WELCOME –  Church at Home continues, thank you for joining us as we worship together from our homes. Together in faith we light a candle to remind us of the light of Christ, bringing hope and love in this time of waiting. We are waiting for this to be over and it will, but to me, it feels like we are stuck in the waiting of Holy Saturday. I was reminded by my friend Sarah, of the day we spent waiting in the queue to visit the Tomb of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. During that time we all talked, listened, shared stories and learnt more about each other than we had done all week during our meals! Now as we continue to wait, more than ever we need to listen to each other and share stories, a phone call, a text, an email or a distance chat on the doorstep. Waiting for a return to our release, but not return to the norm, but a new beginning, a chance to make a new ‘norm’. Perhaps you would like to share with us all how you are coping, where is your encouragement coming from and how your faith is holding you in this time?
How was your Holy Week and Easter for you? We’d love to hear your stories.
A new day will dawn, the resurrection will come, we will meet again!
Blessings. Revd Rosie

In the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Grace, mercy and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
and also with you.
 
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
 
­Almighty God,
your Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence.
Give us new hearts and constant wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
 
COLLECT
 
Almighty Father,
you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification:
grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness
that we may always serve you
in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

READINGS
 
Acts 2.14a, 22-32
 
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
 
22 ‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says concerning him,
“I saw the Lord always before me,
   for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
   moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
   or let your Holy One experience corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
   you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”
 
29 ‘Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
“He was not abandoned to Hades,
   nor did his flesh experience corruption.”
32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.
This is the word of the Lord.
 
Psalm 16
 
1  Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge;
   I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my lord,
      all my good depends on you.’
2  All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land,
   upon those who are noble in heart.
3  Though the idols are legion
      that many run after,
   their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
      neither make mention of their names upon my lips.
4  The Lord himself is my portion and my cup;
   in your hands alone is my fortune.
5  My share has fallen in a fair land;
   indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
6  I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel,
   and in the night watches he instructs my heart.
7  I have set the Lord always before me;
   he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
8  Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices;
   my flesh also shall rest secure.
9  For you will not abandon my soul to Death,
   nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit.
10  You will show me the path of life;
      in your presence is the fullness of joy
   and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
 
1 Peter 1.3-9
 
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
 
John 20.19-end
 
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
 
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
 
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28 Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
 
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

REFLECTION – Canon Brian Shenton
“Jesus came and stood amongst them and said, ‘Peace be with you.'” (St. John 20:19)

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7th 1941 came as a huge, unexpected shock. This hostile action came in the context of a tense relationship between the USA and Japan, which had existed for many years. Japan was the subject of sanctions and in the months immediately preceding the attack both countries had been involved in unsuccessful talks. This was further complicated when the Japanese government fell. The new government requested the lifting of sanctions in return for an undertaking not to attack south east Asia. The USA counter-proposal was that the Japanese should completely withdraw from China. The day before the proposal was delivered, Japan’s task force set off for Pearl harbour.  The motivation was to distract the USA from Japan’s actions in south east Asia because Japan thought that the USA Pacific fleet might intervene. The outcome was that the USA became involved in the Second World War.

Despite the obvious build-up in tension, the attack itself came as a complete surprise.

The day we now know as Easter Day was a complete shock to Jesus’ followers. Although he had been teaching them that he would die and rise again, it really hadn’t sunk in. Who can blame them? It’s hard to imagine being able to engage with such teaching. The events in today’s Gospel take place in the evening. So far, John tells us, Jesus has appeared only to Mary Magdalene and she has told the disciples that she has seen him, but we are not told what they made of her story Jesus appears to the disciples unexpectedly, in the locked room where they were hiding, and says, “Peace be with you”; he follows it up with a commission: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

It is hard to imagine how the disciples must have felt. First someone manages to get into the room although the door is locked. Then they recognise that person as Jesus, who they are quite sure is dead, except for a story told by Mary Magdalene earlier. He shows them his hands and side to prove it really is him, and they barely have time to accept it before he is sending them out to teach others. But in between he gives them his peace a second time.

If they had imagined this scenario, the disciples might have expected Jesus to begin by saying something like “It’s me. Don’t worry or panic. I told you I would rise from the dead, and here I am. Are you all okay?” Perhaps he might have allowed them to ask some questions. But it doesn’t happen like that at all. His peace is sufficient – he moves straight on to telling them what to do next, and it is a big ask.

