“The Spirit of the Beans” supplied the guardian angel at the recent families’ outing to Jack & the Beanstalk pantomime at Wimbledon Theatre – in contrast to the Giant’s wife – who arrived, on and off stage, to loud boos from a galvanised audience. Panto-land serving us an annual, ancient tale of good and evil – fortunately with a happy ending – in the case of SW19, the villainess played by Sandra Burke (winner of the X-Factor) succumbing to a sudden and complete conversion to “niceness,” sealed/proved by breaking into her iconic version of “Hallelujah.” Very satisfactory! Many of our young people who enjoyed the pantomime, will be up front on Sunday as they lead our worship, via the “It’s a Party” Nativity story. Along with their adult helpers they have been rehearsing over recent Sundays. Do come and encourage them with your presence and appreciation this Sunday. Also, with us on Sunday we will hear from Liz Burrell, Church Engagement and Fundraising Officer for North London, representing Christian Aid. Liz will talk about the situation, and the Christian Aid response, in South Sudan; an important reminder at this time of year of a wider perspective for our shared faith.
Seasonal activities and events are much in evidence. Following a full church for the celebrity-laden Supporting Wounded Veterans charity carols last week (readers included Dominic West, Dame Vanessa Redgrave and daughter Joely Richardson), this week on Wednesday there was a triple carol service day – Hill House School end of term Lessons & Carols, followed by the same for Francis Holland School (pupils in the afternoon, parents in the evening.) Beautiful music and approximately 2,000 people in the sanctuary in one day. As always, a big thank you to the home team staff who make all this possible.
If you are searching for your own carols’ moment, bear in mind the Carols by Candlelight at Crown Court this Sunday at 6.30pm, followed by a reception for ScotsCare. Or come to the “Pont Street Carols” at 5pm on Sunday 22nd December.
An enhanced choir will provide much of the music and this year we are particularly hoping that members of the groups that use our building throughout the year will feel welcome to join us. Refreshments are served afterwards. Do consider inviting friends or neighbours to come.
Finally: The readings approaching Christmas will alert us to the presence of angels, not just the “Spirit of the Beans”. Biblical angels are usually messengers of God. If you think they are in short supply these days, maybe consider this meditation:
[Angel on the Fulham Road, December 2024]
About this time of year there are angels visiting,
which is just as well,
for those of us who have slipped up or down.
They come with surprising news, in unlikely circumstances,
which is just as well,
for those of us who have to make difficult decisions.
They come with a message of reassurance and hope,
which is just as well
for those of us who are feeling hopeless and fearful.
You may be struggling to believe in angels at all.
But look closely at the next message-bearer,
the next wound-healer,
the next hope-sharer,
and you might find your very own angel.
(Janet Lees, from, “Coming in from the Cold”)
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, 15th December 2024, Third Sunday of Advent & Sunday School Nativity
Hymn 474 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (Es Ist Ein Ros’ Entsprungen)
Hymn 274 Comfort, Comfort Now My People (Genevan 42)
Hymn 279 Make Way, Make Way, for Christ the King (Make Way)
Hymn 320 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (Antioch, Comfort)
Anthem: Rejoice in the Lord – Anon
Musical Interlude: How Beautiful Upon the Mountains – Stainer (1840–1901)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 12:2-6
New Testament Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:7-18
Reader: Rosa Somerville
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.
Christmas Services
| 15th December 11.00am | Morning Service & Sunday School Nativity Liz Burrell, Christian Aid |
| 22nd December 11.00 am: | Morning Service Revd William McLaren |
| 22nd December 5.00pm: | Pont Street Carols by Candlelight Revd Angus MacLeod |
| 24th December 11.15pm: | Watchnight Communion Service* Revd Angus MacLeod |
| 25th December 10.30am: | Christmas Day Family Service & Communion Revd William McLaren |
| 29th December 11.00am: | Morning Service Revd William McLaren |
| 5th January 11.00am: | Morning Service, Sunday School & Baptisms Mr Gary Wallis, elder of St Columba’s |
| 5th January 5.00pm: | Evening Service for Epiphany * Revd Angus MacLeod |
Attend in-person or visit online www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream (Congregational Lunch, £4, served on 15th & 29th December) All services over Christmas at St Columba’s are live-streamed, except those marked with an asterisk *
www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream
Parking Restrictions in December
During all Sundays in December there is NO PARKING in residents’ parking bays. On Sundays parking is permitted on single yellow lines and in Pay & Display bays (free).
