St. Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church In Ecumenical Partnership with Augustine United Church and Greyfriars Kirk

Sunday, 17th March, Holy Eucharist at 10am Lent 2 Revd David Paton-Williams, Presiding Revd Bob Gould, Preaching Iain Thompson, Organ

Welcome Whoever you are and wherever you are in your journey in faith, you are welcome at St. Columba’s. If you are visiting or new to us, we rejoice that you have found your way here this morning.

We believe that God affirms us all, regardless of our age, gender, sexual orientation, background or ethnicity and we welcome everyone who wishes to worship and share Communion with us.

People of all ages are welcome in our worship. Early in the service, the children go to the Upper Room for their activities, and return in time to share Communion.

Please join us for coffee, rolls and fellowship after the service. All are invited!

A loop system is available, using the "T" setting on a hearing aid.

For a large print version of this service and hymn book, please ask a welcomer. After the bell rings, as you are able, please stand as the cross and gospel book are carried to the front.

Greeting: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Words of Welcome and Introduction

Opening Hymn: 133– Source and Sovereign

Opening up the theme

Collect for Purity: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Kyrie:

Collect of the Day: God of patience and humility, in your love you gave your Son to be rejected and raised up on a cross. Gather us under its shadow and open our eyes to its mystery, that we may share even now in the life that is from above; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. First Reading: Genesis 15.1-12, 17-18 read by George Outram

At the end, after a short silence, the reader may say: Hear the word of the Lord All Thanks be to God. Psalm (overleaf):

Second reading: Philippians 3.17-4.1 read by Helen Outram

At the end, after a short silence, the reader may say: Hear the word of the Lord All Thanks be to God

Gradual Hymn: 284 –Hope is a candle

Gospel: Luke 13.31-35 read by Beatrice Carter

When it is announced: Glory to Christ our Saviour

At end: Give thanks to the Lord for his glorious Gospel. Praise to Christ our Lord

Sermon: Revd Bob Gould (followed by a few moments of silence)

Nicene Creed (please stand, as you are able): We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again, in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Intercessions (please sit or kneel) led by Mark Woods

Confession and Absolution: God is love and we are God’s children. There is no room for fear in love. We love because God loved us first. Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence

Loving God, we confess to you and to our fellow members in the Body of Christ that we have sinned in thought, word and deed, and in what we have failed to do. We are truly sorry. Forgive us our sins, and deliver us from the power of evil. For the sake of your Son who died for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God, who is both power and love, forgive us and free us from our sins, heal and strengthen us by the Holy Spirit and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

Peace (please stand, as you are able): We meet in Christ’s name. Let us share his peace.

Notices

Offertory Hymn: 554 – Rock of ages

During this hymn a collection is taken for the work of the church, although many people give for this by Standing Order. Both represent our response to God's generous love.

Eucharistic Prayer III

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Worship and praise belong to you, maker of light and darkness. Your wisdom draws beauty from chaos, brings a harvest out of sorrow and leads the exiles home.

In Christ your Son enemies are reconciled, debts forgiven and strangers made welcome.

Your Spirit frees us to live as sons and daughters in our Father's house.

We who by Christ's power follow the way of the Cross, sharing the joy of his obedience, now offer you our praise, with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven singing the hymn of your unending glory:

Sanctus and Benedictus (sung)

Glory and thanksgiving be to you, most loving Father, for Christ in whom the world is reconciled. Lifted on the Cross, his suffering and forgiveness spanned the gulf our sins had made. Through that dark struggle death was swallowed up in victory, that life and light might reign.

Before he was given up to suffering and death, recalling the night of Israel's release, the night in which the sons of Egypt died, your Chosen One, himself the First Born, freely offered his life. At supper with his disciples he took bread and offered you thanks.

He broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying:

"Take, eat. This is my Body: it is broken for you."

After supper, he took the cup, he offered you thanks, and gave it to them saying:

"Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new covenant; it is poured out for you, and for all, that sins may be forgiven. Do this in remembrance of me."

We now obey your Son's command. We recall his blessed passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension; and we look for the coming of his Kingdom. Made one with him, we offer you these gifts and with them ourselves, a single, holy, living sacrifice.

Hear us, most merciful Father, and send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and this wine, that, overshadowed by his life-giving power, they may be the Body and Blood of your Son, and we may be kindled with the fire of your love and renewed for the service of your Kingdom.

Help us, who are baptised into the fellowship of Christ's Body to live and work to your praise and glory; may we grow together in unity and love until at last, in your new creation, we enter into our heritage in the company of the Virgin Mary, Columba, the apostles, and prophets, and of all our brothers and sisters living and departed. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be to you, Lord of all ages, world without end. Amen.

Breaking of the Bread: The living bread is broken for the life of the world. Lord, unite us in this sign.

Lord’s Prayer (sung to a Russian chant, music below)

Communion: Everyone is welcome to receive Communion. If you would prefer to receive a prayer of blessing, please cross your hands over your chest when you come forward. If you need a gluten-free communion wafer please ask when you come to the altar.

Agnus Dei (sung):

Please remain seated for the Post-Communion Hymn.