Perhaps the USA should have seen Pearl Harbour coming. There had been plenty of build-up. But war came out of the blue. In the same way, the peace of Jesus came out of the blue for the disciples. But peace, as is often said, is not just the absence of war. Instead, it is something active. It is not like comfortable relaxation in a spa or putting your feet up with a book all day. In peacetime countries can work to improve the collective life of their citizens. The economy can be improved, cultural life can flourish, better social services can give security to the vulnerable.

If we have really engaged emotionally with the events of Holy Week this year, we will, again, have felt the surprise of Easter Day, and the surprise of Jesus’ Easter peace. This more than any other kind of peace, requires us to do something. Jesus sends us, as the Father sent him, whatever that may mean in practice for each one of us today. As Pearl Harbour set off a train of events for the USA in 1941, so the shock of the peace of Jesus is the beginning of something for us. We must not simply sit back and reflect on the amazing story. Instead, we must go out in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now! Four things for you to remember or forget!
1. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 came as a huge shock even though there was a build-up of tension. The result was the US entry into the Second World War.
2. Jesus appeared in the locked room where the disciples were sheltering, which must have been a huge shock for them. He gave them his peace and sent them out, as the Father had sent him.
3. Peace allows countries to develop. In the absence of war, if they are to make the most of peace , they do not sit back and do nothing.
4. The peace of Jesus, a shock that comes when it seems all is lost, impels us to take action in the power of the Holy Spirit..

PRAYERS – Dennis Evans
 
Let us pray
 
Oh Lord we come to you again with our many fears and concerns and indeed our thanks for all you have done for us.
 
We pray today for our Archbishops, Bishops, priests and deacons as they seek to support and sustain the church family, and the community more widely, in a time of the greatest uncertainty.
 
Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
 
Lord you know better than we can ever express, the anxiety and real concern for the future that we all have as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. These fears take so many forms that the stress can be almost overwhelming. But we know that beyond our cares lies the reassurance of the message of your Son that none are forgotten and that his grace and peace can calm our worries and that all will be well.
 
We pray first for those who are ill; not just suffering from the Coronavirus but from all debilitating and concerning conditions. May they know the comfort of your presence and your voice calming their fears.
 
Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
 
We pray for all those who are doing their best to care for the ill in our medical and care services whilst themselves being anxious for their own health and that of those they love. Lord in serving others in this  selfless way they are doing what You have commanded in the clearest way possible. Fortify and support them O Lord. Let us be deeply grateful to them not just now but in the future.
 
Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
 
We pray for all those who are striving to keep to maintain our vital services in particular in the emergency services, teachers, and the food supply service, especially supermarket staff; people who alas we have often taken for granted.
 
Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy ,hear us.
 
We pray for all who are deeply affected by enforced self isolation: those who were very lonely before this crisis and those suffering mental illness, especially anxiety and depression.
 
Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us.
 
We pray for all those who are particularly vulnerable: the homeless; those in precarious and poorly-paid jobs and all those who even before this crisis, were just getting by.
 
We pray for those other parts of the world without our kind of health service.  For them, your children, life is hard and unpredictable enough without the threat of the Coronavirus.
 
Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us
 
We pray for a world which struggles to live justly and in peace. We pray for those who have daily to search for food or walk a long way for clean water. We remember with sadness those whose lives are cut short by disease or violence and those who have fled their homes in fear. We pray for those who face persecution and torture with dignity.
 
Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy, hear us
 
Despite our own pre-occupations we pray that you will give us the divine gift of generosity in our time, our love and our money – which is needed now more than ever.   We are so often niggardly and grudging in the sharing of our blessings. Let us give with a cheerful and unstinting heart
 
Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us.
 
These  days are a time of great anxiety for us all and distress and grief for many in this country and overseas. Yet it has also seen a new bonding between previous strangers and countless acts of kindness often at great personal risk.  But they have also led many   to reflect deeply on their priorities and on our relationships with, and responsibility for, others. Lord when we are able to think more  clearly about the future,  give us the courage to regard this present crisis as a real turning point  Give us the  resolve to  consider anew how we order our personal and political affairs to produce a fairer world  based clearly on your teachings.
 
Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us, accept our prayers, and be with us always. Amen.
 
Followed by the Lord’s Prayer.

BLESSING

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen

THIS EVENING

Sunday BCP evening prayer will continue at 5pm via a Zoom link. We will send out the meeting details, with the order of service, and the readings, on Sunday.

EP Readings
Psalm 31.1-5
Daniel 6.1-23
Mark 15.46-47 & 16.1-8

PLEASE PRAY FOR
 
Healing: Blake, Sam Evans, Reuben, Margaret, David, Don, Karl, Hugh, Sarah, Elsie, Lesley, Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn.
 
