Friends,
It always seems to me that one of the many arguments for the existence of St. Columba’s is that as long as Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, the established Church of Scotland should be represented in the capital of the United Kingdom.
On Tuesday morning it was a privilege to attend the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast at Westminster Hall. Sponsored by the National Bible Society and others, this event brings together MPs (including the Prime Minister and other party leaders), Peers, Christian charities, such as Christian Aid and the Trussell Trust, and church representatives from across the United Kingdom, to reflect on the relevance of the Bible and Christian faith to public life, and to pray for all those involved in politics and government. The main speaker this year was Dr Amy Orr-Ewing, honorary lecturer in the Divinity Department of the University of Aberdeen and author of “Where is God in all the suffering?” Amy’s address to the Prayer Breakfast can be heard on Premier Christian Radio at 11 a.m. this Saturday (premier.org.uk).
After breakfast I attended a seminar organised by Christian Aid – “Poverty local and global: how can the churches champion justice?” Speakers included Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West, Shadow Minister for the Natural Environment and Air Quality, so not surprisingly the climate crisis featured in our discussions as well as the current cost of living.
Christian Aid provided all guests at the breakfast with this prayer – The fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:18)
Jesus, you call us to sow the seeds of peace,
and to nurture justice.
Jesus, you call us to lead through service,
and to cultivate humility.
Servant King, direct our steps.
May we act boldly, according to your will,
in the service of those excluded from power.
May we see your kingdom come,
in the green shoots and ripe fruits of a more
just world.
May we lead, according to your example,
with compassion and selflessness,
in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
William McLaren.
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 2nd July 2023
Hymn 53 Oh, greatly blest the people are (St Stephen (Newington))
Hymn 404 I danced in the morning (Lord of the dance)
Hymn 632 Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer (Belmont)
Hymn 818 Praise ye the Lord (Old 124th)
Choir Anthem: O praise the Lord (Batten)
Musical Interlude: Agnus Dei from The Little Organ Mass (Haydn)
Organ Postlude: Fantasia alla Marcia (Bédard)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 28: 5-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10: 40-42
The Minister leads worship at our linked charge, St Andrew’s, Newcastle this Sunday.
Congregational Sunday Lunch
There will be a fine Sunday lunch served in the Lower Hall after the service today. Future dates for lunches are 16th & 30th July in the Lower Hall.
Please note the small increase to £4.00 per lunch – still exceptional value for a two course meal. Big thanks to all our catering teams who provide for us on congregational lunch Sundays. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall – donations for coffee most welcome.
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group, Sunday 9th July, in the Kirk Session Room & Guest Preacher
“So, Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12: 5. The New Testament talks a lot about praying together. “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’. Come and join us to pray at 10am in the SESSION ROOM (next to the bookstall).…everyone is welcome!
We will welcome Reverend Ramsay Shields as our guest preacher on Sunday 9th July. Ramsay has been ministering at St Luke’s, Milngavie for over 26 years. Prior to that, he was minister at Portsoy in the Northeast of Scotland for 7 years. Ramsay is currently staying in the church flat while attending a conference in London.
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.
Sounds of St Columba’s 2023
Please note future dates, bring your friends and enjoy the marvellous music in the Upper Hall. 1.30pm start. These exceptional recitals are one of the “gems” of current St Columba’s life. Not to be missed.
16th July 2023 – Ashley Fripp, Piano recital
17th September 2023 – Richard Phillips, Cello Recital
Happy Hour
Happy Hour’s last gathering before the summer break will be on Wednesday 5 July, from 6.30 – 8.30pm in the upstairs room at The Carpenters Arms Seymour Place W1H 7NE, a short walk from Marble Arch tube station. To start the evening, we’ll discuss Claire Keegan’s book Small Things Like These – only 115 pages and very well reviewed. But even if you don’t manage to read it, do come along to socialise. Newcomers always welcome.
St Columba’s Book Group
The St Columba’s Book Group will meet (on Zoom!) on Tuesday 25th July at 7.00pm. The book we will discuss is The Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham.
New members are always welcome. Contact the Church Office for the log in details.
Save the Date: Congregational Away Day, Saturday 30th September 2023
We are holding a Congregational Away Day on Saturday 30th September. Led by an outside facilitator it is the opportunity for the congregation to take stock and consider the challenges, possibilities and priorities for the ongoing life and work of our congregation, for the next five to ten years. (In 2034 it will be the 150th Anniversary of the congregation.) The Away Day will actually take place at St Columba’s but our hope is to hear the thoughts and ideas of as wide a representation of the congregation as possible. Provisional timings 10am – 3pm. More detail will follow in due course.
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.