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.
ADVENT 2018
Today is Advent Sunday where we mark the beginning of the season of the preparation for Christmas in a number of ways. Children’s activities will this year be set around the Advent Wreath and Mary and Joseph will also be in church to be blessed before beginning their journey around the parish.
Mary & Joseph’s Parish Promenade
This morning we welcome Mary & Joseph into church before sending them on their journey to stay with the children of the parish during Advent. They arrive back for the crib service on Christmas Eve. If you would like to host Mary and Joseph and have not yet signed up, please speak to Dan or Becky.
Advent Carols, 2nd December, 6pm
This service always features some fantastic music and this year will be no different. The theme for this year’s service is Freedom and features Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Parry’s I Know My Soul, All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera, Defying Gravity from Wicked, Ye Sons of Freedom and To Him Your Grateful Notes from Handel’s Hercules and Rossini’s William Tell Overture. There will be mulled wine and homemade mince pies after.
Festival of St Nicholas, 9th December, 4pm
St John’s is celebrating the Festival of St Nicholas (aka Father Christmas) again this year. This seasonal all age service begins with the entrance of a boy bishop and ends with the arrival of Father Christmas and in between there will be storytelling and lots of children’s activities interspersed with all kinds of St Nicholas/Father Christmas music from the choir. After the service there will be a seasonal tea.
Nativity Play, 16th December, 10am
This year’s play is a closely guarded secret at the moment but we are assured it will relevant and not a whiff of fake news. Casting the roles will take place after church on Sunday 9th December. Speak to Dan or Becky for more information.
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, 16th December 6pm
Our traditional carol service kicks off the countdown to Christmas. The choir will be accompanied by a multitude of musicians. The service will be followed by a fizz and panettone reception. This is one of the biggest musical treats of the year for all the family. Invite your friends and neighbours to join us for this festive community celebration.
Carolling around the Parish
Come join our choristers and help raise money for our Sponsor a Buttress campaign by singing carols in pubs around the parish on Thursday, 20th December. Meet in church at 6.30pm.
Sponsor a Buttress
Goal: £50,000
Raised so far: £25,116
Last year we undertook some very essential repairs to the roof, gutters and parapets. If you look up on the north or south sides of the church, you’ll notice the beautiful new stonework. To fund the works, however, we had to borrow £200,000 from the Diocese of London and we are looking to raise £50,000 to pay this year’s commitment plus interest.
The ‘Sponsor a Buttress’ campaign is to raise funds to cover this year’s commitment. There are 40 buttresses consisting of three stones each. A stone costs £416, a buttress £1,250 (£333 and £1,000 respectively if Gift Aided). To sponsor a stone or buttress or for more information about Gift Aid, speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
And Even More Bru’s News
Brutus and Rhiannon invite you to celebrate the baptism of their son, Oberon Clement Nicholas Llewellyn, at St Margaret’s Church, Putney Park Lane, SW15 5HU at 2pm on Saturday the 8th of December, followed by a ‘bring and share’ afternoon tea in the church hall.
Culture Vultures
Venture to the Panto!!
A festive treat for all the family, Saturday 5th January 2pm.
‘Oh yes he did!’ ‘Oh no he didn’t!’ The young and the young at heart are sure to enjoy Dick Whittington at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith www.lyric.co.uk (that’s the Lyric, main entrance on Lyric Square, not the Apollo by the big church) on Saturday January 5th at 2.00pm. Ticket details to follow shortly. Meet for a delicious lunch at 12.30pm at Byron’s, www.byronhamburgers.com, opposite the Lyric and to the right as you exit Hammersmith & City line tube station. Kid’s Menu £6.50, with both healthy and less healthy options, £6.50. Please speak to Margaret or Sam Tear to register your interest.
St John’s Big Gay Night Out
Friday 7th December - Mother Goose Cracks One Out!
This year’s pantomime follows years of sell out performances at Above the Stag theatre. You’ve not really been to a panto until you’ve been to Above the Stag.
Tickets are £25. Meal before the show at Pico bar and grill (next door to the theatre) – pay as you go. For tickets, please contact Ian Smith (ipas@hotmail.co.uk) or leave your payment, together with your name, email address and phone number at the church office.
Mid-week Services
St John’s isn’t just a church for Sunday! There are services at 5.30pm Monday to Thursday. Monday’s service is a eucharist and there is a said evensong Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Services take place in the sanctuary and are open to all.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Sankta Lucia Concert
Thursday, 13th December 7pm
Carina Einarsson, familiar to many for participating in the community concerts each year with the Swedish Church Choir, is bringing her London Nordic Choir to St Johns for a special concert celebrating the traditional Sankta Lucia festival. Singers will be dressed in white gowns and carrying candles in the darkened church. This unique event was performed by them last year to enthusiastic audiences in York Minster and Liverpool Cathedral. Tickets can be obtained from www.eventbrite.co.uk £32 to include seasonal refreshments.
Children’s Community Choir
Thursdays, 4.10pm, St John’s Church
The Children’s Community Choir meets Thursday afternoons. The choir is open for children 6 years old and above. Sessions are 30 minutes long and children will sing different genres of music. If you are interested in bringing your children along please let Robert know.
School Gate Gossip
As mentioned earlier in the year, St James & St John is embarking on a journey where we will be examining the way we think about our learning and, in particular, the importance of our mistakes. Examples of some of the lessons are: Strategies for learning, Importance of reflection, Science of the brain and Barriers to learning. With temperatures dropping we realize that the Advent period is quickly approaching and so, with it, do the opportunities for the school to participate in and celebrate the upcoming season. Our school choir will be performing at the Queensway Christmas tree next Friday – November 30th at 4:00pm – and all are most welcome to attend. The PFA will also be holding their annual Christmas Market on Friday the 7th of December. Finally Friday 21st December is Whole School Nativity Service St. John’s Hyde Park at 10am.
Stay and Play
A community playgroup meets weekly in St John’s on Thursday mornings from10-11.30am. Come and stay for a play, a sing-song and to share stories over a cup of coffee. All children and babies are welcome (newborn to 5 years). Suggested donation: £2.
