For Sunday 20th April 2025, Easter Sunday
Friends,
At the conclusion of the final Lent bible study organised this year by the Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands, Revd Carolann Birnie, minister of St Columba’s, Jersey https://stcolumbas.je/, closed the discussions with a parting prayer. It offers a window into the significant days we have now enterred – the events that constitute the foundation stones of our faith - Maundy Thursday to Easter morning. Our own services on Thursday, Friday and Sunday (plus the recorded devotions, via https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/lent/daily-devotion/) will echo Carolann’s words. When asked, Carolann explained the source of her words as “primarily from online, books and my own thoughts... All inspired by God's Spirit.” Wherever you mark these momentous days, may they too be inspired by that same Spirit.
May we continue to serve
and love each other
with the intimacy and vulnerability
that Jesus exemplified
on the night he was betrayed,
Maundy Thursday.
May each of us have the strength
to face any agony or abandonment
as Jesus did
at the crucifixion
on Good Friday.
May we never rush through
but rather choose to linger
in the silence
of Holy Saturday.
And, may we awaken
with renewed hope
and unconditional joy
with the dawn
of Resurrection Sunday.
Wishing you profound days of Holy Week and a joyous Easter when it dawns,
Angus
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 20th April 2025, Easter Sunday
Hymn 410 Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! (Easter Hymn)
Hymn 413 The day of resurrection! (Ellacombe)
Hymn 436 Christ triumphant, ever reigning (Guiting Power)
Hymn 19 Ye gates lift up your heads on high (St George’s, Edinburgh)
Hymn 419 Thine be the glory (Maccabaeus)
Anthem: Gloria from Mass in E flat - Rheinberger (1839-1901)
Anthem: Agnus Dei from Mass in E flat - Rheinberger (1839-1901)
Gospel Reading: John 20:1-18
Reader: Dr Peter Mills
Holy Week Daily Devotions
In addition to the services scheduled for Holy Week there are ten-minute devotions prepared for each day of the week; a short time of prayer, bible reading and music. (Monday – Thursday & Saturday) https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/lent/daily-devotion/
Holy Week Services, Easter Communion & Hospitality
| 17th April 8.00 pm | Maundy Thursday Holy Communion, London Scottish Chapel |
|
18th April 11.00am |
Music & Words for Good Friday |
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 20th April, 11am, Easter Morning Holy Communion, followed by Lunch in the Lower Hall and Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall.
Craft activities are provided for young families in the Guards Chapel, under parental supervision. Note: Guided Prayer for Lent/Easter in London Scottish Chapel, will not meet on Easter Morning (20th April) due to choir rehearsals and preparation for holy communion.
Note: Services are livestreamed, except Maundy Thursday.
Lent Appeal 2025 – Caxton Youth Organisation. Registered Charity 1090549.
The Caxton Youth Organisation is a small local Westminster charity, based in Pimlico with Clubs Rooms that are in the basement area of a council housing estate. The charity is already known to us as it was the recipient of our Lent Appeal 2011. Founded in 1948 by a couple of local residents in response to much needed help and support for young people aged 11 to 25 years who have learning disabilities and young people with autism. It provides crucial support for local families with evening clubs three times a week: fantastic opportunities to make friends, drama workshops, play games, life-skills, basic cooking lessons for the older ones. The charity also helps with employment applications, finding work, or training. With your donations we hope to raise enough funds to pay for a five-day outdoor residential trip at a purpose-built centre in the countryside for eight young people plus three staff. Donations would help cover the costs for accommodation, catering, staffing, activities and transport to the centre. A chance for them to experience the countryside and activities such as abseiling, high ropes courses, archery, pond dipping.
Please do watch this lovely short video clip 'What Makes Caxton Youth Special'. On this link.
Various options to donate:
White Lent Appeal envelopes available in the pews and in Upper Vestibule. Alternatively, by electronic bank transfer: Please use "Lent Appeal" as the payment reference.
St. Columba's Church of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
Account Number 00264741
Sort Code 16 00 42
Cheques payable to: "St. Columba's Church of Scotland" and with a note attached to cheque indicating it is for the Lent Appeal. Send to: Finance Dept. (Lent Appeal).
Thank you. Mission Committee.
Holy Saturday, Flower Guild
The Flower Guild are decorating the church for Easter on Saturday 19th April from 1.30pm till about 3pm followed by tea in the Upper Hall. Do please come and help/ watch or just join us for tea and hear more about the activities of this group. We would welcome new supporters. Speak to Patricia Clarke or Kate Payne for more information.
Post Easter Book Group Wednesday 23rd April
Our post-Easter book group choice is "Alleluia is our song." Reflections on Easter and Pentecost by Michael Mayne. We will meet on Zoom at 7.15pm, beginning on Wednesday 23rd April. To sign up and receive the Zoom link, please contact the office.
NEXT SUNDAY: Guided Prayer for Easter, 10.15am – 10.30am, London Scottish Regimental Chapel
The final Lent/Easter time of guided prayer,10.15 – 10.30am, London Scottish Regimental Chapel; atime of quiet prayer, in the company of others, following meditations for the season, led by the Minister.
