For Sunday 14th December 2025, Third Sunday of Advent

Friends,

This week St Columba’s has hosted carol services for Knightsbridge School, Hill House School, Francis Holland School (twice), St Andrew’s University London Alumni – and last week a Carol Concert for Supporting Wounded Veterans (SUV). The sanctuary wonderfully full on each occasion. Meanwhile, the building’s regular meeting groups have been holding seasonal festivities – dancers, sketchers and infant groups. The “season” is in full swing. And there is much to be grateful for.

Importantly, alongside the decorations, candlelight and carols other regular activities continue. ReStart’s Friday night drop-in meal feeding up to one hundred guests. (Well done to all who slept out last week to raise essential funds for the charity.) The Sunday Night (GlassDoor) Shelter too. Currently offering the possibility to support its work via our Advent Appeal (see below for specific items that can be donated.)

If, by very rough calculation, we have had 3,000 people attending our recent carol services, I would say that perhaps the most profound visit of the week came from a young man who asked if there was a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, on the day that he came by. There was. He was delighted, explaining: “I first came here seven years ago. I got clean in these rooms. I can’t believe it that I’m here and it’s still going.” Carols and compassion – a good St Columba’s combo.

Angus

THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 14th December 2025, Third Sunday of Advent

Hymn 273 O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel)
Hymn 281 People, look East. The time is near (Besancon)
Hymn 320 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (Antioch)
Songs from the Sunday School Nativity

Anthem: Fuit homo missus a Deo Palestrina (1525-94)
Anthem: The truth from above Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10
New Testament Reading: James 5:7-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:2-11
Reader: Sheila Nicoll

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 14th December 2025, Third Sunday of Advent
10.15 a.m. Poetry & Prayer for the Sundays of Advent (London Scottish Chapel)
11.00 a.m. Morning Service and Sunday School Nativity
12.15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}

THIS SUNDAY: Poetry & Prayer for the Sundays of Advent (London Scottish Chapel) Join others in the London Scottish Chapel for a period of quiet prayer (10.15 – 10.30am) led by the minister, on the four Sundays of Advent leading up to Christmas. Advent’s preparation for the coming of the birth at Bethlehem.

NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 21st December, Fourth Sunday of Advent
10.15 a.m. Poetry & Prayer for the Sundays of Advent (London Scottish Chapel)
11.00 a.m. Morning Service & Sunday School 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}
5.00 p.m. Pont Street Carols

Next Sunday: Pont Street Carols is a very special opportunity to draw together and celebrate the many communities that gather throughout the year at St Columba’s. Started last year, we aim to offer annual carol service to as wide a group pf attendee as possible. Much of the work of Marcus Railton, who has been producing our social media throughout the year, is aimed at fostering deeper connections with the many user groups who utilise the building. Pont Street Carols is an invitation to celebrate the season with others who know and value this special place, not just on a Sunday, and not just at Christmas. Please come and be a part of the welcome.

Advent Appeal 2025 (for Glass Door) www.glassdoor.org.uk
We are collecting the following items throughout Advent: pocket-size puzzle books, pens, reusable water bottles and coffee cups, boxer shorts, ladies’ pants (all sizes), sanitary products, thermal hats, socks, tights, and gloves. Christmas gifts for homeless guests staying overnight at church on Sunday 21 December will be wrapped by the Mission Committee. Remaining items will help restock supplies for Glass Door. Please leave donations in the Upper Vestibule by the Advent Appeal Display Board from 30 November and each Sunday until Christmas Day.

ScotsCare – Financial Donations (Advent Appeal)
www.scotscare.com As an alternative, you may wish to consider making a financial donation to ScotsCare for their ongoing work. For online payments and text donations, please click on this link (or access via the charity’s website).
https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/23231#!/DonationDetails Cheques payable to: ScotsCare. Post to ScotsCare, 183-185 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UW

THIS FRIDAY: Carol Singing in Trafalgar Square. Opportunity to join with members of Crown Court and other congregations to carol sing in Trafalgar Square in support of Christian Aid on Friday 12^th December, 8.00 – 9.00pm.

THIS SATURDAY: Firefly International – Echoes of Peace Concert at St. Columba’s Church, Saturday 13^th December, Doors Open 5.45pm. Concert 6.15pm to 8.15pm. Firefly International was supported by our Lent Appeal in 2024. Join us for a special concert marking 30 years since Firefly was founded and peace was declared in Bosnia. While the war there has ended, peace remains a fragile and unfinished promise. This powerful evening of live music, spoken word, and film invites us to reflect on the legacy of conflict – and the urgent need to protect and nurture peace in today’s fractured world. The concert features violinist Bassel Hariri, blending the beauty of Arabic traditions with global sounds; filmmaker Aleksandra Bilić and her mother Maja, sharing their deeply moving film and music about their journey as refugees from Bosnia; and the One World Orchestra, fusing diverse musical traditions from around the globe into a euphoric and uplifting celebration of multi-cultural Britain. Tickets: Book here – https://echoes-of-peace.raiselysite.com/

Advent Bible Study. Monday evenings in Advent.
Join with church members from across the Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands this Advent to go further into the preparation and meaning of Christmas.

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 on the day, or by paying over the phone by calling the Church Office. 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.

St Columba’s Christmas Cards 2025 Thanks to a lovely collaboration with the Langham Sketch Club (who meet here on Wednesday evenings) we are able to offer two splendid seasonal designs, contributed by Club members Gerry Dunn and David Eccles. Cards are available from the Bookstall (£5 for a pack of five.) Thank you Gerry and David

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.

Advent & Christmas Services

Sunday 14th December     11.00am Morning Service & Sunday School Nativity Sunday (3^rd Advent)

Sunday 21st December     11.00am Morning Service (4^th Advent)
5.00pm Pont Street Carols by Candlelight, supporting ScotsCare

Wednesday 24th December 11.15pm     Christmas Eve Watchnight Communion Service

Thursday 25th December 10.30am        Christmas Day Family Service & Short Communion

Sunday 28th December 11.00am Morning Service

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

Give us a follow then pass it on to your friends and family!