Welcome to St John’s Hyde Park
We are delighted that you have chosen to join our community today, especially if you are joining us for the first time. For those who have come as a family with young children, Kids’ Club meets during the service in the Parish Hall. Further information about St John’s can be found on our web site: www.stjohns-hydepark.com.
St John’s, like the Hyde Park Estate, wants to be part of a dog-friendly community. We welcome people to bring their dogs with them to church but we ask that they are mindful of the need for dogs not to disturb others at worship. If your furry friend begins to bark or to feel uncomfortable, please do feel free to take him or her for a walk outside.
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. Howard Goodall (b.1958) is a contemporary British composer. He is well known for writing music for television; most notably the theme music for The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean. Today’s oratorio extract comes from his work Every Purpose Under the Heaven, which takes text from the King James Bible. The second movement There Is a Season reflects on the changeability of human life, with text taken from Ecclesiastes III, verses 1-8.
Harvest Sunday Family Eucharist
2nd October 2022, 10am
We celebrate Harvest with a family service next Sunday. The older children will read the lessons and lead the intercessions and the younger children will be in church for longer than normal. We are having our traditional collection of tinned and dried foodstuffs, which this year will be donated to the North Paddington Food Bank.
Our theme this year is the Harvest Moon. The term Harvest Moon came from farmers who benefited from the moon’s extra light, which helped them harvest their crops. It is larger and more colourful than other moons of the year because of the tilt of the earth and reflections from the atmosphere. Harvest Moon is also often called Wine Moon since the grapes are plump and ready for collecting during this time. The moon has been mentioned a couple of times in the Bible. In Isaiah 30:26, it was associated with healing and repentance. It can also mean rebirth and fruitful harvest. This harvest, let it be a lesson that everyone can heal and repent. Just like the Harvest Moon, God is a source of light and he will lead us away from darkness. Moreover, He provides us sustenance by shining a light on the plants for them to grow.
Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the Lord binds up the brokenness of his people and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow.
Isaiah 30:26
Rebuilding St John’s!
Don’t be a spectator – get involved!
Your church needs you - now is the time to get positive and to rekindle the spirit of St John’s. We cannot do this by the staff team alone and we encourage members of the congregation to get back involved… We need servers to help carry the cross and candles in the service, people willing to help with coffee and hospitality, as well as people to help Red Balloon in Kids’ Club. For Kids’ Club to be revived we need to have more than one group and so the Red Balloon leaders need your help. If you are not currently volunteering, take this opportunity to get involved on one of the rotas. Speak to Bryan or Andre this morning!
Look up! Something’s Stirring!
As we begin to come out of the pandemic, we are grateful to those who have been steady in their financial support during the past two years, but now is the time for us to start thinking about rebuilding our music, taking on an organist, staffing and getting back to normal, so we need your help please. Your contributions are really valued and so, in the coming months, we plan to encourage members of the congregation to review their giving, or to give regularly if they don’t already do so, to help us fund our recovery.
Please continue to help us if you can by contributions either on Sunday mornings in the collection plate or, alternatively, directly to our bank account. 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
This group 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.
What Am I Living For?: The Search for Meaning
St Martin-in-the-Fields Autumn Lecture Series 2022
26 Sept - 21 Nov
Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, writes: "The pandemic and its aftermath have been a time of profound soul-searching for many, not just about the shape of their own lives, but about the nature of existence. But at St Martin's we've found this to be a time of awakened or reawakened faith for a lot of people, and our circle of engagement has grown. What is the truth about all things? What sense can we make of that which fits such truth - and that which doesn't? I'm looking forward to exploring some of the deepest questions of all with a wide range of contributors and a lively audience throughout this autumn.”
The series takes place at St Martin-in-the-Fields with a live audience. The lectures are also livestreamed. The suggested price for tickets is £10 to cover our costs, but free tickets are also available so as not exclude anyone who would like to come. All are welcome. More info at www.smitf.org/lectures.
The Purcell Club at Westminster Abbey
Saturday, 22nd October 2022, 5.30pm
Starting at 7.00pm, after the Abbey is closed to the public, there are monthly tours organised by the Purcell Club, a male voice group. The members, mostly Old Choristers of the Abbey, donate their time and give the income raised to charity. After a two-course buffet supper in the Abbey’s Cellarium (drinks extra), we assemble in the Cloisters to be welcomed officially to the Abbey and then move to seats in the Nave, where the speaker describes the history and architecture of the Abbey in some detail. We then tour the Abbey, pausing at locations of interest while anthems and other pieces from the 16th to 21st century are sung.
On returning to the Nave a short piece is played by one of the Abbey organists to demonstrate the Abbey’s magnificent organ. The tour ends with the choir singing a piece of suitable solemnity around the Unknown Warrior’s Grave. The evening concludes at approximately 9.15pm.
Meet at The Cellarium at 5.30pm. Tickets are £55, limited numbers. Cash to Georgina or one of the team, please, to secure your place.
Save the Date!
Social activities are returning to St John’s! Here is a heads up for future events:
Thursday, 13 October St John’s Quintessential Quiz Evening