St Columba’s member
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member Nancy Briggs. A Thanksgiving Service for the life of Nancy will be held in the London Scottish Chapel at 2.30 pm on Thursday 19th December. Rest eternal grant unto her and let light perpetual shine upon her.
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service, Christian Aid speaker, Sunday School Nativity & Congregational Lunch.
Our guest speaker at 11am is Liz Burrell. Liz Burrell is Christian Aid’s Church Engagement and Fundraising Officer for North London, and her role is to provide support and information to enable churches to Give, Act and Pray for the lifesaving work of Christian Aid, as they seek to eradicate poverty and fight injustice. On Sunday she will draw attention to the situation in Southern Sudan and Christian Aid’s partnership work there. Service concludes with a celebration of the Nativity, led by our young people and adult helpers. Also, short communion and congregational lunch. Not to be missed!
THIS SUNDAY: QUIET PRAYER FOR ADVENT 10.15 – 10.30am, Kirk Session Room.
Join the congregational prayer group for a short time of quiet prayer with an Advent theme, led by the Minister, to prepare for the coming of the Christmas Christ. All welcome.
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 15th December, Carols by Candlelight for Scotscare, 6.30pm, Crown Court Church of Scotland
Còisir Lunnainn – the London Gaelic Choir – invites you to join them for an evening of Scottish Gaelic carols and lessons. The Carol service will start at 6.30pm and be followed by festive refreshments in the hall.
Advent Appeal 2024 (for Glass Door) Sox and Boxers + other items
During Advent we will be collecting donations for the following items: small pocket size puzzle books (sudoku, crossword etc), pens, reusable water bottles, reusable coffee cups, boxer shorts, ladies’ pants (all sizes), ladies’ sanitary products, thermal hats, thermal socks (for both men and women), thermal tights, thermal gloves (or very thick ones). Christmas gifts will then be wrapped by Mission Committee for the homeless guests staying overnight at church on Sunday 22nd December. The remainder of items will help restock supplies with Glass Door www.glassdoor.org.uk for their homeless clients. Collection point for donations will be the Upper Vestibule by the Advent Appeal Display Board. Starts from the first Sunday of Advent 1st December and each Sunday up until Christmas Day. Thank you for your continuing support. Mission Committee.
ScotsCare – Financial Donations (Advent Appeal)
www.scotscare.com As an alternative, you may wish to consider making a financial donation to ScotsCare for their ongoing work. Details for online payments and text donations, please click on this link (or access via the charity’s website). https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/23231#!/DonationDetails Cheques payable to: ScotsCare. Post to ScotsCare, Ground Floor, 22 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AJ.
THIS WEEK: ADVENT STUDY “Waiting can be beautiful and, at least sometimes, it takes us to the heart of the Holy.” Advent Study, 10.30am Wednesday 18th December online.
Rachel Mann writes with disarming verve of something we all experience – waiting. It may seem unlikely when you’re stuck on a train, or for hospital treatment, or simply fearful of an uncertain future, that there is treasure to be found in the waiting. Yet the Psalmist says, ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.’ The Advent group meets on Wednesday mornings leading up to Christmas (10.30am, online zoom, 18th December.) Sign up via office.
NEXT SUNDAY: Morning Service, Sunday 22nd December, followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall
NEXT SUNDAY: Pont Street Carols, Sunday 22nd December, 5pm
Join us for an evening of Carols at St Columba’s to celebrate our community. Do think about inviting friends to come and enjoy beautiful music, a special atmosphere and a retelling of the Christmas story.Seasonal refreshments afterwards. All welcome.
UPCOMING: Sunday 19th January, Sounds of St Columba’s, 1.30pm, Upper Hall
Operatic Treasures – an assortment of operatic arias and duets Gulshan Akin – Soprano Efim Zafalny – Baritone Rebekka Magomedova – Piano
SAVE THE DATE; “A Not-Quite-the Burns-Supper”, Saturday 25th January 2025.
Not the all-singing, all-dancing Church Burns Supper of regular times,
but an enjoyable evening of traditional fayre with some community singing. More detail to follow.
UPCOMING: Tuesday 27th January 2025, 6.30pm
The Book Club met to discuss The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina. It is a novel based on a real phone box in Japan. Although most found the first few chapters rather challenging, the universal view was that it was definitely worth persevering with and a good read.
Our next meeting is by Zoom on January 27 when we shall discuss The Outrun by Amy Liptrot. After that we shall read Eight Months on Ghazzah Street by Hilary Mantel.
Office Hours
Office Hours: The church office will be closed from Tuesday 24th December to Sunday 29th December inclusive.
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