Sunday 11th October 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 are blessed to be joined by Revd Brian Shenton, an old friend of St John’s, who will be leading, preaching and presiding for us.
Our readings give us some wonderfully rich images: the faithfulness of God remembered in the Psalms, and in the Gospel, Jesus’ striking parable of a wedding banquet — an invitation, a table prepared, and a feast ready to be shared.
That imagery feels especially fitting as we gather for Holy Communion. We come not only to hear of God’s welcome, but to receive it: gathered around Christ’s table, sharing the bread and wine, and being reminded again of the generosity of God.
It will be especially good to welcome Brian back among us, and we hope you can join us as we worship together and share in Holy Communion.
Every blessing,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
BUBBLE CHURCH | Sunday 11th October 2026 9.00am. The next Bubble Church will be THIS COMING Sunday 11th October 2026 at 9.00am.
PRAYER FOR WOODLEY | Saturday 17th October 2026 9.00am. A monthly gathering of Churches from across Woodley to pray together. This month, meet at Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way on Saturday 17th October at 9.00am.
SERVICE OF HOPE | Sunday 25th October 2026 4.00pm. If you have suffered a bereavement, you are in our thoughts and prayers and we would like to invite you, along with others, to our Annual Service of Hope on Sunday 25th October 2025 at 4.00pm. This special service is one of thanksgiving for the lives of our loved ones.
NEW VACANCY AT ST. JOHN’S | PART-TIME CHILDREN AND FAMILY WORKER. St John’s is growing — and we recognise that strong ministry for children and families is essential to building a thriving and sustainable church for the future. Over the past two years we have seen encouraging growth through Bubble Church, our Sunday children’s groups, Home-Ed Hub and our developing links with local schools. We’re now looking for a creative, relational and faith-filled Children and Family Worker to build on this established ministry, strengthen what is already working and help shape its future. You’ll help children (0-11 Years) encounter Jesus, belong deeply, grow as disciples and discover their gifts for leadership and service, while helping families find a lasting place within the life of St John’s.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a church where there is already a strong foundation to build on, but where there is also plenty of scope to bring fresh ideas and help us develop a sustainable vision for children and families. If you’re passionate about seeing children flourish, building trusted relationships with families and helping to shape a vibrant, intergenerational church, we’d love to hear from you. PLEASE SEE DETAILS ON OUR VACANCIES PAGE HERE.
For our prayers
For our world. Pray for all who are suffering from the ravages of war in our world. For the families of those who have lost their lives. For the homeless. For those fleeing their country in search of a safe place to live. For those soldiers who are forced to fight against their wishes. For the leaders of all countries at war, pray that they will look at their suffering people and negotiate peace. Pray for toleration between all people.
For our country. Pray for our government. For our Prime Minister and all officials tasked with making the decisions that affect us all. Pray that each one will act wisely and fairly so that needs are met. Pray for all at this time of harvest who work to provide our food. For the workers in farms and agriculture. For the fishermen, for scientists who help to develop better crops and for miners and engineers who provide the raw materials to make the machinery needed. Pray for those who do not share equally in the bounty of harvest - the poor, the hungry, the homeless and the farmers whose crops have failed.
For those who are unwell. Pray for our many loved ones who are struggling with health issues just now. For those in hospital, waiting for treatment or operations or recovering at home. Pray especially for Twink, Marjorie, Margaret, Clive, Vernon, Paul K, Ken, Suzanne, Lucy, Pat A, Michael B, Arthur, Carol, Irene and Ricky M, Liz, Dhoj Gurung, Mo, Ruilan, 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. Especially pray for the family and friends of Glenys C., of Nigel P. and of Pauline H. Pray too for the family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne and their families. For Jenny our Churchwarden and deputies Justin and Nicola. For our PCC and leaders of our organisations. For our Asian congregation that meets on Sunday afternoons. For each person that walks through our church 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 11th October
9.00am - Bubble Church.
10.00am - Service of Holy Communion. The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. Led by Canon Brian Shenton. This week’s Bible readings will be Psalm 106: 1-6, 19-23 and Matthew 22: 1-14. A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley
3.00pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Service.
Wednesday 14th October
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
11.30am - Bible Study Group. Contact Lorna for details.
7.45pm - Fellowship & Study Group on Zoom ID: 96292542704.
Friday 16th October
11.30am - Lunch, Munch and Chinwag.
Saturday 17th October
9.00am - Prayer for Woodley. See details in Notices.
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 coffee, tomato puree, cooking oil, toilet roll, washing up liquid, juice & dried noodles. 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.
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.
