Sunday’s Gospel reading is perhaps Jesus’ most famous parable, that of the Prodigal Son. The late Henri Nouwen, Dutch Roman Catholic priest, writer and theologian authored “The Return of the Prodigal Son”. It offers an extended reflection on the Rembrandt picture housed in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. The picture depicts the moment the prodigal son returns and is embraced by the father – while the elder brother watches from the shadows. Nouwen invites his readers to consider which character in the story we most identify with. He further suggests that at different stages in our lives, we can/may display the characteristics of all three.
Hearing the story questions may arise: Have I been the resentful older brother, annoyed that God is merciful, feeling like I deserve more recognition? Have I been the prodigal younger sibling, turning my back and squandering gifts? Do/did I have the confidence in God’s love, to return? Can I accept not only the embrace, but the celebration of the Father? Am I able to be the father – gracious, forgiving, able to lavish love? In which of these roles have I felt closest to/furthest from, God?
One of Nouwen’s observations is appropriate for this Mothering Sunday weekend. He suggests that one of the hands of the father can be interpreted as being more feminine, showing God our Mother, as well as God our Father. As the prophet Isaiah reminds: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I [God] comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13). Or as Jesus said over that same city: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34)
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, 30th March 2025, Fourth Sunday of Lent
Hymn 137 All things bright and beautiful (All things bright and beautiful)
Hymn 213 Every new morning (Tune: Bunessan CH4 212)
Hymn 555 Amazin grace (Amazing Grace, New Britain)
Hymn 182 Now thank we all our God (Nun Danket)
Anthem: Salvator mundi – T. Tallis (c 1505-1585)
Musical Interlude: Teach me, O Lord – W. Byrd (c 1543-1623)
Old Testament Reading: Joshua 5:9-12
New Testament Reading: II Corinthians 5:16-21
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Reader: Caroline Newsome
Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columb 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.
Give us a follow then pass it on to your friends and family!
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THIS SUNDAY: Guided Prayer for Lent, 10.15am – 10.30am, London Scottish Regimental Chapel (note change of venue)
Sundays in Lent (9th March – 20th April) 10.15 – 10.30am, London Scottish Regimental Chapel, a time of quiet prayer, in the company of others, following meditations for the season, led by the Minister.
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall.
British Summer Time begins and Mothering Day.
St Columba’s member
We are sorry to announce the death of former St Columba’s elder, Alan Mackie. We offer our prayers for wife Melanie and Alan’s family members. Funeral details will be announced when known. Rest eternal grant unto him, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
Lent Appeal 2025 – Caxton Youth Organisation. Registered Charity 1090549.
The Caxton Youth Organisation is a small local Westminster charity, based in Pimlico with Clubs Rooms that are in the basement area of a council housing estate. The charity is already known to us as it was the recipient of our Lent Appeal 2011. Founded in 1948 by a couple of local residents in response to much needed help and support for young people aged 11 to 25 years who have learning disabilities and young people with autism. It provides crucial support for local families with evening clubs three times a week: fantastic opportunities to make friends, drama workshops, play games, life-skills, basic cooking lessons for the older ones. The charity also helps with employment applications, finding work, or training.
With your donations we hope to raise enough funds to pay for a five-day outdoor residential trip at a purpose-built centre in the countryside for eight young people plus three staff. Donations would help cover the costs for accommodation, catering, staffing, activities and transport to the centre. A chance for them to experience the countryside and activities such as abseiling, high ropes courses, archery, pond dipping.
We are delighted to welcome guest speakers for a brief talk on the charity during the morning service on: Sunday 13 April (Palm Sunday) – Esther Norman, Interim – CEO
Please do watch this lovely short video clip ‘What Makes Caxton Youth Special’. On this link.
Various options to donate:
White Lent Appeal envelopes available in the pews and in Upper Vestibule. Alternatively, by electronic bank transfer: Please use “Lent Appeal” as the payment reference.
St. Columba’s Church of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
Account Number 00264741
Sort Code 16 00 42
Cheques payable to: “St. Columba’s Church of Scotland” and with a note attached to cheque indicating it is for the Lent Appeal. Send to: Finance Dept. (Lent Appeal).
