Sunday 26th April 2026
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,
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, and our readings are Acts 2.42–47 and 1 Peter 2.19–25.
The Easter season is full of joy, but it is never a shallow sort of cheerfulness. It is the season in which we begin to see what the risen life of Jesus looks like when it takes shape in ordinary people, ordinary worship, and ordinary faithfulness. Our readings this week give us a glimpse of that shared life: a church learning, praying, gathering, and growing together under the care of Christ, the Shepherd of our souls.
There is something heartening in that. The Church is not held together by noise, novelty, or perfect people, but by steady devotion to the things that matter most. In a world that often pulls us apart or keeps us busy at the edges, Sunday worship becomes a way of being drawn back to Christ and to one another.
Do join us, and bring a friend or family member along. Easter is still being celebrated, and there is still good news to share.
Every blessing,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL. The BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL was launched on 1st February 2026. A page has been set up on our website here that explains some of the history behind the bells and what will be involved in the restoration, as well as details on how donations can be made.
CAN YOU HELP? At St John's, we love investing in children and young people. Our brilliant Sunday morning Eagles groups are low on helpers this term – could you help out? It doesn't have to be every month (though it's wonderful if you can offer that). Role is subject to DBS and Safeguarding processes. Contact Dawn - families@stjohn-woodley.com or 07907 496769.
ARTSPRING FESTIVAL | Saturday 25th April 2026 10.00am. Following the success of our previous events in April and November last year, we’re really looking forward to our next celebration of local arts and crafts, including our own St John’s Arts Group. The ARTSPRING FESTIVAL will run in the Church Centre THIS SATURDAY 25th April from 10:00am to 4:00pm and feature stalls and displays with jewellery, cards, prints, paintings, and more. Please support us and spread the word among your friends and family. We will be offering refreshments for visitors and are therefore asking for help to serve from the kitchen. Please let Michael Garaway know by text message on 07773 781223 if you can help for an hour or so on the day.
EXPLORING MEXICO FUNDRAISER | Saturday 2nd May 2.30pm. Paul & Lin Isgar are raising funds for the Bells Restoration Appeal with a social event called ‘Exploring Mexico’ on Saturday 2nd May from 2.30-3.30pm. With photos and stories from a recent trip, they will be sharing some of the things they discovered about the history, culture and food of Mexico. Refreshments will follow. There is no charge for the event but donations towards the Bells Restoration Appeal are warmly welcomed.
GREEN PASTURES GRIEF CAFE | Tuesday 12th May 2026 2.00pm. Please note there is a change of date for the Cafe this coming month. They will meet on the second Tuesday - 12th May at 2.00pm.
For our prayers
For our world. Let us join all who are praying for peace in our world. For all who are suffering the ravages of war. For all aid organisations. For all working to broker peace and for the leaders of those countries who are at war with one another. Pray for refugees looking for safety who are prepared to risk their lives and those of their loved ones to find it. Pray that when refugees reach foreign lands they will be treated with kindness.
For our country. Pray for our government and local councillors that they will look at the real needs of our people and be strong enough and wise enough to meet them. Pray for our young people preparing for exams at this time. Pray that they will have time and quiet to prepare for them. Pray for teachers as they prepare for this busy time of the academic year. Pray for all who work in our hospitals. There is so much sickness around just now. Pray that there will be beds and treatments for all who need them.
For those who are unwell. Pray for all who we know and love who are suffering in body, mind or spirit. Pray especially for Clive, Suzanne, Marjorie, Pat A, Arthur, Ian, Michael B, Carol, Devina, Irene and Ricky M, Dhoj Gurung, Liz, Mo, Margaret, Ruilan, Katie, baby Edward and baby Niamh. Pray too for all who care for them.
In our prayers. Pray for the families whose loved ones have recently died. For Ben G. whose Dad George died last weekend. For Jenny M’s family - Jenny died on Easter Sunday and for Steve A. and family after Janet’s death. Pray for the family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne and Dawn and their families. For our young people and those who nurture them. For Jenny Ayliffe as she takes on the task of Churchwarden and for Nicola Prothero who will help her. Continue to pray for someone to step forward as our treasurer. Pray and thank God for all who serve on our PCC and head up our organisations.
Church Office
The church office is usually open Tuesday - Fridays from 10am - 12pm. Please note that any notices need to be sent to info@stjohn-woodley.com by 10.00am on Thursday, for inclusion in that week's newsletter.
THIS WEEK
Sunday 26th April
9.00am - Bubble Church.
10.00am - Service of Holy Communion. The Fourth Sunday of Easter. This week’s Bible readings will be Acts 2: 42–47 and 1 Peter 2: 19-25. A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley
3:00pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
Tuesday 28th April
10.00am - Toddlers. Please contact Dawn for details.
Wednesday 29th April
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
7.45pm - Fellowship & Study Group on Zoom ID: 96292542704. April.
Friday 1st May
11.30am - Lunch, Munch and Chinwag.
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.
A MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF WOODLEY FOODBANK. Thank you for your donations throughout the year. We are currently low in tinned tomatoes, baked beans, pasta sauce, tinned custard & rice pudding, any soups, toilet rolls, any juice or squash and washing up liquid. There continues to be a high demand at the moment, so your help is very much appreciated. Donations of Sugar, Coffee, Pasta Sauce, Noodles (inc. Pot Noodles), Tinned Vegetables (all types), Tinned fish, Tinned fruit, Tinned meat meals, Biscuits, Crisps, Custard - tinned and dried, Tinned Desserts, Long Life milk, Juice (cordial & long life), Toiletries and Toilet Rolls are welcome at any time.
Envelope Collection. David, our Treasurer, is kindly offering a collection service for those that usually give to St John’s by envelope. Please call him direct on 0118 969 2521 or email.
Church Suite - Login Required. Please do log in and update your personal contact details and what information you want to share with others in the St John’s church family. This way you can make sure you are kept up-to-date with news at St John’s and stay linked in with others. For those who are not online, we will be contacting them separately to do this.
