St John's Church LemsfordWelcome
Please click on the link below to watch an aerial video of the church and listen to our bells.
Drone photography courtesy of https://www.upaerial.co.uk
Welcome, and thank you for visiting our website.
Our church is situated in the picturesque village of Lemsford, close to Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City and opposite Brocket Hall.
We warmly welcome all visitors to our church and we would love you to come to one of our services or events. We hope that you find what you are looking for in these pages, but if you have any questions and would like to speak to someone about the church, please do contact one of the team members listed in the Who's Who and Contacts page.
We look forward to seeing you.
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WHAT'S ON AT ST JOHN'S IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AT A GLANCE
- Thursday 4th June
- 10am - Morning Prayer
- 10am - Morning Prayer
- Sunday 7th June
- 8am - Quiet Communion (BCP)
- 11am - All Together Holy Communion with Baptism*
- Thursday 11th June
- 10am - No Morning Prayer - Revd Kathryn away
- 10am - No Morning Prayer - Revd Kathryn away
- Sunday 14th June
- 11am - Holy Communion with Sunday Club*
- 11am - Holy Communion with Sunday Club*
- Thursday 18th June
- 10am - No Morning Prayer - Revd Kathryn away
* Children are welcome at all
our services, but these services and events are especially suitable for
families and children (as well as people of all other ages!)
- Readings
First Sunday after Trinity
First Reading: Genesis 29:15-28 - to read click here (opens in new window or new tab)
Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 - to read click here (opens in new window or new tab)
CAR PARKING
Because
car parking at the church is becoming difficult, we are opening
up the school playground on Sunday mornings for everyone to use. The
playground is at the back of the school, and is large enough to
accommodate about 30 cars. Please do use this area to park in, but take
extra care when exiting into the street as cars do tend to speed up and
down the hill.
THIS SUNDAY AT 11am
This Sunday at 11am we’re thinking about a simple but important question: who does Jesus invite into God’s story?
We’ll also be celebrating 4 baptisms, as Lukey, Benji, Austin and Beverley are welcomed into that same story of faith.
We'd love to see you at this service for all ages.
We’ll also be celebrating 4 baptisms, as Lukey, Benji, Austin and Beverley are welcomed into that same story of faith.
We'd love to see you at this service for all ages.
REPORT AND PHOTOS FROM OUR SPECIAL SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING AND REMEMBRANCE
A reflective afternoon remembering those we’ve loved and lost - in worship and conversation with new and old friends.
We were again treated to great weather - 21C - perfect and the rain stayed away. It was a really beautiful service.
Not wanting to take from the privacy of the service we catch up later when everyone is enjoying tea and cake.
Our next service of thanksgiving and remembrance is on 25th October at 4pm. All welcome.
A reflective afternoon remembering those we’ve loved and lost - in worship and conversation with new and old friends.
We were again treated to great weather - 21C - perfect and the rain stayed away. It was a really beautiful service.
Not wanting to take from the privacy of the service we catch up later when everyone is enjoying tea and cake.
Our next service of thanksgiving and remembrance is on 25th October at 4pm. All welcome.
Report and Photos from All Together Pentecost (Whit Sunday)
We have recently celebrated Pentecost — the moment an invisible helper showed up and changed everything for a group of frightened, hiding people.
With the help of some rather misbehaving balloons, we explored what it might look like for that same Spirit to breathe courage and life into our own situations today.
We wrote those situations on balloons to take home — with an invitation to blow them up this week as we prayed: Come, Holy Spirit.
If you couldn't make it this morning, why not try it at home?
We were also so glad to mark Saturday night's confirmation of Clare and Evie with the whole congregation this morning.
And finally, special mention to the younger members of the congregation who read and deaconed today — what a fantastic job they did.
A truly Spirit-filled day!
We have recently celebrated Pentecost — the moment an invisible helper showed up and changed everything for a group of frightened, hiding people.
With the help of some rather misbehaving balloons, we explored what it might look like for that same Spirit to breathe courage and life into our own situations today.
We wrote those situations on balloons to take home — with an invitation to blow them up this week as we prayed: Come, Holy Spirit.
If you couldn't make it this morning, why not try it at home?
We were also so glad to mark Saturday night's confirmation of Clare and Evie with the whole congregation this morning.
And finally, special mention to the younger members of the congregation who read and deaconed today — what a fantastic job they did.
A truly Spirit-filled day!
SUNDAY 28th JUNE at 3pm - St JOHN's@3 - WILD SUMMER WORSHIP
Join us for a relaxed gathering for all ages.
We'll be getting outdoors and exploring faith together in simple, creative ways.
Expect activities for children and adults, story, music, prayer, conversation, and cake!
Meet outside St John’s Church Annexe (around the back of church)
Please come dressed for the weather.St John’s@3 is informal interactive church for everyone — especially families, children, and anyone looking for something informal and relaxed.
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THE YEAR OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND WELLBEING
This year, St Albans Diocese invites us all to embark on a journey of reconnecting with our faith and discovering the renewing life of the Holy Spirit. There’s a wonderful new website full of opportunities, including retreats, quiet days (some specially for churchwardens), pilgrimage walks, talks, online accompanied prayer weeks, courses, and a special summer Cathedral celebration.
You’ll also find resources for prayer, as well as helpful guidance to care for your own wellbeing.
Why not take a look? You can book events directly, but if something catches your eye and you’d like some company, let us know, and we can see if others would like to join in too.