Post-communion Hymn: 276 – Wait for the Lord (chorus only)

Please stand when the president returns to the altar. Give thanks to our gracious God whose mercy endures for ever

Post-Communion Prayer: Father of all, we give you thanks and praise that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ's body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen

Blessing: Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Recessional Hymn: 153 - Great is thy faithfulness

At the end of the hymn please turn to face the door for the Dismissal: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ.

Registered Charity number SCO 16571 All hymns © CCL licence: Words 1082411. Music Reproduction, 1082428

Events and Activities THIS WEEK

Refugio is a monthly evening Communion set in the context of silence, symbol and reflective prayer. It takes its name from the shelters where pilgrims, walking the medieval route to Santiago de Compostela, stop and find rest on their journey. Refugio takes place in Greyfriars monthly, on each third Sunday at 19.00. The next Refugio will be held this evening.

Bible Study Groups The Monday evening Bible Study is currently on a fortnight's break. The next session will be on the 24th of March. Please contact James Horton if you have any questions.

Study Group and Eucharist. Wednesdays 7am, normally at the Thompsons’, 8 St. Catherine’s Place. The group is now reading "In your loving is your knowing" by Elizabeth Templeton - Prophet of our time. All are welcome on a casual or regular basis.

Midweek Eucharist. Thursdays at 12.30pm in the Upper Room at St. Columba's. Please join us for this informal said Eucharist which is offered each week. Lunch at the Castle Arms afterwards, optional. All are welcome!

Events and Activities FORTHCOMING

No TLC Youth Group today as members of the group are away at the Synod Youth Forum in Tulliallan. Our next gathering is 7 pm on Friday 29th March in the Studio for an evening of Movie Magic! See hall noticeboard for details.

The WAYMARKING COURSE DURING LENT begins on Saturday 23rd March at 10.30am to noon, each Saturday until Easter. It will be held at The Rectory (28, Castle Terrace) Everyone welcome to come and explore their faith journeys, both so far and into the future.

Group B will have their Pot Luck lunch at Alex Fotheringham’s house on 24th March after service/coffee, the address is 10 York Road, Trinity, EH5 3EH."

St Cs@6 at 6pm on Sunday 24th March is our own Columban opportunity to quietly explore the season of Lent through the medium of

well-chosen poetry. Come if you are a regular or if you enjoy poetry. As always there will be a simple communal meal after the service.

Science in an Age of Change On Saturday 30th March at St Columba’s by the Castle, our three churches will be hosting an afternoon on two key areas of current science. Mike Berners Lee of Lancaster University will speak on climate change, and Ron Pettrick of Herriot Watt will speak on Artificial Intelligence and its social and ethical implications. At the end of the afternoon there will be an opportunity to discuss further the issues raised or the implications of what we have heard. To book a place, simply go to the "Eventbrite" website and search in 'Events' for “Science in an Age of Change”. Tickets are free but a donation of between £5-10 is invited to help cover costs.

Land, loss and Longing: A celebration of Palestinian culture Live music by Christina de Luca. Photography exhibition, Palestinian finger food, crafts and stalls. Broughton St Mary’s, 12 Bellevue Crescent, EH3 6NE. 30th March 7pm -10pm. Tickets £15 from Broughton St Mary’s. For more information, please see hall noticeboard.

The next "Second" Sunday Forum will be on Sunday 7th April, led by Sarah Whitley and Graham Whyte on their trip to Bolivia to learn more about the work of Christian Aid there. Buzz-words will include solar ovens and eco-lodges!

Notes

BISHOP'S LENT APPEAL -Details of the Bishop Lent Appeal have been circulated by email. This year it is going towards Fresh Start and Mercy Ships UK. If you would like to donate to it please use one of the blue envelopes in church and mark it "Lent Appeal".

Group A is on duty in March. Your help in clearing up at the end of coffee time is much appreciated. Group B will be on duty in April.

Group C is on duty in May so we will have a group lunch on 14th April at Rosemary Candlin’s home.

First Wednesdays of month at 4.30pm @ Emmaus House, 14 Gilmore Place, EH3 9NQ. Do you identify as LGBTQI+ and have questions about spirituality and faith? First Wednesdays is a confidential drop-in space to meet people, eat cake and explore questions - big or small. For more information, please contact Maxwell Reay on 0131 537 6734 or Marion Chatterley on 0131 228 1066 or email ourfirstwednesdays@gmail.com.

Today’s Mass Setting is from the Taizé community.

Data Protection: If you have not already completed the GDPR consent forms, please could you return them as soon as possible. Paper copies are available on the tables over coffee.

Foodbank: Donations to the Foodbank meeting at St Columba's are always welcome. This month the Food Bank is especially looking for the following items: Cat food,Fruit Juice,Sugar,Lentils,Stock Cubes, Tea Bags, Toilet Roll. Tinned Cold Meat, Curry Sauce

Quietness. We ask that you observe a spirit of quietness as we gather for worship out of respect for those who wish to pray and the musicians who are playing.

Further important notices appear on the Hall notice board

Revd. David Paton-Williams, Rector Tel: 07759 621860 or 0131 228 5215 Email: rector@stcs.org.uk Church Office: 0131 622 2277 or church.admin@stcs.org.uk Website: www.stcolumbasbythecastle.org.uk