| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 23 April 2023 The Third Sunday of Easter |
 Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio (1601) Welcome I love the road to Emmaus story! It is always an essential part of the Easter story and of course it’s a story about a journey, the journey of discipleship. There is that age-old adage…life is a journey, it is! Our life is one big journey, some shorter like our school days and our employment but all help to shape our journey through life. The two disciples on this journey, only about 7/8 miles, found their lives changed! They had been in Jerusalem, they were there with everything that had happened, all the emotions and confusion. What was that all about? When something shocking or unsettling has happened, particularly a bereavement, we find ourselves in a place where we want to walk away from it all. But also there is the need to talk about it, to keep going over what happened to try to get a grasp on it all. These two disciples were doing just that, triggered by loss and desolation, they took a journey, stepping away and talking about what happened, trying to find some sense in the tragedy. Then along comes someone who joins them, walks alongside them and listens. Another pilgrim? Certainly, Luke makes out it is a stranger. When you go on pilgrimage you meet people who you’ve never met before, strangers. Some remain strangers and some become angels! When you have that feeling of great loss, you find yourself talking, even when you would ordinarily be a very private person. Loss does something to us. This stranger listens and asks questions which the disciples find astonishing, because how come he hadn’t heard? A stranger looks at things from a different angle, Jesus/this stranger, managed to draw the disciples out of themselves, he drew out all the pent-up feelings they hadn’t been able to express. That’s what friends are for, but also strangers. This stranger then went on to interpret the scriptures, he gave everything meaning and helped them understand. That is what Jesus does! Throughout his life, Jesus interpreted the scriptures, opening up the word, explaining it all and showing how to read it. By doing so the disciples, and we too, are able to recognise who Jesus is. This stranger is invited to share a meal, a meal at which Jesus took the bread and blessed it. This stranger didn’t invite himself, he could have just walked on, if he had, then would he have become a friend or just another person they met on the road? By the sharing a meal, by showing hospitality, Jesus joined them, and the disciple’s eyes were opened, and they recognised him! God opened their eyes and enabled them to see. What did they see? This stranger was Jesus, but more importantly, the Messiah! This was a journey to shape all journeys… a journey of life itself! For these two disciples who stepped out, to walk away from the tragedy, to find sense in the chaos, struggling to find meaning to their emotions, met a stranger who became a friend who transformed their lives! Helped them to understand, from disbelief to faith. When they returned to the other disciples they found that they too had discovered the truth. Truth that Jesus is ALIVE! So however, and wherever we travel on this journey of life, there is always the possibility that our paths will cross with a stranger, where the Lord of life will reveal himself and … there is hope definitely there! Blessings for your week Revd Rosie COLLECT Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in righteousness and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All Amen READINGS Acts 2.14a, 36-41 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. Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.’ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 1 Peter 1.17-23 If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. Luke 24.13-35 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS – STUART Adapted from Leading Intercessions, by Raymond Chapman Let us pray, for the Church and for the world, and let us thank God for his goodness. As the risen Christ was made known in the beaking of bread, give grace to all Christian people through the Holy Communion. We acknowledge our failures of devotion when we come to his table.. And we pray for the Church, and all Bishops and Priests, throughout the world. We pray especially for our Archbishops Justin and Stephen. And in our area, we pray for our Bishops Stephen and Olivia; for Revd Rosie and Canon Brian. We pray for all decision makers in the Church. In the Anglican cycle of prayer we pray for the Churches in Uganda, Rwanda, Pakistan, Singapore, Myanmar, and England. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer Open the eyes of those who do not understand that Christ is near to them. May the truth of his sacrifice for our sakes be known in all the world. We pray for all those who work for peace, negotiators, and world leaders. We pray for the all the countries of the world in a state of war; we pray especially today for the people of Afghanistan. We also pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Nigeria, and Ukraine. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer Guide us to discern Christ in all our lives, in our friends and colleagues, in those that we find difficult to love. Inspire us to share the good news of the Resurrection. And in our local community, we pray for everyone in Clewer, Dedworth, and in Windsor. We pray for our Church school, Clewer Green, the head teacher Martin Tinsley and all the pupils, staff and governors. For all our Care Homes, for the safety of residents and staff. And in our Parish Cycle of Prayer, we pray for all who live in Clewer Park, Mill Lane, White Lilies Island, Stephensons Drive, Clewer Court Road, Swan Terrace, Petworth Court, and the Boatyard Flats. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer Have mercy on those who are so cast down by sorrow that they cannot feel the diving love. Lighten their darkness with the light of the new life in Christ. We pray for all in need, especially today: Blake, Sam, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, Sylvia, Mary, Gracie, and Carmel. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. And we also pray for all who have asked for our prayers, those whose needs we know, and those known to God alone. