Sunday 5th April & Sunday 12th 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,
Easter begins with a stone rolled away, frightened disciples, and God’s glorious refusal to let death have the last word. This year, as we keep both Easter Day and the Sunday following, our two services will belong together.
On Easter Sunday, we begin with the open road: the risen Christ meets us where we thought the way had ended, and opens before us a future we could never have made for ourselves. Then, on the Sunday after Easter, we follow that same risen Lord into finding our voice again: from locked doors and hesitant hearts to the steady courage of Thomas and Peter, who discover that resurrection is not only something to admire, but something that sends us out speaking.
So do come for both Sundays if you can, and bring family or friends with you. Easter is too good a thing to keep to ourselves! And one plain word, if I may: we are in need of people to join the PCC. If you care about the shared life and future of St. John’s, please do speak up and let me know!
Every blessing,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
DATES OF EASTER SERVICES. Maundy Thursday 2nd April at 7.00pm; Good Friday 3rd April at 3.00pm; Easter Sunday 5th April at 10.00am.
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.
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.
IS GOD CALLING YOU? Our APCM is fast approaching and in April our wonderful Churchwarden, Brian Main and our Treasurer, David Crane, will be stepping down after many years of faithful service. We are deeply grateful for all they have given to St. John’s. As a Church, we rely on people serving in these vital roles and at present we do not yet know who will be taking them on next. Please pray about this and consider whether God may be prompting you (or someone you know) to explore one of these ministries. To find out what either role involves—no commitment, just a conversation—please email the office at info@stjohn-woodley.com and we’ll arrange to meet. We trust that God is already preparing the right people as we look ahead with faith and hope. We are ready to receive reports from our leaders and groups to be included in the APCM booklet! It’s an opportunity to review and share the wonderful work and activities that take place at St John’s. The booklet will be downloadable from our website as well as available in hard copy for the meeting. Please would you send reports to Michael Garaway - secretary@stjohn-woodley.com - by Tuesday 7th April 2026.
LUNCH, MUNCH & CHINWAG. Please note there will be NO Lunch, Munch & Chinwag on Good Friday 3rd April 2026. Back on Friday 10th April at 11.30am.
TODDLER GROUP EASTER BREAK. Please note there will be NO TODDLER GROUP on Tuesday 7th April, in line with school Easter holidays. They will return on Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 10.00am.
GREEN PASTURES GRIEF CAFE | Tuesday 7th April 2026. Please note that we have a venue change this month. On Tuesday 7th April we will be meeting inside St. John’s Church (not in the church centre). Usual time of 2.00pm-4.00pm.
FELLOWSHIP & STUDY GROUP ON ZOOM. Please note the Fellowship & Study Group are taking a break over the Easter period, so there will be NO meeting on 8th April. They will return on Wednesday 15th April 2026 at 7.45pm on Zoom.
QUIZ NIGHT ON ZOOM. The Quiz Night on Zoom will resume again in September. Apologies for those who were not able to join on Thursday 26th as code wasn't letting people in. I will endeavour to get this problem sorted for the next one, but thanks to those who got onto Zoom and enjoyed it. Margaret.
FAMILY EASTER ENCOUNTER! | Saturday 4th April 2026 2.00pm - 3:15pm. Where: Church yard, behind the hall (or in the hall if it's raining!) What: Easter themed races, games, craft, refreshments, Easter trail and egg hunt around the church yard! All welcome, bring your friends and family! Sign up - https://stjohnswoodley.churchsuite.com/events/ks46uyoj
MOTHERS’ UNION | Wednesday 15th April 2026 2.30pm. The Mothers’ Union will meet on Wednesday 15th April 2026 at 2.30pm in the Church Centre. The speaker is Bishop Mary. New members are always welcome so come along and see what we do.
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.
THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED ON FRIDAY 17TH APRIL 2026. PLEASE NOTE THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 3RD - 10TH APRIL.
For our prayers
For our world. Pray for the world which God gave us. It was good and perfect and beautiful. But it is being destroyed. Pray that it will be cared for and made beautiful again. Pray for the leaders of all nations who have the power to change things. Pray that they will use that power to stop the wars. That they will stop the destruction. Pray for those who are refugees as a result of war. Pray that they will find places of safety. Pray for medical staff who care for those who are injured. Pray for those who will receive the news that their loved one has been killed. Pray for an end to war.
For our country. Pray for our young people for whom life is challenging just now. Pray that they will be led to make good decisions for their lives. Pray that there will always be good people around to support them. Pray for all for whom life is difficult either by ill health or by lifestyle. Pray that they too will find the help they need. Pray for all who are in a position to make decisions that affect us. Pray that they will have the wisdom to make those decisions meaningful for us all.
For those who are unwell. There are many of our loved ones struggling with health issues just now. Pray for Suzanne, Marjorie, Jenny, Wendy, Arthur, Ian, Pat A, Michael B, Carol, Irene and Ricky M, Liz, Dhoj Gurung, Devina, Mo and Ruilan. Pray too for all who care for them.
In our prayers. Pray for all mourning the loss of a loved one. Especially pray for Steve A. and family mourning the loss of Janet. Pray for the St. John’s family. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne, Dawn and their families. For our young people and those who nurture their faith, for Brian our churchwarden, for our PCC, our administrators and those who lead our organisations. Pray that someone will step forward as a churchwarden and someone else will step forward as PCC secretary in time for our meeting on 19th April. Pray that at this blessed time of Easter our doors will be open wide to welcome everyone in.
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 5th April
9.00am - BCP Said Service of Holy Communion.
10.00am - Service of Holy Communion. Easter Sunday. This week’s Bible readings will be Acts 10:34-43 and Matthew 28:1-10. 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 7th April
NO Toddlers - back on 14th April.
2.00pm - Green Pastures Grief Cafe. Meeting in the Church this month.
Wednesday 8th April
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
NO Fellowship & Study Group on Zoom ID: 96292542704 - back on 15th April.
Friday 10th April
11.30am - Lunch, Munch and Chinwag.
THE FOLLOWING WEEK
Sunday 12th April
9.00am - Bubble Church.
10.00am - Morning Family Service. The Second of Easter. This week’s Bible readings will be Acts 2: 14a, 22–32 and John 20: 19-31.
A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley3:00pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
Tuesday 14th April
10.00am - Toddler Group. Contact Dawn for details.
Wednesday 15th April
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
11.30am - Life of Christ Study Group. Contact Lorna for details.
2.30pm - Mothers’ Union. See details in Notices.
7.45pm - Fellowship & Study Group on Zoom ID: 96292542704.
Friday 17th 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.
