Advent 2023
NATIVITY PLAY
17th December 10am
This morning is the performance of this year’s nativity play. The story is told from the perspective of the angel Gabriel. After the service there will be sherry and mince pices along with tea and coffee.
Nine Lessons and Carols, 17th December, 6pm
Our traditional carol service kicks off the countdown to Christmas. The choir will be accompanied by a magnificence of musicians and the service will be followed by a fizz and panettone reception. This is one of the biggest musical treats of the year for all the family. Invite your friends and neighbours to join us for this festive community celebration.
Christmas 2023
Parish Carolling
6.30pm Wednesday 20th December
You are invited to join us for a jolly traditional Christmas evening as we walk around the parish to sing some carols with our choral scholars and collect money for the food bank at St Matthew’s, Bayswater. Meet at the church, then we will walk around to several pubs, give them our best musical delights under Robert’s conducting and end at The Victoria for a mince pie.
Christmas Eve
4.00pm – Crib Service
A unique service for all ages, telling the story of Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus in the crib, join us as we begin the feast of birth of Christ.
11.30pm – Midnight Mass
Enjoy the first mass of Christmas in a candlelit church, singing Christmas carols led by the choir and orchestra. The setting will be Mozart’s Coronation Mass K317.
Christmas Day
10am – Family Festival Eucharist
Children are invited to come along dressed up in their fairy costumes and sparkly shoes or Christmas pyjamas and to bring their toys with them if they wish. Sing Christmas carols with the choir, accompanied by orchestra.
Christmas Flowers
Remember a loved one by making a donation to this year’s Christmas flowers. Complete the slip inside your order of service and leave it with Bryan Sollenberger. A list of those in whose memory donations are given will be displayed in the porch.
St John’s Goes to the Panto
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a trip to the panto! This year we are going on the Saturday, 6th Jan, 2pm at the Hammersmith Lyric to see Cinderella. For tickets, please book directly from the Hammersmith Lyric’s website: https://lyric.co.uk/shows/cinderella2023/#performances. They start from £15 and there are family rates as well for those with children. When we know numbers we will be looking to plan a lunch nearby beforehand. For further information, please contact Alex: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com.
EPIPHANY
The arrival of the Magi, after their long journey following a star seeking Jesus, is one of the oldest festivals of the Christian Church. In the Eastern and Russian Orthodox Churches, this is the equivalent of Christmas. St John’s will celebrate Epiphany with a festival Eucharist on Sunday, 7th January 2024. There will be a procession of the Magi and Presentation of Gifts before the crib as part of the service. Afterwards, there will be a reception of fizz and finger food. Members of the congregation are asked to bring a plate of finger food with them and, in order to help with numbers, please sign up on the form, indicating that they will be able to attend and what food they will be bringing with them.
Epiphany Carols
14th January 2024, 6pm
After our fantastic Advent and Christmas carol services, what next? Epiphany carols! Robert, Ben and the choir have prepared another special treat to conclude our seasonal celebrations marking the events of the Epiphany season. Featuring music by Rutter, Dove, Underwood, Elga, Jenkens and Morricone, this is a great way to beat the post-Christmas blues!
St John’s Book Group
The book group met recently and selected their next book – John Wyndham’s Day of the Triffids. They will meet to discuss this classic on 29th January. Speak to Irwin Nazareth if you would like more information.
New Vestments
St John’s has been renewing its vestments over the past few years, having replaced the white, gold and red sets, and has now ordered a green set of vestments, consisting of a cope, chasuble and stoles. If you would like to sponsor one or more of these in memory of a loved one or to mark a special occasion, please speak to the Vicar or to Bryan Sollenberger.
Safeguarding at St John’s
Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is a priority at St John’s. On 21st June the Parochial Church Council (PCC) carried out their annual reviewed of the parish’s Safeguarding Policy. A copy is available in the porch and on the parish website. Safeguarding concerns can be raised in the first instance with the church’s Safeguarding Officer, Mary Langford.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Giggles and Gossip
Thursdays, 9.30-11.30am
Giggles & Gossip, run by Red Balloon Foundation, 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 in which parents and children can take part.
Giggles & Gossip will next meets in January 2024. There is no playgroup on 21st or 28th December.
