The Gate of the Year
Friends,
A very Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. In the first newsletter of 2022, standing on a metaphorical vantage point, let us take a moment to recollect both things passed and things yet to come.
In a collection of prayers, “Safer than a known way”, the late Ruth Etchells offers a meditation for the turning year.
I remember God’s care in the year passed, in times of trouble:
Here I name them….
I remember God’s care in the year passed, in times of joy:
Here I name them….
I remember God’s care in the year passed, in times of trial:
Here I name them….
I remember God’s care in the year passed, in times of refreshment:
Here I name them….
Lord God, thank you for all that was good in this year that is passing. Forgive what was wrong in it, both my own wrong-doing and other people’s. Sanctify what was painful in it. And teach me to look back with thanksgiving, not nostalgia, and forward with faith and commitment. Through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.
And then, some familiar and comforting words for the road ahead: from “God Knows”, by Minnie Louise Haskins:
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” So, I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.”
And speaking of gates – here’s a glimpse of some fine new additions at St Andrew’s, Newcastle – entry gates and newly installed, and dedicated, pew cushions.
Have a good week and see you on Sunday when we welcome the Coleman family for the baptism of their son James.
Angus
Worshipping at St Columba’s & COVID Precautions.
The current arrangements for worship at St Columba’s remain unaltered but reinforced. Unless you are exempt from wearing a face mask we ask you to wear a face mask in the building and maintain social distancing in the pews. You may wish to complete a negative lateral flow test no more than 24 hours prior to Sunday service. We suggest dressing warmly as we try to keep the sanctuary well ventilated. In all our arrangements we recognise that people are at various stages on the pandemic journey – we ask for sensitivity around social distancing and keeping everyone confident and safe. (Our arrangements are under constant review, and we will publicise any changes as promptly as possible, should the need arise.)
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 will be on the website.
We believe it is really important to continue to live-stream the Morning Service under its current format i.e. for the benefit of those joining worship from afar or those as yet unable to make the journey to Pont Street. 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.
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, 9th January 2021 – 11am
Morning Worship & Baptisms
Hymn 201 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (Moredun)
Hymn 336 Christ is our light! The bright and morning star (Highland Cathedral)
Hymn 594 Come, Holy Spirit, come! (Diademata)
Hymn 301 Hark! The herald angels sing (Mendelssohn)
Anthem: There shall a star by Mendelssohn
Musical Interlude: Jesus Christ the apple tree by Poston
Organ Postlude: “Toccata in F” by J.S. Bach
New Testament Reading: Acts 8: 14 – 17
Gospel Reading; St. Luke 3: 15 – 17, 21 – 22
Short Service of Weekly Holy Communion
Following Morning Service there is a short service of Holy Communion, combined with prayers for those in need, at 12.15pm in the London Scottish Chapel. Worshippers can receive bread and wine; wine is distributed via small individual “thimble” glasses. The names gathered from the prayer cards, at the back of the sanctuary, are prayed for during the communion service. This is a very welcome return for a small but precious part of St Columba’s life.
Hymns, Music & Readings, 9th January 2021 – 5pm
Service of Music & Readings for Advent
Hymn Hills of the North, rejoice
Hymn 48 His large and great dominion shall Psalm 72 (Effingham) Hymn 234 ‘Tis winter now; the fallen snow (O Waly Waly)
Hymn What child is this, who laid to rest (Greensleaves)
Hymn 305 In the bleak midwinter (Cranham) (CH4 305)
Hymn 326 As with gladness men of old (Dix)
Introit: ‘God be in my head’ Walford Davies.
Choir Soloist: ‘Rejoice’ from Handel’s Messiah
Postlude: Elevation from Mass for the Convents (Couperin)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 60:1-8
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-15
Office Hours
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
Advent Appeal 2021 Glass Door – Sox and Boxers – Last Call
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Advent Appeal. This Sunday is the last opportunity to offer much needed items for the Glass Door charity. Items are: boxer shorts, thermal hats, thermal socks (for both men and women), thermal tights, thermal gloves (or very thick ones). Collection point will be the Upper Vestibule.
As an alternative for anyone not able to come to church, you may wish to consider Borderline for a financial donation.
Details are:
Borderline 22 City Road London EC1Y 2AJ Tel. 0845 456 2190
Cheques payable to ‘New Borderline’ and post to above address.
https://www.borderline-uk.org/
Please see the below link to the Borderline donation portal: New Borderline – Donate now (cafonline.org) Thank you. Mission Committee.
Sunday Lunch Dates
A reminder that due to the reduced number of available lunch teams (9 down to 5), lunches will only be served on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, and on the 5th Sunday where there are 5 Sundays in any month.
The next lunch dates are the 16th of January, 30th January and 6th February in the Lower Hall unless circumstances change. Those taking lunch and /or coffee to wear masks until they sit down and wait to be served.
Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
Maintaining Community and Supporting Each Other
Everybody can play a part in maintaining contact with others via telephone, e-mail or letter, especially those who are particularly vulnerable. Our Elders are encouraged to make contact with those in their districts, and church members are welcome to contact the church office to request a contact from their elder or the Minister.
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.
St Columba’s Book Club
The next online meeting of the St Columba’s Book Club is the 24th January at 7pm. The book this month will be The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis. The joy of the St Columba’s book club is that is all on Zoom so you can join from anywhere in the world in the comfort of your own home. In your newly purchased/gifted diaries do put the forward date of Monday, February 28 2022 as well.
Sounds of St Columba’s
The ‘Sounds of St Columba’s’ concert series will restart on Sunday 16th January 2022 at 1:15pm. Recitals will continue throughout the year on the third Sunday of the month (excluding April, August & December). Full details of the performers and repertoire will follow a little later this year. These recitals are free to attend, with a retiring offering. For more information contact Ben Lewis-Smith music@stcolumbas.org.uk
Happy Hour
Our first meeting will be on Wednesday 2nd February when our speaker will be Elder, Donald Johnston. We plan to meet at The Carpenters Arms in Seymour Place W1.
Stamps
Stamps if you would like to leave stamps for Crossreach, please pop them into the Church Office on Sundays.