| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 07 August 2022 The 8th Sunday after Trinity |
 THE EUCHARIST SERVICE IS IN ST ANDREWS CHURCH AT 10.30Welcome First reading Genesis 15, 1-6 God introduces himself to Abraham as a shield. Something he will need as he chooses to believe God in spite of evidence to the contrary. It was surely crazy to believe that Abram would father a child with his wife. Yet this is what God promises. In the same way we are called to believe in God’s presence, even when he is invisible. Second reading Hebrews 11, 1-3 and 8-16 Living by faith is required any time we cannot see the full picture. The heroes of Hebrews 11 were heroes of faith because they persevered even when they couldn’t see the way ahead. They were obedient even though they were ridiculed. In the same way Jesus calls us to serve him even though he cannot be seen directly. Gospel reading Luke 12, 32-40. Being ready for Jesus isn’t primarily about the ‘second coming’, but about living in God’s presence. Luke was writing to the leaders of society, telling them to learn from their slaves and serve. This is how Jesus models ministry. Some of us get anxious when faced with a practical task, or the prospect of mucking in with others. Others seem to find it natural. Yet Jesus charges all his followers with the same paradigm. Service is God’s way and it must be ours too. You may not see yourself as one of the elite like Theophilus and his friends but there’s always someone who can serve. The first question is ‘How can I use my gifts to serve others?’ The second question is ‘How can I stretch myself to address the needs before me?’ It’s not enough to slumber until something shouts at us. Our charge is to be watchful, alert, active and thoughtful. Canon Brian COLLECT Almighty Lord and everlasting God, we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments; that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All Amen READINGS – RELATED Only the Gospel will be read in the morning service Genesis 15.1-6 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ But the word of the Lord came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 33.12-end 12 Happy the nation whose God is the Lord and the people he has chosen for his own. 13 The Lord looks down from heaven and beholds all the children of earth. 14 From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze on all who dwell on the earth. 15 He fashions all the hearts of them and understands all their works. 16 No king is saved by the might of his host; no warrior delivered by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; for all its strength it cannot save. 18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him, on those who wait in hope for his steadfast love, 19 To deliver their soul from death and to feed them in time of famine. 20 Our soul waits longingly for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 Indeed, our heart rejoices in him; in his holy name have we put our trust. 22 Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have set our hope on you. Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old – and Sarah herself was barren – because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’ All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. Luke 12.32-40 ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. ‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS Everlasting God, we give thanks for this new day and as we gather here to worship you we pray that we might be so filled with joy through our belief in you that our hearts overflow with love for you and for all who we meet along our journey. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer Holy God, give your wisdom and heavenly grace to all bishops, and priests and deacons, especially our Bishops Stephen and Olivia, and Archdeacon Stephen, and to all others who hold office in your church, that, by their service, faith may abound and your kingdom increase. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer Creator God, in this uncertain time as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, drive away despair from our politics, revive our dreams of justice and truth, restore our passion for what is good and right and give to our leaders wisdom and sensitivity to work for unity and the common good so that our children and grandchildren might enjoy the kind of European peace which our generation has known. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer Father God, we pray that, in our communities, all will be welcome and accepted regardless of nationality, colour or status and that we will seek always to serve God in one another Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer Loving God, we pray that all those who seek healing of body, mind or spirit will be touched by the loving hand of God and know his peace and his presence alongside them each and every step of their journey. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer Gracious God, and Lord of Life, look in mercy on the departed that they may see your salvation and find their peace and final rest in you: Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, hear these prayers we offer you in his name. By the power of your Holy Spirit work within us and among us to bring your kingdom values into this world. Let your will be done so that all people may live only for your praise and glory Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands that have taken holy things; may the ears which have heard your word be deaf to clamour and dispute; may the tongues which have sung your praise be free from deceit; may the eyes which have seen the tokens of your love shine with the light of hope; and may the bodies which have been fed with your body be refreshed with the fullness of your life; glory to you for ever. Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon last Sunday NOTICES SUNDAY EVENING EUCHARIST As it is the 1st Sunday of the month, the Evening Service on Sunday is a Eucharist in Church at 5.00pm. Readings are as for the morning service. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS No Evening Prayer on Tuesday and Thursday in August Church open for Private Prayer, every Wednesday 10.00am-12.00 Sun 07 Aug 10.30am 8th Sunday after Trinity – Family Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist – in Church Sun 14 Aug 10.30am 9th Sunday after Trinity – Family Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 21 Aug 10.30am 10th Sunday after Trinity – Family Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 28 Aug 10.30am 11th Sunday after Trinity – Family Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom PRAYERS & BEARS Prayers and Bears is now taking a break. NEXT CHURCHYARD TIDY The next, and end of season, churchyard tidy is 08 Oct 10.00am-12.00 AWAYDAY The PCC are having an awayday, a quiet day at Burnham Abbey on 10 September, all day. There are still a few places for non PCC members, so if you would like to join us, please let Revd Rosie know. PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh and Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, Patricia, Frank, Mulle, Martin and Ishbel, and Louise. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Those baptised this month: Margot Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, the head teacher Martin Tinsley and all the pupils, staff and governors. For all our Care Homes, for the safety of residents and staff. Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live or work in Shirley Avenue, Kingsbury Mews, Rutherford Close, West Crescent, East Crescent, Hatch Lane, and Firs Avenue. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church in the West Indies. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Mbeere (Kenya), Mbhashe (Southern Africa), Mbujimayi (Congo), Meath & Kildare (Ireland), Medak (South India), and Wad Medani (Sudan). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. JOB ADVERT WINDSOR CHRISTIAN ACTION FUNDRAISING CO-ORDINATOR TRUSTEE email received: Dear All, Please find links below to a job advert and job description for a Fundraising Co-ordinator Trustee for Windsor Christian Action. Please can you circulate these widely among your congregations and encourage applications – please note the closing date is 19th August. Many thanks and best wishes, Jacoby Advert Job Description WINDSOR FOODSHARE From their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare We are currently running low on tinned meat, tinned spaghetti and ladies deodorant. All items can be dropped off to the church: Dedworth Green Baptist Church, Smiths Lane, Windsor, SL4 5PE 9.30am-1.30pm Wednesdays 9.30am -3.00pm Thursdays. or alternatively they can be brought from our Amazon wish list. The address they are delivered to are saved to Amazon to make your life a little easier 😀. https://amzn.to/3a1IMAk Thankyou all for your continued support and for helping to feed local families. More information, and to donate online: https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk/food-donations Did you know that Windsor Foodshare has its own just giving page. If you are donating with just giving don’t forget to tick the gift aid box that way we get an extra 25% on top of your donation. Every single penny we get given goes to help feed local families. https://www.justgiving.com/windsorfoodshare CHURCH FINANCES – MESSAGE FROM ANDREW Thank you to everyone for all you have been able to give in this difficult time. Please 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 or if your bank doesn’t like this Parochial Church Council St Andrews Clewer Parish You may wish to consider transferring to the Parish Giving Scheme, which we promoted in previous years. Details are on our page on their web site: https://bit.ly/2XCLuCr [https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/clewer-st-andrew-windsor/] We also have the printed application forms available, please contact the Parish Office by email. CONTACTS The Parish Office is now closed. The Office Number is: 07490 094261 Email: office@clewerparish.org Parish Website: www.standrewsclewer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/standrewsclewer Churchwarden: Stuart Cockman Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |