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.
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 Procession to the Crib and re-join their families in time for communion. Toilets with changing facilities are available near the entrance of the church.
Volunteers for Kids’ Club
Marcus, our Red Balloon worker, needs volunteers to assist him in Kids’ Club on Sunday mornings. If you would like to help or for further information, please send him a message at mwalterspearce@rbf.org.uk.
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.
Palm Sunday
Today we commemorate Palm Sunday – our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This morning we bless the palm crosses and hear the Passion Gospel. In the evening at 6.00pm we’ll have our annual Way of the Cross service based upon the ancient liturgy of the Stations of the Cross, using our very own rarely seen stations and with wonderful music, this year featuring Stabat Maters from Pergolesi, Dvorak, Vivaldi, Schubert, Haydn and Rossini. This beautiful and poignant service is a very proper way to begin Holy Week.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER 2023
Easter Flowers
Help us to decorate the church for Easter and remember loved ones at the same time by contributing to our Easter flowers. Fill in the slip in your order of service and give it to Andre Livins or Bryan Sollenberger after the service. A list of contributors and those commemorated will be posted in the porch at Easter.
Easter Baptisms
Are you considering baptism? Easter is the perfect occasion and the dawn service at 6am on Easter Day is a great opportunity for it. This is a very special and unique service and there will be an opportunity for adults and children to be baptized as part of the Easter liturgy. If you are interested in being baptized at this service, please speak to one of the clergy as soon as possible.
Maundy Thursday
A special sung mass commemorating the Last Supper takes place on the Thursday night before Easter at 6pm. The mass setting will be Missa Festiva by Peeters and the anthem O Vos Omnes by Casals.
Good Friday Children’s Workshop
A children’s activity morning is planned for Good Friday between 10am and 12 noon for children from 0-11. Coffee, biscuits and hot cross buns will be available and we will build the Easter Garden. Volunteers are needed to help with the activities. If you can help, speak to Georgina.
Good Friday Liturgy of the Day
Good Friday is one of the holiest days in the Christian year. This service of reflection and prayer, centred on the passion and death of our Lord, is led by our choral scholars and is based around Jesus Christ, Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The service begins at 2.00 pm.
Mrs Mops’ Easter Special!
Andre is organising a special effort on Saturday morning, 8th April, to clean and to get the church ready for Easter. Please speak to him if you are happy to don your housecoat and report for duty for a morning of hard work and fun along with a mid-morning refreshment of the Vicar’s special hot milky brew. Come armed with your marigolds, Brasso and Pledge. Many hands make light work: please help if you can.
Dawn Vigil and First Mass of Easter
This service begins at 6am with a Vigil of readings as we await the dawn and the resurrection of our Lord. This colourful and dramatic service incorporates the Service of Light, Renewal of Baptism Vows and the First Mass of Easter. Well worth getting up for! The service is followed by breakfast and champagne.
Easter Breakfast
A cooked breakfast is served in the hall following the 6am dawn service. Please sign up in the porch if you plan to stay for this.
Easter Reception
Following the Festival Eucharist on Easter morning there will be a fizz reception with finger food. Please bring a plate of finger food to share and indicate what you will be able to bring on the sign up sheet in the porch or on one of the clipboards that will be circulating during coffee.
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.
Mark the Dates
Coronation of Charles III
We have several events in the planning stages to mark the coronation of the new king:
A drinks party in church on Thursday, 4th May, at 7pm.
A special eucharist to mark the Coronation on Sunday, 7th May, at 10am featuring Mozart’s Coronation Mass as the setting. The service will be followed by a sit-down lunch. There will be opportunities to help – keep your eyes peeled!
Summer Barbecue
Our annual barbecue will take place on Sunday, 2nd July. Keep an eye out for further information nearer the time.
Service of confirmation
We are pleased that the Bishop of London, the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Sarah Mullally, will be coming to St John’s on Sunday, 19th November, for a service of Confirmation. If you are interested in being confirmed, please speak to Georgina.
