Friends,
The news has been dominated by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Faced with the unimaginable scale of the loss and destruction it is perhaps helpful to listen for the guidance of those who know what is now genuinely pragmatic, helpful and faithful. Patrick Watt, CEO of Christian Aid writes: “The scenes from this disaster are heart-breaking. And even before this devastating earthquake, we knew over four million people needed aid in Northwest Syria alone. We are hopeful that the British public will show the same spirit of solidarity and compassion that we saw in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine a year ago. Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to people hit by disaster. By joining us, you can help people in need rebuild their lives.”
The newsletter below carries information about ways to donate towards the relief effort. Christian Aid also offer this prayer:
God of time and space,
we cry to you for your children – our neighbours –
southern Turkey and northern Syria,
following the earthquake that has devastated hundreds of lives.
Only they and you know what it is like
to experience such trauma in the middle of the night.
We give thanks for the aid that is already being given
and for the promises of help that have been made by many nations.
Comfort, we pray,
those who are trapped in collapsed buildings;
those who have lost loved ones;
those who wait for news and
those digging through rubble to save others.
Grant the gift of hope
so that those caught between life and death
know that you are with them
and that others are ready to support them
as they seek a future that overshadows
the experiences of today.
We ask this in the Name of Jesus,
who endured so much for love of them.
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, 12th February 2023,
6th Sunday after Epiphany
Hymn 112 God, whose almighty word (Moscow)
Hymn 500 Lord of creation, to you be all praise! (Slane)
Hymn 694 Brother, sister, let me serve you (Servant Song)
Hymn 543 Longing for light, we wait in darkness (Christ be our light)
Anthem: Blest are the pure in heart, Bullard
Musical Interlude: Jesu, dulcis memoria, Victoria
Organ Postlude: Prelude in C minor by Mendelssohn
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
New Testament reading: I Corinthians 3:1-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:21-37
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: Christian Aid – Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal
We have had a number of enquiries about donating to the Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal. If you want to donate and help those affected by the devastating earthquake, our friends at Christian Aid are helping those in need on the ground. You can donate here https://give.christianaid.org.uk/donate/CAM-004766 and there are a small number of donation envelopes available on the bookstall from Sunday (please leave donation envelopes with duty elders or with the Church Office).
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group, 10.00-10.15am
Join us at church on Sunday, 12th February as we come together to seek God in prayer for our church, our community and the world; London Scottish Chapel at 10 am. Looking ahead, a time of Poetry & Silent Prayer will be offered, 10.00-10.15am, on all Sundays in Lent, beginning on Sunday 26th February.
Sunday School & future dates:
Between January and March, we offer Sunday School on the first and third Sundays of the month.
Sunday 19th February
Sunday 5th March
Sunday 19th March (Mothering Sunday)
Arrangements and activities for Easter to be confirmed.
Congregational Sunday Lunch & Future Dates
Future dates for lunches are 19th February, 5th March 2023 & 19th March 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.
Ash Wednesday Holy Communion, Wednesday 22nd February 2023
To begin Lent 2023 there will be a short service of holy communion in the London Scottish Chapel at 12.30pm, Wednesday 22nd February 2023.
NEXT 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.
19th February 2023 – Jonathan Radford (married last year at St Columba’s to Emily Sun) plays a programme of classical saxophone
19th March 2023 – Axel Krogness, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Dowland, Bach and Goroto.
21st May 2023 – Fredrick Seines, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Bach, Poulenc and Dowland.
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 Streetcar Named Desire.
The St Columba’s Book Group meet by Zoom, just contact the Church Office for the joining details. Newcomers are welcome.
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 4th March – Churchill War Rooms. A visit to Winston Churchill’s historic underground bunker. On 31 May 1938, a group of basement offices in Whitehall formed a top-secret complex, known and the Cabinet War Rooms. These rooms became the heart of Britain’s war machine.
- Saturday 15th April – Neasden Indian Temple. Popularly known as Neasden temple – the Mandir is a masterpiece of traditional Hindu design and exquisite Indian workmanship in the heart of North West London.
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 Quiz
The St. Columba’s Quiz returns on Saturday, 22nd April. 6.30 for 7 pm start. Tickets will be on sale in March. Please save the date, gather your teams and watch for further details re ticket sales etc.
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.
REFLECTION & POINTS FOR PRAYER
Prepared by the Congregational Prayer Group
for Sunday 12th February 2023, 6th Sunday after Epiphany
Two parables about the need for humility. The secular could find its original in the Biblical.
The parable of the airline passengers.
A posh well-dressed lady boarded her plane and found herself seated beside an elderly, poor man (poor maybe because of the clothes he was wearing). She called for the stewardess and complained. “I cannot sit next to this man. You must upgrade me immediately”. The stewardess replied “I am not sure about that, as far as I know no seats are available, the plane is full.” She went to the pilot and explained the problem. The pilot replied “I have never heard anything like this before. But I have a cunning plan, here’s what to do”. The stewardess returned to the cabin and spoke to the lady. “I have spoken to the pilot”. Then turning to the old man she said “Sir, please follow me the pilot has told me to upgrade you to first class”.
Luke 18:9-14 The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee. Stood up and prayed about himself: “God, I thank you that Imam not like other men robbers, evildoers, adulterers, .org even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” But the tax collector stodgy at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his break and said, ”God, have mercy on me, a sinner”.
“I tell you that man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”.
Prayers
We who bear the name of Jesus Christ
follow in his sacred footsteps.
And may our minds compare and be like his.
He took on human likeness and concealed his majesty,
so that at the name of Jesus,
every tongue confess him and every knee bow.
May every heart enthrone him.
There may he subdue everything that is not holy or iis not true.
May we crown him as our captain
when we are tempted to do wrong
or adopt a superior attitude.
For he is God the Saviour and he is Christ the Lord.
He is ever to worshipped, trusted and adored.
Through Jesus Christ the Lord
our perfect example of humility.
A prayer for Lent (begins on Ash Wednesday, 22nd February 2023)
God, may your light guide me day by day
and your spirit bring me peace.
God, may my sacrifice remind me of my dependence on you
for all the blessings that I enjoy.
Benediction.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver Jesus.
Amen