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer Abide with those whose days on Earth are spent and who now rest in Christ. Grant to all who have walked with him the fullness of his presence. And with confidence in the love of Christ who died for sinners, we commend the souls recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer We join our prayers with those of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Andrew, St Agnes, and all the Saints, as we commend ourselves, one another, and those we have prayed for, to your unfailing love. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Living God, your Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in all his redeeming work; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. AmenListen to Canon Brian’s Sermon from 16 Apr 2023 LISTEN NOTICES SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Tue & Thu, Evening Prayer at 5.00pm via Zoom Church Open every day 10.00am – 6.00pm Sun 23 Apr 10.30am Third Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship in the Churchyard 5.00pmEvensong Sun 30 Apr 10.30am Fourth Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist No Evening Service Sun 07 May 10.30am Fifth Sunday of Easter – Family Eucharist No Evening Service Sun 14 May10.30am Sixth Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist 5.00pmEvensong Thu 18 May 12.00 Ascension Day – Service of the Word 5.00pm Evening Prayer on Zoom Fri 19-Sat 20 May 5.00pm Evening Prayer on Zoom Sun 21 May10.30am Seventh Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist 5.00pmEvensong (or Evening Prayer on Zoom, TBC) Mon 22-Sat 27 May 5.00pm Evening Prayer on Zoom Sun 28 May10.30am Pentecost – Parish Eucharist 5.00pmEvensong PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, Sylvia, Mary, Gracie, and Carmel. 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 recently baptised: Antoine, Freya, Zachary, Catalaya, Mila, Jacob, Albie and Mollie. Those recently married: Rhys and Stephanie. 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. We pray also for Windsor Christian Action, and the work of the Homeless Project, Street Angels, FoodShare, and The Night Shelter. Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live in Clewer Park, Mill Lane, White Lilies Island, Stephensons Drive, Clewer Court Road, Swan Terrace, Petworth Court, and the Boatyard Flats. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for the churches in Uganda. Please pray also for the churches in these dioceses: Shyira (Rwanda), Shyogwe (Rwanda), Sialkot (Pakistan), Singapore (South East Asia), Sittwe (Myanmar), and Sodor & Man (England).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe.  The April Wild Worship is on 23rd April at 3pm in the churchyard PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL OXFORD POSTPONED Unfortunately, we have had to cancel our trip to Oxford, as we could not arrange transport. It will be rescheduled for a later date, so please look out for updates. MY TIME PRE-CORONATION LUNCH AND MORE – WED 03 MAY Save the date: ‘MyTime Pre-Coronation Lunch and More’ on Wednesday 3rd May to be held in church. We may also continue meeting for lunch on the first Wednesday of the month.  CORONATION PRAYERS We have copies of the booklet ‘Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III’. If you would like one, they are at the back of church. Donations towards their cost would be welcome. It is also available as a free download if you prefer: https://www.chpublishing.co.uk/features/coronation-prayers ST ANDREWS APCM This years’s Annual Parochial Church Meeting (sometimes known as the AGM) will be after the 10.30am service in Church on 14 May 2023.  https://www.thykingdomcome.global Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) is a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus. For more information please see the Thy Kingdom Come website TKC begins with Ascension day, 18 May, we will have a Service of the Word at 12 midday. There will be Evening Prayer on Zoom every day for the period between Ascension and Pentecost. Churches Together in Windsor will publish what’s happening where for our town in the TKC season, so please keep a look out. And a date for your diary: our town Pentecost service will be at Windsor Methodist Church at 5pm on 28 May. CHRISTIAN AID PLANT SALE AND COFFEE MORNING There will be a Christian Aid Plant sale and coffee morning at the Rectory, on 20 May from 10.30am – 12.00. Please start potting on your seedlings to sell, and plan your baking for this annual event. This year the Berkshire Birds of Prey will be joining us to help boost our fundraising. So spread the word please, get potting and baking! Joint Choral Evensong with Windsor town centre Parishes Singers welcome. If you would like to have a go at singing evensong- now is your opportunity! Sunday 21st May at 5.30pm Message from John Halsey, music director Our normal pattern is for BCP Choral Evensong at 5.30pm, preceded by Tea for choir and congregation at 4.45pm and Choir practice at 4.10pm. It might be best to bring forward Choir practice to 4.00pm on this occasion. We will also have a practice on Friday 12th May, so the list of times would be: All Saints’ Church, Frances Road, Windsor Friday 12th May – 7.35pm-8.45pm Choir Practice Sunday 21st May – 4.00pm Choir Practice – 4.45pm Tea for choir and congregation together – 5.30pm BCP Choral Evensong CHURCHYARD TIDY – MARK THE DATE – 03 JUNE The next churchyard tidy will be on the morning of Saturday 3rd June.Please see Bob Lester if you are able to help. CHRISTIAN AID REP We are still looking for someone to be our Christian Aid representative. This does not need to be a PCC member or other church official. Please see Revd Rosie if you can help. WINDSOR FOODSHARE From their Facebook and Twittter Pages: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare https://twitter.com/WindsrFoodshare CAN YOU HELP? We are very low on:Tinned Fish, Veg, & MeatPastaLong life semi skimmed milkWe have a permanent donation box at Tesco Superstore and also at Waitrose & Partners. So if you are shopping it is easy to pop a carton or 2 in. Or why not try our Wishlist on Common Good and Amazon. https://www.forcommongood.co.uk/…/giftr…/registry/215636 https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/23EUESGGRMAVZ… You can drop off to us on Wednesdays 9.30-1.30 or Thursdays 9.30-3.00 at Dedworth Green Baptist Church. We do not like to ask as we know times are tough for lots of people right now. Imagine if your whole street donated one tin each to us how this would help our stocks. 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 Emergency 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 |