St John’s holds services in Church on Sundays at 10am, with a recording of the morning service uploaded online for those not able to join us. Paper services available on request.

Dear Church Family,

At this week’s Intergenerational Service, Dawn will be focusing on our gospel reading, which is a continuation of the conversation Jesus was having with his disciples last week. The reason Jesus gives for investing so much time and energy into his disciples might surprise you! In our new segment called ‘The Window’ we will get an update from some people who help with Lunch, Munch and Chinwag and find out how this warm, friendly space is impacting our community.

Songs of Praise: Hopefully many of you saw our new minister, Rev Mark Nam, taking part in the BBC1 Songs of Praise programme which was broadcast on Sunday 21st April. If not then you should be able to find it on the BBC iPlayer or directly from this link https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0hrn5w4 

A Message from Richard! “I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to the St. John’s Church family for the generous gift. I was deeply moved and touched by your lovely thoughts, well wishes and handsome gift which would be very helpful towards our trip to India.” Richard

Thank you! My grateful thanks to everyone at St John’s for your lovely comments in the beautiful folder presented to me. They were quite overwhelming and yes a few tears were shed as I read them all! Thank you also for the beautiful mounted Bible verse and your most generous gift. It has been a privilege to serve as churchwarden; thanks also to the many people who have supported me in carrying out this role over the years. Lesley 

Praying Together for Woodley. The monthly meeting to pray for Woodley will be on Saturday 18th May from 9.00am to 10.00am at the home of David and Jane Fulford, 15 Brandon Ave RG5 4PU. Anyone with a heart for Woodley is welcome.

Coffee morning after Holy Communion on Wednesdays. Unfortunately, as there is no Midweek Communion on Wed 8th May there will not be the usual coffee morning. The next coffee morning would have been Wed May 22nd, but Penny is away. Therefore, sadly, there will be no coffee after Midweek Communion for this month. It will resume on Wed 5th June, followed by Wed 19th June. Do come and join us.

This Little Light of Mine: Candles continue to be available at the back of the church, including some fragranced options. We are raising money for our Warm Spaces initiative. Suggested donation of £5 each.

A message on behalf of Woodley Foodbank: Thank you for your donations. We continue to experience a very high demand for our services. We are currently low in stocks of coffee, tinned soups (any), tinned rice, sugar, tinned macaroni cheese and tinned fruit. Donations of Sugar, Coffee, Pasta, Cereals, Pasta Sauce, Spaghetti (dried), Noodles (inc. Pot Noodles), Tinned Vegetables (all types, inc. potatoes), Tinned pies (Fray Bentos Meat and Veg varieties), Tinned fish, Tinned fruit, Tinned Soups (Veg and Meat), Meat meals (tinned), Biscuits, Crisps, Custard - tinned and dried, Tinned Desserts Long Life milk, Juice (cordial and long life), Toothbrushes and toothpaste, Shampoo and Shower Gel, Deodorants (M&F), Toilet Rolls are welcome at any time. We are also short of plastic bags.

Prayer of the Week Risen Christ, by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples: help your Church to obey your command and draw the nations to the fire of your love, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

St John's Prayer
Grant us Lord Faith to believe and strength to do your will. Amen.

For our prayers

Prayer Bulletin

For our world - Pray for a peaceful world. Pray for all countries where there is conflict. For the families who are displaced that they may find safety. For those being held hostage, that they may be released. Pray especially for the people of Ukraine, Palestine and Israel. Pray for their leaders that they may broker peace.

For our country - Pray for the local elections. Pray that those elected will work for their communities with integrity. Pray for all our young people taking exams at this time. Pray for the families who have lost loved ones as a result of knife crime. Pray that everyone can walk about our streets safely.

For those who are unwell - Pray for those we know and love who are unwell at this time. Pray especially for Jean, Fred, Les, Janet A., David P., Devina, Alan, Claire, Chris, Rob and Janet. Pray too for those who care for them.

In our prayers - Pray for those who mourn the loss of a loved one. Pray especially for Marion and her family after the loss of Cedric. Pray for Mark, Kayi and their children as they settle into the vicarage and join our church family. Pray for the service on Wednesday and all those who will attend.

Coming up later in May

15th Mothers’ Union 2.30pm

18th Green Pastures Grief Café 10.00am

26th Wild Church 4.00pm       

Church Office

The church office is usually open Tue - Fri from 10-12. Please note that notices need to be sent on info@stjohn-woodley.com by 10.00 am on THURSDAYS for inclusion in that week's newsletter.

This Week’s Notices

Sunday 5th May

8.00am - BCP Said Service of Holy Communion led by Canon Brian Shenton in St John’s Church.
10.00am - An Intergenerational Service led by Dawn Nicholls. The Sixth Sunday of Easter. This week’s Bible readings are Acts 10: 44-48 and John 15: 9-17. Please note that this is not a service with Holy Communion.  A recording will be uploaded to the website on Tuesday at: https://www.stjohnswoodley.com/worship-from-home. The national CofE service is here from 9am: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/church-online.

Tuesday 7th May

10.00am - St John’s Toddler Group. Please contact Dawn for further details.

2.00pm - Green Pastures Grief Cafe in the Church Centre. Open for anyone struggling with bereavement or loss of any kind.

7.30pm - Praying Together on Zoom. A short service of Compline (Night Prayer). To phone in, call 0203 481 5237. Zoom ID: 977 0607 9786.

Wednesday 8th May

There will be NO 10.00am Service of Holy Communion

7.00pm - Service of Institution Rev’d. Mark Nam 

There will be NO Fellowship and Study Group for the month of May. We return on Wednesday 5th June 2024. 

Thursday 9th May 

Ascension Day Service 7.30pm We look forward to Mark leading his first service with us. 

Friday 10th May

11.30am - Friday Lunch, Munch and Chinwag. Please feel free to join us! All are welcome.

Pastoral Support

Would you like a prayer?
If you would like support, please do let us know - you do not need to face hard things alone. Please contact the office to arrange for a Pastoral Visit from one of our team. Alternatively, complete the prayer request form below and someone will be in touch.

Other News from the Parish