Sunday 14th December 2025
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,
We’re now entering the Third Sunday of Advent, that joyful moment in the season when the light grows brighter and our hearts lean ever closer to Christmas. This week Revd. Suzanne will be leading us deeper into the story through Matthew 11: 2–11, where John the Baptist sends word from prison, asking if Jesus truly is the one to come. It’s a passage full of longing, hope, and recognition — a reminder that even in uncertainty, God’s promises are unfolding before our eyes.
Advent invites us to hold our questions and our hopes together, to wait not passively but expectantly. So come, bring a friend, and join us as we prepare room in our hearts for the Christ who is near.
And do mark your calendars for our Carol Service on Saturday 20th December at 5.00pm — a beloved St John’s tradition of candlelight, music, and readings that tell the story of Christmas afresh. It’s one of the most beautiful moments of our church year, and a wonderful opportunity to invite family, friends, and neighbours to share in the warmth and wonder of the season.
Every blessing,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
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.
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 our broken world. For the areas that have been ravaged by severe weather. Pray for people who have lost all their possessions. For those trying to provide food and shelter for them. For those who have lost loved ones. Pray for people in countries that are at war. For those who have died. For those who have lost their homes. For the leaders of those countries that they will get together and talk peace. For Christians all around the world as they prepare to celebrate our Saviour’s birth. Pray that all may do so safely.
For our country. Pray for all who work for our NHS. It is so stretched at the moment with the spread of different types of flu. Pray for our hospital staff and doctors surgeries. Pray for all struggling with price rises meaning they can’t afford to eat or heat their homes adequately. Pray for people living on their own. For caring neighbours to look out for them. Pray for our young people as they come towards the end of school, college and university terms. Pray for their enjoyment and safety during the holidays.
For those who are unwell. Pray for all who are suffering in body, mind or spirit. Especially hold in your prayers Suzanne, Jill, Lucy, Michael B., Margaret H., Val, Pam B., Carol, Irene and Ricky M., Dhoj Gurung, Liz, Devina, Mo, Katie, Janet A., Wayling and Chris.
In our prayers. Pray for all mourning the loss of a loved one. Especially pray for the family of Marion Bowler who went to be with the Lord on Monday. Pray for the family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne and Dawn who lead us forward in our faith. Pray for all who visited us last week during the Christmas Tree Festival. For our young people as they grow in their faith. For all who walk through our church doors that they will feel welcome.
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 14th December
9.00am - Christmas Bubble Church.
10.00am - Service of Holy Communion. The Third Sunday of Advent. The Bible readings are Isaiah 35: 1-10 and Matthew 11: 2-11. 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 16th December
10.00am - St. John’s Toddler Group. Last session before the Christmas break. Contact Dawn for further details.
7.30pm - Praying Together on Zoom. To phone in, call 0203 481 5237. Zoom ID: 977 0607 9786.
Wednesday 17th December
10.00am - Midweek Communion Service.
Saturday 20th December
5.00pm - Carol Service.
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, tinned rice pudding and Christmas puddings. 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.
