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.
This Morning’s Anthem
This morning's anthem is an excerpt from a setting of Psalm 130, Out of the Deep Have I Called unto Thee, O Lord, by the French composer and child prodigy Lili Boulanger (1893-1918). Her family were friends with Gabriel Fauré, who noticed her musical potential when she was only two years old. She later studied the organ with Louis Vierne and, in 1913, was the first woman to win the Prix de Rome for composition.
Sunday evenings in Lent
If you have ever wondered why we do the things we do each Sunday, or what genuflecting means, or why we have candles and processions, sign the cross on chest – or any other gestures and symbols made during the Eucharistic prayers – then come and join us for a teaching Eucharist each Sunday evening throughout Lent. We will cover a different section of the service each week with plenty of opportunities to ask anything you’ve ever wanted to know, but been too afraid to ask!
10th March
The Gathering
17th March
The Liturgy of the Word
24th March
The Liturgy of the Sacrament (Part 1)
31st March
The Liturgy of the Sacrament (Part 2)
7th April
The Sending Out
Lent course
Sent in Lent: Exploring the Mission of God in our Lives
A joint Lent course between St John’;s, St George’s and Grosvenor Chapel exploring the dynamics of God’s calling and sending in our lives. Join us at Grosvenor Chapel on Wednesdays at 7pm for a light supper, followed by a short talk and lively discussion amongst friends both old and new. Across four sessions we shall discuss the ways in which we are loved and received by God and how this gives us the freedom to deal with the pressures we face with an imaginative and compassionate response.
13th March – Who does God send?
Genesis 12.1-4; Isaiah 6.1-8
20th March – ‘Message failed to send’
John 6.66-69; 19.25,26
27th March – Sent in faith
Mark 6.32-44
3rd April – To whom are we sent?
Isaiah 58.6-7; Luke 4.16-19
Community Charity Concert
Thursday, 26th March, 7.30pm
With the music of Disney and lots of other tunes from the music hall, light opera and popular shows, our choral scholars are joined by singers from The Duke of Kendal and the London Nordic Singers. Money raised on the night will go towards St John’s roof appeal. Tickets are £10 (£5 concession) from the office at St John’s or on the door. This is always an evening of very good music and great fun!
Congratulations, Sally Hitchiner!
We are pleased that Sally has been appointed Associate Vicar at St Matins-in-the-Fields! Sally has been associated with St John’s while she has been chaplain at Brunel University, taking part on the clergy rota on an occasional basis and we have been delighted that she has brought a bit of sparkle and razzamatazz to St John’s with her ministry here and on television. We are very pleased for her but will be sad to see her go. Her last Sunday here will be 31st March, Mothering Sunday - make sure you come along to wish Sally and Fiona well.
Easter Baptisms
Are you considering baptism? Easter is the perfect occasion and the dawn service at 5am 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.
Bible Book Club
Bible Book Club meets once a month to read and to discuss the gospel reading for the coming Sunday and concludes with Compline. Meetings normally take place on the first Wednesday of the month but as there will be our usual Lent course at Grosvenor Chapel during Lent on Wednesday evenings the next meeting will take place on 1st May. For further information, speak to one of the clergy.
Electoral Roll
The parish electoral roll is an indication of the life and vitality of St John’s. Inclusion on it is a part of your commitment to the church. Further, you must be on the electoral roll in order to participate in our annual meeting. Every six years we are required to dissolve the current roll and to compile a brand new one. As we last did this in 2013 we are compelled to compile a new roll this year and will be taking applications for entry onto the new roll until 20th March 2019. The roll will then be closed until after the annual meeting on 7th April. Application forms are available in the porch. Once completed, please return them to Bryan Sollenberger or send to the parish office.
Sponsor a Buttress
Goal: £50,000
Raised so far: £48,945
We’re now at 39 buttress!!! Just one more to go. Can we meet our goal before we get any further into Lent? A big thank you to everyone who has contributed.
