For Sunday 17th December 2023, Third Sunday of Advent
Picture by Susan Pym
Friends,
Last Sunday our young people and their team of “grown-ups” treated us to a telling of the Nativity, with a musical dramatization entitled, “It’s a Party!” It certainly was. Culminating with the release of balloons during the final song, unleashed youthful energy delivered sacred spontaneity and a little anarchic joy. Memorably, the production earlier included the fainting of a youthful Joseph when told the news of Mary’s pregnancy, as well as a beautiful solo sung by teenager Beth Stokes. In short, we had a bit of everything, scripted and unscripted. Congregationally, we spend a lot of time lamenting the absence of our young people from church life. All the more special therefore to see them up front and involved – at the heart of our worship.
Doreen Gazey’s poem, Nativity Play, reaffirms the truth that regardless of the professionalism, or not, of such endeavours, “the meaning is far greater than the sum of all its parts”; and “the players will have told much more than they can truly know.” Amen to that.
The angel’s halo just fell off,
The shepherds have gone to sleep,
And wearing odds and ends of fur,
We have some most peculiar sheep.
Joseph’s thrown a massive sulk,
He and Mary had a fight,
And Mary has dropped the baby,
A most unholy night.
Caspar sat upon his crown,
Melchior has a wobbly tum,
Balthazar’s forgotten all his lines,
And says he wants his mum.
But when the curtain rises on
This shambles of a play,
Eyes will sting as we see the tale
Of that first Christmas day.
When we hear the faltering phrases,
And Once in Royal out of key,
We are caught up in the wonder
Of the Nativity.
However poor the telling
Of this tale to touch our hearts,
The meaning is far greater
Than the sum of all its parts.
So when the curtain falls upon
This not so disastrous show,
The players will have told much more
Than they can truly know.
The same story will continue to be told in different ways and with different voices this weekend, at Morning Worship (11am) and Carols by Candlelight (5pm), the congregational Service of Lessons & Carols, this year in support of ScotsCare. I hope you can join us – to experience something greater than the sum of its individual parts, and hear the telling of something more than we truly know.
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, 3rd Sunday of Advent 11am
Hymn 86 When Zion's fortunes God restored (Edgbaston)
Hymn 334 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (Winchester New (Crasselius))
Hymn 281 People, look East (Besancon)
Hymn 277 Hark the glad sound! (Crediton)
Anthem: How lovely are the messengers, Mendelssohn
Musical Interlude: A tender shoot, K. Briggs
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11
New Testament Reading: I Thessalonians 5: 16-24
Gospel Reading: John 1: 6-8, 19-28
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: Carols by Candlelight
Our annual congregational carol service, this year in support of ScotsCare. 5pm, Sunday 17th December. With the choir in full voice, come and enjoy the telling of the Bethlehem birth in word and music. Followed by a ScotsCare Reception in the Lower Hall. Why not bring friends along to enjoy a special evening.
There is also the invitation to join others for Carol Singing in Trafalgar Square at 2pm on Sunday 17th December in aid of Christian Aid.
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.
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.)
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).
Sunday School Nativity Gratitude
Thank you to everyone involved in last Sunday’s Nativity, “It’s a Party”. Young people, adult helpers, story tellers and music makers all combined to offer a lively and immersive Nativity experience! Thank you.
Church Magazine, December Issue.
Pick up a copy of the new Church Magazine from the bookstall. Then pick up another to give to a friend! Thanks once again to our Editor and her team of contributors.
Burns Supper 2024
The Burns Supper will be held on Saturday 27th January 2024. Tickets are on sale after the service, or you can also contact the Church office.
ST COLUMBA’S QUIZ NIGHT:
Come and test your general knowledge at the St Columba’s 17th Annual Quiz. Saturday, 10th February 6.30 pm for 7 pm start. Tickets £6 per person will be on sale in mid-January; but meanwhile please send intimation of interest or queries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You could join The Choir, Tennis Club, The Magnificent Seven, Reeling Together and The Lanark Collective, who are all immortalised on the Quiz shields in the Lower Hall.
Advent and Christmas at St Columba’s
Sunday 17th December
11am Morning Service
2pm Carols Singing in Trafalgar Square for Christian Aid
5pm Carols by Candlelight, Service of Lessons & Carols
Sunday 24th December
11am Morning Service
2pm Family Christingle Service at Crown Court*
11.15pm Watchnight Service with Communion
Christmas Day 25th December
10.30am Morning Service for Christmas Day & Short Holy Communion (London Scottish Chapel)
Sunday 31st December
11.00am Morning Service
Sunday 7th January
11.00am Morning Service
5.00pm Evening Service for Epiphany (London Scottish Chapel)
*For those interested, all are welcome to attend the Crown Court Christmas Eve Family Christingle Service (Russell St, London WC2B 5EZ) at 2pm on the 24th December 2023.
All services over Christmas at St Columba’s are live-streamed, except Watchnight Service (11.15pm, Christmas Eve) and Evening Service for Epiphany (5pm, 7th January 2024.) www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream
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