Friends,
“The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his
handiwork”
(Psalm 19:1)
I had the privilege of meeting Neil Armstrong when he was given an honorary degree by Edinburgh University. He was a remarkably modest man who saw himself primarily as an engineer. He said that he believed Benjamin Franklin met James Watt at Carron Ironworks, near Falkirk. A meeting of two truly remarkable individuals.
Neil Armstrong and other astronauts spoke of seeing the earth from the moon as an almost religious experience, viewing our tiny planet from the perspective of space. Today Professor Michele Dougherty has been appointed Astronomer Royal for England, the first woman to hold the post since it was created 400 years ago. Professor Catherine Heymans was appointed Astronomer Royal for Scotland in 2021 so we continue to be fascinated by our planet and its place in the galaxy and thanks to scientists such as them we will continue to learn more.
As I write this the news headlines are telling of the earthquake and tsunami in the Pacific Ocean, with possible consequences for places as far apart as Russia, Hawaii, the Cook Islands and Japan where two million people have been told to evacuate their homes. Although our scientific understanding of the world increases every day we still have many questions about the causes of such natural disasters but as Christians we believe that there is no situation so bad that God cannot bring good out of it. The darkness, pain and despair of Good Friday give way to the light, healing and hope of Easter Sunday. That is the power of God. We pray for all those touched by this disaster, that the bereaved may be comforted, the injured cared for and the homeless find shelter.
William McLaren.
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 3rd August 2025, Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 465 Be thou my Vision (Slane)
Hymn 533 Will you come and follow me (Kelvingrove)
Hymn 536 May the mind of Christ my Saviour (Tune St Leonards)
Hymn 159 Lord, for the years (Lord of the years)
Anthem: Lord I trust thee – Handel (1685-1759)
Anthem: Ave Verum – Mozart (1756-1791)
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 9:24-27
New Testament Reading: Colossians 3:1-3
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:13-21
Readers: Kate MacNish and Boys Brigade representative
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 3rd August, Morning Service followed by Congregational lunch in the Lower Hall. A special welcome to our guest preacher, Revd David Pitkeathly and The Boys Brigade from the 15th Coatbridge Company.
David was a solicitor in Glasgow for 5 years during which he felt called by God into Church of Scotland ministry. After study in St Andrews alongside Angus, he served as a probationer minister in Stonehaven. He has since served over a 25-year period in parish and community ministry in Peterhead and Carlisle.
Over the last 4 years he has lived in the South East and while a member of Pont Street, an itinerant preaching ministry filling gaps around Surrey and Sussex means that he only manages online Bible Study and evening services. David has been Chaplain at the Dorking Christian Centre working in a Methodist capacity and was privileged recently to have Gary Wallis working with him on placement. He has also been Transition Minister at Horsham URC. In September, David begins a new role as Community Chaplain at Epsom Methodist Church.
St Columba’s Craft Group: Please note that the Craft Group will not take place this Sunday and will resume on Sunday 7th September at 1.30pm in the Session Room.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 10th August, Congregational Prayer Group, London Scottish Chapel, 10.15am- 10.30am Join with others to pray for the continuing life and work of St Columba’s.
NEXT SUNDAY: Morning Service followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall.
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.
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.
St Columba’s Book Club: The book club met recently to discuss Sebastian Faulks’ The Seventh Son. The book was not universally enjoyed but everyone agreed that it raised some very interesting issues and we had a lively discussion. 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
Scots in London July newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/scots-in-london-july-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
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre presents Brigadoon from 2nd August to 20th September 2025 In this new adaptation by Scottish playwright Rona Munro (The James Plays, Frankenstein), this revival of a theatrical classic is directed and choreographed by the Olivier award-winning Drew McOnie (Jesus Christ Superstar) in his first production as Artistic Director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Tickets from £15 – Brigadoon | Open Air Theatre
Crash landed in the Highlands of Scotland, WW2 fighter pilots Tommy and Jeff are searching for a way home, whilst just beyond the hills, sisters Fiona and Jean are preparing for a wedding. Over the course of one chance day in the dreamlike village of Brigadoon, their stories entwine. But can love endure in this enchanting place where everything is not quite as it seems?
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
