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For Sunday 27th July 2025, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

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Friends,

The Gospel reading set for Sunday is Luke’s versionof the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-13); Jesus’ response to the disciples’ request: “Teach us how to pray.”

Worth noting: Jesus himself prayed – regularly. And the disciples (plural) – not just one of them – wanted to learn to pray. An encouragement that praying is not an elite sport, for a chosen few; it is oxygen offered to folk as ordinary as each of us.

The problem is that sometimes, something is so familiar, it becomes difficult to genuinely “hear.” So, here’s a fresh perspective for Jesus’ words, from the First Nations Version of the New Testament, that may resonate differently. See what you think:

Quote "Bring your good road to us" with picture of a road
Quote from L. Daniel Hawk on dark burgundy background

“When you send your voice to the Great Spirit, here is how you should pray:
“O Great Spirit,
our Father from above,
your name is sacred and holy.
Bring your good road to us,
where the beauty of your ways
in the spirit-world above
is reflected in the earth below.
Provide for us day by day –
the elk, the buffalo, and the salmon.
The corn, the squash, and the wild rice.
All the good things we need for each day.
Release us from the things we have done wrong
in the same way we release others
for the things done wrong to us.
And guide us away
from the things that tempt us
to stray from your good road.”

Angus

THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 27th July 2025, Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Hymn 87 Lord, from the depths to thee I cried (Martyrdom, Fenwick) Psalm 130
Hymn 547 What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Converse)
Hymn 261 Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation ((Old 124th)
Hymn 605 Thanks to God whose word was spoken (St Helen)

Anthem: Teach me O Lord – Attwood (1765-1838)
Anthem: O Trinity, most blessed light – C Kenneth Turner  

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:20-32
New Testament Reading: Colossians 2:6-19
Gospel Reading: Luke 11:1-13
Reader: Dr David Kerr

THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall.

THIS SUNDAY: 12.30pm, Library. The Assembly & Presbytery Committee extend an invitation to its next meeting – an opportunity to hear about the major topics covered at this year’s General Assembly, to learn about the most recent updates from the Presbytery of England and the Channel Islands, and to help the committee plan for the year ahead. All welcome.

NEXT WEEK: St Columba’s Book Club, Monday 28th July, 6.30pm Our next book choice is Sebastian Faulks’ “The Seventh Son” which we will discuss on Monday 28 July. After that we shall be reading “On the Other Side of the Bridge” by Mary Lawson. We meet by Zoom. New members welcome.  For further information please contact the church office.

NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 3rd August, Morning Service followed by Congregational lunch in the Lower Hall. Guest preacher, Revd David Pitkeathly.

Dove drawing

Vigil for Peace: Join Kensington URC for a time for silence, solidarity, reflections and prayer for people and countries living with war and conflict. First Sunday of every month, 3pm to 4pm, The Alec Clifton-Taylor Memorial Garden, W8 4SG. For people of all faiths and none, everyone welcome. For information, please contact Sally Massey Thomas on minister.kensington.urc@gmail.com.

Set of keys


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 logo

Scots in London June newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/scots-in-london-june-newsletter-12817435 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

Dancing in the park

RSCDS London, Scottish Country Dancing Across the capital Open Air Dancing, Saturdays 16, 23 and 30 August 2025, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Kensington Gardens. By the bandstand near the Round Pond.

UPCOMING: Glass Door Sleep Out, Friday 3rd October, Duke of York Square, Sleep Out is our biggest fundraising event of the year, taking place at Duke of York Square in Chelsea. At Sleep Out, we ask participants to give up their beds for one night to reflect on our guests’ experiences of homelessness. While Sleep Out doesn’t replicate the challenges of rough sleeping, it aims to raise awareness about the difficult conditions thousands of people experiencing homelessness in London endure on any given night.
2025 marks 25 years of Glass Door Homeless Charity. Thanks to supporters like you, we can continue to provide routes out of homelessness for our community. Join us for a night of reflection and the chance to hear from frontline workers and speak to other Glass Door Homeless Charity supporters. Register online on this link

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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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

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Our Location

St Columba’s, Pont Street, London, SW1X 0BD

Get in Touch

+44 (0)20 7584 2321

office@stcolumbas.org.uk

Opening Hours

8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday
There is a 24 hour answering machine service.

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GETTING HERE BY TUBE

Sloane Square Station

Cross over the square into Sloane Street. Walk along Sloane Street until the traffic lights at the corner of Pont Street. Turn left into Pont Street. St Columba’s will then be in sight.

Knightsbridge Station

Take the Harrods exit if open (front car if coming from the East, rear car if coming from the West). Come up the stairs to street level, carry on keeping Harrods on your right. Turn right into Basil Street. Carry straight on into Walton Place with St Saviour’s Church on your left. At the traffic lights, St Columba’s is to your left across the street. If the Harrods exit is closed, take the Sloane Street exit, turn right into Basil Street. Carry straight on past Harrods with the shop on your right, into Walton Place as before.

South Kensington Station

Come up the stairs out of the station and turn left into the shopping arcade. Turn left again into Pelham Street. At the traffic lights at the end of Pelham Street cross Brompton Road, turn left then immediately right into the narrow street of Draycott Avenue. After just a few yards turn left into Walton Street. Carry on walking up Walton Street until the traffic lights at the corner of Pont Street. Turn right and after a few steps you will be at St Columba’s!