing.
We suggest dressing warmly as we try to keep the sanctuary well ventilated and hand sanitiser will continue to be available throughout the building. In all our arrangements we recognise that people are at various stages on the pandemic journey – our aim is to keep everyone confident and safe.
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.
Hymns, Music & Readings, 10th April 2022 – 11am
Hymn 364 All glory, laud and honour (St Theodulph)
Hymn 367 Hosanna, loud, hosanna (Ellacombe)
Hymn 399 My song is love unknown (Love Unknown)
Hymn 365 Ride on! Ride on in majesty! (Winchester New)
Reading I: Luke 22: 1-38: The Last Supper (page NT 80)
Reading II: Luke 22: 39-62: Gethsemane, Arrest & Denial (page NT 81) Reading III: Luke 22: 63 – 23: 25: Trial & Condemnation (page NT 81) Reading IV: Luke 23: 26-56: Crucifixion & Death (page NT 82)
Introit – Pueri hebraeorum – Victoria
Anthem – Love Divine – Willcocks
Musical Interlude – Be thou my vision – Chilcott
Organ Postlude – Minuet Gothique by Boëllmann.
Holy Week Worship at St Columba’s
Mon 11th April, 12 noon Short act of worship (via website)
Tues 12th April, 12 noon Short act of worship (via website)
Wed 13th April, 12 noon Short act of worship (via website)
Thurs 14th April, 8p.m. Maundy Thursday Holy Communion
Fri 15th April, 11a.m. Words & Music for Good Friday
Sat 16th April, 12 noon Short act of worship (via website)
Sun 17th April, 11.00 a.m. Easter Morning Holy Communion
Church members
A funeral service for St Columba’s member, Avril Lunn will take place at St Columba’s on Tuesday 12th April at 2pm.
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of St Columba’s member, James Donald will take place at St Columba’s on Thursday 14th April at 2pm.
We also announce the death of Dr Angus McAskill. Dr McAskill died on the 7th March 2022 and his funeral took place at Wokingham Crematorium on the 30th March. We keep Angus’s family in our prayers.
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.
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.
Lent Appeal 2022
Collaboration à la Santé Publique Burkina Faso (CSPB) a small registered French charity http://cspb.cagnes.pagesperso-orange.fr
The CSPB Association is a small French charity created in 2012, providing much needed Family Planning and other related medical services in the Northern Region of Burkina Faso. The charity was created by a French GP, Dr Pierre Leon, who worked and studied in Burkina Faso and saw the need for improving Public Health (especially in Family Planning) in rural parts of the country. There is a massive problem of too many children per family as young women and girls have no access to family planning, contraception. The yearly growth rate is more than double the world average. Burkina Faso is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. Only one in eight find work.
CSPB have a midwife and a nurse specialised in HIV and reproductive health, three birth attendants all of whom work with local rural bush nurses and in villages, running clinics and training. The charity provides information talks on contraceptive implants and follow up appointments for girls/women of child bearing age offering them implants for those wanting them. CSPB organise talks in rural village school and colleges, the charity run ‘the school of husbands’ for men providing them with advice on Family Planning. Awareness campaigns for adolescent girls to help reduce unwanted pregnancies that often result in forced marriages and that can cause girls to stop schooling. The charity’s work is supported by local religious leaders, tribal chiefs and the government.
We look forward to welcoming Alasdair MacKenzie (member of St. Columba’s) to do a brief talk during the service on: Sunday 6th March and Sunday 10th April (Palm Sunday).
If you would like to contribute to the Lent Appeal: Gift Aid helps, if you are eligible. If you need to complete a Gift Aid declaration form, please contact the Church Office. Various options to donate:
White Lent Appeal envelopes are available in the Upper Vestibule.
Alternatively, by electronic bank transfer: Please use “Lent Appeal” as the payment reference.
St Columba’s Church of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
Account Number 00264741
Sort Code 16 00 42
Cheques payable to: “St. Columba’s Church of Scotland” and with a note that it is for the Lent Appeal. Send to:
Finance Dept. (Lent Appeal)
St. Columba’s Church
Pont Street
London SW1X 0BD
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
The next lunch dates are the 17th April & 1st 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.
Evening Services Future Days
Evening services are held on the first Sunday of the month, at 5pm. Future evening services dates are 1st May & 5th June. They are held in the London Scottish Regimental Chapel. [Please note they are not live-streamed.]
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
St Columba’s Book Club
The May book of the St Columba’s Book Club will be “O Caledonia” by Elspeth Barker. It is a coming of age novel set in a draughty crumbling castle in the wilds of Northern Scotland and has great reviews. We shall be meeting on Monday 30th May at a new time of 6.30 pm and welcome new members. The joy of St Columba’s Book Club is it takes place on Zoom so you can do it from the comfort of your own front room.
St Columba’s Coffee Mornings
The St Columba’s Coffee Mornings returned in March! We are looking forward to seeing many faces on the Zoom Screen!
- 20th April 2022- The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Lord Wallace of Tankerness will join us to talk about his moderatorial year.
- 11th May 2022- Speaker from Christian Aid tbc – for Christian Aid Week ∙ 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.
Friends’ Trip
The Friends of St Columba’s are visiting the Dumfries area of Scotland, from September 23rd – 25th 2022. Itinerary includes the original home of TSB, (founded by a Church of Scotland minister) a visit to Ruthwell church, with its 8th Century Cross and possibly the early Christian settlement at Whithorn. To gauge numbers, anyone interested is asked to be in touch as soon as possible via the church office or email: secfriendsofstcolumbas@gmail.com.
The Straw Chair – 19th April – 14th May 2022
This is a Scottish play which will have its English premiere at the Finborough Theatre.
The Straw Chair is written by acclaimed Scottish writer for TV and theatre Sue Glover. The show stars Siobhan Redmond (RSC member, credits include TV show Taggart, Top Girls at the National Theatre) and Jenny Lee (credits include Monarch of the Glen, Dr Who). The production features live Gaelic music and language, while exploring the lost way of life of the Outer Hebrides through the true story of Lady Rachel Grange’s imprisonment.
1735. Isabel, barely seventeen, is sent from Edinburgh and the life she has always known, to live with her new husband on Gaelic-speaking St Kilda, an island on the furthest edges of the Outer Hebrides, in the storm-tossed waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Struggling to adapt to island life, Isabel meets Rachel – a wild, seemingly mad woman, shunned by the local inhabitants. Over time, Isabel learns that Rachel is none other than the infamous Lady Grange, kidnapped by her husband following their bitter divorce and long imprisoned on the island. Lady Grange clings with tragic dignity to the two things she has left in the world – a consuming rage and an old straw chair.
Inspired by a true story, The Straw Chair is a modern Scottish classic, exploring liberty, marriage, madness, incarceration, and female empowerment, against the backdrop of the lost way of life of the Western Isles.
If you are interested in finding out how to book, please go to
https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/
Sunday 10th April 2022, Lent VI
Congregational Prayer Resources For Lent
St Columba’s, Pont Street
Click below to open and download the document.