Weekly News

He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4
 
SERVICES THIS WEEK
SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER
10am Communion Service 
Live-streamed on our website and YouTube channel.
The Rock children's group (for children aged 3-11) meets during the service
Bible Passage: Ruth 3
Preacher: Andy Brown

6pm Evening Service
BOSS youth group (ages 11-18) takes place during this service starting with a meal at 5.30pm
Title: Ruth 3
Preacher: Andy Brown
There will be no church tea at this service

MONDAY 15 December
8pm St John's Online
Growing on the Frontline
Click here to join St John's Online
 
 
Tickets also available on the door.
 
Church Christmas Card
There is a beautiful Church Christmas card, painted by a member of the Watercolour on Wednesday group, at the back of church for people to sign instead of buying lots of individual Christmas cards for our church family.  Donations this year will go towards St Catherine's Hospice and can be placed in an envelope in the offertory bowl marked 'Church Christmas card' or given via the card reader.
Click here to hear more about how St Catherine's helps people
 
Women's Breakfast 

The next St John's Church women's breakfast will take place on Saturday 31st Jan 9.30-11am. Frankie Knight will be our guest speaker, looking at the subject of how God doesn't change (and why that's a good thing) and how we do change (and why that's a good thing!).
Frankie has been involved in schools ministry and student ministry in the past, and is now a full-time mum to baby Jonah. Her husband Joel is the minister of a church in Wokingham.
Do come and join us as we spend time together over a delicious bacon breakfast, singing, praying and listening to a talk.
No need to book; entry free but small donations towards food costs welcome.
For further information or if you have any questions, please speak to Elizabeth Purdy, Mary Wooldridge (morning service) or Caroline Kettlewell (evening service), or email the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
Tearfund Big Quizzers transformed 43,000 lives
Thank you to the St. John's family for their support of the Tearfund Big Quiz. We raised just over £1,250 and Tearfund have just announced that, 'the 500 churches that took part have raised a wonderful total of £129,893 which is equivalent to 43,297 lives transformed' adding, 'We’re incredibly thankful for big quizzers like you and your community! You’ve all played a huge part in helping people lift themselves out of poverty and fulfilling their God-given potential'.
 
An Evening with Pastor Mwai
Gordon and Brenda Wilkinson will be travelling to St Peter’s Church, Brighton & Hove on Monday 16th February for  An Evening with Pastor Mwai, a church leader from Malawi. If you would like to join them, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 07813 914919. The event will run from 6:30pm to 9pm and the Wilkinsons can take two people in their car. Tickets are in high demand!
This will be a special evening because, for the first time, Tearfund is bringing one of its Transforming Communities project participants to the UK to share inspirational stories in person. Pastor Mwai offers a rare and powerful insight into how local churches are helping their communities lift themselves out of extreme poverty. You’ll hear Malawi stories, be able to ask questions, and be encouraged by lives changed through Tearfund’s work. Pastor Mwai will be joined by Vincent Moyo, Tearfund’s Country Director for Malawi. Together, they will share an inspiring account of hope, resilience and lasting transformation—told through real stories of communities thriving in remarkable ways.
 
Update on the Bertins
It was great to hear more about the Bertins from their friend and fellow missionary, Andy Walker, last week. As promised, here is a photo of the Bertin family. Centre: Jony & Jenny, left: Matias, middle: Felipe, right: Emma. Click here to read their latest newsletter. If you would like to receive their newsletter regularly, please contact Phil Tadman.
 
 
What's happening at St John's next week
Wednesday 17 December
6.45am Prayer in the hall
Thursday 18 December
9.30 - 11am JAM Toddler Group
 
SERVICES NEXT WEEKEND

SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER
10am Morning Service followed by monthly Prayer Meeting
Live-streamed on our website and YouTube channel.
Title: Ruth 4
Preacher: Nick Wooldridge

6pm Carols by Candlelight
Preacher: Nick Wooldridge
There will be no youth group during this service. The youth are welcome to join in with the service.
 
 
Donate your used ink cartridges by putting them in the box in the church office.  ARocha will receive between 10p-£1.00 for every cartridge donated (depends on the cartridge type). Find out more information here. So far your used ink cartridges have raised £34.55 for ARocha.
 
PRAYER FOR THIS WEEKEND

Dear Lord: In this Advent of expectation draw us together in mission, that the hope within might be the song we sing, and the melody of our lives.