For Sunday 7th August 2022, 8th Sunday after Trinity
Last week, my family and I enjoyed the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, watching the Rugby 7s. I have always loved these games, with my first memory of them being Yvonne Murray winning Gold for Scotland in Victoria, Canada in 1994. I was also lucky enough to be a volunteer driver when the Games came to Glasgow in 2014.
The Queen is a unifying symbol of the Commonwealth, and she is very proud of the relationships developed within the diverse family of nations over her 70-year reign. The organisation has however changed over the years, moving from its roots in the British Empire, to now being a voluntary association of countries who share common values such as democracy and peace. You do not have to have been a former British colony either, as recently, Rwanda, Mozambique, Gabon, and Togo have joined. The Commonwealth is also remarkably youthful, with a third of all young people in the world aged between 15 and 29, living in Commonwealth countries.
Common – something we all share. Wealth – much more than money, but our common happiness and wellbeing. Often, we seek something in common. We aim for the common good. We vote representatives to the House of Commons. The athletes competing in Birmingham share much in common. So too do the England Lionesses who united many people this week, after their brilliant win over Germany in the Euro 2021 final.
In our faith, as we try to work to further God’s Kingdom, let us celebrate all that is similar amongst people across the denominations. But let us also celebrate diversity, our unique gifts given by God. We all make up one body, whether in the Commonwealth Games from India to tiny Tuvalu or in Church fundraising to pastoral care to many other responsibilities. United in faith but diverse in our talents.
See you Sunday,
David
Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website,
https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream.
To access the live stream from the homepage (front page) click the Menu button in the top right-hand side of the page and scroll down and click on “Live Stream”. This will bring up the live stream to the church. The act of worship of approximately 60 minutes, includes include prayers, a sermon and music. The words for the hymns will be on the website.
We believe it is really important to continue to live-stream the Morning Service under its current format i.e. for the benefit of those joining worship from afar or those as yet unable to make the journey to Pont Street. For those without internet, the Dial-In facility continues. Many people comment that they do have a sense of worshipping together, even if invisible to each other.
Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live-stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary.
Please note that the Evening Services on the 1st of the month will not be live streamed as they will take place in the London Scottish Chapel.
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 now phone in to join the Sunday service. No visuals clearly, but at least they can hear the service. Those interested should follow:
Step 1: At 10.40am call phone number 0203 051 2874.
Step 2: You will be prompted to enter a meeting ID. Please type (using your telephone keypad) 266 883 5072#
Step 3: You will then be asked for a participant number - simply press the #.
Step 4: Enjoy the service! You will hear the organ music from 10.50am.
Hymns, Music & Readings,
8th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 7th August
Hymn 39 God the Lord, the king almighty" (Hyfrydol)
Hymn 637 Now through the grace of God we claim (Stracathro) Hymn 522 The Church is wherever God's people are praising (The Bard of Armagh)
Hymn 818 Praise ye the Lord (Old 124th)
Anthem: O for a closer walk with God (Stanford)
Musical Interlude: Exsultate justi (Viadana)
Organ Postlude: Now thank we all our God (Karg Elert)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 15: 1 – 6
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 11: 1 – 3, 8 - 16
Gospel Reading: St. Luke 12: 32 - 40
Congregational Offerings
Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columbas
Would anyone wishing to contribute to St Andrew's, Newcastle please contact the Session Clerk on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for bank details or other means of donating.
St Columba’s Members
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of St Columba’s member, Duncan Lang, will be held at St Columba’s, Pont Street on Tuesday 16th August 2022 at 3pm.
We are sorry to announce the death of Catherine Freeman (known as Lena). Lena died on the 1st August in St Mary’s Hospital. Lena’s funeral will take place on Friday 26th August, 12.30pm at St Columba’s Church.
Rising Living Costs: Help at Hand
We are aware that with the cost of living and fuel costs rising that some of our community may be struggling financially. If you, or someone you know, are in need of help, please do get in touch with the Church Office or the Ministers. All conversations will be held in the strictest of confidence.
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
There will be a fine lunch served in the Lower Hall today. Future lunch dates are the 21st August & 4th September in the Lower Hall. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
Update - Lent Appeal 2020 donation - 500 miles charity - Training of Samuel Mkomera
www.500miles.co.uk
For information, Olivia Giles (CEO of 500 Miles charity) advised that there was a change of plan regarding the recipient of the Lent Appeal 2020 funding for training (and approved by the Kirk Session). The whole amount that was so generously donated has been reallocated for furthering Samuel Mkomera's training. The donation will be used towards the cost of upgrading Samuel Mkomera’s training from his diploma to a bachelor degree (orthopaedic technology, prosthetics and orthotics), a two-year residential international course at Mahidol University in Thailand. Samuel is currently a highly regarded Assistant Manager at the 500 Miles Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi and their “best Malawian student they have had on their hands at any time”. Samuel will be flying to Bangkok during the first week of August and returns to Malawi in August 2024. Updates on Samuel’s training in Thailand will be received via Olivia Giles.
As background, attached is the link to an article that Samuel wrote for the 500 Miles newsletter about his experience of studying for his diploma in Cambodia -http://www.500miles.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Samuels-training-updateFeb20.pdf
We wish Samuel good luck with his progression to a degree course and look forward to hearing all about it.
Congregational Prayer Group
After a long pause, the prayer group is recommencing on Sunday, 11th September from 10-10.15am and we would love you to join us to speak to God in prayer and to hear from God in the Bible.
We meet in the London Scottish Chapel every second Sunday of the month and we look forward to seeing you to pray for our world, our church and ourselves. See you then!
PHILIPIANS 4: 6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
St Columba’s Book Club
The next book club will be on Monday 5 September at 6.30pm (by Zoom) when we will be discussing Fire Road: The Napalm Girl's Journey through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness and Peace. It is as the title suggests a non-fiction book by Kim Phuc Phan Thi and is autobiographical.
Friends of St Columba’s Dumfries and Surroundings
There is still time to “sign up” to the Friends of St Columba’s trip to Dumfries and the surroundings in September 2022.
The itinerary includes the original home of the TSB, founded by a Church of Scotland minister, a visit to Ruthwell Church with its 8th century cross, Robert Burns heritage sites and possibly the early Christian settlement at Whithorn.
Booking: the Church Office regarding dates and accommodation. Two options: The Powfoot Inn (£115 double bed and breakfast; £95 single) or The Queensberry Arms Hotel, Annan (starts at £48/night).
Preference is given to Members of the Friends – but it’s very easy to join! Only £10 annual and £50 Life Membership.
Payment by BACS: Sort Code 16-00-42; Account No: 00269670; RBS (Please use your name and subscription as description of the payment), or by cheque made payable to Friends of St Columba’s to the Honorary Treasurer, Alan Lennox c/o The Church Office.
Sir Walter Scott 250: The Annual Caledonian Lecture
Thursday 15th September 2022, 6.00pm, at the Caledonian Club Guest speaker: Professor Sir Tom Devine. There is a warm invitation from the organisers to attend the lecture and dinner. It is open to all. To book, or for more information, contact the Caledonian Club's Event's Office at
caledonianclub.com
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact details; Tel: 020 7584 2321
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbaschurchpontstreet. Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271