| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 09 August 2026 |
 WELCOME Last week, we reflected on the feeding of the 5,000 through the lens of grief. Jesus had just heard of the evil actions of Herod and the beheading of John the Baptist. He needed time away to process what had happened, but the crowds followed him, hungry for more. Even in his own grief, Jesus did not send them away. Moved by compassion, he made sure everyone was fed, welcomed, and heard. This Sunday’s readings give us two powerful moments of encounter with God. We hear the story of Elijah in the cave, and then, immediately after the feeding of the 5,000, we see Jesus once again trying to withdraw by himself to rest. But instead, he comes to his disciples by walking on the water and rescues Peter as he begins to sink. This is the second time Jesus saves his friends from a violent storm on Galilee. Both Elijah and the disciples find themselves in frightening and difficult situations. Their trust in God is tested, and yet these encounters do not lead to destruction, but to salvation. Elijah meets God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. In Matthew 14:22–33, Jesus comes to the disciples across the water and speaks into their fear. Both passages remind us that God’s presence often arrives in unexpected ways, calling us to trust rather than be afraid. The storms we face may look different, but they are no less real: illness, redundancy, pressure at home, or stress at work. Yet in every storm, Jesus is with us. Again and again, we are invited to hear his words: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Jesus does not want us to live in fear. He calls us to courage, reaches out his hand, and says, “I am with you.” Revisit the story of Elijah in the cave this week, you can find it in 1 Kings chapter 19, it’s a wonderful story. Perhaps the words ‘what are you doing here?’ ring true for you this week? It is only in asking the ‘what’ question that we begin to know who we truly are. Maybe take some quiet time to pray about this, trust you are not on your own, more importantly…..are you listening to the voice of God? Blessings for your week Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 9TH AUGUST 10TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 10:30am Parish Eucharist + Baptism COLLECT Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please you; 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 1 Kings 19.9-18 9At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 10He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’11He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 14He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ 15Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’ Romans 10.5-15 5Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ 6But the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ Matthew 14.22-33 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’28 Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ 29He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’ Sermon Recording from Sunday 2nd August 2026 – Morning (Rev Rosie) Sermon Recording from Sunday 2nd August 2026 – Evening (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: 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 Episcopal Church. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Aweil (South Sudan), Awerial (South Sudan), Awgu/Aninri (Nigeria), Awka (Nigeria), Awori (Nigeria) and Ayod (South Sudan).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 16 August 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship Sun 23 August 10:30am Parish Eucharist Sun 30 August 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Worship Explorers (Childrens Church) UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES John Bruce’s Funeral 11th August 1pm at St Andrews Whilst there are no Prayers & Bears sessions in August every Friday from 10am-12pm there will be craft activities happening 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 or sign up at the back of church.     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 |