Sunday 24th May 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 we celebrate Pentecost, one of the great feasts of the Church’s year — the day when the Holy Spirit is poured out, not on perfect people, but on very human ones.
I will be preaching at our Holy Communion service, as we think about the risen Jesus standing among his disciples, speaking peace into their fear, and sending them out in the power of the Spirit. Pentecost reminds us that the Church begins not with confidence, strategy, or even tidiness, but with grace: ordinary people caught up in the life of God.
So do come this Sunday, and perhaps bring someone with you. Pentecost is a good reminder that faith is not only for the sorted and sensible. The Spirit has always had a fondness for unlikely candidates.
Don’t forget, too, that at 4.00pm we will be hosting a Confirmation Service here at St John’s, joined by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Mary Gregory. Please do come and support those from our church who are being confirmed. It is a lovely Pentecost-shaped thing: ordinary Christians, strengthened by the Spirit, saying their yes to Christ in the company of the Church.
Every blessing,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL. BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL. The BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL has been featured by the Diocese of Oxford. Do check out the article here and please share with your friends: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/news/restoring-the-voice-of-st-johns-woodley.php
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.
CLEANING HELP NEEDED! A cleaning/moving of furniture squad is needed to prepare the Church ahead of the Confirmation Service on 24th May. All welcome! Bring your dusters & polish and meet at the Church on Saturday 23rd May from 10.00am - 12.00pm. Please let Jenny know if you can help - churchwarden2@stjohn-woodley.com Thank you.
CONFIRMATION SERVICE | Sunday 24th May 2026 4.00pm. Next Sunday, 24th, we will be celebrating a very special Confirmation Service at St. John’s at 4.00pm. Bishop Mary will be joining us to confirm 13 candidates from St. John’s as they take this significant step in their journeys of faith. Please do come and gather around them as a church family, offering your prayers, encouragement and support as we celebrate God’s work in their lives. After the service, there will be refreshments in the Church Centre, with an opportunity to connect with the candidates, their families and Bishop Mary.
NO TODDLERS. Please note there will be NO TODDLER GROUP on Tuesday 26th May in line with the school HALF TERM break. Back on 2nd June at 10.00am.
PCC MEETING | Wednesday 27th May 2026 7.30pm. The next PCC meeting will be held on Wednesday 27th May at 7.30pm.
For our prayers
For our world. Pray for all who work for peace in our world. For those who campaign for justice. For those who strive to relieve poverty and who fight for the hungry. Pray for those who struggle for the oppressed, the exploited, the under-privileged and all denied their proper rites. Pray for the leaders of the world who are at war. Pray that they will listen to those working for peace and look to the needs of their people who need peace.
For our country. Pray for all those who have control over our lives. For those in government who make decisions on how we should live, how our money should be spent and who should be allowed in our country. Pray that they will serve wisely, with insight, with integrity, open-mindedness and humility. Pray too for those in local government representing the interests of local people in their communities asking that they will have the qualities to serve their people faithfully.
For those who are unwell. Pray for all our loved ones who are experiencing health problems just now. Pray especially for Clive, Suzanne, Pat A, Marjorie, Michael B, David S, Lucy, Arthur, Ian, Carol, Irene and Ricky M, Liz, Dhoj Gurung, Devina, Mo, Margaret, Ruilan, Katie, baby Edward and baby Niamh. Pray too for all who care for them.
In our prayers. Pray for all mourning the loss of a loved one. Remember especially the families and friends of George G. and Jenny M. Pray for the family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne, Dawn and their families. For Jenny our Churchwarden and our PCC. For those who nurture our young ones on Sunday mornings. Pray for all who will be confirmed on Sunday by Bishop Mary and pray for Stuart who will also be baptised. Pray that we as a church family will welcome all who walk through our doors.
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 11.00am on Wednesday, for inclusion in that week's newsletter.
THIS WEEK
Sunday 24th May
9.00am - Bubble Church.
10.00am - Service of Holy Communion. Pentecost. This week’s Bible readings will be Acts 2: 1-21 and John 20: 19-23. A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley
4.00pm - Confirmation Service. See details in Notices.
Tuesday 26th May
NO TODDLERS during Half Term break.
Wednesday 27th May
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
NO Fellowship & Study Group on Zoom ID: 96292542704.
Friday 29th 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 baked beans, soap, washing up liquid, tins of tomatoes & peas. 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.
