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.
Autumn Music Series: Aspects of Love
‘God is love’ but there are many types of love. This Autumn our music series explores how we experience and share the various aspects of love as defined by Platonic and Aristotelian thought. This week, we look at storgé, a Greek word for familial love, such as the instinctive affection between parent and child. Our anthem comes from Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, whose original title was The Triumph of Marital Love. In this famous quartet, we see Marzelline, a gaoler's daughter, singing with her father Rocco, his assistant Jaquino and the man she loves, Fidelio, (who is in fact Leonora, wife of one of the prisoners, in disguise!) about the simultaneous wonders and dangers of love.
22/09 Pragma Practical love founded on reason or duty.
29/09 Agapé Sacrificial unselfish concern for others.
06/10 Eros Sexual or passionate love.
13/10 Philautia Self-love whether healthy or unhealthy.
20/10 Ludus Playful or undemanding love.
27/10 Mania An obsessive or possessive love.
Wednesday Club
This group typically meets on the third Wednesday of the month in The Duke of Kendal pub to discuss everyday ethics and how the things we think and do relate to our understanding of God and faith. The next meeting of this group will be on 18th September. To sign up or for further information, speak to Dan.
Organ Prom
On Sunday 22nd September at 11.30am, a short organ recital will be presented by Two Men One Organ, an ensemble made up of our own Nicky Miller and Alexander Goodwin, late of St Saviour's Pimlico, who will shortly be moving to the cathedral of Christchurch, New Zealand as Assistant Director of Music. The 30-minute programme will contain works by Handel, Bach, Peeters and others.
St John’s Annual Pub Quiz
Our annual quiz night returns on Thursday, 3rd October, at 7pm. Form a team of 6-8 or come on your own and join a team on the evening. Tickets are £20 and proceeds will go to the roof appeal to make this year’s loan repayments. Your ticket gets you entry to the quit as well as a succulent curry supper courtesy of Noor Jahan II. Sign up in the porch.
Harvest Sunday Family Eucharist
6th October 2019, 10am
Our annual giving of thanks for the fruit of the earth will take place on 6th October. Our theme this year will be on Food Wastage. As usual, we will be collecting dried foodstuffs for the West London Day Centre. More information will be available shortly.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club met this past week and had an enthusiastic evening discussing Rabbit, Run by John Updike. They are now reading The Ghost by Robert Harris and will be reviewing it on 30th October. For further information, please speak to Michael King.
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.
Help Robin Get to Church
Robin Plummer lives just off the Harrow Road a short drive from St John’s and needs help getting to and from church. Would you be willing to help him? There is a rota and you would be expected to help Robin approximately one Sunday per month. One of his carers would come along to help look after him. Coming to church is very special to Robin and helping him get here each week would be a real service to him.
Volunteer with a Cheer!
One of the great strengths of St John’s is the involvement of so many volunteers. Nowhere is this truer than at our Sunday services. We are profoundly grateful to everyone who takes part on the various rotas and in other ways as needed but we are always on the lookout for others who would like to be involved. If you would be willing to read a lesson, lead our prayers, carry the cross & candles, prepare and serve tea & coffee or help out in other ways, Dan and Andre would love to speak with you.
Celebrate!
Marking a special birthday? Celebrating an anniversary? Wanting to remember that special person? St John’s can help! To honour a loved one or to commemorate a special event, you can sponsor some music or flowers, have fizz & refreshments after the service - there are lots of possibilities. If you would like to observe a special occasion or honour someone special, speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
Share a Smile with St John’s
Will you be shopping over the summer for something nice for your holiday or for a birthday or anniversary present? Or as we approach the dreaded c-word in December? Whatever you do, don’t go to Amazon.co.uk! Go instead to smile.amazon.co.uk and raise some money for St John’s. When you log in you can nominate St John’s Hyde Park and then Amazon will donate .5% of the cost of your purchases to us. Feel good about getting some good deals and about supporting your parish church!
Culture Vulture Ventures
An Evening with William Shawcross
Tuesday 17th September 7.00pm at the Vicarage
Meet the Author Evening in aid of St John ‘s high roof works appeal: St John's is very fortunate that parishioner William Shawcross, recently retired chair of the Charities Commission, broadcaster, author and historian, has agreed to be the guest of honour at a Meet the Author Evening. All profits from this occasion will go towards the St John’s High Roof Works Appeal. The evening begins with a fizz and canapé reception from 7pm, followed at 7.30pm by the author’s talk on his 2009 book ‘The Queen Mother: The Official Biography’ and a question and answer session. Bring your copy if you would like the author to sign it! A two-course buffet supper with wine will then be served, with an opportunity to speak to William (and ask all those questions which you were too shy to ask earlier!). All this for £48, numbers are limited, with payment to Margaret please, cheques preferred.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
School Gate Gossip
St James & St John is a school with a proud history and an aspirational future. It provides both academic and personal development for every child, underpinned by Christian values. To quote Ofsted: "This is a good school. It is strongly supported by parents and carers. The strong provision for development of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural qualities ensures that pupils are kind to new arrivals and respect one another's values. Progress in English and mathematics is good and this reflects the good teaching and curriculum." Please feel free to visit.
Stay and Play
A community playgroup meets weekly in St John’s on Thursday mornings from 10-11.30am. 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.
