For Sunday 8th February 2026, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

The opening verses of our Old Testament lesson from Isaiah chapter 58 remind us of what is at the heart of true worship and then proclaim a call for justice and equality. Jesus, in St. Matthew’s gospel echoes this appeal for genuinely righteous ways of living. Our twenty-first century ears may hear this as “self-righteous” but it simply means “choosing what’s right, according to God’s ways,” or “walking by the light of truth and goodness”. Coupling our Old Testament and Gospel lessons together reminds us that Jesus’ call to his followers to be salt and light was not new teaching, but a reminder to understand the message of the prophets. So, this Sunday we explore the need for us all to stand up for justice.

We were sad to learn this week of the death of Jim Wallace, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, a dedicated public servant who held the highest offices in church and state. In his long political career, he served in the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament and the House of Lords. He was Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Advocate General for Scotland in the UK Government. Later he served the Church of Scotland as Moderator of the General Assembly of 2021, only the second elder in modern times to hold this position. Many of us had the pleasure of meeting him during his Moderatorial visit to this presbytery and he was greatly respected across all parties and sections of society.

He once said, “I went into politics to make a positive difference to society, and my motivation is grounded in my Christian faith”. Jim Wallace’s example was an inspiration to many who “choose what’s right, according to God’s ways” and we keep his wife Rosie, and their daughters Helen and Clare in our prayers. May they be sustained by treasured memories of the past and bright hopes for the future.

William

THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 8^th February 2026, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Hymn 103 Fill your hearts with joy and gladness (Psalm 147) (Rhuddlan)
Hymn 147 All creatures of our God and King (Lasst Uns Erfreuen)
Hymn 535 Who would true valour see (Monks Gate)
Hymn 458 At the name of Jesus (Cuddesdon)

Anthem: Behold, the tabernacle of God (Harris)
Anthem: View me, Lord (Richard Lloyd)

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 58: 1-12
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 2: 1-16
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 13-20
Reader: Dr Iain Beveridge

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 8^th February 2026, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
10:15 a.m. Congregational Prayer Group, London Scottish Chapel
11.00 a.m. Morning Service
12.15 p.m. Short celebration of Holy Communion, London Scottish Chapel
12:15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}
7.00 p.m. GlassDoor Night Shelter

NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 15^th February 2026, Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.
11.00 a.m. Morning Service & Sunday School
12.15 p.m. Short celebration of Holy Communion, London Scottish Chapel
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}
1.30 p.m. Sounds of St Columba’s Recital
7.00 p.m. GlassDoor Night Shelter

Church member
The funeral service for former St Columba’s elder, Maimie Aldous will take place at Trent Valley Crematorium on Wednesday 18 February 2026, at 10.30am. The service will be conducted by Revd Alistair Cumming.

UPCOMING: Midweek Prayer 1.00pm, Wednesday 11^th February, London Scottish Chapel A short time of prayer and quiet amid a busy week.

UPCOMING: Sunday 15^th February, 1.30 p.m., Upper Hall Sounds of St Columba’s Recital, Russian Art Songs
Gulshan Akin (soprano), Efim Zavalny (baritone) & Rebekka Magomedova (piano).
Following worship, stay for lunch then enjoy another St Columba’s treat – the next recital in the wonderful series celebrating ten years of Sunday lunchtime concerts at St Columba’s. Spread the word and invite a friend.

Lent at St Columba’s 2026 There are a variety of ways to deepen awareness of the season, marking the forty days of Jesus in the wilderness and offering an intentional moment to travel towards Easter.

Holy Communion on Ash Wednesday, 18^th February, 1.00pm, London Scottish Chapel. Begin the Lenten journey with others in a place of prayer.

Scripture/Poetry & Quiet Prayer Sundays in Lent, there is opportunity to join others for scripture, poetry and quiet prayer for the season, led by the minister, 10.15 – 10.30am London Scottish Chapel, beginning 29^th February, then 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, 29^th March

Lent Study, Notes on an Execution
Bestselling novelist and broadcaster Rhidian Brook, whom many of you heard in conversation with John Bell at the recent St. Andrew’s Book festival, invites you to step back into the story of Holy Week and see it unfold as if you were there.

Told as a series of vivid, real-time eyewitness reports, Notes on an Execution takes you from Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem to his execution and beyond, without the cushion of hindsight. You stand among the crowds and disciples, experiencing each moment with all its original tension, shock and surprise – full of the confusion and hope felt by those who first encountered Jesus.

Rooted in biblical accounts and historical insight, Notes on an Execution brings fresh life to a story that has shaped the world for two thousand years.

Meetings are via zoom. Sign up for the discussions via church office by Monday 16^th February, indicating preference for either Group A: Wednesdays at 7.30pm or Group B: Fridays at 10am

Presbytery Lent Bible Study There is an additional group discussion opportunity offered by the Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands Training and Development Committee. A warm invitation is extended across the Presbytery to join. Come to one or come all of the Thursday evening Zoom sessions 7.00 – 7.30pm, from 19^th February – 26^th March. To register, contact Revd Carolann Birnie Cbirnie@churchofscotland.org.uk

UPCOMING: St Columba’s Church Quiz will take place on Saturday 21^st February at 6.30pm in the Lower Hall. Tickets are £10 and will be on sale after each Sunday service. Sharpen your pencil and sharpen your mind – always a very fun and sociable evening!

UPCOMING: Joint Service with Crown Court Church of Scotland, Sunday 22^nd February, 11.15am, Russell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5EZ
As we hosted our Church of Scotland neighbours at the St Andrew’s Book Festival service before Christmas, we are invited to share worship with our friends at Crown Court. Please note there will be no service at St Columba’s that day, but we aim to provide screening of the Crown Court service for any unable to get to Crown Court.

UPCOMING: Saturday February 14: The Wallace Collection. Rendezvous at 10:55 at Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN.
Entry to the Permanent Collection: Free, Tube: Bond Street or Baker Street. We look forward to a visit to The Wallace Collection, a gem in the heart of Marylebone, Renowned for its dazzling array of fine and decorative arts, it brings together Old Master, medieval treasures, exquisite arms and armour and the most sumptuous 18^th century French art outside France. Grayson Perry also has his own exhibition. The Wallace Collection balances historical grandeur with contemporary creativity. It has something for everyone. And we have an excellent guide in Rosa Somerville, who will certainly make the visit an unforgettable one. Lunch afterwards at the Wallace Collection Gallery restaurant.

UPCOMING: Saturday March 16 – St Paul’s Cathedral. Rendezvous 11 a.m. at Ludgate Hill, London EC4; We are fortunate in having Sheila Nicoll, of our Kirk Session to help us, and The Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s to lead our tour. Closest Tube Station is St. Paul’s.

A Note of Thanks We received the following message from Tom Barry after his two performances of “Getting to Iona” in the London Scottish Chapel last Sunday.

“Thank you for all your support in the making and promoting of yesterday’s performances! It was a great pleasure to return to the church and tell the story within the ideal context of the chapel. In many ways, I can’t imagine a better place for it. I’m just about to board my plane to Ireland in advance of the next performance on Thursday evening. I’d say wish me luck, but after yesterday’s success, I feel fairly fortunate already! All my best, Tom”.

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Discover more about Scots in London, our members and our activities at https://lnkd.in/er7aGiBj

Receiving the Newsletter We understand that some difficulty has been experienced recently in receiving the Newsletter. If you have become aware that you have not been receiving the Newsletter via email please contact the office

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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