Friends,
Earlier this week I was sent the prayer that follows. It was listed as: “An old prayer, Anonymous.” It feels apt for current days – warmth of summer, holidays for some, “early bird” announcements for the coming St Andrew’s Book Festival, anticipation of an autumn of Sounds of St Columba’s music recitals – blessings to be acknowledged within and beyond St Columba’s congregational life. But it is also a prayer that concludes with the reminder/challenge towards peace-making and the responsibility of each of us to be part of that.
A bit o’ work and a bit o’ fun.
Give us in all the struggle and sputter
Our daily bread and a bit of butter.
Give us health our keep to make
And a bit to spare for others’ sake.
Give us, too, a bit of song
And a tale and a book to help us along.
Give us, Lord, a chance to be
Our goodly best, brave, wise and free.
Our goodly best for ourselves and others Till all men learn to live as brothers.
And given today’s publication of exam results maybe offer a prayer for school leavers’, their families and their teachers – today brings significant news for them all – cause either for celebration or reassessment. At a school graduation service hosted at St Columba’s in July the prayers included:
We pray for our teachers.
May their labours of this past year
come to a full and blessed fruition.
Where there are regrets or sadnesses
may these things be offered into God’s keeping.
Give the rest and restoration
so much required at year end,
that they may return to school
with ideas refreshed,
and energy and spirit renewed.
A good prayer for anyone taking a break over the summer from the routines and responsibilities of the regular year.
Angus
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 17th August 2025, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 52 How lovely is thy dwelling place (Harrington, Retirement)
Hymn 741 Glory to you, O God (Darwall’s 148th)
Hymn 743 Behold what witnesses unseen (Wetherby)
Hymn 517 Fight the good fight (Duke Street)
Anthem: The day draws on with golden light – EC Bairstow (1874-1946)
Anthem: Come down o love divine – Harris (1883-1973)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23:23-29
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-56
Reader: Rona Black
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service followed by Congregational lunch in the Lower Hall.
Church Magazine The August/September Church Magazine is available at the Bookstall for £1.50. Why not pick up copies for yourself and one for a friend or neighbour? Big thanks to Editor Susan Pym and all who help bring us the good news of St Columba’s and beyond
Relief Caretaker Do you know somebody who is looking for work for one day a week and occasional evenings/weekends? Both practical and good with the public? St Columba’s Church is seeking to recruit a relief caretaker to maintain the building (general maintenance and cleaning) and assist our hall hire customers. If you know someone that might be interested in the role, please get in touch with the Church Office who can give more detail on hours, pay and the complete role description.
Scots in London August newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/scots-in-london-august-newsletter-12818165. 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. Note: The Scots in London VE Day 80th Anniversary publication is now online at https://www.scotsinlondon.org/publications
St Andrew’s Book Festival 2025
The St Andrew’s Book Festival team are delighted to announce that early bird tickets for the first 7 events of 2025 will be available from next week.
Events include Nicola Sturgeon, Val McDermid and Irvine Welsh. On Friday 28 November one of Scotland’s true national treasures, broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson,will speak at a special literary lunch celebrating her spellbinding new novel The Shapeshifter’s Daughter.
For more see https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/
St Columba’s Book Club: The book club met recently to discuss Sebastian Faulks’ The Seventh Son. The book was not universally enjoyed but everyone agreed that it raised some very interesting issues and we had a lively discussion. Our next meeting by Zoom will be on September 22nd when we shall discuss “The Other Side of the Bridge” by Mary Lawson, a novel set in Canada exploring the tensions both between two brothers and between fate and free will. For the subsequent meeting we shall read “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Napolitano. New members are welcome. Please contact the church office for details
RESTART’s Annual Sleep Out, Friday 5th December 2025, outside St Columba’s Church. The number of people sleeping on the streets in the UK is at a record high. London saw a 10% increase in rough sleeping in 2024/2025 compared to the previous year. Every year the staff, volunteers and supporters of Restart Lives spend one night outside. Although there is much that separates the experience of the controlled environment of the Sleepout from that of a person living life on the streets, we hope the event will help all those who participate to imagine what London’s homeless have to contend with. To participate to 2025 SleepOut, sign up on this link or you can donate and set up a fundraiser on this page. Adults or children over the age of 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome, as are school groups or other groups of children under adult supervision. Contact us if you would like any information or have questions: Olivia olivia@restartlives.org
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.
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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
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271
