Sunday 8th March 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 brings us to the Third Sunday of Lent—the point in the season when we realise Lent is not a self-improvement plan, but a truth-telling exercise. The Church, in her wisdom, does not ask us to become dazzling; she asks us to become honest.
Our Gospel is John 4: 5–42: Jesus sits by a well at midday and begins a conversation no one else would have risked. It’s wonderfully ordinary—water, weariness, a simple request—and yet it opens out into the question beneath so much of our living: what we are really thirsty for, and where we go to drink.
So come to St John’s this Sunday and do bring a friend or family member. If someone thinks church is only for the put-together, this reading gently disagrees. There is room for the curious, the cautious, and the tired—because Christ meets people in real life, not polished life.
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.
IS GOD CALLING YOU? Our APCM is fast approaching and in April our wonderful Churchwarden, Brian Main and our Treasurer, David Crane, will be stepping down after many years of faithful service. We are deeply grateful for all they have given to St. John’s. As a Church, we rely on people serving in these vital roles and at present we do not yet know who will be taking them on next. Please pray about this and consider whether God may be prompting you (or someone you know) to explore one of these ministries. To find out what either role involves—no commitment, just a conversation—please email the office at info@stjohn-woodley.com and we’ll arrange to meet. We trust that God is already preparing the right people as we look ahead with faith and hope.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER | Friday 6th March 2026 10.30am. A service for the World Day of Prayer will be held at St. John’s on Friday 6th March at 10.30am with tea/coffee following the service. It's truly interdenominational and ecumenical, so everyone is welcome to join in this uplifting service.
FLOWER BEE | Saturday 14th March 10.00am - 1.00pm. 'Flower Bee' (a working bee with flowers!) Children, Young People and their significant adults are invited to come and hang out in the church hall on Saturday 14th March from 10.00am to 1.00pm. Youngsters can help make the flower posies for Mothering Sunday in the long room, while the adults chill and chat in the cafe area with a cup of tea and some special treats. Toys out for very little ones. At 12:30 (ish) we will all come together for a pizza lunch.
PCC MEETING | Tuesday 17th March 7.30pm. The next meeting of St. John’s Church PCC will be on Tuesday 17th March at 7.30pm.
FELLOWSHIP & STUDY GROUP ON ZOOM. Please note there will be NO Fellowship & Study Group meeting on ZOOM on Wednesday 18th March.
QUIZ NIGHT ON ZOOM | Thursday 26th March 2026 7.30pm. The next Church Quiz via Zoom will be on Thursday 26th March at 7.30pm. Join us from the comfort of your own home and have a fun evening. Click on the link to join. Zoom Meeting ID: 872 7792 0936.
MEN’S BREAKFAST | Saturday 28th March 2026 8.30am. The next Men's Breakfast will be held on Saturday 28th March 2026 8.30am at the Wee Waif, Charvil. The speaker will be Jim Herring talking about HOPE HOUSE - a place for recovering addicts after rehab. Please contact Clive Boys on 07769721449 or see him at Church on Sunday to sign up.
FLIGHT-RG5 WORKSHOP | Sunday 29th March 2026 10.00am. It's 'Do Something Different' week for our Eagles groups, and we have invited a very special guest to deliver a workshop for the Flight-RG5 young people. Mandy Shora has a wealth of experience in helping people to explore their potential, especially in the realm of performance and public speaking. Mandy has planned a fun and engaging session to help the young people to feel more confident when speaking in front of an audience, particularly those who read the Bible in church, but all will benefit from her sparkling wit and wisdom! We hope as many of our older young people as possible will be able to attend.
FAMILY EASTER ENCOUNTER! | Saturday 4th April 2026 2.00pm - 3:15pm. Where: Church yard, behind the hall (or in the hall if it's raining!) What: Easter themed races, games, craft, refreshments, Easter trail and egg hunt around the church yard! All welcome, bring your friends and family! Sign up - https://stjohnswoodley.churchsuite.com/events/ks46uyoj
For our prayers
For our world. Pray for peace in our broken world. For the suffering people in the Middle East, Ukraine and Gaza. For all trying to bring aid. For refugees looking for safety. For the leaders of all countries where there is conflict pray for a solution that will end all wars. Pray for all who are trapped and unable to fly home from what they thought was a safe place.
For our country. Pray for all who haven’t enough money for daily necessities. For those who have been made redundant from their job. For those who have no home and are living on our streets. Pray for the many organisations who are trying to help these people. Pray that safe and warm places will be found for the homeless to sleep.
For those who are unwell. We have many loved ones who are suffering just now. Pray for all in hospital. For those awaiting operations or treatments and for those receiving treatment now. Pray especially for Suzanne, Marjorie, Jenny M, Michael F, Michael B, Wendy S, Margaret H, Ruilan, Carol, Irene and Ricky M, Liz, Dhoj Gurung, Devina, Janet A, Mo, Margaret and Katie. Pray too for those who care for them.
In our prayers. Pray for all mourning the loss of a loved one. Pray for the family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne and Dawn and their families. For Brian our churchwarden and our PCC. For those who nurture our young people on a Sunday morning. For those who are taking confirmation classes and will be moving forward in their faith. For those who will walk through our doors for the first time this week, pray that they will feel welcome. Pray for Sarah Mullally, our Archbishop. Pray that she will be strong to face the many difficult situations that will inevitably arise. Pray that she will be blessed.
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 10.00 am on Thursday, for inclusion in that week's newsletter.
THIS WEEK
Sunday 8th March
9.00am - Bubble Church.
10.00am - Service of Holy Communion. The Third Sunday of Lent.
This week’s Bible readings will be Exodus 17: 1-7 and John 4: 5-30.
A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley3:00pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
Tuesday 10th March
10.00am - Toddlers. See Dawn for details.
Wednesday 11th March
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
7.45pm - Fellowship and Study Group on Zoom ID: 96292542704
Friday 13th March
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 tins of potatoes, sweetcorn, carrots & peas, orange squash and toilet rolls. 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.
