Welcome

                       Photo large of St Johns Church

 

 

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 13th November
        • 9am - School Collective Worship*
        • 10am - Morning Prayer
           
      • Friday 14th November
        • 5:15pm for 6:30pm Sy John's Family Fireworks
           
      • Sunday 16th November
        • 8am - BCP Holy Communion
        • 11am - Reflective Worship
           
      • Thursday 20th November
        • 9am - School Collective Worship*
        • 10am - Morning Prayer
           
      • Sunday 23rd November
        • 8am - BCP Holy Communion
        • 11am - Holy Communion
           
      • Monday 24th November
        • 11am - Peggy Catton's Funeral
           
      • Thursday 27th November
        • 9am - School Collective Worship*
        • 10am - Morning Prayer
 * 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 

     2nd Sunday before Advent

 
 First Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3. 6-13  - to read click here (opens in new window or new tab)

Gospel:   Luke 21. 5-19 - 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.


ST JOHN'S@3 LIGHT PARTY 


Photos and Report
Our St John’s@3 Light Party shone bright on Sunday afternoon — a creative and fun reminder that Jesus is the light of the world.








 

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Report and Photos 

On Sunday morning, we remembered, we prayed, and we looked for hope — trusting that even in the most broken places, God is bringing life.
We will remember them.


 

  

Tickets are now on sale for FAMILY FIREWORKS at St John's School Lemsford on Friday 14th November 5:15 for 6:30pm 

Please feel free to bring your friends and family along!
For tickets please email: stjohnslemsfordlsa@gmail.com


 






Thanks from the Foodbank

Nigel says:
I have received a letter from the Foodbank thanking us for our Harvest food donations.
Although the Foodbank organiser specifically thanks us for our Harvest gifts, he is also extremely grateful to us for all the support we give to the Foodbank throughout the year.
Click on the picture of the letter to read it - it's safe

 


Exciting News! Dan Ide will be joining us at St John’s and St Michael’s as a full-time stipendiary curate
We’re delighted to share that Daniel (Dan) Ide will be joining us at St John’s and St Michael’s as a full-time stipendiary curate from July 2026. 🙌🏼
Dan is currently training for ordained ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and we can’t wait to welcome him — and to share in this next stage of his journey with God.
Please keep Dan in your prayers over the coming months as he completes his studies and prepares to begin his curacy here with us. 🙏🏽


 



ADVENT COURSE Making Room for Life - An Advent journey toward the fullness of life - 
Starting Wednesday 26 November

This Advent, take a little time for yourself — and for God.
Join us for a gentle, reflective course, exploring how to live more freely and lightly, discovering balance, peace, and renewal in the midst of a busy world.
🕯 4-week course – Wednesdays 10–11am at St Michael’s, Birchwood (coffee from 9:45am)
 📅 Starting 26 November
✨ 1-session retreat morning – Saturday 13 December, 9:30am–12:30pm at St John’s, Lemsford (coffee from 9:15am)
Each session includes readings, conversation, and quiet reflection.
No experience needed — just a willingness to explore and pause.
☕ Warm drinks • Gentle space • All welcome 🌟
“Come to me, all you who are weary… and you will find rest for your souls.”
Please let Rev Kathryn know if you plan to come to either the 4-week or morning retreat version of the course - revkathrynalford@gmail.com


 




THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE
What are your gifts and skills? How might you help St John’s flourish?
Last Sunday, Revd Kathryn shared some simple ways we can all play a part in church life. From welcoming at the door to helping with refreshments, music, or tech — every role makes a difference.
You can explore the lists here:
 👉 Sign-up link
Feel free to add your name online or on the paper versions in church. Thank you!

 
 



THE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER PARISH MAGAZINE

 

 It's time for the new parish magazine!

This edition contains the usual amazing articles from our regular contributors Rev Kathryn, Jo Holyfield, Michelle Boylan and Andy Chapman. As well as that, there's a short report on the Historic Churches Bike n'Hike from Kevin together with photos, and a lovely article from Rev. Edward & Rev. Ron.   
Printed copies will be in church and available to our deliverance team from Wednesday night.
You can, as usual, download the pdf version by clicking here



 
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


 



'IOO CLUB' OCTOBER DRAW WINNERS

The winning numbers of the October '100 Club' Draw were:

1st prize:  Number 63    £91.80
2nd prize:  Number 120  £55.08
3rd prize:  Number 91  £36.72

To join the 100 Club contact please Nigel.

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




CHURCH GIVING

Many of us are happiest giving cash rather than scanning QR codes or tapping payment cards or smartphones.
 But, if you like the QR Code, you can point your Smartphone’s camera or QR app at it, and it will let you give, or from your PC/Mac you can just click this link: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/10cd954f-25f7-46d9-8813-634634729bfa.    You can also give via the new (easy to use) card payment device – both at the back of the church - these donations go to St Johns funds.  We are planning to make the QR Codes easily accessible from the pews too



Please sign up for a spot in the Cleaning Rota
Still slots to fill!

More volunteers are needed to help us. All the  materials you'll need are provided. All that we need is your time!

Let's spread this load between us all!! Please contact the churchwardens if you would like to take a turn with cleaning. 
You can choose a date that suits you!
 

 


We continue to think of Ukraine:


Bishop Alan says we can pray, and practically we also have an option to donate to the Red Cross Appeal.

To see their appeal details, please copy and paste this link into your browser: https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal.  You may donate any amount you wish, and your cash will go towards helping people who are being affected by the crisis, by supplying them with food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter.  Donations may be made direct to the Red Cross appeal, or alternatively, you may care to donate using the QR code below.  The QR code will also be displayed in church.

If you don't do QR Codes then clicking this link on your computer goes to the same "give-a-litte" link: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/753bbfac-510a-47d8-86cf-f6a707ddc585
 

 

 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.

 


 

2026 PCC meeting dates


2nd February 2026 at 7.15 pm

 


  


    

 

 


PLEASE CAN YOU HELP

 

WE COULD REALLY DO WITH YOUR FINANCIAL HELP IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING IF YOU CAN TO SUPPORT OUR CHURCH AND OUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.

EITHER

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR QUICK DONATION PAGE

CLICK HERE


   OR

ALTERNATIVELY WE CAN NOW RECEIVE DONATIONS VIA TEXT MESSAGE BY TEXTING THE WORD LEMSFORD FOLLOWED BY A SPACE AND THEN AN AMOUNT OF YOUR DONATION, TO 70085.  FOR EXAMPLE, TO GIVE £5 TYPE LEMSFORD 5, TO GIVE £10 TYPE LEMSFORD 10.  THEN SIMPLY SEND YOUR TEXT TO 70085.  TEXTS WILL COST YOUR DONATION AMOUNT PLUS ONE STANDARD RATE MESSAGE.

MANY THANKS

 

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IMPORTANT REQUEST TO REGULAR GIVERS FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

If regular givers would prefer to make their payments by bank transfer, the bank details of the church are:

HSBC Bank.  Sort Code: 40-46-08 A/C No: 51431609

Many thanks

 

 

 

Choir practice every Sunday at 9.45 am 

Bell ringing practice every Monday evening at 7.30 pm

 

 

To email us either click the button below or go to the Who's who and Contacts page and click on the person you would like to contact.  Alternatively please use the form at the bottom of the Who's who and Contacts page.