Friends,
It was a pleasure to welcome our friend and neighbour Bishop James Curry to St. Columba’s last week when he spoke to us of the Baptism of the Lord and our shared baptism. This week we read the story of Jesus’ first miracle which he performed at the Wedding at Cana (St. John 2:1-11). While Jesus and his mother Mary were at a wedding party the wine ran out; imagine the embarrassment of the newly married couple – their reputation as hosts would be forever tarnished! Jesus was encouraged by Mary to solve the problem and he instructed the staff to fill six jugs with water. Each jug contained twenty to thirty gallons. Much to everyone’s astonishment, as the liquid was poured out of the jugs, what emerged was the very best quality wine and we are told “his disciples believed in him” (2:11).
Our readings this week speak of God’s abundant provision, and in the story of the wedding at Cana the quantity and quality of the wine are both unexpected. Let’s think about what this tells us about God’s loving generosity, how we experience it in our own lives and how we, as a congregation and as individuals, might share it with others.
Christ is our love! baptised that we may know the love of God among us, swooping low… Christ is our joy! transforming wedding guest! Through water turned to wine the feast was blessed.
(Leith Fisher, CH4 336).
William.
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, 19th January 2025, Third Sunday after Epiphany
Hymn 28 Thy mercy, Lord is in the heavens (Psalm 36) (New London)
Hymn 166 Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy (Miniver)
Hymn 149 Let all creation dance (St John (Havergal))
Hymn 500 Lord of creation, to you be all praise! (Slane)
Anthem: Sussex Carol – Willcocks (1919–2015)
Musical Interlude: When Jesus Our Lord – Mendelssohn (1809–1847)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 12: 1-11
Gospel Reading: John 2: 1-11
Reader: Rona Black
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.
Follow us on Facebook!
Scan the QR code and give us a follow then pass it on to your friends and family!
St Columba’s Elder
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s elder Liz Maliphant. Please keep husband Ken and daughters Katy and Louise in your prayers. Funeral service will be held at Beckenham Crematorium on Friday 7th February at 12pm. A memorial service will be held at St Columba’s on Friday 7th March at 2pm. Rest eternal grant unto her and let light perpetual shine upon her.
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 19th January, Morning Service & Sunday School followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall.
The Minister leads worship at our linked charge, St Andrew’s, Newcastle.
This Sunday, due to illness, we need 2 volunteers for the lunch team. Please let the office know if you could help out with a 9.30am start.
This SUNDAY: Sunday 19th January, Sounds of St Columba’s Recital, 1.30pm, Upper Hall
Operatic Treasures – an assortment of operatic arias and duets from
Gulshan Akin – Soprano
Efim Zafalny – Baritone
Rebekka Magomedova – Piano
Annual Ecumenical Service in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Wednesday 22nd January, 7pm at St Mary Abbots Church, Kensington, W8 4LA
Courtesy of Mother Emma Dinwiddy Smith, the Parish of St Mary Abbots (CofE) will be hosting the Unity Service this year with Preacher, Fr Antony Aziz. This year’s theme: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). The service will be followed by refreshments, please RSVP to chrislfriends@aol.com.
NEXT WEEK: “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 and Burns recitations. Tickets £15 from Eventbrite only on this link or via the QR code below and will include two course Supper (Haggis, Neaps and Tatties followed by Cranachan). Cash bar on the night.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 26th January, 11am Service of Holy Communion & afterwards, “Reflections”
An opportunity to read and discuss a bible passage together with others, over a cup of coffee, following morning service. No sign up required, just come on the day.
UPCOMING: Change of date – St Columba’s Book Club, Tuesday 28th January 2025, 6.30pm
It will be via Zoom and we shall discuss The Outrun, by Amy Liptrot. After that we shall read Eight Months on Ghazzah Street by Hilary Mantel. To sign up and receive link, please contact the Church office, office@stcolumbas.org.uk
UPCOMING: The Festival of Silence at St Columba’s, Saturday 5th April 2025
A day of inviting the public into our beautiful building for a day of quiet activities, amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital city. With a mixture of artistic workshops, music and shared silence, the day offers contemplation, companionship, creativity and fun.
RESTART LIVES needs you!
Can you spare a coat, jumper or an item that will support someone sleeping rough to keep warm this winter?
RESTART has been supporting guests through the festive and winter period to access food, casework and resources they need.
If you would like to donate and support someone through a time which may be especially challenging when sleeping rough, or on the brink of homelessness, then please bring in items to the church office and Stef will pass these onto Olivia and the RESTART team for distribution.
Here are some of the items RESTART would be so grateful to receive for their guests:
- coats – mens/womens
- waterproofs – whether that be a jacket, trousers or some other form of waterproof
- shoes – trainers, walking boots or shoes that are comfy for walking in. These are the sort of shoes guests need
- ‘outdoor camping kit’ – sleeping bags (only new/not used and 4 Season for this) or other items which may have been used for camping and could be handy e.g. bivvy bags, ground mat, tent
- Rucksacks – any useful rucksacks that people can store and carry their belongings in will go down very well
Please note: if people would like to give new/unused items, that is excellent but we do not necessarily expect this. If giving donated items, we must ask that they are clean, fully washed, in good condition and in adult sizes only. RESTART can’t unfortunately cover laundry expenses but would not be able to give an item away which isn’t in clean, washed, fresh condition to a guest. Thank you for your understanding and kindness with donating. We are truly grateful. Feel free to reach Olivia on olivia@restartlives.org if you have a question or are not sure about a certain item.
Please bring your donation to the Church office between now and Friday 7th February.
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
E-mail: office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbaschurchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271