| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 10 December 2023 2nd Sunday of Advent |
 A Season of Hope? Reflections for Advent by Richard Sewell Advent is a season of hope. Today it seems to be in short supply in the Holy Land, but being the birthplace of Christian hope, Christians here are not about to give up on hope. However, we must distinguish between Christian hope and optimism. After the brief truce in Gaza came to an end, it is hard to be optimistic about the prospects for peace. But Christian hope is rooted in the oracles of the Old Testament prophets who reflected on the suffering of the people of Judah during their exile in Babylon. From refugee suffering came the idea of a Messiah who would save the people and lead them into a place of restoration, renewal and reconciliation. Christians believe the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem centuries later fulfilled that hope. The Judean and Jordanian deserts are located between Babylon (in modern day Iraq) and Jerusalem. Eventually the Israelites’ suffering in their distant exile came to an end and they returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the city and the kingdom. The desert is still today only a few miles from Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It is a part of the landscape of the lives of Christians, Muslims and Jews who live in the Land. We respect the desert but we do not fear it. The desert is where the softly spoken words of God are heard. Jesus went there after his baptism, not to suffer deprivation, but to understand God’s calling upon him. This year, more than before, Advent will have something of the desert about it for us living in the Holy Land. But we are not the only ones who suffer. Anyone grieving, desperately lonely or lost in their life will identify with that desert experience. Yet, in the desert, God makes ‘a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert’ (Is 43:20). Advent hope, unlike optimism, does not promise that everything is getting better, but promises that God is with us. Do not ask us to be optimistic, but we are staying hopeful. The Very Rev’d Canon Richard Sewell is the Dean of St George’s College in Jerusalem, the Anglican centre for pilgrimage in the Holy Land.  WELCOME On the second Sunday of Advent the church invites us to reflect on the place of prophets directing us towards Jesus. Not an easy task, but a challenging one, a task that requires saying it as it is, not looking into future predictions, but calling the people of God to account. In Advent we are called to take a long hard look at ourselves, our relationship with God and others, only then will we really appreciate the coming of Christ. Pointing the way to Jesus need not be a miserable and onerous task, it can be joyful and surprising! Actually, you know, we are all prophets of our time! If we are disciples of Christ, then surely, we should be directing others towards Jesus and enjoying the generosity of God in the process? One simple way we can be prophets is to invite a friend or neighbour to a Christian event this Christmas, to a carol service, or a walk through the churchyard to visit the lights, to join Sunday worship. In fact, anything on our Christmas flyer…its all there, why not? A simple invitation can produce a wonderful new connection to the ‘dot to dot’ story of faith. If you want an example…just take a look at the trees decorated in the churchyard. The prophet John was grounded in the mystery and truth of the covenant, the same covenant that God made with Moses and the patriarchs (and Matriarchs) of Israel: be faithful to God as he is faithful to you. Now isn’t that worth sharing? Looking forward to seeing you and your invited guests at our upcoming events.Blessings Revd Rosie COLLECT O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen READINGS Isaiah 40.1-11 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lordshall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lordhas spoken.’ A voice says, ‘Cry out!’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lordblows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ See, the Lord Godcomes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 2 Peter 3.8-15a But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him, This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. Mark 1.1-8 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Everlasting God, as we journey through this season of Advent, seeking to make our paths straight for His coming, we now offer our prayers and petitions through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Mighty God, your servant John the Baptist called people to change the way they lived and to prepare themselves for the coming of your son. Raise up, we pray, prophetic voices in our own time. Enable us to discern the truth which draws us closer to you. Give us the courage to reject the voice of the evil one tempting us to fulfil our selfish desires. We pray for all those who teach, preach and minister to the congregations here in Windsor. May they be as fearless in proclaiming the truth as your servant John, and may we be ready to adapt and change in response to their leadership. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Creator God, we pray for our world and the problems faced by so many of your children, especially for all who live under conditions of war and terrorism and the poverty which comes in its wake. We pray for those who have little to eat, meagre dwellings and few material possessions when we who live in the richer world have so much. Help us to care and to share and to give generously whenever we can, in the same way that you gave us your son Jesus Christ at the first Christmas. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Father God, your son Jesus lived an ordinary family life in Nazareth and so you understand the difficulties faced in family life. We pray for all of those involved in providing support for troubled families and strengthening our community life. As we draw closer to Christmas, we pray for those families who will feel their problems increased by the need to provide what they cannot truly afford. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Merciful God, may your blessing be upon all those who are sick, in pain, anxious or troubled. We ask you to be close to those passing through dark places, to those undergoing treatments at home or in hospital, and to give thanks for all working in the Health Services who are treating them. We especially pray for those within our Parish Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Loving God, give rest to those who have gone from our lives to be with you. May they now live the life eternal and rest in everlasting peace in your presence. Strengthen the bereaved with the knowledge of your loving presence in this their time of greatest need. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Holy God, we ask you to help us make time for true preparations this Advent. In the midst of the rush of life, help us find inner quietness and an awareness of your presence. Let this Christmas be a time when we concern ourselves not so much with material things but focus more on the spiritual gifts you give so unselfishly Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen POST COMMUNION Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon from last Sunday Listen NOTICES EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY Sunday’s Evening Service will Evening Prayer via Zoom. Please contact the office for meeting details if necessary. Readings: Psalm 40 1 Kings 22.1-28 Romans 15.4-13 SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS Church Open every day 10.00am to Dusk 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 Sun 31 Dec10.30am Parish Eucharist – 1st Sunday of Christmas 6.00pm New Year Taize style contemplative service TBC 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 Pakistan. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Bathurst (Australia), Bauchi (Nigeria), Belize (West Indies), Bendigo (Australia), Beni (Congo), and Benin (Nigeria).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).    BRF (BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP) NOTES FOR JAN TO END APRIL The next set of BRF notes are now available for £5, please see Mulle. CHRISTMAS FAIR – THANKS Thank you to everyone who helped out at the Christmas Fair on Saturday, and to all those who visited. It was well attended, but we don’t know how much was raised yet. SCHOOL CAROL SERVICE Help needed – Welcomers for Clewer Green School’s carol services at church – 13th Dec at 2pm and 14th Dec at 6pm. CHRISMAS 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 ofCooking SaucesUHT MilkBiscuitsTinned FruitTea bagsWe 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 |