NEXT SUNDAY: Morning Service, 27th April, followed by Coffee and Tea in Upper Hall
Following service, “Reflections” in the Library, (12.30pm): the Nurture Committee offer an opportunity to read and discuss a bible passage with others, over a cup of coffee. No sign up required, just come on the day
St Columba’s member
A Thanksgiving Service for the life of former St Columba’s elder, Alan Mackie, will be held at St Columba’s on Friday 9th May at 2pm. We offer our prayers for wife Melanie and Alan’s family members. Rest eternal grant unto him, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
UPCOMING: Book Club, Monday 28th April, 6.30pm
We will be discussing Tan Tweng Eng’s The House of Doors. We welcome new members; please contact the Church Office for details. We shall discuss Lily by Rose Tremain at the subsequent meeting.
Diary Date: New Members’ Conference & Service
Wednesday 30th April 2025 & Sunday 8th June: If you would like to learn more about what becoming a member of St Columba’s involves, you are warmly invited to an evening of food and discussion on Wednesday 30th April 2025, 7.00pm. For those who would then like to become members there will be a Service of Welcome on Sunday 8th June – which appropriately is the day we celebrate St Columba himself! Please sign up by Friday 25th April.
UPCOMING Friends of St Columba’s Visit to Leighton House
Saturday 10th May, 11 a.m.,12 Holland Park Road, W14 (High St Kensington Tube) Rendezvous inside the main entrance: Surrounded by its own large garden, this evocative haute-bohemian pad was once home to Frederic, Lord Leighton, the great classical painter of the Victorian age.
UPCOMING: St Columba’s Quiz Night, Saturday 10th May, 7pm, Lower Hall.
St Columba’s Quiz Night returns! Tickets are £6 each and include a cold supper (BYOB). You can purchase your tickets from the church office or after service from the desk in entrance hall on Sundays 20th April, 27th April and 4th May.
UPCOMING: Congregational Curry Night, Saturday 17th May, 7pm, Lower Hall.
Come and join us for a delicious 3 course meal (dinner served at 7.30pm) and talk from our elder Nadia Dallsingh on the highlights from her Everest Base Camp Trek. Tickets are £10 (BYOB) and are available to purchase from the office or after service from the desk in entrance hall on Sunday 13th April and 27th April.
UPCOMING: Scots in London 80th Anniversary VE Day Events
Tuesday 6th May, London Scottish House, SW10 2DX, 6.30pm
VE Day: Then and Now? What do we remember and what do we need to learn? Panel discussion with Chair, James Landale (BBC), Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former Cabinet minister, Professor Lucy Noakes, author and historian, and Professor David Ferguson (Regius Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge). Tickets are free and available on this link.
Sunday 11th May, St Columba’s, Pont Street, 11am 80th Anniversary VE Day Service
VE Day Service with invited guests from European and Commonwealth embassies, followed by a catered lunch (£10 per person, available via Eventbrite) and an afternoon talk by author Damien Lewis (SAS Daggers Drawn) and actor David Robb, on the wartime ministry of the Very Revd Dr Fraser McLuskey – the Parachute Padre - minister of St Columba’s, 1960 – 1986. Book your tickets on this link. If you are unable to use Eventbrite, there will be opportunities to purchase tickets before and after the service on Sunday 20th, 27th April and 4th May in the entry hall.
Other events from Scots in London partners that week: Thursday 8 May
The London Scottish Regimental Association are hosting an evening reception at London Scottish House to mark VE80. Tickets to the evening are £15. Please contact Martin Felstead for an order form if you wish to attend at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before 1st May.
Saturday 10 May
London Scottish House is hosting the ‘Peace in Europe Conference’ being organised by the newly formed Second World War Association. You can find out more about the event online here.
Scots in London April newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/april-newsletter
Scots in London is an umbrella organisation for Scottish cultural societies, sports clubs, alumni groups, charities, churches and the Scottish military in London. Its mission is to promote Scottish culture and heritage, co-ordinate and communicate events, support Scottish charities in the capital, and contribute to the life of the city where we live. While proud of our shared nationality, we endeavour to be international in outlook.
Calling All Bakers! Cake Sale on Sunday 11th May - Christian Aid Week
This year marks Christian Aid's 80th Anniversary, we are planning our annual Cake Sale to launch Christian Aid Week. The focus this year is to raise funds to help the indigenous communities in Guatemala whose farms are being destroyed by climate change, but with funding for basic farming tools and specialist agricultural training their lives can be improved and help them to push back against poverty. If you would like to bake either bring into the Entrance Vestibule before the service on Sunday 11th May, or you can leave it with the Church Office a few days beforehand. Please label cake packaging with what type of cake it is. Cakes, meringues, biscuits, shortbread, scones etc, all needed, thank you.
Save the date
On Thursday 12th June, there is an opportunity to attend a special service at Westminster Abbey for A Service of Thanksgiving and Reflection to mark the 80th Anniversary of Christian Aid. Doors will open from 10.30am via the Great West Door on Victoria Street, all guests to be seated by 11.30. Service starts at 12.00. To attend, please register as soon as possible. Herewith link: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/events/80th-anniversary-service-ginvite#register
Please also take photo ID as you may be asked to produce it and you must register to attend.
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (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.
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Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columb 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.
Office Hours Please note change of opening hours
The church office is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
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