Friends,
In our lesson from Acts 16, Paul and Silas are in Philippi going to prayer, and meet a girl being exploited as a fortune-teller. They bring freedom to her but end up in prison themselves. While they are singing in their chains, an earthquake shakes the prison walls and opens the prison doors, but instead of taking this escape route, Paul and Silas share the gospel with their jailor and his family, leading to their baptism.
This is a story about power – its abuse and the way Paul and his fellow missionaries harness God’s power to bring about liberation to the poorest and most vulnerable in society.
It is thought that Philippi, today in north eastern Greece, was the first place in Europe where the gospel was preached – perhaps around the year 50 AD – and the gospel, coming to Europe and beginning to spread throughout the Roman Empire, created a wave and left in its wake changed lives and people freed from slavery from the powers that be. Through the suffering of these early missionaries, and countless others since, God’s message has come to those who might not otherwise have heard it. The captives became the liberators to those who held them; fear was replaced by rejoicing, with Paul and Silas sharing a meal and celebrating with the jailor and his entire household.
In Britain today we take our freedom to worship and to share our faith for granted. We do not fear torture or imprisonment for our faith but that is not necessarily true for Christians in every country of the world. We should remember in our prayers Christians of all traditions, and indeed all those who stand up for human rights, in war-torn lands, or places where power is abused and freedom of conscience is denied.
William
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 1st June 2025, The Seventh Sunday of Easter
Hymn 46 Most glorious Lord, you have gone up (Psalm 68) (Sheffield)
Hymn 577 Christ be beside me (Bunessan)
Hymn 570 When the storms of life are raging (Stand by Me)
Hymn 555 Amazing grace! how sweet the sound (New Britain)
Anthem: O for a closer walk with God – C. Olver
Anthem: Never weather beaten sail – H. Parry
New Testament Readings: Acts 16: 16-34 & Revelation 22: 12-14, 16-17, 20-21
Gospel Reading: John 17: 20-26
Reader: Hamish McKay
St Columba’s Member
A Service of Thanksgiving will be held in the London Scottish Chapel at St Columba’s on Friday 6th June at 2pm. Please let the office know if you would like to attend.
THIS SUNDAY: As part of our continuing efforts to share the life of our congregation and extend a welcome to newcomers, we are currently updating our website and other means of promotion e.g. the totem screen in the entrance hall and assorted social media channels. To assist these improvements, this Sunday a photographer will be present to collect images of the congregation at worship, mixing informally and sharing congregational lunch.If you do not wish to be in any of the photographs please do let a member of the duty team know. If you are happy to be “captured for posterity” you are allowed to smile!
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service & Sunday School, followed by Congregational Lunch and Annual Congregational Meeting in the Upper Hall
THIS SUNDAY: Annual Congregational Meeting, Upper Hall Opportunity to hear a round-up of the past year and plans for the future life of the congregation. Hear from speakers representing our Kirk Session, Finance and Fabric committees, plus consideration of the Church of Scotland’s recommendations on “sustainability” and an update from Marcus Railton on promoting the life of the congregation.Please note that the Craft group will not take place on Sunday but will resume on Sunday 6th July.
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 1st June, Evening Service with Adult Baptism, 5pm, London Scottish Chapel, followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall. We are delighted to welcome Brazilian student, Lorrayne Reis Silva as she comes for baptism.
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group (10.15am), New Members’ Service & Holy Communion for St Columba’s Day, (11am) Sunday 8th June Service of Welcome for six new members & holy communion – on the day we celebrate St Columba himself!
NEXT SUNDAY: Friends of St Columba’s AGM, Sunday 8th June, Upper Hall from approximately 12.30pm Followed by the Friends’ traditional Celebration Tea, which gives us the opportunity to mix and mingle with other Friends and catch up with those we have not seen for some time.
Christian Aid Gratitude & Save the date – A big thank you to Naomi Donaldson and her helpers for organising this year’s Christian Aid Week activities on behalf of its Guatemala Appeal. To cake stall staffers, collectors, counters and generous donors – many thanks to all who have contributed
On Thursday 12th June, there is an opportunity to attend a special service at Westminster Abbey for A Service of Thanksgiving and Reflection to mark the 80th Anniversary of Christian Aid. Doors will open from 10.30am via the Great West Door on Victoria Street, all guests to be seated by 11.30. Service starts at 12.00. To attend, please register as soon as possible. Herewith link: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/events/80th-anniversary-service-ginvite#register
Please also take photo ID as you may be asked to produce it and you must register to attend.
Scots in London May newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/scots-in-london-may-newsletter 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
UPCOMING: Sunday 15th June, Sounds of St Columba’s, Upper Hall, 1.30pm,
Benedict Lewis-Smith, solo piano. Our director of music will be performing JS Bach ‘Goldberg Variations’ BWV 988. Donations in support of Jessie’s funds https://jessiesfund.org.uk/
UPCOMING: St Columba’s Book Club, Our next book club choice is Lily by Rose Tremain. It is the story of a foundling and is described on the cover as “A Tale of Revenge”. We shall meet by Zoom on Tuesday 17 June. At the following meeting we shall be discussing The Seventh Son by Sebastian Faulkes. New members are always welcome. Please contact the office for more details and joining instructions.
POSTPONED: Friends of St Columba’s, Saturday 21st June, 2025The Sephardic Synagogue at Bevis Marks, City of London. Unfortunately, due to building work the final visit of the friends 2024 – 2025 season of visits will not take place as scheduled.
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.
Give us a follow then pass it on to your friends and family!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stcolumbaschurchpontstreet
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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
