For Sunday 3rd December 2023, First Sunday of Advent
(pic left) St Andrew’s, Newcastle - (pic right) St Andrew’s, Jerusalem
Friends,
Happy St Andrew’s Day, and particularly to the members of our linked charge at St Andrew’s, Newcastle
https://www.standrewskirknewcastle.org
Also in mind, St Andrew's Church in Jerusalem; built as a memorial to Scottish soldiers who died in Palestine in the First World War. (The Church of Scotland has had a presence in the Holy Land since the late 19th century, initially through its medical mission in Tiberias.) Today, Thursday 30th November, the Friends of St Andrew’s, Jerusalem will hold their annual service at St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh. The service, will be livestreamed from 2pm, led by the Very Rev Dr Andrew McLellan, convener of The Friends of St Andrew's.
Dr McLellan says the service holds a heightened significance this year. “Our annual service is usually a hopeful event full of thanksgiving for the life and work of the congregation of St Andrew's Jerusalem and Tiberias. This year it will inevitably be so very different. But perhaps our annual service has never been more important than it will be this year. This is an opportunity for us to join together in worship and pray for all those who have been so devastated by the war in the region. A chance to pray for peace and healing. This is your invitation. Please come.” For more information on the service visit https://www.friendsofstandrews.com/ The offering from the service will be donated to the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI https://eappi.org/en/), a programme of the World Council of Churches which brings people from around the world to the West Bank to serve for three months as human rights monitors.
St Andrew’s, Newcastle - St Andrew’s, Jerusalem
As we think and pray about Israel, Gaza and the West Bank – ceasefire, hostage release, aid efforts etc - you might consider this prayer/meditation written on the 24th November, by American rabbi, Irwin Keller, at the outset of the truce in Gaza.
On this night of truce
may time slow,
this day lingering until it is endless.
No pressing engagement.
No war anyone is racing to resume.
On this night of truce
may time slow,
warriors becoming sleepy, bored, and out of practice,
while captives – every one of them –
return to familiar homes,
where they are held and healed.
On this night of truce
may time slow
so hearts can grieve in a luxury of time
and strong-rooted trees grow from tear-filled graves
bearing lustrous flowers and heavy fruit.
On this night of truce
may time slow,
guns growing rusty,
bombs forgetting how to drop.
May homes be rebuilt, with gardens around them,
scent of jasmine kissing onions and cumin
at the balcony’s open window.
May time slow
and walls crumble,
because no one cares to maintain them
or even remembers how.
May lost children become holy guides
and living children grow to old age
telling a story of the truce that came
and forgot to leave.
Angus
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 and readings will be on the website.
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 are not live streamed as they are held 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 for Morning Worship, Baptisms & Admission of New Members, Sunday 3rd December, 11am
Hymn 472 Come, thou long-expected Jesus (Stuttgart)
Hymn 632 Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer (Belmont)
Hymn 277 Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes (Crediton)
Hymn 644 O Jesus, I have promised (Thornbury)
Anthem: O thou the central orb, Wood
Anthem: How beautiful upon the mountains, Stainer
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:24-37
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.
THIS SUNDAY: Welcome to newly baptised and new members
On the first Sunday of Advent, special welcome this week to the families and friends of Nathaniel Gallud-Smith and Leo Rogan who come for baptism this Sunday. Also, to Sebastian Raad and Dr Iain Beveridge who will join/”be admitted” as new members at the morning service.
THIS SUNDAY: Christmas Crackers Festive Lunch, 12.15 - 2.30pm
Where? - In the Lower Hall. What to eat? - Party menu including homemade soup, savoury treats, hot mince pies, a glass of fizz and tea or coffee. (Vegetarian, vegan, celiac, and lactose Intolerance catered for.) Cost - £4. There will be a fun Christmas quiz on tables, Christmas activity tables for children, and live piano music from Ben Lewis-Smith. To help with numbers please RSVP to Stef Christ at the Church office if you'd like to attend. Tel: 0207 584 2321 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
THIS SUNDAY: Quiet Prayer for Advent
For the four Sundays of Advent (3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th December) there is the opportunity to join with others for a time of quiet collective prayer. Led by the minister, the time (10.15 -10.30am) offers an intentional moment to contemplate scripture and poetry, appropriate to the Advent season. All are very welcome in the Kirk Session Room.
THIS WEEK: Advent Appeal 2023 (for Glass Door) Sox and Boxers + www.glassdoor.org.uk
This year we have added some extra items for donations: small pocket size puzzle books (sudoku, crossword etc), pens, reusable water bottles, reusable coffee cups, in addition to our usual request for: boxer shorts, ladies' pants (all sizes), ladies' sanitary products, thermal hats, thermal socks (for both men and women), thermal tights, thermal gloves (or very thick ones). Christmas gifts will then be wrapped by Mission Committee for the homeless guests staying overnight at church on Christmas Eve. The remainder of items will help restock supplies with Glass Door for their homeless clients. Collection point for donations will be the Upper Vestibule by the Advent Display Board. Starts from the first Sunday of Advent, 3rd December and each Sunday up until Christmas Day. Thank you in advance for your continuing support. Mission Committee.
Financial Donations (Advent Appeal) www.scotscare.com
As an alternative, you may wish to consider making a financial donation to ScotsCare for their ongoing work. Details for online payments and text donations, please click on this link (or access via the charity's website). https://scotscare.com/how-to-donate/ Cheques payable to: ScotsCare. Post to ScotsCare, Ground Floor, 22 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AJ.
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday Craft Group, Library, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Sunday 3rd December
THIS SUNDAY: Parking Restrictions in December
During all Sundays in December there is NO PARKING in residents’ parking bays. On Sundays parking is permitted on single yellow lines and in Pay & Display bays (free).
Advent Study, “Bethlehem’s Road”
We will read "Bethlehem's Road" by Ray Simpson, a series of 40 meditations, described as “A journey through Advent" and continuing to Epiphany. We meet on Zoom on Wednesday 6th, 13th and 20th December at 7.15pm, with a final Epiphany meeting on 3rd or 10th January (to be agreed!).We will look at “roadblocks, signposts and glimpses of glory on the journey.” Ray Simpson is founding guardian of the international Community of St. Hilda and St. Aidan, and may be found at www.raysimpson.org
If you are hoping to join us, please notify the office and you will be sent the Zoom link. (Revd William McLaren.)
Church Magazine, December Issue.
Keep an eye out for the new Church Magazine which will be on the bookstallshortly. Thanks once again to our Editor and her team of contributors.
Happy Hour, Wednesday 6th December, 6.30pm, Lower Hall
Our topic, drawing on various examples is 'whether causing public nuisance is justifiable for the greater public good.' This is the last planned session for the time being so it would be good to see as many faces, old and new, as possible. Refreshments provided, all welcome.
Upcoming: Sunday School Families Pantomime trip, Sunday 10th December
Oh no we're not! Oh yes, we are! Thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of St Columba's, the Sunday School is organising a trip to the Pantomime at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 10 December at 17:30 to see Cinderella. Any Sunday School families who would like to come along should please email Gary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to reserve tickets. Numbers are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis, so grab your glass slippers and act fast to avoid turning into a pumpkin!
Seeing the Light, Kenneth Steven.
Kenneth wass one of the contributors to the Festival of Silence. His latest poetry collection from Canterbury Press is now available. Each copy is £12 with postage. Kenneth is delighted to send cards with personal greetings with signed book copies. A delightful Christmas gift. Details via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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: @stcolumbas churchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271