Notices 10th September 2017

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Dixit Dominus

From the beginning of September up until Advent the choir, with various instruments, will be performing different settings of the first verse of Dixit Dominus, Psalm 110: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.  This psalm is the first psalm of Vespers (a sunset evening prayer service) on Sundays and major feast days.

This Sunday the choir will be singing the complete Dixit Dominus by the Spanish Renaissance composter Victoria. It was published in 1581 as part of Hymni totes anti (Hymns for the church year). The complete work comprises 32 Hymns and 4 Psalms. The Dixit Dominus is written for 8 voices.

Horseman’s Sunday
17th September 2017

Only one week before we celebrate Horseman’s Sunday.  This year marks a milestone – it is the 50th Blessing of the Horses!  We’re planning the event now and if you have any ideas for stalls or fund raisers, please speak to Antonio.  This annual community event is perhaps the high point of the local calendar and St John’s is proud to be working with many different members of our community in preparation for this year’s festival.  Once again the festival Eucharist will be followed by the Cavalcade of Horses gathering in the forecourt for the blessing.  Community and fund raising stalls will be located on the forecourt and you can wander around with a glass of wine and listen to the jazz band.

Volunteers Needed

Can you help to sell raffle tickets and with stewarding?  Are you willing to get involved in setting up before the service and, most importantly, to take part in the collection?  We have the time it takes to sing a short hymn in order to take the collection giving people ample time to have gotten their pound coins out of their pockets so we need lots of people willing to help with the collection in order that nobody feels left out!  Your Church Needs You!  Please help.

Draw of the Year

This year we are again offering our fabulous hamper as the top prize. You can help us make up this year’s St John’s hamper by donating suitable items such as a bottle of wine, fruit cake, jams, pickles, box of chocolates, Scottish shortbread, Christmas pudding! – you get the idea.  Items for the hamper can be delivered to the office.

Cake Stall

Our famous Horseman’s Sunday Cake Stall will be taking place again. Grab the chance to show off your culinary skills and, if you are going to be busy in September, bake it now and freeze it for the big day! Speak to Michaela if you are planning to bring anything.

Little Sweeties & Sprinkles

The kids will be having a Sweet Tombola and lots of other exciting games. To ensure points mean prizes and that cakes are decorated, please can you bring in donations of sweets and sprinkles to the office.

Culture Vulture Ventures

Wine and canapes in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour Monday 18th September 7-8.30pm

At Westminster City Council’s temporary headquarters, 5 The Strand, WC2N 5HR close to Charing Cross, the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Ian Adams, will open his 8th floor parlour to Culture Vultures.  Ian will welcome us; his chaplain, the Reverend Steve Mason, will speak to us theologically about the office of Lord Mayor and we will view some of the Council’s silver and art collections.  All this while we enjoy the stunning view over Trafalgar Square and enjoy the Lord Mayor’s hospitality.  Please give Margaret £15 per head (cheques preferred), which will be donated to the Lord Mayor’s charities: Age UK Westminster and the Social Mobility Foundation.

Farewell to Robin Sims-Williams

Robin joined Team St John’s as a training curate after completing his training and being ordained at St Paul’s in the summer of 2013 - he was ordained priest at St John’s a year later during the 10am Sunday service. In July we were pleased to announce Robin had been appointed Priest-in-Charge of All Saints’, Child’s Hill in West Barnet, but we will also be sad to see him go. We will say good-by to Robin, Helen, Iris and Meredith and celebrate their time here on Sunday, 24th September. Robin will be licensed at All Saints’ on the 9th October at 7pm, member of St John’s congregation are very welcome to come along, please sign up in the porch so that All Saints’ has an idea of numbers.

William Gibbs Concert

28th September 2017, 7.30pm

As part of the Heritage Lottery Funded restoration of our pipe organ, more affectionately known as Betty, St John’s Choral Scholars will be conducting a concert to raise money for the William Gibbs Charitable Trust which generously supports our choral scholars in their studies along with other educational endeavours. St John’s has also regularly been a beneficiary of the trust. The first half will be a Mass-terful Musical Meandering through Mass settings from different periods of music. The second half will be an Operatic Odyssey of solos, duets and trios. Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from the choir and Robin.

Organ Recital

30th September 2017, 5.00pm

Two years ago we welcomed Betty, our pipe organ, back from her Heritage Lottery Funded spa holiday in Malvern (at Nicholson organ builders).  Now we have the last of the Lottery Funded Organ Recitals. Edward Kemp-Luck of the Royal Academy of Music will be serenading us.

Harvest Sunday Family Eucharist

1st October 2017, 10am

This year’s harvest service will be bee-themed - so wear yellow and bee-have. There will also be a collection for the West London Day Centre alongside a bucket collection for a bee charity.

St John’s Book Club

St John’s Book Club meets Monday, 2nd October, when they will be discussing Henry Fielding’s ‘The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling’.  See Michael King for further information.

Pippa Turner

Pippa’s Institution and Induction as Vicar of St Philip’s Earl’s Court Raod was this past Wednesday evening and Pippa passes on her thanks to everyone at St John’s for their support.

Silent Film - Nosferatu

13th October 2017, 7.30pm

The first vampire film created will be accompanied by our own Nicholas Miller as one of the last Lottery Funded Event celebrating Betty’s restoration.

Paddington Deanery Course in Christian Studies

This is a one year introductory course to explore Christian life and thought. The teaching takes place on Tuesday evenings in at St Matthew’s Church, Bayswater and includes among the tutors our own Helen Sims-Williams. If you would be interested in participating pick up a leaflet, speak to Helen or email paddington.course@london.anglican.org