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. The Seasons (first performed in 1801) is J. Haydn's second oratorio, written three years after the success of The Creation. Today's anthem, So Nature Ever-kind Repays is the 23rd item in the Oratorio. It begins as a trio movement scored for Soprano and Bass and ends with the full choir joining at the end.
Harvest Sunday Family Eucharist
2nd October 2022, 10am
This morning we celebrate Harvest with a family service 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 St Matthew’s 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
A group from St John’s will be going on 21 Nov – see the notice below!
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.
Bible Book Club
7.30-8.45pm Wednesday October 19th and November 16th
Bible Book Club will meet twice this term, to read and to discuss a passage from the Bible and conclude with Compline. In October we will discuss Daniel 2:20-21: God’s work in the powers of nature and the powers of humanity – how and why does God intervene, or not? In November we will discuss Luke 23.33-43: Christ as the King who rules – why would a king let himself be arrested, beaten and executed, and how does that effect our own use of power? Please talk to Georgina for details, or email parishadmin at stjohns-hydepark dot com.
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
What Am I Living For? Art, a lecture by Grayson Perry
Monday 21 November, 7-9pm
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.
We will gather at 6.45pm on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields to take our seats inside. The lecture 7-7.45pm, followed by a Q&A 7.45-8.30pm, and then we gather downstairs in the Crypt for drinks, nibbles, and a good discussion of what we have heard.
The suggested price for tickets is £10 to cover St Martin’s costs, but free tickets are also available so as not to exclude anyone who would like to come. Please contact Georgina to book your place, or email parishadmin at stjohns-hydepark dot com.
