St John’s holds services in Church on Sundays at 10am, with a recording of the morning service uploaded online for those not able to join us. Paper services available on request.

Dear Church Family,

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost (or Whitsun), which marks fifty days since Easter Day, and the occasion where the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in power, catalysing the start of the church’s mission to the world. We will be exploring Jesus’ words in John 15 together, where he talks about the Holy Spirit’s ministry and what it means for us today.

This week also coincides with Thy Kingdom Come, a global ecumenical prayer movement launched by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, inviting Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for people to come to know Jesus. A video has been released each day, and Day 6 features a small reflection from myself on the role of prayer during the ‘storms of this life’ which we explored at midweek communion on Wednesday. The video can be seen on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ugXO4fohKI 

May we open ourselves to a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as we continue to turn towards Christ in prayer.

Green Pastures needs more volunteers for the Saturday morning session which is held every third Saturday of each month 10.00am – 12.00pm in St John’s Centre. Even if you are only able to help at a few sessions it would be a great help. St John’s Green Pastures grief café welcomes anyone whether grief is recent or long term. It gives people an opportunity to talk about their grief or anything else happening in their lives. If you feel this is for you and you could volunteer on a Saturday morning. Please speak to Pauline Harris, Gill Adams, or Tony White. We are meeting again TOMORROW 18th May at 10.00am.

Praying Together for Woodley. The monthly meeting to pray for Woodley will be TOMORROW Saturday 18th May from 9.00am to 10.00am at the home of David and Jane Fulford, 15 Brandon Ave RG5 4PU. Anyone with a heart for Woodley is welcome.

Coffee morning after Holy Communion on Wednesdays. A reminder that there will be no coffee after Midweek Communion for the rest of May. It will resume on Wed 5th June, followed by Wed 19th June. Do come and join us.

This Little Light of Mine: Candles continue to be available at the back of the church, including some fragranced options. We are raising money for our Warm Spaces initiative. Suggested donation of £5 each.

A message on behalf of Woodley Foodbank: Thank you for your donations. We continue to experience a very high demand for our services. We are currently low in stocks of pasta sauce, coffee, tinned fruit, tinned rice, toilet rolls, milk and biscuits. Donations of Sugar, Coffee, Pasta, Cereals, Pasta Sauce, Spaghetti (dried), Noodles (inc. Pot Noodles), Tinned Vegetables (all types, inc. potatoes), Tinned pies (Fray Bentos Meat and Veg varieties), Tinned fish, Tinned fruit, Tinned Soups (Veg and Meat), Meat meals (tinned), Biscuits, Crisps, Custard - tinned and dried, Tinned Desserts Long Life milk, Juice (cordial and long life), Toothbrushes and toothpaste, Shampoo and Shower Gel, Deodorants (M&F), Toilet Rolls are welcome at any time. We are also short of plastic bags.

Prayer of the Week Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St John's Prayer
Grant us Lord Faith to believe and strength to do your will. Amen.

For our prayers

Prayer Bulletin

For our world -Pray for the leaders of all nations who have the power to change things. Pray for those who are acting as peacemakers, that they may bring peace where there is war. Pray particularly for the people of Ukraine, Palestine and Israel and for all the organisations who are working to bring relief to the suffering people.

For our country - Pray for all our young people taking exams at this time. Pray that they will be surrounded by calm. Pray too that the influences of social media in all its forms will be for good and that friendships will be strong and right.

For those who are unwell - Pray that God will surround with his loving arms those who are unwell at this time. Pray especially for Jean, Fred, Les, Liz, Janet A., David P., Devina, Alan, Claire, Chris, Rob and Janet. Pray too for those who care for them.

In our prayers - Pray for all who mourn the loss of a loved one. Pray especially for Marion and her family after the loss of Cedric.

Coming up in June

2nd BCP Said Service of Holy Communion 8.00am

Intergenerational Service 10.00am

             4th Green Pasture Grief Café 2.00pm

       15th Green Pastures Grief Café 10.00am

19th Mothers’ Union Summer Lunch 12.30pm

                                    23rd Wild Church 4.00pm

Church Office

The church office is usually open Tue - Fri from 10-12. Please note that notices need to be sent on info@stjohn-woodley.com by 10.00 am on THURSDAYS for inclusion in that week's newsletter.

This Week’s Notices

Sunday 19th May

10.00am -  A Service of Holy Communion. Pentecost. This week’s Bible readings are Acts 2: 1-21, Romans 8: 22-27 and John 15: 26-7; 16: 4b-15. A recording will be uploaded to the website on Tuesday at: https://www.stjohnswoodley.com/worship-from-home. The national CofE service is here from 9am: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/church-online.

Tuesday 21st May

10.00am - St John’s Toddler Group. Please contact Dawn for further details.

12.45pm - Thanksgiving service for the life of Cedric Lander at St. John’s. Followed by refreshments in the hall.

7.30pm - Praying Together on Zoom. A short service of Compline (Night Prayer). To phone in, call 0203 481 5237. Zoom ID: 977 0607 9786.

Wednesday 22nd May

10.00am - Midweek Communion Service.

Reminder, there is NO Fellowship and Study Group for the month of May. We return on Wednesday 5th June 2024. 

Friday 24th May

11.30am - Friday Lunch, Munch and Chinwag. Please feel free to join us! All are welcome.

Sunday 26th May

4.00pm - Wild Church in the Church cottage garden. All are welcome!

Pastoral Support

Would you like a prayer?
If you would like support, please do let us know - you do not need to face hard things alone. Please contact the office to arrange for a Pastoral Visit from one of our team. Alternatively, complete the prayer request form below and someone will be in touch.

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