| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 11 January 2026 Baptism of Christ |
 WELCOME Baptism of Christ Today we commemorate the Baptism of Christ, it is one of the key events we revisit during Epiphany season. The picture above was taken whilst on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This is the River Jordan. I looked back over my notes and realised I hadn’t written anything for this part of our journey, all I had was- Baptism site! I had written more about my surprise at seeing the KFC in Jericho and my dislike of Hebron glass, which I was assured by numerous enthusiastic sales assistants, was very popular! On reflection I realise I didn’t want to write anything at that point, I just wanted to sit quietly in the moment and absorb all the feelings and emotions that were flowing in great waves through and around me. Apart from our leader, I was the only other ordained member of the group, and I had been asked at the beginning of the journey if I would like to take the service for the renewal of baptism vows at the river, why would I even think about saying no? The picture above is another group who had come to the river for baptism, there was a great sense of joy in the air. It was in fact the first day we had clear blue skies and some warmth from the winter sun, so coats off and boots and socks off. We stood in the water and renewed our baptism vows, and you know how I love throwing water over everyone! It was one of those moments when I felt close to God, when I remembered his love for me and gave thanks for being born again of water and the spirit. As part of the service today we will be renewing our baptism vows, not an anniversary of our baptism but that our relationship with God needs to be renewed, recreated on a regular basis, we are not all able to stand in the River Jordan or the Thames, or take a boat ride out onto the Sea of Galilee, however we renew those promises we stand publicly and at one with Christ. We are all at different points in our faith journey and the traditions are there to draw us to a point in Jesus’ life and teaching, but always to challenge us to use them in our everyday life. Things to think about this week:Your own baptism, when and where did this take place?Perhaps there was a moment in your life when you felt closest to God, was it a place, and event, or particular people you were with or on your own?Where is the Holy Spirit at work in your life today, can you recreate those promises in a new recreated way?Can you turn to Christ today?Blessings Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 11TH JAN BAPTISM OF CHRIST 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer COLLECT Heavenly Father, at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son: may we recognise him as our Lord and know ourselves to be your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen READINGS Isaiah 42.1-9 1Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. 5Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, 7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. 9See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them. Acts 10.34-43 34Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ Matthew 3.13-end 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ 15But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: John B, Matt, Stef, and Joanna. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: All those recently departed this life and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Baptisms: George and Bodhi Weddings: Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, Mrs Branch, Mr Seymour, and all the staff, pupils, staff and governors. Busy Buttons CORE Charity and for all the work that they do. 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, and FoodShare, under the umbrella of the Alma Beacon Hub. Please pray for the PCC as they work through the Mission Action Plan and discern God’s mission in Clewer. Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live or work in St Leonards Hill, Bridewell, Chestnut Drive, Gratton Drive, Fairlawn Park, Dower Park, Poolmans Road, Snowdon Close, Turnoak Park and Brundenell. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Sodor and Man (England), Sokoto (Nigeria), Central Solomons (Melanesia), Soroti (Uganda), Southwark (England), and Southwell and Nottingham (England). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families. If you would like anyone added to our Prayer List please email the office office@clewerparish.org SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8.00am in Church Evening Prayer on Tuesday and Thursdays at 5pm on Zoom Prayers & Bears – Early Years Liturgy on Fridays at 9.30am in Church The church is open for private prayer 10.00am-dusk daily Sun 11 Jan – Baptism of Christ 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 18 Jan – Epiphany 2 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening Prayer Wed 21 Jan – St Agnes Day Midday Eucharist (held in St AgnesChurch) Sun 25 Jan – Epiphany 3 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 01 Feb – Candlemass 10:30am All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES The Alma Beacon Cold Weather Night Shelter 2025/2026 run by the Windsor Homeless Project are looking for volunteers from Monday 15th December 2025 to Sunday 29th March 2026 to help run the shelter. More details and information can be found here. Community Fridge Pop-Up at St Andrews 17th January 11am Wild Worship open to all 3pm 18th January Next Pudding Club Monday 19th January from 7.30pm at Peel Close St Agnes Day Service Midday on Wednesday 21st January in St Agnes Church Monthly Meditation in church starts 27th January at 6.30pm Coffee & More Wednesday 4th Feburary Faith Explorers (our middle schoolers group) will restart on 8th Feburary 3.30pm Care Home Services restart in Feb if anyone who wishes to attend with Revd Rosie please let her know Dates for the diary Pancake Party Tuesday 17th Feb 5pm at church Ash Wednesday Eucharist 18th Feb Midday and 7pm Lent Lunches – Saturdays during lent, if you would be interesting in hosting one please contact the office (office@clewerparish.org) NIGHT SHELTER MEALS A request has come from the Night Shelter for meals for 30 people per night Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the weeks that the shelter is open from 19th December. There is a budget that can be reimbursed by Alma Beacon of up to £60 per night. Please let us know if you can help.   A reminder that we will be holding an Auction of Talents after Easter. We ask that everyone considers if they can commit to offering something for the auction – a cake, gardening skills whatever it may be! All commitments need to be made before Lent in order for us to be able to organise our fundraising event after Easter, please email the office (office@clewerparish.org) if you are able to support this. CHURCH GIVING Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to our church financially as well as through their time and skills. As we see our congregation grow and our community events increase we invite you to prayerfully consider how you might support this ongoing growth. Every contribution helps us serve our parish here in Clewer. Finance Details Parish Giving Scheme – where one off payments or regular giving can be set up. Alternatively, financial contributions can be paid directly to our bank account, the details of which are: HSBC Bank Sort Code: 40-47-37 Account number: 11373366 Account name: PCC St Andrews Church If you haven’t already please consider downloading the Church of Englands EverydayFaith app to help with daily reflections to inspire, equip and encourage you in your everday faith. CONTACTS Rector Revd Rosie Webb 01753 852334, email: rector@clewerparish.org Parish Office email: office@clewerparish.org Parish Website: www.standrewsclewer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/standrewsclewer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st_andrews_clewer/ Churchwarden: Vacant Contact via email: office@clewerparish.org Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |