Sunday 19th 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,
On this Third Sunday of Easter, we continue to live in the bright, unsettling joy of the resurrection season. Easter is never quite as tidy as we expect. It comes with hope, certainly, but also with challenge; with comfort, but also with the quiet insistence that the risen Christ still has something to say to his people.
This Sunday’s readings, from Psalm 116 and Acts 2, draw us into that Easter reality. They remind us that God meets his people in real life: in gratitude, in testimony, in the shared life of faith and in the renewed calling of the Church. As we gather for worship, we shall be listening again for the voice of the risen Jesus among us, and considering what it means to be his people here in Woodley today.
And in that same spirit, please do stay for our APCM after the service. Our 2026 APCM reports are now available on the church website and I do encourage you to have a look in advance. The meeting is an important moment in the life of St John’s as we give thanks for the past year and look ahead together.
Every blessing,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
APCM | Sunday 19th April. THIS COMING SUNDAY is our APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting). Our 2026 APCM reports are now available to read on our website ahead of the meeting. Do take a look and stay up to date with the life of our church. You can find them here: https://www.stjohnswoodley.com/apcm-2026 We’d love you to join us as we reflect on the past year and look ahead together.
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.
CHOCOLATE BARK FUNDRAISER FOR THE BELLS! Flight-RG5 is back in the kitchen, so bring your cash (or card) this Sunday. As you would know from our previous Cookie fundraiser, these kids are good with food! Chocolate bark will be available before the APCM - just make a donation to the Bells Restoration Appeal. Thanks Dawn.
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 next ARTSPRING FESTIVAL will run in the Church Centre on 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, and use the flyers and posters that will be available. 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.
For our prayers
For our world. Pray for peace in our world. There are so many areas experiencing war at this time. Pray for the leaders of those nations. Pray that they will sort out their problems and bring peace to their suffering people. Pray for all trying to negotiate a peaceful settlement. Pray for all the refugees risking their lives crossing the channel in boats that are not fit for purpose. Pray for those who do make it to land that they may find safety. Pray for all trying to escape from war, corrupt governments and persecution.
For our country. Pray for all in our country who are finding the pace of life too much for them. For those who don’t have enough money to buy essential goods. For those who don’t have anywhere except our streets to sleep in. For those resorting to drugs to blot out the misery of their lives. Pray for all organisations who are trying to stand up and help those in need. For our food banks, for Citizens Advice, For places of refuge for the homeless. For the charities providing basic furnishings for those who are found a place to live in.
For those who are unwell. Pray for our many loved ones who are experiencing health issues just now. Pray especially for Suzanne, Marjorie, Michael B, Carol, Pat A, Arthur, Ian, Dhoj Gurung, Irene and Ricky M, Liz, 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 death of a loved one. Pray especially for the family of Jenny M. Jenny went to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday. Pray too for the family of Janet A. Janet’s funeral is on Monday. Pray for the family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne and Dawn and their families. Pray for all who are being confirmed in May and pray that we will all support them in their faith journey. Pray for our young people and all who nurture them. For our APCM on Sunday. Pray and thank God for Brian our churchwarden and for all who serve on the PCC. Pray too for those who will step down and for all who will replace them. Pray that we will have a new churchwarden and a new treasurer.
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 19th April
9.00am - BCP Said Service of Holy Communion.
10.00am - Morning Family Service. The Third Sunday of Easter. This week’s Bible readings will be Psalm 116: 1–3, 10–17 and Acts 2: 14a, 36–41. 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 21st April
10.00am - Toddlers. Please contact Dawn for details.
Wednesday 22nd April
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
7.45pm - Fellowship & Study Group on Zoom ID: 96292542704. April.
Friday 24th April
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, rice or custard and carrots, soap 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.
