Friends,
In the run-up to Easter the question arose: If you could only watch one television programme in a year – what would you choose? That mind-tickler led onto the question on Easter morning: If you could only attend church once in a year – what day would you choose to come? A birthday, an anniversary, St Columba’s Day, Christmas or Easter, or another alternative? One church friend followed up:
“When you asked last Sunday, ‘which day do you enjoy the most’, it was a very easy answer for me – always Easter, with its glorious celebration. In a strange way Christmas Days with all the family are more exciting and memorable, though blooming hard work. Instead, Easter is simply glorious and uplifting for what it says and stands for, not because of all the presents handed out. The day itself and all it represents is a present.”
Last Sunday William reminded us of that gift – that every Sunday is Easter/Resurrection Sunday. So, we sang: “This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” The second verse followed: “This is the day that He rose again.” In the fifty days of Easter (the period in the Church calendar between Easter and Pentecost) may we think more profoundly and discover more deeply the mystery and meaning of Christ raised – or as the poet reflected, that on this day, “Love is the lesson which the Lord has taught.”
Most glorious Lord of life, that on this day,
Didst make thy triumph over death and sin:
And having harrow’d hell, didst bring away
Captivity thence captive, us to win:
This joyous day, dear Lord, with joy begin,
And grant that we for whom thou diddest die,
Being with thy dear blood clean wash’d from sin,
May live for ever in felicity.
And that thy love we weighing worthily,
May likewise love thee for the same again:
And for thy sake, that all like dear didst buy,
With love may one another entertain.
So let us love, dear love, like as we ought,
Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.
(Edmund Spenser (1552–1599), Amoretti LXVIII: Most Glorious Lord of Life)
Have a good week and see you soon,
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.
Dial into Sunday Service this Sunday, 14th April 2024.
We very much hope to restore the telephone Dial-in facility this Sunday. Please bear with our technicians as we seek to resolve last week’s difficulties. If all is well normal service should be restored: 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 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 Worship
Sunday 14th April 2024
Hymn 162 The God of Abraham Praise (Leoni)
Hymn 528 Make me a channel of your peace
(Prayer of St Francis (Channel of Peace))
Hymn 352 O for a thousand tongues, to sing (Desert (Lyngham))
Hymn 681 Send out the gospel! Let it sound (Old Clarendonian)
Anthem: Since by man came death, Handel
Musical Interlude: My eyes for beauty pine, Howells
New Testament Reading: Acts 3:12-19
Epistle Reading: 1 John 3:1-7
Gospel Reading: Luke 24:36b-48
Reader: Susan Pym
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
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.
St Columba’s members
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member, Ross Gibbons. Funeral details to be announced in due course. The Memorial Service for St Columba’s member, Elizabeth Sandison will take place at St Columba’s on Tuesday 9th April 2024, at 2pm.
The funeral of Ian Thislie, former elder of St Columba’s, will take place on Friday 19th April 2024 at 1.30pm, at Kirkcaldy Crematorium.
Rest eternal grant unto them and let light perpetual shine upon them.
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group, 10.15am – 10.30am, Sunday 14th April, Kirk Session Room
Join others for a time of prayer for our congregational life and the wider work of the Church of Scotland. All welcome.
THIS SUNDAY: Scottish Dancing for Children, Sunday 14th April, 1pm in Lower Hall
With the support of RSCDS, we are delighted to offer the children a Scottish Country Dancing class. Classes take place on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Rose Kreloff is an RSCDS London member who teaches regularly in London and the Southeast. Classes are free thanks to support from St Columba’s and RSCDS London but donations are welcome. We ask that parents/carers contact classes@rscdslondon.org.uk to book a place in the class. Please include name and age of children so that we can make sure we have the right amount of support for each class.
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Talk by Revd Alistair Cumming, Sunday 21st April, 1.30pm, Upper Hall.
St Columba’s member and current Clerk of the Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands will explain about his role and work with the Church of Scotland’s Faith Action Programme Leadership Team. In advance of the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland this is a good opportunity to hear more about Presbytery plans, Church finances, numbers of ministers, and future visions for the Church of Scotland.
UPCOMING: The St Columba’s Kirk Session meets Friday 26th April, at 6.35pm
As always, non-elders are welcome to attend as observers.
UPCOMING: New Members’ Conference & Service,
Wednesday 8th May & Sunday 9th June
If you would like to learn more about what becoming a member of St Columba’s would involve, you are warmly invited to an evening of food and discussion on Wednesday 8th May, 2024, 6.30pm. For those who would then like to become members there will be a Service of Welcome on Sunday 9th June – which appropriately is the day we celebrate St Columba himself! For more information speak to either of the ministers and please sign up via the Church Office.
UPCOMING: Christian Aid Week
Christian Aid Week: 12th to 18th May 2024
www.christianaid.org.uk
To launch Christian Aid Week, we are delighted that Jennifer Larbie, Head of UK Advocacy and Campaigns for Christian Aid, will be joining us and we look forward to her sermon on Sunday 12th May. The focus this year is on Burundi, one of the world’s poorest countries.
Cake Sale – Sunday 12th May – Entrance Vestibule – Calling all bakers!
If you would like to bake a cake(s), or biscuits, scones, shortbread and either bring into the Entrance Vestibule before the service on Sunday 12th 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 etc. 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.
UPCOMING: Book Club, Monday 29th April.
The monthly Book Club meets on a Monday evening via zoom. The next reading choice is “The Direction of the Wind” by Marsi Shah. If you would like to join the group, please contact the office for details.
UPCOMING: Friends of St Columba’s Visit to St Alban’s Cathedral,
Saturday 11th May 2024.
The Friends head tothe oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.
Rendezvous inside the main entrance at 11 a.m. The entry is free. A general tour costs £8 which we shall take upon arrival, (1 hour 15 mins). If you would like to take subsequently a Specialist Tour (1 hour – music, textiles, flowers, pilgrimages); or a tower tour to admire the view, these cost £10 and are available before 2 p.m.
Lunch will be at The Abbott’s Kitchen at the Cathedral.For more detailhttps://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/friends-of-st-columbas If you intend to join, please let Isobel Carter know in advance: isobel@in-carter.com; 07768 275 591.
New Publication: Atoms of Delight
Kenneth Steven, writer and poet who knows St Columba’s well has just released Atoms of Delight, a book of essays inspired by the “wildscape” of Highland and Island Scotland. It describes what Kenneth considers pilgrimages into nature – walks to find high lochs where nature has gone to hide; the annual climb to pick cloudberries at a secret location in Highland Perthshire, the pilgrimage to St Columba’s Bay on Iona for fabulous serpentine pebbles. The book might make a gift; it’s been beautifully produced by Saraband. Each copy is £10 (including postage). Kenneth is very happy to add personalised dedications. Cheques can be sent to: Kenneth Steven, Clachan Dubh Lodge, Balvicar, Isle of Seil, Argyll, PA34 4RA.
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 4pm, 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