| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 18 October 2026 |
 WELCOME This week I went to a meeting at our teenage granddaughter’s school about the up coming history trip to Berlin. My biggest concern was the pocket money for the down time in the markets and West Germany’s largest shopping mall! Do we get euros, does she need a bank card to spend overseas? It seems cash is not advised! When out with our four year old, she always likes to pay…I’ll tap the card grandma. Learning the art of handling cash seems very minimal these days. How many of us still carry cash? But you know there are two sides to every coin, a coin with someone’s head on, but a bank card only has one name on it…..your own. When you have a coin, you give it away, when you tap a card it goes back in your wallet. Something to think about? With the budget on the horizon and the church annual budget due in November, perhaps it’s time to step back and ask ourselves.…what are we spending our money on? The readings this weekend explore God’s authority alongside human political power. Earthly rulers and governments have a limited place, but ultimate allegiance belongs to God. Faith is shown through trust, faithful service and conduct that recognises God’s sovereignty in every part of life. Isaiah 45:1–7: God appoints Cyrus—even though Cyrus does not know him—to defeat nations and free Israel. The passage emphasises God’s unique sovereignty: he alone is Lord over rulers, history, light and darkness, prosperity and adversity. 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10: Paul, Silvanus and Timothy thank God for the Thessalonian Christians. Their faith produces action, their love leads to labour, and their hope gives endurance. Despite persecution, they received the gospel with joy, turned from idols, served the living God and became an example to other believers. Matthew 22:15–22: The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus by asking whether taxes should be paid to the emperor. Using a coin bearing the emperor’s image, Jesus replies that people should give the emperor what belongs to the emperor and give God what belongs to God. Perhaps you could carry some coins in your pocket this week as well as a conker? Blessings for your week. Blessings for your week Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 18TH OCTOBER 20TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3:00pm Wild Worship 5:00pm Evening Prayer COLLECT God, the giver of life, whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church: by the Spirit’s gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ and make us eager to do your will, that we may share with the whole creation the joys of eternal life; 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 45.1-7 1Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him— and the gates shall not be closed: 2 I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. 4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me. 5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, 6 so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. 7 I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things. 1 Thessalonians 1.1-10 1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming. Matthew 22.15-22 15Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. 20Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ 21They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ 22When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: John, Michael, Vicci, Christine, Bill, 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: Weddings: Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, Mrs Branch and 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 Nelson Road, Bridgeman Drive, St Johns Drive, Clewer Green School, St Edwards First School, St Edwards Middle School and Windsor Girls School. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Anglican Church of Canada. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Calcutta (India), Caledonia (Canda), Calgary (Canada), California (USA), Northern California (USA) and Cameroon (West Africa). 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 (not on 22nd Oct) The church is open for private prayer 10.00am – 5.00pm daily Prayers & Bears Early Years Liturgy Fridays 9.30am Sun 25 October 10:30am Parish Eucharist (Bible Sunday) 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 1 November 10:30am All-Age Eucharist 5.00pm All Souls Sun 8 November 10:40am Remembrance Service – Clewer War Memorial (Pirate Park) 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 Wild Worship Sunday 18th October at 3pm, bring your pumpkins for decorating! All Welcome. Next Pudding Club is on Monday 19th October from 7.30pm Christian Meditation is on Thursday 29th October at 6.30pm in church Friday Fun Hub will be running again during half term 10am-12pm on Friday 30th October and Friday 6th Novemeber Sunday 1st Novemeber at 5pm will be our All Souls Service commemorating the faithful departed         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 |