Coronavirus (Covid-19)
We are delighted that you have chosen to worship with our community this morning. A special welcome to any who are joining us this morning for the first time.
We are pleased that many of the Covid restrictions have now been lifted. We know many are excited at this, but that others feel less so. While we hope there is a more relaxed feeling here at St John’s this morning, we hope that you will understand that we have chosen a gradual process of returning to normality in order that as many people feel comfortable.
You can download an order of service on the Welcome page of the website if you prefer not to use a preprinted copy : https://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/ordersofservice .
We still need to take steps to minimise the risks due to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, so we are still worshiping with some degree of caution and have drafted a new risk assessment and guidelines for worship. These have been revised to reflect the latest guidance from the Church of England and are on display in the porch and on our website at https://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/covid19guidance.
If you are displaying any of the Covid-19 symptoms – high temperature, continuous cough or a change in your normal sense of taste & smell – please do not come into church but self-isolate and arrange for a test.
Sanitiser is available for those wishing to sanitise their hands on entering the building and will be available before taking communion. We are still keeping an attendance register for a few Sundays more if you would like to sign in for track and trace purposes and the NHS QR code is available for those who wish to scan it with the app.
Orders of service have been printed in advance and placed on the chairs on Sunday morning by a member of staff.
At the collection, members of staff wearing face masks will circulate with collection plates. Place your cash or Gift Aid envelope in the plate but do not touch it.
When exchanging the peace, please do so only with others in your immediate vicinity but be respectful of those who may not wish to make physical contact.
For communion, please approach the step to the sanctuary via the central aisle. Sanitiser is available should you wish to sanitise your hands before receiving. Please keep a safe distance from those on either side. The clergy will bring the bread to you and place a wafer in your hand. If you prefer to receive a blessing instead, cross your hands over your chest. After receiving, please return to your seat via one of the side aisles.
At the end of the service, you are free to leave at your leisure. If you feel comfortable please joins us for a glass of fizz or apple juice outside on the forecourt.
Children and Young Families
We are delighted to have so many families with young children as members of our congregation. Kids’ Club takes place this morning in the hall and the children leave the service after the Collect, rejoining the service in time to take communion with their families. Toilets with changing facilities are available near the entrance of the church.
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.
Keep Calm! Keep Alert! Keep Giving!
A very big thank you to all who gave so generously in 2020. It was one of the bright spots of the year. Along with the help of the Lottery Fund and other grants, we survived the year. On behalf of Steve, Gaynor, Ian Nelson and Damon, a huge thank you for your generosity.
Who would have thought, back in the spring of last year when we began to ponder the financial hit to St John’s of the first lockdown, that we would only be easing back into normality now. This obviously brings a renewed uncertainty for life at St John’s for a second year running and, while we make every effort to watch costs and look out for help where it might be available, we ask you to remember that again this year the carpark is not always full and we have been unable to raise money through letting the church and hall. Please continue to help us if you can by contributions either on Sunday mornings in the collection plate or, alternatively, directly to our bank account. Our details are:
Name: St John the Evangelist
Bank: HSBC
Sort Code: 40-11-58
Account #: 80108251
Donations given electronically still qualify for Gift Aid as your name will appear alongside your donation. If you have any questions about giving, please speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
Living in Love and Faith: The Course
Wednesdays 13 Oct and 20 Oct 7.30pm
Join us on Wednesday! We are discussing different perspectives about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. In sessions led by Reverend Georgina, we will reflect on Christian thought about these topics and collectively feedback into the national Church of England Living in Love and Faith project. Everyone is welcome. Email revgeorginaelsey@gmail.com to let us know you when you are coming. You can find out what else we are doing with LLF at www.stjohns-hydepark.com/living-in-love-and-faith.
Music on Living in Love and Faith
To compliment the course Living in Love and Faith, the choir will be singing an anthem each week on the theme for that session.
This Week: Sex. The choir are singing Endless Pleasure, Endless Love from the end of Act 1 of Handel’s opera Semele written in 1743. Semele has been abducted by a giant eagle sent by Jupiter, who sings “Endless pleasure, endless love Semele enjoys above; On her bosom Jove reclining, useless now his thunder lies, To her arms his bolts resigning, and his lightning to her eyes.”
19 Sept Learning Together God Is Our Hope and Strength J S Bach
26 Sept Identity Seasons of Love J Larson
3 Oct Relationships Set Me As a Seal W Walton
10 Oct Sex Endless Pleasure, Endless Love G F Handel
17 Oct Living Together Ain’t It Good S Schwarz
All Souls
2nd November, 6pm
On Tuesday, 2nd November, we mark this special festival with a service at which we remember those who are part of the church community but who have died. This year the choir are singing Michael Haydn’s Requiem. During this service we remember those dear to us who have died - a is available in the porch for you to add the names of those you would like to be remembered. As part of the liturgy, there will be opportunity for you to light a candle and place it on the altar in remembrance of your loved ones.
Jenny Clark Memorial Concert 2021
Our annual Jenny Clark Memorial Concert this year is on the 14th November after the 10am service. Helen May, soprano choral scholar here from 2018-2020 will be singing at this year’s concert accompanied by Lysianne Chen. This is always an excellent musical feast so be sure this date is marked in your diaries now!
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.
