| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 26 April 2026 |
 Orthodox icon WELCOME 4th Sunday of Easter I have always lived my life in or near towns, not in the middle of nowhere, and definitely not in the countryside surrounded by sheep, so the language of shepherds and sheep can feel a little alien! For those of us familiar with going to church, the language of sheep and shepherds is very familiar and in fact, I remember having to write an essay on what it means to be a shepherd whilst at theological college. Although I’m a townie, I know that sheep need a shepherd to take care of them. We can see sheep in the fields as we travel through the countryside, and it is important that the sheep are placed where they can get all the things that they need to stay healthy. A shepherd must place them in good pastureland where they can get water as well as food. In the dry area where Jesus lived, it was important that shepherds led their flocks to good pasture and streams of water. In those days the shepherd walked ahead of his sheep and the sheep followed him. The staff the shepherd carried had a curved bit at the top so that if a sheep got stuck in a bush or down a cliff, the shepherd could pull it out. When Jesus spoke about sheep, we know he was speaking about people. He describes us, his followers, as his sheep. Do you sometimes get all tangled up in a problem, in frustration? And the more you try to get free, the more stuck you become? Do you sometimes feel afraid and don’t know which way to turn? Do you sometimes feel helpless, or weak, or lost or in danger? Aren’t we all a bit like sheep? When we come into a relationship with Jesus, we enter a place of safety where those who would exploit and abuse us cannot come. Jesus offers not only a safe place to rest- the sheepfold- but total freedom to come and go into abundant pasture. This is Jesus not as gatekeeper but one who genuinely brings the fullness of life. Blessings for your week Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 26TH APR 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5:00pm Evening Prayer COLLECT Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen READINGS Acts 2.42-end 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. 1 Peter 2.19-end 19For it is to your credit if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, where is the credit in that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22 ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ 23When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. John 10.1-10‘ Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Sermon Sunday 19th April 2026 (Revd Rosie) NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Jennifer, 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: Dzineli,Matilda, Charlie, Florence, Ruby and Isla. 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. For EMERGE advocacy for their work in hosptials. 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 Clewer Park, Mill Lane, White Lilies Island, Stephensons Drive, Clewer Court Road, Swan Terrace, Petworth Court and Boatyard Flats. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Windward Islands (West Indies), Wondurba (South Sudan), Worcester (England), Wulu (South Sudan), Wusasa (Nigeria) and Wyoming (USA).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 We’re delighted to celebrate St Andrew’s Clewer receiving the Silver Eco Church Award   This recognition reflects a shared commitment to caring for God’s earth — through action, stewardship, and faith in practice. A wonderful milestone on the journey towards a more sustainable future    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 – 5.00pm daily Sun 03 May 10:30am All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucahrist Sun 10 May 10:30am Eucharist – followed by APCM 3.30pm Faith Explorers 5.00pm Evening Prayer Thur 14 May – Ascension Day 12:00pm Service Sun 17 May 10:30am Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening PrayerUPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Meditation Thursday 30th April 6.30pm Coffee & More Wednesday 6th May 10.30am APCM after morning service Sunday 10th May Faith Explorers (Middle Schoolers Group)Sunday 10th May 3pm Community Friday Saturday 16th May 11am Wild Worship Sunday 17th May 3pm Churches Together Windsor Pentecost Picnic and Praise Sunday 24th May 3-5pm Alexandra Gardens     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 |