Dear Friends,
This Sunday we will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism. It is always a real pleasure to welcome a new member into God’s family. Of course, most of those we baptise at St. Columba’s are infants, but it is never too late to be baptised and in a previous congregation I baptised a lady in her 70’s. It is important to remember that baptism is not something we do for God, but rather a celebration of what God has already done for us in Christ, whatever age we are.
In its liturgies for both infant and adult baptism the French Reformed Church includes the declaration “… for you Jesus Christ came into the world: for you he lived and showed God’s love; for you he suffered the darkness of Calvary and cried at the last, “It is accomplished”; for you he triumphed over death and rose in newness of life; for you he ascended to reign at God’s right hand. All this he did for you, …, though you do not know it yet. And so the word of Scripture is fulfilled: “We love because God loved us first”.
Baptism, whether for ourselves or for our children, is our response to God’s love. As we said last week the oldest creed of the Christian church is 3 words – “Jesus is Lord”. That was the confession made by the earliest Christians at their baptism. Those who have been baptised as children may choose to return later in life to “confirm” the vows their parents made on their behalf and become communicant members of the church for their baptism is just the beginning of their Christian journey and what an exciting journey it is!
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 3rd September 2023
Hymn 52 How lovely is thy dwelling-place (Harrington (Retirement))
Hymn 577 Christ be beside me (Bunessan)
Hymn 632 Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer (Belmont)
Hymn 533 Will you come and follow me (Kelvingrove)
Choir Anthem: Magnificat in F (Dyson)
Musical Interlude: Nunc Dimittis in F (Dyson)
Organ Postlude: Now thank we all our God (Karg Elert)
New Testament Reading: Romans 12: 9-21
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 21-28
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.
THIS SUNDAY: Special Welcome & Congregational Sunday Lunch & Future Dates
We welcome the family and friends of Louie Gill who joins us on Sunday for his baptism. Following service there will be a fine Sunday lunch served in the Lower Hall following the service this weekend. Future dates for lunches are 17th & 24th September in the Lower Hall. The 24th September is an additional date on which we will say farewell to outgoing Office Manager Lucy Llewellyn. 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.
THIS SUNDAY: St Columba’s Craft Group
The group will meet on the first Sunday of every month, starting on Sunday 3rd September, from 1.30 pm until 3.30 pm in the Library. This is a great opportunity to pick up tips and new techniques from our talented and experienced members. All welcome. For further information please contact Fiona Lang or Susan Pym through the church office.
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group, Sunday, 10th September 10am
Come and join us AT 10am in the Kirk Session Room (same level as the church sanctuary) for 15 minutes to pray for our church, our community, our nation and our world …everyone is welcome and our prayers, both spoken and unspoken do make a difference. Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” Pray that as we pray, we would remember that God is good and is worthy to be praised! See you there! (Congregational Prayer Group)
Sunday School Activities
The first Sunday of the new Sunday School year will be Sunday 17th September. In the period up to Christmas we aim to offer Sunday School during the morning service on the first and third Sundays of the month. Please contact the Office if you would like to find out more. Once again, we are very grateful for those congregational volunteers who make the Sunday School activities possible.
SAVE THE DATE: Congregational Away Day, Saturday 30th September 2023
Plans for our upcoming Congregational Away Day on Saturday 30th September are well advanced. The day will be led by Revd Russell McLarty & Dr Magdalen Lambkin, both volunteer practitioners with Place for Hope https://www.placeforhope.org.uk/ They will begin with an interview panel to enable us to hear from members of our own congregation, as well as others who use our building regularly (ReStart, AA, Scottish Country Dancers). During the rest of the day, we will have a series of workshops to help us build ideas of what our church might be like in five to fifteen years’ time. (In 2034 it will be the 150th Anniversary of the congregation.)
