Hearing the Service
St John’s has an Induction Loop System so if you have a hearing aid, please switch it to the ’T’ setting.
Heroes & Heroines in the Bible
Over 10 weeks after Easter, the anthems at the 10am morning services will be dedicated to Heroes & Heroines from the Bible. The series starts with Christ, the image of heroism to which all should aspire. The series then opens out to include the Virgin Mary, King David, the Queen of Sheba, Samson, Elijah, Noah, Esther and Moses.
Elijah was a prophet and a miracle worker who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Ahab, according to the Book of Kings in the Old Testament. This morning the choir are singing two choruses from the oratorio Elijah composed by Mendelssohn in 1846.
Weekly Offering Envelopes
New sets of the coloured weekly offering envelopes are now available. These are a good way to give if you prefer to use cash and are valid for giving under Gift Aid. See Bryan Sollenberger if you would like a set.
Bible Book Club
Bible book club meets once a month to read and to discuss the gospel reading for the coming Sunday and concludes with Compline. Meetings take place on the last Tuesday of the month – the next meeting is on 30th May. For further information, speak to one of the clergy.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club met earlier this month and selected two short stories for their next discussion on 3rd July: Guy de Maupassant's 'Boule de Suif' and Somerset Maugham's ‘The Letter'. See Michael King for further information.
Whitsun Carols, 18th June 2017
A unique musical service at 6pm commemorating the events from Easter to Pentecost, with readings and musical selections from the choir and guest musicians. The service features music by Grieg, Bach, Hadley, Elgar and Puccini. A reception with the first of the summer Pimms will follow.
Oliver!
St John's Choral scholars in collaboration with St James and St John CofE Primary School and St George's Hanover Square CofE Primary School and a combo orchestra will be performing Oliver! - St John's Director of Music, Robert Greenhill, is directing the performance while Nick Miller will be playing the recently refurbished pipe organ, Betty. Tickets (£5 per adult, children go free) are now available from the church office or online via a link on www.stjohns-hydepark.com/whats-on/oliver - this is part of the Lottery funded programme following the restoration of Betty, our organ. Music, lyrics and book by Lionel Bart. Produced for the Broadway stage by David Merrick and Donald Albery. By arrangement with MusicScope and Stage Musicals Limited of New York.
Sponsor a Window
As part of the works, we are delighted that we have been given permission to restore the clerestory windows and replace the frosted glass with clear glass, as would have been originally. The restoration of clear glass at this level should flood the ceiling with light and significantly enhance the building in all seasons as the light changes.
The cost of replacing the glass and restoring these windows is likely to be in the region of £28,000. There are 14 windows so that is £2,000 per window. We would be delighted if people would like to sponsor a window! If you are a UK taxpayer, after Gift Aid it’s only £1,600. If a full window is a bit much, then why not half a window, which would be £1,000 (or £800 with Gift Aid).
Donations can be made either to the Vicar or Bryan Sollenberger at the parish office.
St John’s Annual Barbecue
Summer is not quite here yet but we have faith! and are planning this year’s barbecue following the 10am service on 2nd July. As usual, St John’s provides the meat and desserts, you supply a salad and a donation: £5/adult, £2/ child. Please sign up after the service if you will be coming and indicate what kind of salad you will be bringing. Volunteers to help with setting up and barbecuing the meat are also needed – speak to Andre or to Bryan if you can help.
St John’s Family Camping Trip
14th – 16th July 2017
St John’s families are organising a camping trip in July again this year at Debden House. If you are interested in coming speak to Samantha Tear with some indication as to whether you are interested in coming for 1 or 2 nights. You can sign up by going to http://www.debdenhouse.com/campsite-epping-forest.html and booking a site near pitches 204 and 205.
Culture Vultures Venture to Oxford
Tuesday, 25th July
The Reverend Sally Hitchiner, who has spent time as a student and chaplain at Oxford University, is arranging a day in the city for us. We will catch the 10.15am Oxford Tube from Marble Arch and return at either approx. 5pm or after attending a College Evensong – 6pm start. Day return is £18, £14 for over 60’s, under 15’s travel free. The plan is to explore Oxford’s literary landmarks and the itinerary will encompass Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland so the day is very suitable for children as well as adults. We'll also venture inside Christ Church College where the Harry Potter film was set and where CS Lewis and Lewis Carroll were dons and visit the pub where CS Lewis, JR Tolkien and their friend Hugo met each week to discuss their writing. Sally will arrange coffee and lunch stops and afternoon tea in the crypt library underneath the university church. Please give Margaret travel fare as appropriate if you would like to join this venture.
Celebrate!
Marking a special birthday? Celebrating an anniversary? Wanting to remember that special person? St John’s can help! To honour a loved one or to commemorate a special event, you can sponsor some music or flowers, have fizz & refreshments after the service - there are lots of possibilities. If you would like to observe a special occasion or honour someone special, speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
St James and St John School
This is our school; a school with a proud history and an aspirational future. St. James & St. John School provides both academic and personal development for every child, underpinned by Christian values. To quote Ofsted: "This is a good school. It is strongly supported by parents and carers. The strong provision for development of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural qualities ensures that pupils are kind to new arrivals and respect one another's values. Progress in English and mathematics is good and this reflects the good teaching and curriculum."
Under Five’s Playgroups
Information about the weekly community playgroups that meet at St John’s can be found at www.HPPplaygroup.weebly.com for the Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning groups and www.HPPrussian.weebly.com for the Russian speaking playgroup on Wednesday mornings.
While the scaffolding is in church, the Wednesday afternoon playgroup will not meet. The Wednesday and Thursday morning groups will meet at the church at 9.45am and go to Hyde Park.