The lately departed: Brian Johnson, Sylvia Morrissy, April Reardon and those whose anniversary falls at this time.
 
Community prayers: Clewer Green School, the head teacher Martin Tinsley and all the pupils, staff and governors.
 
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live in Clewer Park, Mill Lane, White Lilies Island, Clewer Court Road, Swan Terrace, Petworth Court and the Boatyard Flats. And our community pub, The Swan.
 
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Pray for the Church of Ireland, and the churches in Montana, Wiawso (West Africa), Igbomina – West (Nigeria), Montreal (Canada), Willochra (Australia), Ijebu (Nigeria), Ijebu – North (Nigeria), Moosonee (Canada), Moray, Ross & Caithness (Scotland), Windward Islands (West Indies), Wondurba (South Sudan), Morobo (South Sudan), Worcester (England), Morogoro (Tanzania), Wulu (South Sudan), and Ijesa North East (Nigeria).
 
Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe.

NOTICES
Seriously! We’d love to hear from you and share your stories.
Please email them to
rector@clewerparish.org or office@clewerparish.org

Church Finances- message from Andrew
With the suspension of church services our income is likely to fall and, while some of our costs will be reduced, others will be incurred whether we are “open for business” or not. In the light of this suspension of services you might like to consider continuing your regular giving by paying directly to our bank account, the details of which are:
HSBC Bank, High Street, Windsor
Sort Code: 40-47-37
Account number: 11373366 
Account name: PCC St Andrews Church

Symbols of hope and happiness – I would like to set you all a creative challenge. How about knitting or crocheting symbols of hope and happiness, flowers, hearts, crosses, doves etc. Any colours and shape. Then when we are able to gather, we can join them all together to make an altar frontal or a banner, in celebration of faith, hope and love. Let me know if you’d like to join in. Revd Rosie
Pictures can be posted to the St Andrews Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/standrewsclewer
 
Self Isolation Choir – The Self Isolation Choir has been specially formed in response to the global impact of the Coronavirus. Singers from around the world can join and take part in the events and activities organised by the choir in their own home. The first event will be singing Handel’s Messiah.
https://www.choraline.com/self-isolation-choir
 
Rectors Board – You may remember that we hoped to have the Rectors board, with the newly added names, back up again by Easter. In fact it was put back up just before we closed the Church a few weeks ago. Thank you to everyone who contributed towards the cost of the inscription work. And thanks to Vikki for arranging the carving and getting it back on the wall.
 
Bible Challenge – At the moment we are doing this as a WhatsApp group call, please contact the Parish Office on office@clewerparish.org to be added to the group.

Windsor Foodshare – are now putting boxes in various locations in the area for donations. They welcome all non-perishable foods. At the moment they are short of cooking sauces, tinned vegetables, tinned tomatoes, tinned meat/fish, squash/cordial, tea/coffee. They have plenty of pasta, rice, soup and long-life milk. Details on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare/ Boxes near to us include:

NORTH OF DEDWORTH ROAD 22 Testwood Road, 29 Clifton Rise, 1 Winch Terrace, Tinkers Lane- opposite Bruce Walk, 50 East Crescent, 5 Haslemere, 43 Mill Lane, 10 Clewer Park SOUTH OF DEDWORTH ROAD 1 Sydney Road, 45 Poolmans Road, 218 and 160 Clewer Hill Road, 17 St Andrews Crescent, 15 Carter Close, 17A St Johns Road, Corner of Rydings/Perrycroft -by the postbox, Meryton House Longbourn, 14 Clewer Ave, 2 Winkfield Road, 37 Illingworth EAST OF IMPERIAL ROAD 12 York Avenue, 7 College Crescent 25/33 St Leonards Ave, 348 St Leonards Road, 40 Deveraux Road, 42 Alma Road, 175 Clarence Road   83 Duke St, 41 Nightingale Walk, ONLY for residents of Windsor Castle – 21 Horseshoe Cloisters, ONLY for residents of Queens Acre – 22 Queens Acre

CONTACTS
The Parish Office is now closed.
Sharon (our administrator) is currently on furlough.
 
Out of hours office number: 07490 094261
Email:  office@clewerparish.org   –  Stuart will pick up any emails

Revd Rosie Webb: rector@clewerparish.org
Tel: 01753  852334
 
Parish website: www.standrewsclewer.org
 
Churchwarden: Stuart Cockman
 
 Pastoral helpline number: 07946 590223