Sunday 10th 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, and in the run up to Pentecost, our readings invite us to think about what helps us draw near to God. In Acts 17, St. Paul is in Athens, surrounded by altars, statues and places of worship. He notices that the people there are searching for God, even if they do not yet quite know who they are looking for.
That feels like a helpful word for us at St. John’s. We are blessed with a beautiful church building, and it is always lovely when people come in and notice it. Beauty can make us pause. It can help us breathe. It can open our hearts to something beyond the rush and noise of everyday life.
But the building is not the end of the story. At its best, it quietly points beyond itself — to the God who is not far from any one of us.
So I hope you’ll be able to join us this Sunday. And, as ever, if there is someone in your life who might appreciate a little stillness, welcome and hope, they would be very welcome too. Sometimes the simplest invitation is not a grand speech, but just, “Would you like to come with me?”
Every blessing,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL. BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL. The BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL has just 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.
GREEN PASTURES GRIEF CAFE | Tuesday 12th May 2026 2.00pm. Please note there is a change of date for the Cafe this month. They will meet THIS COMING Tuesday - 12th May at 2.00pm.
FELLOWSHIP & STUDY GROUP ON ZOOM. Please note that there will be just two meetings this month on 13th and 20th May.
ASCENSION DAY | Thursday 14th May 2026 7.00pm. There will be a service for Ascension Day on Thursday 14th May at 7.00pm.
For our prayers
For our world. Continue to pray for peace in our world. For the leaders of all countries that are at war with each other. For the suffering people and for all the aid agencies struggling to bring supplies to the needy. Pray for all the people who are trying to find safety in other countries. Pray that they will be treated with dignity.Pray for all people being targeted for their religious beliefs. Pray for understanding and acceptance. Pray for all who work for peace.
For our country. Pray for all standing as candidates in our local elections, that those elected will look carefully at the needs of the people they are representing and serve them fairly and faithfully. Pray for all who campaign for justice. For those who strive to relieve poverty and for those who fight for the hungry. Pray for all who serve in the judicial system - barristers, lawyers, judges, magistrates, jurors and court officials. Pray that they will have the wisdom, integrity and courage to see that justice is administered fairly.
For those who are unwell. Pray for our many loved ones who are unwell just now. Especially hold in your prayers Clive, Sylvia, Suzanne, Lucy, Marjorie, Arthur, Ian, Michael B, Carol, Irene and Ricky M, Liz, Dhoj Gurung, Devina, Margaret, Ruilan, Mo, 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 the families of George G., Jenny M. and Janet A. Pray for the family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne, Dawn and their families. For Jenny our Churchwarden and our PCC. For all who guide our children and young people on Sunday mornings. For our Bubble Church. For all who lead our Bible studies and those who lead our organisations. Pray too for all being confirmed on May 24th and for Mary our Bishop who will conduct the service.
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 10th May
9.00am - Bubble Church.
10.00am - Service of Holy Communion. The Sixth Sunday of Easter.
This week’s Bible readings will be Acts 17: 22-31 and John 14: 15-21.
A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley3:00pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
Tuesday 12th May
10.00am - Toddlers. Please contact Dawn for details.
2.00pm - Green Pastures Grief Cafe.
Wednesday 13th May
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
7.45pm - Fellowship & Study Group on Zoom ID: 96292542704.
Thursday 14th May
7.00pm - Ascension Day Service.
Friday 15th May
11.30am - Lunch, Munch and Chinwag.
Saturday 16th May
9.00am - Prayer for Woodley. Held at Emmanuel Church.
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 tomatoes, baked beans & carrots; pasta sauce; tinned custard & rice pudding; any soups; hand soap 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.
