| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 03 December 2023 St Andrew / 1st Sunday of Advent |
 WELCOME – ST ANDREW / ADVENT SUNDAY The last week in November, the week in the year when I remember moving into the Rectory here in Clewer. A driveway, a study as big as the living room, a jungle for a garden, a garage and three lofts! Ten years on, the garden has become an oasis in the midst of busy parish ministry, a place where the number of squashes and courgettes grown each year is a topic of discussion at the allotments, where people came to walk around when going out was difficult, a place where cups of tea and plates of scones are served up in an instant, a place of pondering over plants, a place of teddy bear picnics and toddler graduation ceremonies. A place where tears are shared, and the sound of laughter carries over the wall. A place of calm and a place of storm, a place of fruitful activity, and a place of waiting for words to come. This is our boat. St Andrew’s feast day falls right on the cusp of Advent Sunday, and it is our custom here in Clewer to hold St Andrew in the morning and our Advent carol service in the evening. In the morning we reflect on the call to follow as St Andrew and then turn our thoughts towards the incarnation. As we know, St Andrew was one of the first called disciples, a fisherman, leave your nets and follow. Don’t we love a metaphor, Jesus did! Our call to follow meant sailing our boat out towards which ever direction it took, and ours sailed into Clewer. It is a real blessing and privilege to harbour here, to get to know a community, to understand it’s tides, to weather the storms and to encourage others on their journeys, to reflect on empty nets and try the other side even when there seems to be no point! I am never ceased to be amazed by what the net brings in. Our Advent journey is a time for us to reflect, to be honest with God, to sort out all the knots and tangles in the net, to repair the holes and allow God in. We may feel that we are all in our individual boats, but we are also part of a fleet, a fleet of God’s people here in Clewer. After all, God has given us the boat, Jesus is the one who saves us from the storms of life and calms the storms, and the Holy Spirit sets our course and guides us. Where our boat will be in another 10 years time…I don’t know, but I will continue to follow where God calls me to be and be thankful. Thank you for 10 years in Clewer. The prayer of the Breton fisherman Dear God, be good to me, the sea is so wide and my boat is so small. Amen Blessings for your week Revd Rosie COLLECT Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Saint Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ and brought his brother with him: call us by your holy word, and give us grace to follow you without delay and to tell the good news of your kingdom; 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. Amen READINGS FOR THE FEAST OF ST ANDREW Isaiah 52.7-10 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’ Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Romans 10.12-18 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for ‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. Matthew 4.18-22 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake – for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Everlasting God, as we come before you at the start of the Season of Advent we ask you to prepare us for the coming, of your son Jesus Christ and to hear us when we pray in faith for the needs of the Church and the world and to thank you for your goodness. Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer Mighty God, we pray for your church today, gathering worldwide in churches, chapels and cathedrals, to praise you and to hear your holy word. Give us a sense of expectation as we come and inspiration as we go.We pray for your blessing on all those who lead, preach and teach and we pray especially for our own clergy here in Clewer as they seek to do your will and guide us through our spiritual and worldly journey through Advent, until the day when we celebrate together the birth of your Son on Christmas Day. Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer Creator God, drive away despair from our politics, revive our dreams of justice and truth, and restore our passion for what is good and right. Establish your just and gentle rule throughout the world especially where there is conflict; where peace seems so far away and so many have lost everything, even the faint hope of a peaceful future. Govern the hearts and minds of all world leaders and those in authority that they may act justly, honestly and according to your will especially at this time. Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer Father God, we pray for those amongst our families, friends and neighbours who will only see in Advent a hectic and worrying run-up to the excesses of a secular Christmas. Help us as we try to set an example of a true spirit of preparation for that incredibly precious gift of the Christ-child. May they see in our Services our Carols and Christingles, whether in church or online, the true meaning of Christmas and experience your love for them through the giving of your Son, Jesus Christ Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer Merciful God, we pray for those for whom this day will be long and painful, for those in hospital or ill at home, those struggling with despair or depression and for all who care for them. Comfort and heal all who suffer, give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer Loving God we pray for those who have recently died and for those for whom this day will be their last. Be near to all who mourn and comfort them with the knowledge that in the coming of your son Jesus the gates of heaven will be opened wide for all who accept him as Lord and Saviour. Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer Advent Lord, as we move into a new liturgical year, draw near to us, strengthen our faith, deepen our love for you and for our neighbours and open our eyes to the wonder of your creation, so that when our Saviour comes he may find our hearts ready to receive him. Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen POST COMMUNION Lord God, the source of truth and love, keep us faithful to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, united in prayer and the breaking of bread, and one in joy and simplicity of heart, in Jesus Christ our Lord.. Amen NOTICES EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY Sunday’s Evening Service is our Advent Carol Service at 5.00pm, including the blessing and sending out of the Posada. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS Church Open every day 10.00am to Dusk Sun 03 Dec 10.30am All Age Eucharist – Feast of St Andrew 5.00pm Advent Carol Service Sun 10 Dec10.30am Parish Eucharist – Advent 2 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 17 Dec 10.30am Parish Eucharist – Advent 3 5.00pm Lessons and Carols by Candlelight Sun 24 Dec 10.30am Parish Eucharist – Advent 4 3.00pm Crib Service 11.00pm Midnight Mass (Carols from 10.30) Mon 25 Dec10.30am Parish Eucharist – Christmas Day PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Hugo, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Diane, Sylvia, Mary, Gracie, Carmel, Christine, and Vivienne. 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: Weddings: 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 or work in Byron Court, Mayfield Close, Kimber Close, Harrington Close, Sherbourne Drive, Woodland Avenue, and Illingworth Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for the Church of North India. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Barbados (West Indies), Bari (Nigeria), Baringo (Kenya), Barisal (Bangladesh), Barrackpore (North India), and Bath and Wells (England). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. FUNDRAISING FOR A NEW SOUND SYSTEM We are raising money to pay for a new sound system for St Andrews, to replace the aging system we use currently. If you can help, please use our bank account (details in Andrew’s message below) or via our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/standrews-clewer ADVENT WHATSAPP GROUP If you would like to sign up to receive a message each day in Advent, please add your name and mobile number on the sheet in Church, or email the office at office@clewerparish.org   SUNDAY 03 DEC As well as celebrating St Andrews All Age Eucharist, we will also be celebrating Revd Rosie’s 10th anniversary of being with us in Clewer. Please stay for nibbles and refreshments after the service.     Copies of he latest issue of our Diocese magazine Pathways are available in church. It can also be read online: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/news/media-centre/pathways/ BRF (BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP) NOTES FOR JAN TO END APRIL The next set of BRF notes are now available for £5, please see Mulle.   CHOCOLATE DONATIONS PLEASE At the Fair there will be a Chocolate Tombola, so donations please for it. Thanks. SCHOOL CAROL SERVICE Help needed – Welcomers for Clewer Green School’s carol services at church – 13th Dec at 2pm and 14th Dec at 6pm. CHRISTMAS SPRING CLEAN – Friday 15th at 10am Time to clean up and decorate the church ready for Christmas. Come and help us sweep, polish, dust and decorate the Lord’s house on Friday 15th at 10am, we’ll even throw in mince pies and coffee! CARE HOME CHRISTMAS SERVICES Please come along and join us help make this a memorable event for the residents. * Mountbatten Grange – 12th Dec 2pm * Sandown Park – 18th Dec 11am * Winton House -19th Dec 11am * Queens Court – 19th Dec 3pm WINDSOR FOODSHARE  From their Facebook, Twittter and Website Pages: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare https://twitter.com/WindsrFoodshare https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk CAN YOU HELP? We are currently very short of Cooking Sauces UHT Milk Biscuits Tinned Fruit Tea bags We get less food donations in the spring and summer, even though we are still feeding the same amount of people. We 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. We prefer 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 in Church, or contact the Parish Office by email office@clewerparish.org Alternatively, 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 CONTACTS The Parish Office is now closed. email: office@clewerparish.org Revd Rosie 01753 852334 email rector@clewerparish.org Parish Website: www.standrewsclewer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/standrewsclewer Rector: Revd Rosie Webb 01753 852334 rector@clewerparish.org Churchwarden: Stuart Cockman Contact via email: office@clewerparish.org Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |