St John of Jerusalem

You'll find service times and what's happening in the parish in the week ahead in the table immediately below.

Below that, you'll find more general information about what's happening in the month ahead.

You are warmly invited to come and join us for any of these services, or events.

Notices

There is Evening Prayer today at 5pm on Sunday 23 November 2025. For a list of Morning and Evening Prayer times in the week ahead, please see the diary overleaf.

Advent Course: Exploring the Gospel of Matthew
Join Robyn for a reflective four-week Advent journey through the Gospel of Matthew. Together we'll dive into Scripture, exploring the stories and themes that prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ at Christmas. Dates: 25th Nov, 2nd Dec, (week break), 16th Dec & 23rd Dec at 6:45pm. We will be reading Tom Wright's 'Advent for Everyone - A Journey Through Matthew' - please either purchase a copy from eden.co.uk, paperback is £8.79. Or purchase directly from Robyn for £5, she has 6 copies.

We have three new services:

- a monthly Evensong (Next Sunday, 30 Nov, 5pm)

- a monthly Thursday Night Prayer (Thurs 11 Dec, 7pm)

- a monthly Sunday Service in our church school (Pancake Church!), especially for Primary School aged children (14 Dec, 10am – please note the new time).

Advent Prayers in Stepney – the first one is here!

All 7pm-8pm, all are Mondays

1 Dec - St John of Jerusalem, South Hackney

8 Dec - St Clement King Square, EC1V 8DA

15 Dec - St John on Bethnal Green, E2 9PA

A special choir is being formed to sing at our Carol Service on Sunday 21st December. Here are the dates of the rehearsals:

Thursday 4th December, 7pm to 8.30pm

Wednesday 10th December, 7pm to 8.30pm

Wednesday 17th December, 7pm to 8.30pm

Saturday 20th December, 2pm to 4pm

Sunday 21st December, 4pm to 5.30pm (then tea break before service starts at 6pm)

If you'd like to join, please speak with Sophie, Clare, Robyn or Andrew.

Our ordinary hymn singing and Evensong practice will happen on 26 Nov. Then will begin again on Wed 14 Jan, 2026.

Hackney Festival Chorus will be performing Dvorak's "The Spectre's Bride" at 7pm on Sunday 7 December. Tickets can be booked at

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hackney-festival-ch...

Join the St John of Jerusalem choir! Next rehearsal is Wednesday 26 November, 7 - 8.30pm. The first half of the rehearsal will be focused on the hymns for the following Sunday, the second half on preparing for the monthly Evensong Service (on 30 November). People welcome to stay for half or all of the rehearsal. Do speak with Clare or Robyn if you'd like to find out more.

There is Little Tots 0-4 (under 5) Stay and Play this Tuesday

25 November (and every Tuesday during term time) 10am – 12 pm. Possible new volunteers for this, please speak with Lisa E, Robyn, Toby or Andrew.

Boxes of envelopes for weekly giving for the year ahead are now available at the back of church, for those who like to donate regularly by this method.

CHURCH BAZAAR

Our Christmas Bazaar is on Saturday 29 November, 12-3pm!

Please tell your neighbours and friends, put a poster in your window, take some flyers to post or distribute, or advertise on social media. Posters and flyers available at the back of church.

We're looking for:

• -Bottle tombola prizes
• -Tombola prizes
• -Auction and/or raffle prizes
• -Christmas hamper contributions (please see the list of suggested items at the back of church and tell us which item(s) you can contribute – please bring these to church on/by Thursday 27 November (2-7pm) so we can prepare the hamper)
• -Home produce (eg homemade jam/chutney/cakes/biscuits/gifts
• – please see the list at the back of church and tell us what you will be contributing)
• -Jewellery
• -Good quality bric-a-brac (no electrical items, clothing, highchairs, child car seats or broken items please – we can't sell them)

Donations can be left at the back of church (except for fresh items

eg cakes, which can be brought on the day)

We need help:

• -Today (Sunday 23 November), after church, to help bring things down from the tower
• -Thursday 27 November, anytime between 2-7pm, to help set up the stalls ready for the bazaar
• -Saturday 29 November, final setting up, running stalls on the day, buying lots of things(!), clearing away afterwards
• -If you are able to offer any help, do sign up on the sheet at the back of church. All help gratefully received!

(We're particularly interested in hearing from you if you'd be willing to help Annie R on a Christmas wreath-making stall during the bazaar – but ALL help welcome.)