For Sunday 18th January 2026, Second Sunday after Epiphany

Friends

In the Church calendar, we are in the season of epiphany – the string of Sundays in which the church celebrates that God is shown forth in the figure of Jesus Christ. So in these weeks the lectionary readings give us the birth of Christ (incarnation), the visiting Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the first sign – water into wine, at the wedding of Cana. Epiphanies have been described as shimmering moments, allowing us to look beneath and beyond the ordinary surfaces. Disclosure – about who Jesus is, and what he means.

Perhaps the greatest hindrance to recognising moments of epiphany in our life is busyness and worry. Revd Stephen Cherry, Dean, King’s College, Cambridge, in a collection of meditations, Barefoot Prayers: A Meditation a Day for Lent and Easter, offers this antidote.

Let this day be calm and confident
because I have an important commission.
I need to do my best for others without anxiety, rush or panic.
Keep me focused. Keep me open-minded.
Let me enjoy each moment as it passes
and hold me back
when I begin to try to do, or say,
or achieve too much.
May today be a good day.”

The Apostle Paul reminds the early Christian community at Corinth. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.” I Corinthians 3:6,9

Have a good day,
Angus

THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 18th January 2026, Second Sunday after Epiphany

Hymn 30 I waited for the Lord my God (Ballerma)
Hymn 339 Sing of Andrew, John’s Disciple (Hyfrodol)
Hymn 552 Oh, for a closer walk with God (The Flower o’ the Quern)
Hymn 522 The Church is wherever God’s people are praising (The Bard of Armagh)

Anthem: O magnum mysterium (Victoria) (1548-1611)
Anthem: Cum natus esset Jesus (Morales)

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 1:1-9
Gospel Reading: John 1:29-42
Reader: Rona Black

Guest Preacher To mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we are delighted to welcome the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral. Andrew has been ordained for 35 years, serving in cathedrals, parishes and chaplaincies in the Church of England and the Diocese of Europe. He is passionate about what the Christian Faith means in public life, the education of young people, and the role of cathedrals in proclaiming the gospel of Christ. He has been Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in London since September 2022 and leads the Cathedral’s spiritual and operational life, as well as representing St Paul’s in the City and beyond. From 2016 to 2022, Andrew was Dean of Durham, where two saints – the Venerable Bede and St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne – are buried and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Andrew served at Westminster Abbey in London between 2010 and 2016, where he was Sub-Dean of Westminster Abbey and Rector of St Margaret’s Church, the Parish Church of the Houses of Parliament. He is married to The Revd Prof Dr Maggi Dawn, who teaches and researches in Theology and Literature at Durham University, and is the Diocesan Theologian for the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island in the United States.

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 18^th January 2026, Second Sunday after Epiphany
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}
12:15 p.m. Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall {£4.00}1.30 p.m.Sounds of St Columba’s Recitals

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

St Columba’s members We are sorry to announce the death of former St Columba’s elder, Maime Aldous. We hold her family and friends in our prayers. Funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed. The funeral service of former elder, Jean Watson 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 them and let light perpetual shine upon them.

NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 25^th January 2026, Third Sunday after Epiphany.
11.00 a.m. Morning Service
12:15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}

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. All proceeds to ScotsCare.

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.

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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