Thank you. Mission Committee.
Easter lilies
Easter Lilies The Flower Guild would once again like to offer the opportunity to remember a loved one this Easter. You can purchase one or more lilies costing £4 each which will then be used to decorate the church on Easter Sunday. There will be a list in the church on the day of the names of those remembered. Please put cash or cheques in an envelope clearly marked with the name of the person you wish to remember and hand it in to the office or give it to Patricia Clarke or Kate Payne. You can do this any time up to Sunday 13 April.
Next session: Wednesday 2nd April 2025. The Zoom link will be provided to those who register. No preparation is required for this.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 6th April, Morning Service & Sunday School followed by Lunch in the Lower Hall.
NEXT SUNDAY: Evening Service, 5pm, London Scottish Chapel followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall.
Bach St John Passion at Holy Trinity Sloane Square:
On Palm Sunday, 13 April at 6pm, the combined Holy Trinity Choirs will perform Bach’s sublime St John Passion, accompanied by players from London’s leading early music ensembles. Tickets (Adults / Chorale Choir: £20; Under 18s £10) are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/sloanechurch or on the door.
Diary Date: New Members’ Conference & Service, Wednesday 30th April 2025 & Sunday 8th June
If you would like to learn more about what becoming a member of St Columba’s involves, you are warmly invited to an evening of food and discussion on Wednesday 30th April 2025, 7.00pm. For those who would then like to become members there will be a Service of Welcome on Sunday 8th 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: Scots in London 80th Anniversary VE Day Events
Tuesday 6th May, London Scottish House, SW10 2DX, 6.30pm
VE Day: Then and Now? What do we remember and what do we need to learn? Panel discussion with Chair, James Landale (BBC), Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former Cabinet minister, Professor Lucy Noakes, author and historian, and Professor David Ferguson (Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge). Tickets are free and available on this link.
Sunday 11th May, St Columba’s, Pont Street, 11am 80th Anniversary VE Day Service
With invited guests from European and Commonwealth embassies, followed by a catered lunch (£10 per person, available via Eventbrite) and an afternoon talk by author Damien Lewis (SAS Daggers Drawn) and actor David Robb, on the wartime ministry of the Very Revd Dr Fraser McLuskey – the Parachute Padre – minister of St Columba’s, 1960 – 1986. Book your tickets on this link. If you are unable to use Eventbrite, there will be opportunities to purchase tickets before and after the service on Sunday 20th, 27th April and 4th May in the entry hall.
Other events from Scots in London partners that week: Thursday 8 May
The London Scottish Regimental Association are hosting an evening reception at London Scottish House to mark VE80. Tickets to the evening are £15. Please contact Martin Felstead for an order form if you wish to attend at mjfelstead99@gmail.com before 1st May.
Saturday 10 May
London Scottish House is hosting the ‘Peace in Europe Conference’ being organised by the newly formed Second World War Association. You can find out more about the event online here.
Scots in London March newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/9383c57690aa/scots-in-london-march-newsletter?e=0e99102ba6
Scots in London is an umbrella organisation for Scottish cultural societies, sports clubs, alumni groups, charities, churches and the Scottish military in London. Its mission is to promote Scottish culture and heritage, co-ordinate and communicate events, support Scottish charities in the capital, and contribute to the life of the city where we live. While proud of our shared nationality, we endeavour to be international in outlook.
Save the date – Scots in London is delighted to announce that the St Andrew’s Book Festival is returning for 2025!
Get ready to engage with some of the biggest names in Scottish literature as the St Andrew’s Book Festival returns to central London from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 November 2025.
Save the dates, tell your friends, and stay tuned as we reveal more!
Sign up to hear all the latest festival news at www.standrewsbookfestival.org
Save the date
On Thursday 12th June, there is an opportunity to attend a special service at Westminster Abbey for A Service of Thanksgiving and Reflection to mark the 80th Anniversary of Christian Aid. Doors will open from 10.30am via the Great West Door on Victoria Street, all guests to be seated by 11.30. Service starts at 12.00. To attend, please register as soon as possible. Herewith link: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/events/80th-anniversary-service-ginvite#register
Please also take photo ID as you may be asked to produce it and you must register to attend.
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