Friends,
As I write this the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla is just over two weeks away, the streets are being decorated and parties planned – including our own St. Columba’s “Street Party” following worship on Sunday May 7th. Many of you have said how much you appreciate the little book of coronation prayers which was distributed on Easter Day. I know that many members of St. Columba’s will remember the Queen’s coronation in June 1953, but I wonder if anyone recalls the coronation of King George VI in May 1937? I still have a small bible given to my father, and I presume all Perthshire school children, to mark the coronation of King George and Queen Elizabeth. At the coronation on May 6th, I believe that King Charles will be presented with a bible by the Moderator, Dr Iain Greenshields, with these words “Here is wisdom; this is the royal law; these are the lively oracles of God”. This first happened at his mother’s coronation 70 years ago.
The coronation is not just a historic ceremony to mark the beginning of a new reign but a solemn church service, in some traditions regarded as a sacrament, in which the sovereign pledges to serve their people as a servant of God. The late Queen kept that promise for 70 years and it is now our turn to support our new King with our prayers as he makes his sacred vow.
“First of all then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving should be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a peaceable life in all godliness and dignity”. (1 Timothy 2: 1-2)
And do remember that because we are joining for worship with Crown Court Church of Scotland on Sunday 30th April to mark the forthcoming coronation, there will be no service at St Columba’s on that date.
William
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, 23rd April 2023
Hymn 76 How can I ever thank the Lord (Jackson (Byzantium)) Hymn 566 When I receive the peace of Christ (Seven joys of Mary) Hymn 465 Be thou my Vision (Slane)
Hymn 511 Your hand, O God, has guided (Thornbury)
Anthem: Lead me, Lord (Wesley)
Musical Interlude: O for a closer walk with God (Stainer)
Organ Postlude: Voluntary No 10 in G (Boyce)
New Testament Reading: Acts 2: 14a, 36 – 41
New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 1: 16 – 23
Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 13 – 35
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.
SAVE THE DATE: Joint Service with Crown Court Church of Scotland, Sunday 30th April 2023, 11.15am
To mark and celebrate the forthcoming coronation of King Charles III, a joint service for Crown Court and St Columba’s will take place at Crown Court (11.15am) on Sunday 30th April 2023. The guest preacher will be Revd Professor David Fergusson, Dean of the Chapel Royal. Worship on that Sunday at St Columba’s will be suspended i.e. No 11am service. However, the service at Crown Court will be available via our own live-stream. Hospitality will be offered after the service. Please save the date for what promises to be a special and festive occasion.
St Columba’s Member
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s elder Alison Buchanan. Please keep Roderick and Alison’s family in your prayers. Details of Alison’s funeral will be published when confirmed.
Rest eternal grant unto her and let light perpetual shine upon her.
Sunday School & future dates:
Between March & June, we offer Sunday School on the first and third Sundays of the month.
- Sunday 7th May – King’s Coronation Street Party Lunch
- Sunday 21st May
- Sunday 4th June (Second Sunday of half term)
- Sunday 25th June (Families Communion & Congregational Picnic
Congregational Sunday Lunch & Future Dates
Future dates for lunches are 7th May (see below), 14th May (extra lunch) & 21st 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.
There will be a very special “street party” lunch on Sunday the 7th of May to celebrate the Kings Coronation. If you are planning on attending the after service “street party” on the 7th May can you please indicate to the office (office@stcolumbas.org.uk) how many your party will be so we can ensure all are catered for? Lunch that day will be £3.50 as normal.
Easter Study
Revd William McLaren will be holding an Easter Study via Zoom from Wednesday 12th April, 11.30am for 6 weeks. The book will be “Encountering the Risen Christ: From Easter to Pentecost: the message of the resurrection and how it can change us” by Mark Bradford.
Published by the Bible Reading Fellowship it can also be obtained from Church House Bookshop in Westminster. Encountering the Risen Christ is very accessible, and I think people will enjoy reading it. To sign up please contact the Church Office for the log in details.
Christian Aid Week: 14th to 20th May
The focus has switched this year to Malawi and the terrible effect climate change is having there, particularly for the families that rely on farming to survive. Malawi suffers with such erratic and severe weather due to climate change, drought, sometimes terrible flooding and it was also hit by a devastating cyclone a couple of months ago. Your donations could help fund the purchase of drought resistant seeds/crop such as the amazing hardy pigeon peas, farming tools, a bicycle so that experienced farmers can travel by bike to train other less experienced farmers, money towards a co-operative oven to enable local people to turn their pigeon peas into profit by baking bread and funding would also help provide business training of local farmers. Ways to donate are:
Cake Sale – Sunday 14th May – Entrance Vestibule – Calling all cake bakers!
Following on from the success of last year’s cake sale we thought we would do it again. If you would like to bake a cake(s) or biscuits and either bring in to the Entrance Vestibule before the service on Sunday 14th 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 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.
- There will be red CA collecting buckets in the Upper Vestibule after the service on Sunday 7th, 14th and 21st May. The main CA collection Sunday will be on Sunday 14th May.
- CA envelopes will be available on a table in the Upper Vestibule, and a tick box for those eligible to Gift Aid their donation. Some CA envelopes will also be in the pews.
- Online donations: We have our own church online giving page for Christian Aid Week (GiveStar). Please click on the link: https://giving.give-star.com/online/christian-aid/chelsea st-columba-christian-aid-week-2023
Your donations will help improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. Thank you.
Petition: Please do sign the online Christian Aid: East Africa Hunger Crisis Petition, thank you for your support.
East Africa Hunger Crisis petition – Christian Aid
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 May 20: Visit to Canterbury Cathedral and City (www.canterbury cathedral.org/visit). This is the mother church of the Anglican faith, and seat of the Archbishop. We shall discover the history of the Cathedral from the re establishment of Christianity in England in 597, to the murder of Thomas Beckett, which made Canterbury one of the most important pilgrimage sites. Rendezvous by ticket booth at the Cathedral entrance, 11 a.m.
- Friday 23rd June: Visit to the Handel and Hendrix Museum. George Frideric Handel lived at 25 Brook Street from 1723 until his death in 1759. It was here that Handel wrote and rehearsed his greatest works, including his Messiah. In 1968, Jimi Hendrix moved into an adjoining flat at number 23. He entertained, inspired and collaborated with other icons of British 60s rock music. Handel & Hendrix in London present these buildings as an evolving celebration of Handel’s and Hendrix’s lives. Tickets must be purchased in advance so please get in touch with Isobel Carter if you would like to attend.
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 Book Group
The St Columba’s Book Group will meet (on Zoom!) on Wednesday the 7th June at 6.30pm. The book we will discuss is Lesson’s in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
New members are always welcome. Contact the Church Office for the log in details.
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.
21st May 2023 – Fredrick Seines, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Bach, Poulenc and Dowland.
18th June 2023 – Emily Sun, in demand international violinist will play the Tchaikovsky’ Violin Concerto
16th July 2023- Ashley Fripp, Piano recital
Happy Hour
The next Happy Hour meeting will take place on Wednesday 3 May at The Carpenters Arms, Seymour Place W1H 7NE. Please note there will not be a meeting in April.
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.