St John’s Late

Returning in November, St John’s Late services offer a friendly but contemplative space for those who’ve missed the morning, want to try something different or seek space for reflection.

Jazz Mass

16th November, 6.00pm

The atmosphere of a jazz club, great music and the beauty of the eucharist meet in this fantastic service with wine and nibbles available throughout. The setting is Jazz Missa Brevis by Gillthorpe and the anthem is Harbold’s Prayer for a Broken World.

Choral Evensong

23rd November, 6.00pm

This service is the foundation of English tradition, a gem in the crown of the prayer book and will be sung by our choral scholars. The setting for the responses is by Bernard Rose with the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis from Charles Wood’s Evening Service in F.

Advent 2025

Advent Carols

Sunday, 30th November 2025, 6pm

Today is our first evening service of advent with St John’s choir and orchestra, exploring the advent theme of ‘Both Sides Now’. Following the service, enjoy a reception of minced pies and mulled wine or spiced apple juice.

Christingle

Sunday, 7th December 2025, 4pm

A festive service for all the family that celebrates the light of Christ with the choir of St James and St John school. A wonderful way to mark the beginning of the Christmas season, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and hot chocolate served afterwards.

Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday, 21st December 2025, 6pm

Our service of Nine Lessons and Carols starts our Christmas celebrations. This year we are pleased to have as our special guest the Bishop of London and next Archbishop of Canterbury, The Right Reverend Sarah Mullally. This will be her final visit to St John’s before taking over her new responsibilities at Lambeth Palace so do take this opportunity to wish Bishop Sarah well in her new role.

A Message from Kid's Club

16th November 2025

We're creating a nativity! Join us today after church, in the hall, to create this year's nativity. If you're feeling crafty and creative, (or even if you just like drinking tea and providing inspirational chatter!), please join us and our merry makers to whip up the Creativity Nativity!

St Martin in-the-Fields’ Autumn Lecture Series

Here I Stand

St Martin in-the-Fields’ lecture series returns this autumn with inspirational speakers discussing those things for which they would be prepared to make a costly stand. We meet on the steps of St Martin’s at 6.30pm. After the lecture drinks are served in the crypt where we can discuss the evening together. There is a suggested donation of £10 for each event which can be made on the night. Please email Alex if you wish to attend: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com.

17th November, 7.00pm

Dame Mary Beard, preeminent British classicist

God with Us: Advent reflections in Words & Music at St Paul’s Cathedral
18th November, 6.30pm

A reflective and meditative evening of reflections by Dr Paula Gooder interspersed with music from the Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral. Alex will be outside the Cathedral at 6.15pm so we can enter and sit together. Tickets are free with an opportunity to make a donation on the night. Please email Alex for more information: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com.

Betty’s Big Birthday

During 2025 we are celebrating the 160th birthday of our wonderful Hill & Son organ named Betty and the tenth anniversary of her full rebuild by Nicholsons of Malvern. The finale of this will be in November on St Cecilia’s Day, when we host a recital by world-renowned organist Prof. Dr. Ian Tracey, organist at Liverpool Cathedral and to the City of Liverpool.

Saturday 22nd November, 5pm

Betty’s Big Birthday Bash!

Celebrity Organ Recital by Prof. Dr. Ian Tracey, followed by drinks, cake and merriment. Tickets £16 in advance (online or via the parish office) or £20 on the door.

Memorial Service for Lynda King Taylor

Wednesday 26th November, 2pm

A memorial service for Lynda King Taylor has been arranged for Wednesday, 26th November, at 2pm. Lynda was a long-standing member of St Johns and the Hyde Park community. We invite all who knew or loved Lynda to join us for this time of shared remembrance, prayer and thanksgiving.

Bible Book Club - “A Virgin Shall Conceive?”
Wednesday 3rd December 7.30pm

As Advent approaches, join us for a deep dive into Isaiah 7:14, one of the most debated verses in Scripture. We’ll explore how translation and tradition have shaped our understanding of Mary’s virginity and what this means for faith today.
With over hundreds of translations of the Bible in existence in English alone, the words we read can vary more than we realise. Bring your own Bible along let’s see together how your translation renders this famous verse, and what that reveals about language, belief, and meaning.

For more information please contact Alex: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com.

Advent Course: Hidden Christmas
Wednesday 10th and Tuesday 16th December, 7.30pm

Join us for our Advent Course, ‘Hidden Christmas’. Together we’ll explore Tim Keller’s inspiring book, which invites us to look deeper into the Nativity story and discover the profound truths that often go unnoticed amid its familiarity.

Come and rediscover the wonder of Christmas in a fresh and meaningful way.