Children and Young Families
We are delighted to have families with children as members of our congregation. Kids’ Club meets this morning in the hall with Red Balloon – the children go out after the Collect and re-join their families in time for communion. Toilets with changing facilities are available near the entrance of the church.
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.
Autumn Music Series
From September to the end of November, our services feature music extracted from oratorios. These large-scale works date from the early 17th century through to far more recent works by contemporary musicians and vary greatly in style. Handel’s Messiah is undoubtably the most famous oratorio of all time. It was written in 1741 and was an immediate success after its premiere in Dublin. Today’s anthem is Lift up Your Heads, which takes the form of an uplifting chorus accompanied by orchestra.
St John’s Late
20th November, 7pm
Jazz Mass
A joyous mass to lift the spirits! Tonight, the choir sing a jazz setting accompanied by piano and double bass – Don Gillthorpe’s Jazz Missa Brevis! The anthem will be Steal Away from Michael Tippett’s oratorio Child of Our Time.
What Am I Living For?: The Search for Meaning
St Martin-in-the-Fields Autumn Lecture Series 2022
What Am I Living For? Art - a lecture by Grayson Perry
Monday 21st November, 7-9pm
Unfortunately, this event has been hugely popular, and sold out weeks ago. If you already have a ticket, meet Georgina at 6.45pm on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Grayson Perry, with his unique creativity and power to communicate through seeing, hearing and sensing, concludes the St Martin-in-the-Fields Autumn Lecture Series What Am I Living For? The Search for Meaning, speaking about the vital importance of art and creativity in discovering the meaning of our lives.
St John’s Pub Quiz!
Wednesday 23rd November, 7pm
Our popular annual quiz is this coming Wednesday evening. Chris Cochran, landlord of The Victoria, is coming to conduct the quiz. Tickets are £20 including entry to the quiz and dinner. Invite some friends and a form a team of 6 to 8, or come on your own and join a team.
Advent 2022
Advent Carols, 27th November, 6pm
Next week, the first of our great carol services takes place at 6pm by candlelight. This service always features outstanding music and this year is no different. The theme of this year’s service is ‘Expecting' and features music by CPE Bach, Goodall, Whitacre, K Jenkins and from the musical Hairspray, along with seasonal carols for everyone to sing. There will be mulled wine and homemade mince pies after.
Advent Unlocked, 4th December, 6pm
A new addition to our Advent season, Advent Unlocked will be a different kind of service, delving deeper into the theme we are exploring this year, ‘Expecting’. Our speaker will be The Rev’d Kate Harrison from St Mark’s Hamilton Terrace. We will be asking the question: how can we use the lens of Mary’s pregnancy to understand our own Choice accepting Jesus, the Mystery of living with faith, the Intimacy God wants with us, the Pain of sacrifice and changing ourselves, and the Expectations we have of the second coming? A great and hopefully slightly challenging service in church to complement our Advent carols. Do ask Georgina if you would like to know more.
Advent discussion group, 7th December, 7.30-9pm
Concluding our autumn study sessions, we will meet to discuss this year’s Advent theme ‘Expecting’. Our questions about the second coming will be similar to those of many pregnancies – where do I begin? When is it due? How am I going to feel? Can I do it on my own? What should I do (or avoid) to prepare? Is it going to hurt? What is the best literature to read? Please talk to Georgina for details or email parishadmin@stjohns-hydepark.com.
Christingle Service, 11th December, 4pm
An orange? A candle?! SWEETIES??! Come along to this jolly and exuberant service for families and children of all ages, where we will make a Christingle, incorporating symbols of Jesus coming as the Light of the World (and very yummy to boot!). This fun Christmas event is also a perfect opportunity to invite other families to who might not come to church very often, or at all.
Giving to St Johns
If you would like to give via bank transfer, our details are: Name: St John the Evangelist, Bank: HSBC, Sort Code: 40-11-58, Account #: 80108251. Donations given electronically still qualify for Gift Aid as your name will appear alongside your donation. If you have any questions about giving, please speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
Activities for Children at St John’s
Red Balloon, who are co-ordinating our children’s ministry on Sunday mornings at St John’s, are expanding the programme of activities they offer.
Giggles and Gossip
Thursdays, 9.30-11am
Giggles & Gossip is aimed at parents with babies and toddlers. There will be soft play available and the club will also consist of crafts and a story time for the parents and children to take part in.
After School Group
Thursdays, 3.30-5pm
This group is for school children between reception and year six. Parents/Carers can drop off and collect their children. Children will play drama, lead games and explore biblical stories.
St John’s Goes to the Panto!
Saturday, 7th January 2023
https://lyric.co.uk/shows/jack-and-the-beanstalk-2/
‘Oh yes he did!’ ‘Oh no he didn’t!’ The young and the young at heart are sure to enjoy Jack and the Beanstalk at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith (that’s the Lyric, main entrance on Lyric Square, not the Apollo by the big church) on Saturday, January 7th at 6pm. Ticket prices range from £42 - £15. This is the very last performance of the run, so promises to be extra fun! If family commitments allow, meet for a delicious meal/snack from 4.30pm at Bill’s (10 Hammersmith Grove, London W6 7AP). Kid’s menu, two courses for £6.95. Please speak to Georgina to book your tickets before they’re all gone!
CONFIRMATIONS
Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which those who have already been baptised affirm for themselves their Christian faith and at which, through prayer and the laying on of hands, the Church asks the Holy Spirit to empower them to live a life of committed discipleship. We will soon be running courses preparing children and adults for Confirmation. If you or your child would like to be confirmed or if you would like to explore the possibility of being confirmed, please talk with one of the clergy.
