For Sunday 21st December 2025, Fourth Sunday of Advent

Friends,

Families come in all shapes and sizes. They always have done. Sometimes politicians and some church leaders speak about “family values” as if there was a time when we all lived in perfectly happy, united families just like The Waltons whom some of you will remember from television in the 1970’s; but even they had their ups and downs! I suspect that the appeal of programmes like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie was that they portrayed an ideal which for most of us was just that – an ideal, not reality. In reality families are composed of human beings living in the everyday world which is far from ideal but mostly doing their best.

The Christmas story is the story of a family. Their situation was far from ideal. A long way from home Mary gave birth in a stable and later we are told that the little family fled to safety in Egypt. This was not what Joseph imagined when he and Mary had become engaged, but in a dream, an angel tells Joseph that Mary’s child is from the Holy Spirit. He should not hesitate to marry her and that he should name the child Jesus. The Child will not only be Emmanuel, God with us – as prophesied by Isaiah – but the one who saves his people from their sins.

In the midst of the busy festive season, it is very easy to overlook the one at the heart of Christmas – Jesus. Our scripture lessons this week have Jesus right at the centre and speak to us of the good news of his coming, news that was better than anything that was expected. Mary and Joseph welcomed Jesus into their lives and created a loving family for the child and this week we will explore what Jesus’ presence with us means, and how we can help others to know the Jesus who comes to be with them.

However, and wherever you are spending Christmas, I wish you peace and joy,

William McLaren.

Note: This is the last Newsletter of 2025. It will return the week beginning 5^th January. Thank you to those who send in updates and information to keep the congregation up to date and well informed. 2025 has certainly been an active year, with a great deal to be thankful for. It is very likely that 2026 will bring more of the same. William takes a sabbatical in January, rejoining us in February. We wish him well. In the meantime, may you have a peaceful and joyful Christmas and a 2026 full of good things. Angus.

THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 21st December 2025, Fourth Sunday of Advent

Hymn 53 Oh, greatly blest the people are (Psalm 89) (St Stephen (Newington))
Hymn 312 Away in a manger (Cradle Song)
Hymn 305 In the bleak midwinter (Cranham)
Hymn 309 Still the night, holy the night! (Stille Nacht)

Anthem: There is no rose Gerald Near (b 1942)
Anthem: Virga Jesse Bruckner (1824-96)

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-16
New Testament Reading: Romans 1: 1-7
Gospel Reading: Matthew 1: 18-25
Reader: Ruth Kattumuri

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 21st December 2025, Fourth Sunday of Advent
10.15 a.m. Poetry & Prayer for the Sundays of Advent (London Scottish Chapel)
11.00 a.m. Morning Service
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

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.

This 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.

Wednesday 24th December:
11.15 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service

Thursday 25th December:
10:30 a.m. Christmas Day Service & Short Communion

NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 28th December, First Sunday after Christmas
11.00 a.m. Morning Service
12:15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}

UPCOMING: Sunday 4^th January 2026,
11am Morning Service, Baptisms & Sunday School,
5pm Evening Service: Words & Music for Epiphany

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

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

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.

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.

The Church Office
Closed Wednesday 24^th December to Thursday 1^st January 2026, inclusive.

Advent & Christmas Services

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

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