| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 31 December 2023 1st Sunday of Christmas |
 WELCOME We come like the shepherds before us, to us give thanks for the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem. We prayerfully consider what his birth means for us and for our world. Our first reading from Isaiah, chapter 61 vv 10 – chapter 62 v 3 Isaiah prophesies that the defeated and ruined city of Jerusalem and all who live in it will be transformed. ciTheir righteousness will make the city shine like a jewel. The second reading is from Galations chapter 4, vv 4-7 For teachers at the birth of Jesus, God’s son, has given us the gift of freedom to be adopted as children of God. And the Gospel reading from St Luke chapter 2, vv 15-21 Angels appeared to the shepherds and tell them that a baby, the Messiah, has been born in Bethlehem. And we hear how they respond to this extraordinary news. And perhaps in our prayers let us ask for God’s guidance and strength in the coming year asking for wholeness in ourselves and to be shown ways in which we can reach out to those on the edge of society, drawing them into the living God’s enfolding love. Canon Brian COLLECT Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen READINGS Isaiah 61.10-62.3 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord Godwill cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lordwill give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Galatians 4.4-7 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through 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 2.15-21 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS The waiting of Advent is over and you Lord are with us – Emmanuel – Son of Mary – Son of David – Messiah – Jesus Christ. And so we raise our prayers to you our Lord and Saviour.Jesus Christ, Wonderful counsellor, you order all things with your wisdom: help the Church here in Clewer to reveal the mystery of your love and fill all the Church with the Spirit of truth. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Jesus Christ, Mighty God, who led the wise men and before whom they knelt, give humility and wisdom to all who govern and lead them in the way of justice and mercy:Jesus Christ, worshipped by the shepherds, give peace on earth to all who are oppressed by war or terrorism. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Jesus Christ, Everlasting Father, born in a stable to a human family give courage to all families and especially to all families who are homeless: Be with those who fear for their lives, and those who have left homes and families this Christmas. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Jesus Christ, Prince of peace, for whom the angels sang, give the song of the kingdom to all who weep; to the sick and the lonely; the aged and the dying. Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords, whose radiance filled a lowly manger, give the glory of your resurrection to all who rest in you and the reassurance of your presence with all who mourn their passing. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer Jesus Christ whose star guided the visitors to your birth, guide us as we continue through the season of Christmas and be present with us as we continue to celebrate your holy birth. Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen POST COMMUNION Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home: help your Church to live as one family, united in love and obedience, and bring us all at last to our home in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen NOTICES NO EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY There is no Sunday Evening Service. Our usual pattern returns in the New Year. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Church Open every day 10.00am to Dusk Sun 31 Dec10.30am Parish Eucharist – 1st Sunday of Christmas Sun 07 Jan 10.30am All Age Eucharist – 1st Sunday of Epiphany 5.00pm Eucharist – Baptism of Christ Sun 14 Jan 10.30am All Age Eucharist – 2nd Sunday of Epiphany 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 21Jan 10.30am All Age Eucharist – 3rd Sunday of Epiphany 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom 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, Vivienne, and the Brocas family. 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 Rwanda. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Bor (South Sudan), Botswana, Brandon (Canada), Brechin (Scotland), Brisbane (Australia), and Bristol (England).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. THANK YOU ALL Thanks to everyone for all their help with services and hospitality over the Christmas period. 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). Thanks to everyone for all the donations towards the sound system so far, if anyone would like to help with fundraising and events please talk to Revd Rosie.  A Warm Hub will be running at the Alma Beacon starting on the 7th of January. Please share the poster where you can. Download here: https://www.standrewsclewer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Alma-Beacon-Warm-Hub.pdf 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 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 (the branch is closed, but the account details remain the same). 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 |