‘The Imitation of Christ’ by Thomas à Kempis, is regarded as a spiritual classic. Recently a friend drew attention to the section of the book which highlights the importance/significance of the sacrament of bread and wine. In his chapter on ‘That Holy Communion is not to be Lightly Foregone’, à Kempis wrote: “For your old Enemy knows well the abundant fruit and powerful remedy contained in Holy Communion, and tries by every means in his power to discourage and prevent the faithful and devout from receiving it.”
Happily, we have the opportunity to share communion this Sunday, during the 11am morning service. And those who are watching via the livestream are encouraged to prepare their own bread and wine (or equivalent) at home, in order to be co-partakers. As always, we are grateful to communion elder Rona Black and her team for the work that goes into preparing and distributing communion.
Those of you with long St Columba’s memories will know that how communion is celebrated and received has varied over the years. As one previous minister said: “As long as everybody gets fed, I don’t mind what people wear or how communion is served.” Another previous St Columba’s minister, the Very Reverend Dr Fraser McCluskey, in his remarkable wartime account, “Parachute Padre” – serving as chaplain to the fledgling SAS, dropping behind enemy lines in 1944 central France – McLuskey wrote of the forest communions he shared with soldiers, often in close proximity to danger:
“There were few communicants in our camps, and circumstances robbed our celebrations of much of the usual ceremony. We lost nothing by the smallness of our numbers and the simplicity of the service. We gained rather a new realisation of the character of this family act, instituted by Christ with a handful of men as ordinary and as human as we were, in a home where a family lived its life and did its work. That first celebration was simple and unpretentious enough, and we had the same essentials – bread and wine, a group of unworthy believers, and the presence of the Master.” (Parachute Padre, p126)
By the grace of God, may we find and celebrate those same elements this Sunday,
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, 26th January 2025, Holy Communion
Hymn 210 Awake, my soul, and with the sun (Morning Hymn)
Hymn 172 Sing for God’s glory that colours the dawn of creation (Lobe Den Herren)
Hymn 605 Thanks to God whose word was spoken (St Helen)
Hymn 19 Ye gates lift up your heads on high (St George’s, Edinburgh) Psalm 24
Hymn 167 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah (Cwm Rhondda)
Anthem: How Lovely Are the Messengers – Mendelssohn (1809–1847)
Communion Anthem: Lead Me, Lord – Wesley (1810–1876)
Old Testament Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Gospel Reading: Luke 4:14-21
Reader: Ian Russell
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.
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St Columba’s Elder
The funeral of St Columba’s elder, Liz Maliphant will be held at Beckenham Crematorium (also live-streamed) 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 26th January, 11am Service of Holy Communion.
Those joining the service via the livestream or telephone dial in are welcome to prepare bread and wine (or equivalent) at home, and share the communion at the appropriate moment. Following service, “Reflections”, (12.30am): the Nurture Committee offer an opportunity to read and discuss a bible passage with others, over a cup of coffee, following morning service. No sign up required, just come on the day.
THIS SUNDAY: Ensemble Hesperi.
A musical invitation to Crown Court Church of Scotland
NEXT WEEK: 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
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 2nd February, Morning Service & Sunday School followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall
NEXT SUNDAY: St Columba’s Craft Group, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Kirk Session Room
Many of us are knitters and crocheters of varying levels of experience; others are embroiderers spinners and patchworkers, so whatever your interest is you will find a welcome with us. For more details contact Susan Pym or Fiona Lang via the church office.
NEXT SUNDAY: Evening Service, 5pm, London Scottish Chapel followed by Coffee and Tea in the Lower Hall.
Worship led by St Columba’s elder and candidate for Church of Scotland ministry, Gary Wallis.
UPCOMING: Saturday 8th February, Friends of St Columba’s Visit, 11 a.m. Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN.
1) (Tube: Temple, Charing Cross, Embankment), Rendezvous inside the main entrance door. Gallery tickets are £10: Friends and Art Fund go free. A lovely opportunity to see world class art, with the feel of a private gallery: some of the finest 18th century interiors in London, an excellent cadre for treasures of European art from the Renaissance onwards, outstanding collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist work. The second-floor galleries are given over to the twentieth century. Not forgetting an excellent café restaurant!
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 time 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.
Crane Court Gallery: A Symphony of Form & Colour, 3 Crane Court, EC4A 2EJ
This exhibition showcases artists with their hearts rooted in Scotland. It presents work across a range of mediums united not only by a shared heritage and embrace of place but also by a profound commitment to their respective crafts. The exhibition runs from 23rd January to 21st February, Tuesday to Friday 12pm to 6pm.
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