For Sunday 22nd October 2023, 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Friends,
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem", said the Psalmist and Jerusalem and the Middle East seem to be more in need of our prayers today than ever before. There is the real fear that violence will spread to neighbouring countries and throughout the region as well as the possibility of terrorist attacks here in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe. It is a heartbreaking situation, especially for those of us who have visited the Holy Land or who have Israeli or Palestinian friends here in London. We must pray that there will not be an escalation of violence but that wise counsels will prevail.
It is often said that truth is the first casualty of war and with each side blaming the other for the terrible number of fatalities it seems very difficult to ascertain the facts. We are fortunate in the United Kingdom to have public service broadcasting of the quality of the BBC and the courage and integrity of BBC journalists reporting from Gaza and Jerusalem is clear for all to see.
Other non-political sources of useful information are:
Embrace the Middle East (formerly known as the Biblelands Society)
The Friends of the Holy Land.
www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
and the Church of Scotland's own Friends of St. Andrew's Jerusalem & Tiberias
The Church of Scotland has churches and hotels in Jerusalem and Tiberias which have always provided safe spaces for Israelis and Palestinians, Christians, Jews and Muslims to meet as well as Tabbetha School in Jaffa, founded in 1863. The Kirk works closely with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and also with the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East whose Archbishop Hosam Naoum recently participated in King Charles' coronation. All too often Palestinian Christians find themselves caught in the middle of conflict and forgotten by Christians in the West. We must not forget them now but hold them and the whole region in our prayers.
William.
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 Sunday 15th October 2023
Hymn 173 Sing to God new songs of worship (Ode to joy)
Hymn 193 God is love: his the care (Personent Hodie)
Hymn 502 Take my life, Lord, let it be (Nottingham)
Hymn 247 Moved by the Gospel, let us move (Ellacombe)
Anthem: Never weather-beaten sail, Parry
Musical Interlude: O Salutatis hostia, Rossini
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7
New Testament Reading: ⅠThessalonians 1: 1-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:15-22
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.
Church member
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member, Jeffrey Maccabe, at Ashlyns Residential Home, Berkhamsted on 17th October 2023. We hold the family in our thoughts and prayers.
Eternal rest grant unto him, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
Sunday School Future Dates
Please note one date change for Sunday School next month. We will not meet on the first Sunday of the month (Sunday 5th November) however there will be Sunday School on Remembrance Sunday, 10.45am, Sunday 12th November) and the third Sunday of the month (Sunday 19th November. As always a big thank you to our volunteers who enable these activities.
THIS WEEK: Safeguarding Training, Saturday 21st October 2023
Mandatory Safeguarding Training for those who require it will be offered on Saturday 21st October 2023, 10.00am – 12.30pm – in person. Venue St Columba’s Church – Upper Hall. Please sign up with the church office.
New Members’ Conference, Saturday 28th October, 10am – 1pm
On Saturday 28th October, we will hold a New Members’ Conference for those who wish to consider becoming members of the Church of Scotland here at St Columba’s. Topics for discussion will include: An Introduction to Christianity; an Introduction to the Church of Scotland; and the promises taken by new members. Attending the Conference does not oblige participants to become members, but we do ask that those wishing to become members attend the Conference. For more details, please contact Rev William McLaren, our Associate Minister. For those who attend the day and then wish to formally join the congregation a New Members’ Service will be held on Advent Sunday – Sunday 3rd December 2023, at 11am.
Glass Door Night Shelter - Volunteers Needed
Sunday evenings (beginning 12th November 2023, through to March 2024.) Can you help provide a warm friendly welcome and hot meal to 35 homeless guests at St Columba’s on Sunday evenings, when we will again host the Glass Door night shelter?
- Shelter volunteers needed to help set up, prepare and serve food, chat to guests and clear up.
- Cook volunteers needed to take the lead on cooking the simple 3 course meal.
Training and support for roles will be given. The rota is evolved according to volunteer availability. Please get in touch with Jill Bruce (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you or anyone you know is interested in helping. Volunteers often comment that they feel they receive far more than they give.
Glass Door Night Shelter - Donations Requested
We are now approaching another night shelter season and with it, another appeal for help with the food costs. For St Columba’s, the season starts on Sunday 12th November when we will feed and sleep up to 35 guests, continuing every Sunday evening throughout the winter months. A team of volunteers prepare a simple 3 course meal, the cost of which is of course ever increasing. To continue this work and repeat the success of previous seasons, will you help with these costs?
Your contribution of cash or a cheque made payable to St Columba’s Church of Scotland can be left in the church office (envelopes marked “Glass Door food appeal”).
Happy Hour, Wednesday 1st November, 6.30pm
Carpenters Arms, 12 Seymour Place, W1H 7NE. Our topic this month is carried forward from the last session, postponed because of transport problems, 'let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us’ drawing on Duncan Hamilton’s biography of Eric Liddell. No advance booking or reading required - just turn up on the evening and you will be most welcome.
St Columba’s Book Group, 6th November
Our next meeting is on Monday 6th November at 6.30pm when we shall be discussing Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie. It is a story about two Ghanaian cousins who are great friends but whose lives take quite different paths. We then plan to read The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell.
Contact the Church Office for the Zoom details
Lent Appeal 2024(small overseas registered charity)
Over the last five years, thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of £43,904 for small registered charities as a direct result of our Lent Appeals; this is a major part of our work on Mission. The Mission Committee would be grateful for any suggestions you may have for a small away/overseas registered charity that could be considered for the St. Columba's Lent Appeal 2024. For more information, please contact Naomi Donaldson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (or via the Church Office) before Friday 10th November.
Church plays leading role in promoting Scottish culture and heritage
You may be interested to read the article on the Church of Scotland website about the recent visit of HRH The Princess Royal and the Scots in London Gala Concert and Reception hosted at St Columba’s. https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/articles/church-plays-leading-role-in-promoting-scottish-heritage-and-culture-in-london Again, many thanks to those involved in the staging and stewarding of a memorable evening.
THIS WEEK: Hospitality
We have a quantity of wine glasses for disposal that are on offer, free of charge, to members of the congregation. The glasses will be available on a table in the Entrance Vestibule for the next few Sundays – please help yourselves.
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