For Sunday 13th April 2025, Palm Sunday
Friends,
In preparation for his entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday, Jesus sent his disciples to find a colt that had never been ridden. A colt is a male donkey, less than four years old - not the obvious choice for the Messiah. As he entered the city, riding down the path from the Mount of Olives, Jesus was acclaimed by the crowds gathering for the Passover festival later that week. They seemed to recognise him as the long awaited Messiah, crying out "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord" (Psalm 118:26). The Pharisees objected, but Jesus refused to silence his followers, telling them that if they were to be silent even the stones would shout out.
The image of the servant king riding on a donkey calls us to examine the nature of our own service - to God, to the church and to our fellow women and men. It is not always easy to be a servant and to take the humbler part, but when we look at the world around us today we can see that truly great leaders in church and state are those who serve their people, not those who seek to stride across the world basking in their own glory. And God calls all of us to serve even, perhaps especially, when we feel that we are the most unlikely choice.
William
On Sunday, to enhance our worship, volunteer to join the congregational palm procession, following the choir round the sanctuary, as they sing our opening hymn, (364 All glory, laud, and honour, CH4 364.) The more palm wavers the merrier! To get involved just loiter at the entrance to the sanctuary before service starts.
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 13th April 2025,
Palm Sunday
Hymn 364 All glory, laud, and honour (St. Theodulph)
Hymn 365 Ride on! ride on in majesty! (Winchester New (Crasselius))
Hymn 374 From heaven you came, helpless babe (The Servant King)
Hymn 360 Jesus Christ is waiting (Noel Nouvelet)
Anthem: Pueri Hebraeorum – Victoria (c.1548 – 1611)
Anthem: Hosanna to the Son of David – Weelkes (c.1575-1623)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-9a
New Testament Reading: Philippians 2: 5-11
Gospel Reading: Luke 19: 28-40
Reader: Kate Macnish
Give us a follow then pass it on to your friends and family!
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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.
THIS SUNDAY: Guided Prayer for Lent, 10.15am – 10.30am, London Scottish Regimental Chapel
Sundays in Lent (9th March - 20th April inclusive) 10.15 – 10.30am, London Scottish Regimental Chapel, a time of quiet prayer, in the company of others, following meditations for the season, led by the Minister.
THIS SUNDAY: Palm Sunday Morning Service, 11am, followed by Congregational coffee/tea in the Upper Hall
A special welcome this Sunday to Esther Norman, Caxton Youth Organisation Interim CEO, who will speak about the work of the charity, selected for our 2025 Lent Appeal. Esther will be accompanied by Paige Kaye, Caxton’s Fundraising and Communications Manager.
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.
We are delighted to welcome guest speakers for a brief talk on the charity during the morning service on: Sunday 13 April (Palm Sunday) – Esther Norman, Interim - CEO
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 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 is offered each day, via the website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/lent/daily-devotion/ (Monday – Thursday & Saturday)
Easter lilies
The Flower Guild offer the opportunity to remember a loved one this Easter. You can purchase one or more lilies costing £4 each which will then be used to decorate the church on Easter Sunday. There will be a list in the church on the day of the names of those remembered. Please put cash or cheques in an envelope clearly marked with the name of the person you wish to remember and hand it in to the office or give it to Patricia Clarke or Kate Payne. You can do this any time up to Sunday 13 April.
The Flower Guild plan to decorate 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.
CHURCH MAGAZINE:
The new issue of the Church Magazine is available at the Bookstall for £1.50. Why not pick up copies for yourself and one for a friend/neighbour? Big thanks to Editor Susan Pym and all who help bring us the good news of St Columba’s and beyond.
Next session: Wednesday 9th April 2025. The Zoom link will be provided to those who register. No preparation is required for this.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 20th April, Easter Morning Holy Communion followed by Lunch in the Lower Hall and Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall.
Bach St John Passion at Holy Trinity Sloane Square:
On Palm Sunday, 13 April at 6pm, the combined Holy Trinity Choirs will perform Bach’s sublime St John Passion, accompanied by players from London’s leading early music ensembles. Tickets (Adults / Chorale Choir: £20; Under 18s £10) are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/sloanechurch or on the door.
POST EASTER BOOK GROUP
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.
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.
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! For more information speak to either of the ministers and please sign up via the Church Office.
Glass Door Night Shelter Season 2024 - 25
We received the following message from Matthew Falk, Director of Services, Glass Door Homeless Charity:
“As our winter night shelter season has drawn to a close, I wanted to take a moment to express our deepest thanks for your support and partnership. Together, we’ve offered almost than 15,000 safe nights indoors to people who would otherwise have been sleeping on the streets or in an unsafe environment. That’s 15,000 times someone had a warm place to rest, food to eat, and people around them who cared. This is no small thing; it’s a powerful, compassionate response to the injustice of homelessness.
It’s been a season full of challenges, but also one of real and lasting impact. While the shelters may be closing for the season, our casework team will continue to support guests on their journey forward. Many people go on to secure accommodation after their time with us often as a direct result of the stability, encouragement, and practical support they received while staying in the shelters.
This year, we’ve supported 570 guests in our night shelters, and 112 of those have been housed so far - both of which are a more than last season’s figures. These aren’t just numbers. Each one represents a person who has faced extraordinary challenges and found support, dignity, and hope within our shelters. None of this would have been possible without your support, your volunteers, and your willingness to open your doors and hearts.
Looking ahead, our intention is to run three, night shelter circuits again next winter, and we would be delighted to work with you once more. Our annual business plan will be approved by our Board of Trustees at the end of May, and we’ll be in touch with further details at the start of June.
Thank you again for everything you’ve done this season. Your generosity and commitment have truly made a difference, and we hope you’ll share these successes with your congregation and the volunteers who made it all possible. Warmest regards, Matthew.
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.
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.
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 5pm, 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