Sunday 21st December 2025 - Sunday 4th January 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,
As we journey through these festive weeks, St John’s is positively alive with anticipation and celebration. We begin on Sunday 21st December, when our 10.00am Walk-On Nativity takes centre stage. It’s that wonderful annual moment when shepherds, angels, wise men, and the occasional unexpected creature turn up to help us tell the greatest story ever told. Costumes are warmly welcomed, but not required — we’ll have spares aplenty! Before this joyful chaos begins, our 9.00am BCP Holy Communion offers a more peaceful and contemplative start.
On Christmas Day, we gather at 10:00am for our Family Christmas Morning Service — a celebration brimming with carols, laughter, and the radiant truth that Christ is born. Do bring family, neighbours, and perhaps a favourite present to show as we rejoice together.
The following Sunday, 28th December, we celebrate our patronal festival: St John the Evangelist. Revd Richard will lead our 10.00am service as we reflect on John 21: 20–25, that tender closing moment of the Gospel where faithful discipleship continues quietly beyond the crowds of Christmas.
And on Sunday 4th January, we step into Epiphany. Our 9.00am BCP service begins the day, followed at 10.00am by our Epiphany celebration. I’ll be preaching from Matthew 2:1–12, as we follow the Magi — who remind us that God still reveals himself to those who dare to seek. May these weeks draw us closer to Christ, and closer to one another.
Festive Blessings,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
PLEASE NOTE: THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 22nd DECEMBER 2025 UNTIL 6th JANUARY 2026.
Remaining Special Christmas Services for 2025!
Saturday 20th December 5.00pm - Carol Service
Sunday 21st December 10.00am - Walk On Nativity
Christmas Eve - Wednesday 24th December 11.30pm - Midnight Mass
Christmas Day - Thursday 25th December 10.00am - Family Service
GREEN PASTURES GRIEF CAFE CHANGES IN 2026. From January 2026 the Saturday session of Green Pastures Grief Cafe will be CLOSED. The Tuesday session will still be open every first Tuesday in each month from 2.00pm - 4.00pm.
WEDNESDAY HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE DATES. PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO COMMUNION SERVICES on Wednesday 24th and Wednesday 31st December 2025. Tea and coffee after the Midweek Communion will resume in the New Year from Wednesday 14th January 2026.
UPH ADDITIONAL SERVICES. There will be additional Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi services on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day from 12.15pm, followed by refreshments at 2.00pm in the Church Centre.
For our prayers
For our world. Pray for all people affected by war in their country. For those who have lost loved ones. For those who have lost their homes. For the leaders of those countries. Pray that they will commit to finding a peaceful solution. Pray for Christians around the world as they celebrate the birth of Jesus. Pray that they will be able to celebrate safely. Pray for all who were affected by the attack on Bondi beach. For the people who have lost loved ones. For the many people who are in hospital. Pray for all who are targeted for their nationality or their religion. Pray for their safety.
For our country. Pray for us all as we celebrate this special time. Pray that the real meaning of Christmas will be remembered. Pray for all who will be on their own whether by choice or circumstances. Pray for all who will be travelling at this time, that they will do so in safety. Pray for those in hospital whether they are sick or staff looking after them. Pray and thank God that we can worship and celebrate openly.
For those who are unwell. Pray for our many loved ones who are struggling with their health just now. Particularly pray for Suzanne, Michael B., Jill, Lucy, Val, Margaret H., Pam B., Pat, Carol, Irene and Ricky M., Dhoj Gurung, Liz, Devina, Mo, Katie, Wayling, Janet A. and Chris. Pray too for those who care for them.
In our prayers. Pray for all mourning the loss of a loved one. Especially pray for the family of Marion B. and for us as we remember this very special lady. Pray for the family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne and Dawn as they celebrate this glorious time with us and with their families. Pray for all those who will visit us during our special services, many for the only time in the year. Pray that they will be welcomed and see the joy of our celebrations.
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 21st December
9.00am - BCP Said Service of Holy Communion. Led by Revd. Richard Christopher.
10.00am - Morning Family Service. Walk-On Nativity. A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley
3:00pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December
11.30pm - Midnight Mass.
Christmas Day Thursday 25th December
10.00am - Family Service.
12.15pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
WEEK COMMENCING 28TH DECEMBER
Sunday 28th December
10.00am - Service of Holy Communion. First after Christmas. Festival of St. John the Evangelist. Led by Revd. Richard Christopher.
The readings will be 1 John 1:1-10 and John 21:20-25. A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley3:00pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
New Year’s Day Thursday 1st January 2026
12.15pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
WEEK COMMENCING 4TH JANUARY 2026
Sunday 4th January
9.00am - BCP Said Service of Holy Communion.
10.00am - Morning Family Service. Second after Christmas. Epiphany. The readings will be Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Matthew 2: 1–12. 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 6th January
2.00pm - Green Pastures Grief Cafe
Wednesday 7th January
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
11.00am - Life of Christ Study Group. Contact Lorna for details.
7.45pm - Fellowship and Study Group on Zoom. ID: 96292542704
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 potatoes, coffee, hand soap, toilet rolls, tinned tomatoes and tinned rice pudding. 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.
