Sunday 17th August 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,
This Sunday, we’re stepping into the fire.
Not metaphorically. Not gently. And not just to warm our toes. Jesus says, “I came to bring fire to the earth—and how I wish it were already kindled!” That’s where we begin.
It’s one of those passages that unsettles us—and perhaps that’s the point. What do we do with a Jesus who doesn’t come to calm things down, but to set hearts and households ablaze?
We’ll be exploring what this holy fire really means—not just in theory, but in the real grit and grace of our lives. The sort of fire that clarifies. The sort that costs something. The sort that might just lead to freedom.
If your faith feels too safe, too quiet, too… tidy—this might be the Sunday to come. Bring your questions. Bring a friend. And come prepared to look into the heart of the flame.
Every Blessing,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
🌟 170th ANNIVERSARY of WOODLEY CofE SCHOOL 🌟Heritage Open Day – Saturday 13th September 10.30am-5.00pm at the Church Centre. This year marks 170 years since Woodley CofE School first opened—right here in our Church Centre. Many in our community have fond memories of the old building, whether as pupils themselves or through parents and grandparents. To celebrate, we’re hosting a Heritage Day on Saturday 13th September 2025. Thank you so much for kindly volunteering your help to welcome our visitors, steward, serve refreshments and encourage the children with their crafts. (Making pompoms is fun!) If you can still offer any time or skill from an hour to a longer period, please do sign the list at the back of the church, get in touch with Yvonne Glass: 0118 9695971, or email the church office: info@stjohn-woodley.com
PRAYER FOR WOODLEY | Saturday 16th August 2025 9.00am. This group meets regularly at St.John’s on the third Saturday morning of each month. It is comprised of people from different churches across Woodley and is an excellent way for us to join together in prayer. Join us THIS Saturday 16th August 2025 9.00am.
GREEN PASTURES GRIEF CAFE | Saturday 16th August 2025 10.00am. The group will meet THIS Saturday 16th August 2025 at 10.00am. Open for anyone struggling with bereavement or loss of any kind and who are seeking support.
MEN’S BREAKFAST | Saturday 23rd August 2025 8.30am. The next Men's Breakfast will be held on Saturday 23rd August 2025 at 8.30am at the Wee Waif, Charvil. There will be a talk by Clive Boys - ‘How to protect yourself, your family and your home from fire’. Please contact Clive on 07769721449 or see him at Church on Sunday to sign up.
A message on behalf of Woodley Foodbank. Thank you for your donations. We continue to experience high demand for our services. We are currently low in stocks of tinned chopped tomatoes, toilet rolls, juice (any flavours), milk, sugar, cooking oil and biscuits. 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.
ChurchSuite - 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.
For our prayers
For our world. Pray for all people who work for peace, who campaign for justice, who strive to relieve poverty, who fight for the hungry. Pray for the areas of the world where there is war just now. Pray especially for the people of Palestine and the people of Ukraine and Russia. For the efforts to bring peace. Pray for the people in areas in the world where the extreme weather is causing wildfires. Pray for the people trying to control the fires.
For our country. Pray for our young people who got important exam results this week. Pray that their aspirations will be met. Pray for all who are on holiday at this time. For safe travelling and for rest and refreshment. Pray for all who are struggling right now trying to keep their lives together. For those who have been made redundant. For those who have no homes and are sleeping rough. For those with barely enough money to feed and clothe their families. Pray for all organisations who are working to ease those burdens.
For those who are unwell. Pray for all who we know and love who are struggling with poor health. Pray especially for Wendy P., Twink, Pam, Philip, Pat, Margaret H., Carol, Dhoj Gurung, Janet A., Irene Ricky, Liz, Rita, Caroline, Devina, Adrian, Mo, Wayling and Chris. Pray too for all who care for them.
In our prayers. Pray for all mourning the loss of a loved one. Pray especially for Paul K. and his family mourning the loss of Margaret. Pray for our family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne and Dawn as they lead us forward in our faith. Pray for the community around us. Pray that we will shine in our faith and that St. John’s door will be open to welcome all inside.
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.
Upcoming Dates for your Diary
Sunday 17th August
Please note there is NO BCP Said Service of Holy Communion.
10.00am - Morning Family Service. The Ninth after Trinity. This week’s Bible readings will be Hebrews 11: 29, 12: 2 and Luke 12: 49-56. A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley
3:00pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
Wednesday 20th August
10.00am - Midweek Communion Service.
11.00am - “Life of Christ Study Group”. See Lorna for further details.
Saturday 23rd August
8.30am - Men’s Breakfast, Wee Waif, Charvil.
Coming up in September
1st Art Group returns 9.30am.
2nd Prayer on Zoom returns 7.30pm.
5th Lunch, Munch & Chinwag returns 11.30am.
7th BCP Said Service of Holy Communion 9.00am.
9th Toddler group returns 10.00am.
10th Fellowship & Study Group on Zoom returns 7.45pm.
13th HERITAGE DAY.
14th Bubble Church 9.00am.
14th Education Sunday.
17th Mothers’ Union.
20th Prayer for Woodley 9.00am.
20th Green Pastures Grief Cafe 10.00am.
21st BCP Said Service of Holy Communion 9.00am.
28th Bubble Church 9.00am.
28th Rev. Suzanne Knight’s 25 years in Ministry.
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.
