For Sunday 11th January 2026, First Sunday after Epiphany

Throughout the year, but particularly over the Christmas season, St Columba’s has enjoyed some wonderful musical moments. Congregational carols sung together, visiting choirs (professional and amateur) for charity carol services, the ScotsCare Choir entertaining us in the Lower Hall following Pont Street Carols and this week Hill House Small School lined up on the chancel steps singing about wise men following a star, at the first church assembly of the new term. We are incredibly fortunate in the gifts of the music made here, by so many different musicians.

This week Reverend Tom Gordon https://swallowsnestnet.wordpress.com/ offered his own short story on the subject of singing – you might enjoy: A traveller arrived in the village. He carried little, and when he spoke, his words were different from any language the villagers had heard. For a time, they were fearful, for the stranger was not like them. And they could not speak with him, or enquire, or be reassured. But the traveller smiled, and seemed gentle and kind. His presence conveyed what words could not say: “Have no fear. I am only a traveller, passing your way. I come in peace.” So they fed him, cared for his beast of burden, gave him water to bathe in, and prepared a bed for his rest. By signs, and signals, and patience, each knew what the other required.

In the evening, the villagers gathered with him by the fire, under a panoply of stars. Silence embraced them, holding them together, making the traveller one with them. And, after a while, the stranger began to sing. As the silence was gently filled with his music, the stillness stepped aside and let the singing take its place. The music was entrancing, beyond words, filling the space with beauty. And, one by one, the villagers began to sing with the stranger, harmonies without words, gently, rhythmically, sometimes soaring, sometimes whispering, sometimes a few, sometimes all, sometimes leaving the stranger to sing alone. And, as time went on, a villager would begin a new song, and the traveller would sing with the villagers, smiling as he did, combining his music with theirs. Back and forth, they went, song after song, as the fire burned low, and the moon rose high, and the chill of the night beckoned them to rest. In the darkness, the singing lay down with the stranger and the villagers, and slept with them, and dreamed with them, and rested with them. In the morning, when the villagers rose with the dawn, the traveller had gone. And at the day’s end, they all sat round the fire in the still of the night and sang new songs.

Tom ended his tale with the following enquiries: What new songs, new ideas, new prospects will we discover in 2026? Who will we learn from, who might we listen to, who will bring us new things? With whom will we share our music? Who will be happy to go on singing our new songs when we move on with our travels?

As Tess & Claudia would almost say: “Keep on…. singing!”
Happy New Year, Angus

THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 11th January 2026, First Sunday after Epiphany

Hymn 132 Immortal Invisible, God only wise
Hymn 532 Lord you have come to the seashore
Hymn 718 We cannot measure how you heal
Hymn 512 To God be the Glory, great things he has done

Anthem: Magi Veniunt ab oriente (Clemens non Papa)
Anthem: Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day (Gardner)

New Testament Reading: Acts 10:34-43
Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17
Reader: Rosa Somerville

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 11th January 2026, First Sunday after Epiphany
10:15 a.m. Congregational Prayer Group, London Scottish Chapel
11.00 a.m. Morning Service
12.15 p.m. Short celebration of Holy Communion, London Scottish Chapel
12.15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}

St Columba’s member We are sorry to announce the death of former St Columba’s elder, Jean Watson. Her funeral service will be held at St Columba’s, Pont Street at 1.30pm on Thursday 22^nd January 2026, followed by a cremation at Mortlake Crematorium. Rest eternal grant unto her and let light perpetual shine upon her.

NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 18^th January 2026, Second Sunday after Epiphany.
11.00 a.m. Morning Service & Sunday School
12:15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}
12:15 p.m. Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall {£4.00}
1.30 p.m. Sounds of St Columba’s Recitals

NEXT WEEK: SOUNDS OF ST COLUMBA’S RECITAL
Sunday 18 January 2026, 1:30pm Upper Hall
Natalie Houlston (soprano), Ben Munden (tenor) & Geoffrey Coffin (piano)
Music for a Short While Music by Mozart, Handel and Head. Enjoy morning worship, stay for lunch, then treat yourself to the next in our wonderful series of monthly Sunday afternoon music recitals.

NEXT WEEK: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 18^th – 25^th January
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) takes place each year from 18 to 25 January. This ecumenical celebration provides an opportunity to focus our prayers on Christian unity and to know that we are joining with international siblings in Christ. This year WPCU takes Ephesians 4:1-13 as its central text which includes the words “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4).

The World Council of Churches prayers and reflections for WPCU 2026 have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. These resources draw upon centuries-old traditions of prayer used by the Armenian people, along with hymns that originated in the ancient monasteries and churches of Armenia, some of which date as far back as the fourth century.

To mark WPCU at St Columba’s, our guest preacher on Sunday 18th January will be the Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s. There is also opportunity to join with others on Tuesday 20th January 7.00p.m. Kensington United Reformed Church Allen Street, W8 6BL, for the Churches Together in RBKC & Notting Hill service. The preacher will be the Revd Fr. Shnork Bagdassarian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Church. The service will be followed by light refreshments. Everyone is warmly welcome.

Advent Appeal – Thank you.
A big thank you to everyone who supported the Advent Appeal. We wrapped Christmas gifts for the Glass Door homeless guests who stayed at church on Sunday 21 December. Each gift contained a thermal item e.g. gloves, or socks, or scarf. Also included was a small notepad and pen, plus a chocolate bar. The items for ladies will be passed on to them by Glass Door. Many thanks as well to those who perhaps made a financial donation direct to ScotsCare, in response to our Advent Appeal. Both charities send their grateful thanks for your continuing support. Mission Committee.

UPCOMING: Burns Supper, Saturday 24^th January 2026, 7.00 p.m. We’re hosting the Burns Supper on Saturday 24th January 2026. Tickets are priced at £25 and are available to purchase every Sunday by card or cash. Additionally, Colin Mackinnon is looking for a few volunteers: a couple of people to help set up tables in the afternoon and a few more in the evening to assist with serving and washing up. Please speak to Colin if you’re available to help.

UPCOMING: GETTING TO IONA, Sunday 1st February, 1.30pm & 5.00pm. Two performances written and performed by Tomás Barry telling the story of his grandfather’s voyage in the steps of St Columba. Performed for the first time at St Columba’s in June 2025, before touring to the Edinburgh Festival and beyond, Tomás returns to perform in the London Scottish Chapel.

Scots in London December Newsletter
For a variety of events and activities of interest check out the new Scots in London December newsletter. https://tinyurl.com/7wzhh5n7 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.

UPCOMING: St Columba’s Book Club, 12^th January 2026
The Book Club met to discuss our next choice “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Neapolitano. Unusually, it received a unanimous thumbs up even from those who couldn’t join the discussion due to technical problems. We shall meet next on 12th January 2026 to discuss Lea Ypi’s book “Free – Coming of Age at the End of History”. Our second book for 2026 is “Wandering Souls” by Cecile Pin. New or returning members are always welcome. Please contact the office for details.

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.

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.

Office Hours –
The church office is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
E-mail: office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbaschurchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirkPastoral
Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271

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