Visit: year.stalbansdiocese.org
This year, St Albans Diocese invites us all to embark on a journey of reconnecting with our faith and discovering the renewing life of the Holy Spirit. There’s a wonderful new website full of opportunities, including retreats, quiet days (some specially for churchwardens), pilgrimage walks, talks, online accompanied prayer weeks, courses, and a special summer Cathedral celebration.
You’ll also find resources for prayer, as well as helpful guidance to care for your own wellbeing.
Why not take a look? You can book events directly, but if something catches your eye and you’d like some company, let us know, and we can see if others would like to join in too.
Visit: year.stalbansdiocese.org
'IOO CLUB' MAY DRAW WINNERS
The winning numbers of the May '100 Club' Draw were:
1st prize: Number 23 £91.80
2nd prize: Number 16 £55.08
3rd prize: Number 78 £36.72
To join the 100 Club please contact Nigel.
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Public Notice
In the Consistory Court of the Diocese of St Albans
In the parish of Lemsford
Church of Lemsford, St John the Evangelist
NOTICE IS GIVEN that we are applying to the Consistory Court of the diocese for permission to carry out the following:
To make permanent the use of a small freestanding table as a moveable altar in the nave at small 8 am services of Holy Communion, following the introduction of such a table under a Temporary Minor Reordering Licence which was granted in 2023 under case number 071540-1023D.
To make permanent the use of a small freestanding table as a moveable altar in the nave at small 8 am services of Holy Communion, following the introduction of such a table under a Temporary Minor Reordering Licence which was granted in 2023 under case number 071540-1023D.
Copies of the relevant plans and documents may be examined at Church Annexe and on a publicly accessible website at www.stjohnschurchlemsford.org
Petitioners:
1. MR NIGEL JOHNSON - CHURCHWARDEN
2. REV KATHRYN ALFORD - MINISTER
3. MRS LORRAINE DEWAR - CHURCHWARDEN
Date 26/05/2026
If you wish to object to any of the works or proposals you should send a letter or email stating the grounds of your objection to The Diocesan Registrar at St Albans Diocesan Registry, Winckworth Sherwood LLP, Arbor, 255 Blackfriars Road, LONDON, SE1 9AX or by email to stalbansregistry@wslaw.co.uk so that your letter reaches the registrar not later than Thursday
25 June 2026. A letter of objection must include your name and address and state whether you live in the parish and/or your name is entered on the church electoral roll of the parish or any other basis on which you have an interest in the matter.
FOOD BANK
Our
local Food Bank at the New Zion Christian Fellowship church would
appreciate receiving donations of food and other things from us now and
all year round. It would be wonderful if you could support them by
bringing various things in on Sunday mornings, and placing them in the
big plastic box which will be placed in the porch. The sort of things
the Food Bank would like to receive are:
- All food with good sell by dates (tins of fruit and veg, jams, packets of cereal, coffee, tea, long life milk and so on)
- Toiletries such as shampoo and conditioner and toilet rolls
- Cleaning products (kitchen and bathroom cleaners etc)
We are asked not to donate clothes.
Nigel will arrange to take our offerings to the New Zion church every Wednesday morning.COULD YOU BE A ST JOHN'S SCHOOL FOUNDATION GOVERNOR?
St John’s school currently has a vacancy for a Foundation Governor. Foundation Governors are nominated by the PCC, represent the Church of England on the Board, and help ensure that the Christian ethos of the school is maintained.
Please pray and think about whether you - or someone you know - would make a great governor. They don’t need to be a member of St John’s church, but would need to be able to fulfil the role description above.
As a governor myself, I promise you that it’s an extremely rewarding (and often fun) role, and is manageable alongside other responsibilities.
Please contact me if you’re interested.
Rev Kathryn
St John’s school currently has a vacancy for a Foundation Governor. Foundation Governors are nominated by the PCC, represent the Church of England on the Board, and help ensure that the Christian ethos of the school is maintained.
Please pray and think about whether you - or someone you know - would make a great governor. They don’t need to be a member of St John’s church, but would need to be able to fulfil the role description above.
As a governor myself, I promise you that it’s an extremely rewarding (and often fun) role, and is manageable alongside other responsibilities.
Please contact me if you’re interested.
Rev Kathryn
CHURCH GIVING We greatly value, and desperately need, your financial support to help with the running of St John's Church. We are always delighted to receive weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual or ad hoc donations, and these can be made in the following different ways:
MANY THANKS INDEED |
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HOME INSURANCE If you need to take out, or renew, a home insurance policy, please think of using Ecclesiastical Insurance as they will donate £130 to the church through their Trust 130 Promotion. All you need to do is to say that the donation is to go to St John's Church, Lemsford. Find out more at www.ecclesiastical.com/trust130 or call their team on 0800 783 0130 and quote Trust 130. |
Please sign up for a spot in the Cleaning Rota or to help with refreshments after our Sunday services
More volunteers are needed to help us. All the materials you'll need for church cleaning are provided. All that we need is your time.
Please contact the churchwardens if you would like to take a turn with either cleaning or by helping with refreshments
You can choose dates that suit you.
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2026 PCC meeting dates 2nd February 2026 at 7.15 pm 20th April at 7.15 pm APCM - 10th May at 12 noon 16th May 2026 Away morning at Codicite Church at 9.30 am 14th July 2026 at 7.15 pm 29th September 2026 at 7.15 pm |
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