Dear Friends,
When I was in primary school we said the Lord’s Prayer each morning, the teacher (it was a one teacher school) read a Bible story each morning Monday to Thursday, on Thursday afternoon the minister visited and on Friday mornings we sang hymns, each of us asking for our favourites.
To children in primary school today it would seem like ancient history! My favourite hymns included “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord” by Julia Ward Howe which I liked for its rousing tune – The Battle Hymn of the Republic and also John Bunyan’s great hymn “Who would true valour see”. I’m not sure how much of it I understood although I enjoyed references to lions, pilgrims and fighting and I thought that “Hobgoblin nor foul fiend” was as close to swearing as I could get without my mother taking swift and painful action! Twelve years ago English National Opera performed Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Pilgrim’s Progress” at their wonderful home in the London Coliseum and having come from Dundee especially to see it I had to be very careful not to join in and find myself ejected from the theatre.
We all have our favourite hymns and I believe that the theology of hymns is very important since people remember the words of hymns long after they have forgotten the words of sermons. It is now almost twenty years since the publication of The Church Hymnary, fourth edition (CH4). Inevitably some people mourned the loss of old favourites from the new hymn book, while others were dismayed by the inclusion of so many “modern hymns” but it seems to me that one of the strengths of CH4 is that it contains words and music from every continent and all the main Christian traditions – a reminder of our place in the World Church.
This Sunday our lesson from Acts 8:26-40 tells the story of Philip and the official at the court of Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians, who probably became the first Ethiopian convert to Christianity. From its beginning in Jerusalem and Galilee the Christian message quickly spread to every corner of the known world and today we celebrate the fact that we are part of a worldwide family of believers from whose different experiences we can learn and grow.
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.
Dial into Sunday Service update
We very much hope to restore the telephone Dial-in facility for next week’s service. Please bear with our technicians as we seek to resolve the issue. If all is well normal service should be restored for Sunday 5th May. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Hymns, Music & Readings for Morning Worship
Sunday 28th April 2024
Hymn 78 Oh, set ye open unto me (Southwark)
Hymn 530 One more step along the world I go (Southcote)
Hymn 535 Who would true valour see (Monk’s Gate)
Hymn 533 Will you come and follow me (Kelvingrove)
Anthem: I was glad, Purcell
Musical Interlude: O quam gloriosum, Victoria
New Testament Reading: Acts 8: 26 – 40
Epistle: 1 John 4: 7-21
Gospel Reading: John 15: 1 – 8
Reader: Ian Russell
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.
THIS WEEK: The St Columba’s Kirk Session meets Friday 26th April, at 6.35pm
As always, non-elders are welcome to attend as observers.
THIS WEEK: Crown Court Quiz
Crown Court quiz will be held on 27th April (at Crown Court, WC2B 5EZ) at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £5 per person. Tables will be arranged for six people, however smaller groups/ individuals can be amalgamated / allocated a team.
Snacks and soft drinks will be provided, guests are very welcome to bring their own drinks as well. Contact office@crowncourtchurch.org.uk to book your space.
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Worship, 11am
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
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.
Please do click on this link to watch a short video (under 4mins) on Christian Aid Week 12 to 18 May – Burundi Appeal. Details on how to donate will be in the weekly newsletter as from next week.
https://christianaid.resourcespace.com/pages/view.php?ref=10741&k=4e1e8ad587
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.
NEXT WEEK: 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.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday School and Congregational Lunch
NEXT SUNDAY: Evening Service, 5pm, London Scottish Chapel
NEXT SUNDAY: St Columba’s Craft Group, Kirk Session Room from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
This is a great opportunity to pick up tips and new techniques from our talented and experienced members whilst sharing a tea or coffee. All welcome. For further information please contact Fiona Lang or Susan Pym through the church office.
UPCOMING: Scottish Dancing for Children, Sunday 12th May, 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.
UPCOMING: Friends of St Columba’s Visit to St Alban’s Cathedral,
Saturday 11th May 2024.
The Friends head to the 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 detail https://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.
UPCOMING: Sunday 19th May, 1.30pm
The church’s Organ Scholar, Stellaria Ciampolini Vukelić will be giving her first organ recital with works by Messiaen, Widor and De Grigny.
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