Friends,
It’s shiny, it’s smaller than its predecessor, but after much anticipation – it’s READY. Thanks to the efforts of the Fabric Committee and church staff, the new hot water boiler in the Upper Hall kitchen has finally taken its place, bringing delight to church members or hall users alike. A hot brew goes a long way to improving morale and building the community that is a precious aim of our building. Sustaining worshippers after Sunday service or homeless guests settling down for the night, it will be a source of comfort for those seeking a quiet moment, or those here to talk.
Hospitality figures heavily in the Gospel reading set for Sunday (Luke 14:1, 7-14) where Jesus is invited to the home of a Pharisee. While being watched intently by others, Jesus observes how fellow guests jockey for the positions of honour – eager, we assume, for top table. Following thoughts on those manoeuvrings, Jesus then advises about guests and invitations: “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
As one commentator writes: “When drawing up the guest list, remember your own blessings. If you wish to share them (and that’s part of the deal with blessings) don’t be strategic. The kingdom of God is not Corporate Hospitality, not premeditated reciprocity – favours funded for future returns. Jesus advocates an alternative: Be extravagantly, forgetfully, uncalculatingly generous.”
For Jesus’ listeners the wedding feast, the setting of his parable, was a metaphor for the kingdom of God.May our new hot water boiler be reminder and catalyst for realising that kingdom in our own time and place. Milk, no sugar, thanks.
Angus
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 31st August 2025, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 110 Glory be to God the Father (Regent Square)
Hymn 609 Come, living God, when least expected (Sunset)
Hymn 694 Brother, sister, let me serve you (Servant Song)
Hymn 251 I, the Lord of sea and sky (Here I am, Lord)
Anthem: O Jesu Christ meins Lebens Licht BWV 118 – Bach (1685-1750)
Anthem: Jubilate Deo in C – Britten (1913-1976)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 2:4-13
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14
Reader: Sheila Nicoll
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.
UPCOMING: Sunday 31st August, 2pm Service of baptism for Arabella Rose Geraldine Lancaster. Welcome to Arabella’s parents, Jack & Lara, family members and friends.
Saturday 6th September, 1.30pm Service of wedding blessing for Jack Mackintosh & Jacqueline Knapp.
Interesting to note that both father of the baby and the groom are both former pupils of Hill House School, which has long-standing connections with St Columba’s. Once again, pupils, teachers and parents will be in the sanctuary for the first church assembly of the new academic year on Wednesday 3rd September.
NEXT SUNDAY: Morning Service, Sunday School and Baptisms followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall.
Churches Together – an Ecumenical Service for the Season of Creation
10th September 2025 at St Mary The Boltons, at 7.30pm
Time: 7.30pm – Light Refreshments follow the Service – all are welcome.
Church: St Mary’s,The Boltons, SW10 9TB [Entrance opposite 23 The Boltons]
Preacher: John Woodhouse, Co-ordinator of Laudato Si’ Animators UK, and Organiser of Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group
Theme: “Peace with Creation” And the symbol is “Garden of Peace” inspired by Isaiah 32: 14-18.
RSVP: chrislfriends@aol.com to get idea of numbers for catering and printing.
UPCOMING: Sunday 21st September, Upper Hall, 1.30pm, Sounds of St Columba’s Jonathan Radford (saxophone) and Dina Duisen (piano) “Across the Pyrénées” – Join us for an hour of French and Spanish music for saxophone and piano to include Debussy, Albéniz and Bizet.
St Andrew’s Book Festival 2025
The St Andrew’s Book Festival team are delighted to announce that first tickets are now on sale with St Columba’s being one of the main venue.
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. Book now to avoid disappointment as some of the events’ tickets are already going fast!
For more see https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/
Membership Scheme for 2025 is also now open. To become a Festival Friend please click here.
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 Columba’s Book Club: 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