It is an important opportunity for the congregation to take stock and consider our collective possibilities and priorities. Guided by the skill and experience of others, and appreciating why St Columba’s remains precious and meaningful to many people, we hope it will be a fruitful day. Timings for the day are 10am – 4pm. A soup and sandwich lunch will be provided. We aim to provide childcare for part of the day to enable families to attend. Please sign up to indicate attendance via the Church Office. And please keep Russell and Magdalen in your prayers as they prepare to lead us on the day.
New Members’ Conference
On Saturday 28th October, we will hold a New Members’ Conference for those who wish to consider membership of the Church of Scotland. A New Members’ Service will then be held on Advent Sunday – Sunday 3rd December 2023, at 11am. More details to follow but please keep the dates in your diary.
‘Being with’ Enquirers’ Course, Autumn 2023
Are you interested in exploring more about the Christian faith? Would you like to meet with some friends over food and conversation to think about what it means to be Christian in London today? Why not come along to an informal six-week course with supper and conversation on Sunday evenings at 6 pm for six weeks beginning on Sunday 3rd September at Crown Court Church. You’ll be made most welcome. The course, entitled ‘Being with’ is open to people curious about faith, new to faith, or maybe even looking to reconsider what it means to follow Christ in today’s world. Wherever you are on your journey, you’ll be made most welcome. For more info or to book your place please contact Scott Rennie, on minister@crowncourtchurch.org.uk
St Columba’s Book Group
All members present really enjoyed the Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham and thought that it was multidimensional and had good characterisation. Our next choice is a non- fiction one, “Landlines” by Raynor Winn which is the third book in a trilogy but also stands alone. It is set, in part in Scotland and is on the Sunday Times best seller list. We next meet virtually on Monday 11th September at 6.30pm. We have also selected the book after that, “Nightbloom” by Peace Adzo Medie. New members are always welcome. Contact the Church Office for the log in details
“Lucy’s Secret Surprise Gift” & Farewell Lunch
There will be a congregational lunch on Sunday 24th September at which we will say farewell to departing Office manager, Lucy Llewellyn. On previous leave-takings, when a collection for a member of staff has been invited, donations have come in via the office – collected by Lucy. This gives us a somewhat awkward current scenario. My suggestion is this: If you wish to donate towards Lucy’s leaving gift, please put it in an envelope marked: “Lucy’s Secret Surprise Gift” and hand it into her. She has promised not to open and will pass on to those others who will collate and action. Please could we have contributions in by Sunday 10th September. We are currently in the midst of the interviewing process for her successor. Please continue to keep those applying, and those with the responsibility for appointing, in your prayers.
Happy Hour
Following our discussion earlier this year on the Middle East, led by William, the September Happy Hour session will see a change to our format. Rather than meeting at our usual venue, the plan is to attend the lecture at St Martin-in- the- Fields where the Archbishop of Canterbury and an expert panel will explore reconciliation and hope for the Middle East. The proposal is for everyone to book their own ticket, details attached. Booking info: You can book to attend in person or to watch online. https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/calendar/here-i-stand-reconciliation or call 020 7766 1100. Tickets are free, although a £10 donation to cover the cost of the event is suggested. The lecture starts at 7pm and is followed by a reception where we’ll have a chance to socialise and discuss the evening. Happy Hour’s programme for the rest of the autumn season can be found on the website under Community Life https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/community-life/happy-hour.
Sounds of St Columba’s Recitals
Please note future dates for our wonderful recital series – 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.
17th September 2023 – Richard Phillips, Cello Recital
15th October 2023 – Oscar Simms, Baritone
19th November 2023 – The Choir of St Columba’s
21st January 2024- Catherine Olver, Organ Recital (Church)
Save the Date: Safeguarding Training,
Mandatory Safeguarding Training for those who require it will be offered on the following dates:
Wednesday 20th September 2023, 6.45pm – 9.15pm – online & Saturday 21st October 2023, 10.00am – 12.30pm – in person. Venue /St Columba’s Church – Upper Hall. Please sign up with the church office.
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