Epiphany Carols
18th January 2026, 6pm
From Wonder to Revelation
Join us for an evening of music, readings and reflection as we journey from wonder to revelation in our Epiphany Carol service. We trace the joy and mystery of the first Christmas through to the arrival of the Wise Men and the presentation of Christ in the temple. Through familiar carols and readings we explore how the newborn child revealed, to a few, is shown to be light for all nations. Music featured in this service is Lux Aurumque by Whitacre, God Is with Us by Tavener, Rutter’s Down by the Riverside, Bethlehem Down by Warlock, Menken’s Look for the Light (from the movie Spellbound), Nunc Dimittis by Rachmaninov & Melua and Grieg’s The Last Spring. The service is followed by a reception of fizz and Galettes des Rois.
Midweek Services
As there is a farewell service for the Bishop of London on Monday this week, the clergy will be in attendance there and there will be no service tomorrow at 5.30pm. Evening Prayer WILL take place as usual at 5.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
St John’s New Organist
We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new organist – Jack Gonzalez-Harding. Jack will be assisting our Director of Music, Nick Miller and accompanying our music on organ and piano. Do take the opportunity to greet him over coffee.
St John’s Late
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. They run at 6pm on Sunday evenings between Epiphany and Lent.
Jazz Mass
25th January, 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 A Little Jazz Mass by Chilcott and the anthem is Hayes’ arrangement of Wade in the Water.
1st February, 6pm
No service
Compline
8th February, 6.00pm
This ancient monastic service, in a candlelit church, is stunning in its simplicity. The service is sung and the anthem is Sicut Cervus by Palestrina. Sign up if you wish to join us for a soup and cheese supper beforehand in the hall at 5pm.
Choral Evensong
15th February,, 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 Aylwood with the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by T A Walmsley in D minor.
Bible Book Club
The Bible App You Version reached a major milestone late last year, with 1 billion devices registered worldwide. Over the past year, the app has tracked the most read verse of the Bible and the results are now in. If you would like to discover which verse it was and explore its deeper meaning and context, come along to Bible Book Club on 4th Feb at 7.30pm. For more information, please contact Alex at alex@stjohns-hydepark.com.
Confirmation Classes
There will be a confirmation service on Sunday 8th March at 10am. If you would like to be confirmed at this service, please contact Alex for further information.
Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting
This year’s annual meetings take place 22nd March immediately after the 10am service. The first step in preparation for these meetings is to revise the Electoral Roll. Accordingly, the Roll will be open until 4th March, after which it will be closed until the conclusion of the APCM. Having your name entered on the Electoral Roll is an indication of your involvement in the life of the parish and entitles you to attend and take part in the annual meeting. It is also something that Church of England schools ask about when applying for a place. Forms are available from the table at the back or from Bryan Sollenberger.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Refugee Drop-in Volunteers
St John’s hosts a monthly Sunday drop-in centre for refugees run by the West London Synagogue. This provides families with a hot meal, a shopping voucher and a contribution towards their transport, as well as signposting for other practical help. The drop-in centre normally takes place on the third Sunday of the month and they are always open to volunteers to assist them. If you would like to join the volunteer crew, please speak to the Vicar. The next drop-in centre will be held on 25th January 2026.
Book Club
Book Club met this past Monday and had a stimulating discussion of Daughter in Time, a historical fiction mystery by Jessica Tey. They also selected their next book, Mapp and Lucia, an old classic of social comedy and humorous fiction within the upper-middle-class English society of the 1920’s and 1930’s. They will meet on 23rd March to discuss it. If you would like to join Book Club, please speak to Irwin Nazareth.