The ‘Sponsor a Buttress’ campaign is raising funds to cover our commitment to repaying the loan from the Diocese of London towards roof works carried out in 2017. There are 40 buttresses consisting of three stones each. A stone costs £416, a buttress £1,250 (£333 and £1,000 respectively if Gift Aided). To sponsor a stone or buttress or for more information about Gift Aid, speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
Culture Vulture Ventures
Culture Vultures Venture to The Royal Academy of Music Friday 15th March
Come and hear our choral scholar, Robert Forrest (tenor), in the role of the hero Vaudemont, in Tchaikovsky’s opera Iolanta, at his 2.00pm Dress Rehearsal on Friday 15th March at The Royal Academy, Marylebone Rd. NW1 5HT, https://www.ram.ac.uk. It’s a double bill: we’ll also hear Ravel’s L’Enfant et Les Sortileges. We meet at 12 noon for a 2 course lunch (drinks extra) £18 inc. VAT and service charge at Ishtar, a popular Turkish restaurant, 10 Crawford St. W1U 6AZ, Ishtarrestaurant.com. Please pay Margaret by 10th March (cheques preferred).
Culture Vultures Venture to Marlborough House, Monday 29th April
Irene, who guided us so well when we ventured last year to Lambeth Palace, will take us round The Fine Rooms on the Ground Floor of Marlborough House. Totally accessible, even though it was completed in 1711, it is now used by the Commonwealth Secretariat, so we are advised there may be a last minute date change should the rooms be required for Commonwealth business. Afterwards we are very fortunate to have a luncheon booking in the dining room at the Royal Air Force Club, 128 Piccadilly, W1J 7PY, www.rafclub.org.uk, but places for that are limited, so first come first served! Tour only £8, tour and lunch £34, 3 courses inc VAT and service, drinks extra. Meet under the St James’ Palace clock at the bottom of St James’ St. at 10.45am. Payment to Margaret please - as always cheques preferred.
Lent Retreat: Mirfield 29th - 31st March 2019
The Benedictine Community of the Resurrection www.mirfield.org.uk regularly hold Retreats and Pilgrimage Weekends at their Monastery in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. These are guided by some of the brothers, who give three addresses, and there is plenty of time for quiet contemplation, walks in the beautiful grounds and the opportunity to attend the daily offices with the community and college in the lovely cathedral-like chapel.
The cost is £135, which includes all meals and accommodation in single rooms (£150 for an en suite) + travel. The Centre is only minutes away from Junction 25 of the M62 and there are direct trains from Kings Cross. Mirfield is also a Theological College and it is ordinand Benji Tyler, a member of our congregation, who knows just how learned, holy and friendly are the Mirfield community. The Guestmaster has made a provisional reservation for us. Please have a word with Margaret or Benji for more details, a copy of the timetable and to register your interest.
Mid-week Services
St John’s isn’t just a church for Sunday! There are services at 5.30pm Monday to Thursday. Monday’s service is a eucharist and there is a said evensong Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Services take place in the sanctuary and are open to all.
Save the Date!
Deacon Dan will be priested on Sunday, 30th June, at 4pm at St Mary’s, Stoke Newington. He will celebrate his first Communion the following Sunday, 7th July, at the 10am service after which we will have our annual barbecue!
Giving Maria a Helping Hand
You may not know her, but Maria is a member of our mid-week congregation and has lived in the parish for over 35 years. She has not always had an easy time of it and will be moving into unfurnished sheltered accommodation nearby (still in the parish). Given the generous spirit of St John’s we wondered if you might be able to help, either in buying some of the things she needs or by making a contribution toward the cost of buying them: curtains, double bed, mattress, chair, side table, lamp, chest of drawers, cooker (narrow), microwave, under counter fridge. If you would like to know more or would like to help in some way, please talk to Dan or Steve. Thanks!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
School Gate Gossip
Year 3 went on a school trip to London Zoo this week to begin their study of their Predator unit in Topic. Year 5 and 6 also partook in a school trip this week when they visited Wigmore Hall to watch world-renowned violinist Nicola Benedetti put on a stellar performance of some songs inspired by the word ‘home’. The students were given the chance to participate in the creation of a song where they were accompanied by both Nicola Benedetti and presenter Lucy Drever. Year 6 attended the Westminster Junior Citizenship workshop on Monday as a part of their transition to secondary school in 2019-2020. World Book Day was on Thursday, March 7th 2019. All members of our school community were invited to participate by dressing up as their favourite book character. Next week sees the annual PFA Mother’s Day Tea Party. It will take place on Friday 8th March 2019 from 3:30pm until 5:30pm in the Lunch Hall. Homemade cakes, biscuits, sandwiches and a variety of beverages will be available. Please join us and help raise funds for our school.
Stay and Play
A community playgroup meets weekly in St John’s on Thursday mornings from10-11.30am. Come and stay for a play, a sing-song and to share stories over a cup of coffee. All children and babies are welcome (newborn to 5 years). Suggested donation: £2.
