| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 13 September 2026 |
 The parable of the unforgiving servant: we should forgive as we are forgiven. WELCOME 13 Sep 2026, Trinity 15 Sunday’s morning service will be Morning Prayer, led by me (Stuart) as Rosie is on holiday, hopefully having a well-deserved rest. The form of the service will be Common Worship. This is the contemporary language version of the service, as opposed to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) traditional language version. The words of the BCP are probably familiar to many of us. It was published in 1662 and remains the official prayer book of the Church of England. Common worship allows for a lot of flexibility and options in our worship, whereas the BCP is very rigid. So, if something appears to be going wrong, it’s not, it’s just different! (to paraphrase Revd Andy who led our worship here recently) In our service, the unifying theme running through all four readings is divine mercy and the obligation to extend that same grace to others. Genesis 50:15–21: Joseph recognizes God’s overarching providence in his life and chooses mercy over vengeance, forgiving his brothers for their betrayal. Psalm 103:1–13: The Psalmist celebrates the character of God, who is compassionate, slow to anger, and removes human sins entirely rather than punishing according to iniquities. Romans 14:1–12: Paul calls the community to reflect God’s non-judgmental stance by relinquishing judgment over fellow believers, deferring all ultimate accountability to God. Matthew 18:21–35: Jesus ties divine forgiveness directly to human behaviour, warning through the parable of the unforgiving servant that those who have received God’s immense mercy are required to offer unconditional forgiveness to others. Together, the passages emphasize that because God deals with humanity in steadfast love and forgiveness rather than harsh judgment, believers are called to abandon retaliation, cease judgment, and actively embody that same grace in their relationships with one another. See you tomorrow and have a great week. Stuart (Verger) SUNDAY SERVICES 13TH SEPTEMBER 15TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 10:30am Morning Prayer 5:00pm Evening Prayer COLLECT God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church in the burning fire of your love: grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that, always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service; 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 Genesis 50.15-21 Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ 16So they approached Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17“Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ 19But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. Romans 14.1-12 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. 2Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.5Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. 11For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ 12So then, each of us will be accountable to God. Matthew 18.21-35 Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ 22Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 23 ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’ NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Michael, Vicci, Connie, Christine, Chloe, Bill, Jennifer, Matt, Stef, and Joanna. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: Dorothy, Jeffrey Seller and all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Baptisms: Noah, Samuel and Thomas Weddings: Debora & Ricardo Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, Mrs Branchand all the staff, pupils, staff and governors. 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 Cleves Court, Carter Close, St Johns Road, Gordon Road, Dawson Close, Convent Road and Bailey Close. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Blackburn (England), Bo (West Africa), Boga (Congo), Bolivia, Bondo (Kenya) and Bor (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 Wednesday Morning Prayer 9am Evening Prayer Thursday 5pm on Zoom The church is open for private prayer 10.00am – 5.00pm daily Prayers & Bears Early Years Liturgy Fridays restart in Oct Sun 20 September 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 27 September 10:30am Parish Eucharist + Baptism 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 04 October 10:30am All Age Eucharist (Harvest) 5.00pm Eucharist Save the Date! St Andrews Day Christmas Fair will take place on Saturday 28th November 11am-3pm. If you’d like to support this event by running a stall, offering raffle prizes, helping on the day or in any other way please let Emilie know or email office@clewerparish.org UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Churchyard Tea Saturday 12th September 3-5pm afternoon teas and socialising in the churchyard Wild Worship takes a Wander Sunday 20th September 3pm, meet in the churchyard for a walk along the river Save the Date – McMillan Coffee Morning Wednesday 23rd September Harvest Market Saturday 3rd October If you might be thinking about or considering because a Churchwarden at St Andrews there is upcoming training training to be held at Greyfriars Church, Reading on 26th September 2026 from 9.30am – 12.45pm.More details can be found here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1997968528653?aff=oddtdtcreator       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 |