| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 02 August 2026 |
 WELCOME Welcome Sunday 2nd August This week has been a busy one, we are all still struggling with the heat, people are coming and going on holiday, and it feels like Europe is on fire! We are told as parish priests that summer can be a time to slow down, have a break, no meetings planned, catch up with some practical church jobs and stand down a few services to allow others to take a break. Space to do other things for a change. The one thing that doesn’t change is a generous heart. A generous heart never takes a break, people still need to be listened to, grief still needs to be heard, and people still need to be fed. We are all familiar with the story of the Feeding the 5000, it is one of the top ten well known bible stories along with the parable of the good Samaritan and the prodigal son. However, there is a lot more to this story, more than just five loaves and two fishes. If we look at the context, it becomes a different story. This miracle occurs in the context of death and grief. The king, Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, who reigned when Jesus was born, had just imprisoned and then beheaded John the Baptist for denouncing his marriage. Herod was a weak man who felt threatened by criticism, this was an action that spoke louder than words, don’t criticise I have power and authority. Jesus heard about John and tried to retreat to the wilderness to grieve his comrade in faith, his cousin, mercilessly killed. Yet the crowds came, followed him into the wilderness bringing their sick, bringing their hungry hearts and minds. They didn’t give his grief a second thought. He healed, he comforted, he gave hope in the wilderness. Jesus’ power was his generous heart. A power far greater than Herod’s. Feeding the 5000 was a challenge to Herod, it showed the true power. Herod’s power was one imprisoned in weakness and fear. Jesus brings a love that sets us free. The life of Jesus is one of words that are always followed by actions. Following Jesus doesn’t mean having the summer off, it means we have the freedom of a generous heart. Isaiah 55.1–5: God invites all who are spiritually thirsty to receive his abundant gifts freely and to live in his everlasting covenant. Romans 9.1–5: Paul grieves deeply for Israel while affirming their special place in God’s promises and in the coming of the Messiah. Matthew 14.13–21: Jesus shows compassion by healing the crowd and miraculously feeding thousands with five loaves and two fish. Blessings for your week Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 2ND AUGUST 9TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 10:30am All-Age Eucharist 5:00pm Eucharist COLLECT Almighty God, who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church: open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; 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 Isaiah 55.1-5 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. 4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. 5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Romans 9.1-5 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Matthew 14.13-21 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ 16Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ 17They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ 18And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ 19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Sermon Recording from Sunday 26th July 2026 (Rev Rosie) NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Bill, Jennifer, Matt, Stef, and Joanna. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: John Bruce and all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Baptisms: Freddie Weddings: Those preparing for marriage Amber and Phillip 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 Shirley Avenue, Kingsbury Mews, Rutherford Close, West Crescent, East Cresecent, Hatch Lane and Firs Avenue. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church of the Province of Uganda. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Saint Asaph (Wales), Athabasca (Canada), Atlanta (USA), Attooch (South Sudan), Auckland (New Zealand) and North West Australia.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 No Wednesday Morning Prayer in August No Tue/Thur/Sun Evening Prayer in August The church is open for private prayer 10.00am – 5.00pm daily Sun 09 August 10:30am Parish Eucharist + Baptism Sun 16 August 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship Sun 23 August 10:30am Parish Eucharist UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Coffee & More Wednesday 5th August 10.30am – all welcome! Whilst there are no Prayers & Bears sessions in August every Friday from 10am-12pm there will be craft activities happening at St Andrews John Bruce’s Funeral 11th August 1pm at St Andrews Churchyard Tidy Dates – Save the Date – 10-12am Saturday 15th Aug Sat 5th Sept Churchyard Tea Saturday 15th August 3-5pm (updated date!) cream teas and socialising in the churchyard REQUEST – if you would like to read or do intercessions at Sunday morning services please email the office to be added to the list.     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 |