| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 01 March 2026 2nd Sunday of Lent |
 WELCOME 2nd Sunday of Lent “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish and may have eternal life.” John 3.16 We come before God with our prayers and praises, that together we may renew our faith. Today we find Jesus involved in a discussed about believing in logical things. Jesus’s questioner is Nicodemus. As a Pharisee and a scholar, he’s accustomed to theological debate. He’s heard about Jesus and visits him when no one is looking in order to have a discussion. He probably expects to argue with him about the finer points of the interpretation of the Hebrew scriptures, or Sabbath observants. He begins with the usual courtesies, acknowledging the new teacher’s credentials: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God: from no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus should answer with a few compliments of his own, but instead he breaks the rules of debate and starts to talk in riddles. Anyone who wants to be part of God’s kingdom must be “born from above”, “born of water and spirit”, he says. Today’s readings first reading Genesis 12.1-4, God’s promise to Abram that he will be the ancestor of a people that will bring blessings to everyone on earth. Second reading Romans 4.1-5, 13-17, we do not earn our salvation, but rather it is God’s gift, which we receive through faith. The gospel John 3.1-17, Jesus tells Nicodemus that eternal life is available to those who have faith in what seems logically impossible. Canon Brian SUNDAY SERVICES 1ST MAR 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT 10:30am All-Age Eucharist 5:00pm Eucharist COLLECT Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth, that they may return to the way of righteousness: grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen READINGS Genesis 12.1-4 1Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Romans 4.1-5, 13-17 1What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ 4Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. John 3.1-171Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ 3Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ 4Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ 5Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ 9Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ 10Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Sermon Sunday 22nd Feb 2026 Morning (Canon Brian) Our Lent 2026 study Each Monday, during lent, along with the weeks What’s On, we will share with you a weekly study on a particular woman in the bible, the reference for you to look up, a commentary and a series of questions to reflect on. We hope you enjoy this way of Growing Faith Together here in Clewer and friends connected online. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact via the office email: office@clewerparish.orgLent 1 – The Midwives NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: 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: 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, and the work of the Homeless Project, Street Angels, and FoodShare, under the umbrella of the Alma Beacon Hub. 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 All Retail Premises, Mill Stream Houseboats, Boatyard, Windsor Race Course, Forest House Veterinary Group, Petworth Court, Care Homes (Sandown Park, Queens Court, Mountbatten Grange and Winton House). Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Nippon Sei Ko Kai. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Toamasina (Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean), Tohoki (Nippon Sei Ko Kai), Tokyo (Nippon Sei Ko Kai), Toliara (Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean), Tonji (South Sudan), and Torit (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 Thanksgiving for Sue Morgan A Thanksgiving service for Sue Morgan will be held at All Saints’ Church at 11am on 2nd March. Following the service there will be refreshments and a light buffet lunch. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8.00am in Church No mid-week Evening Prayer during Lent Prayers & Bears – Early Years Liturgy on Fridays at 9.30am in Church The church is open for private prayer 10.00am-dusk daily Wed 04 Mar 12:00pm Midday Eucharist coffee from 11am Sun 08 Mar – Lent 3 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Faith Explorers 5.00pm Evening Prayer Wed 11 Mar 12:00pm Midday Eucharist coffee from 11am Sun 15 Mar – Mothering Sunday 10:30am Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening Prayer Wed 18 Mar 12:00pm Midday Eucharist coffee from 11am Sun 22 Mar – Lent 5 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES The Alma Beacon Cold Weather Night Shelter 2025/2026 run by the Windsor Homeless Project are looking for volunteers from Monday 15th December 2025 to Sunday 29th March 2026 to help run the shelter. More details and information can be found here. Community Lunches During Lent – Saturdays during lent (28th Feb, 7th March, 14th March, 21st March) Churchyard Tidy Saturday 7th March please come along and help us with jobs inside and outside the church     Saturday 14th of March at 6:30 at Windsor Methodist Church, a new play “Murder at the BAFTAs”. This is written by Geoff Buckingham, an award-winning playwright who is a member of Sunbury Methodist Church and will be writing a play on the history of Windsor Methodist Church for our 150th anniversary next year. Tickets are available through the Windsor website or can be purchased on the door.  A reminder that we will be holding an Auction of Talents after Easter. We ask that everyone considers if they can commit to offering something for the auction – a cake, gardening skills whatever it may be! All commitments need to be made before Lent in order for us to be able to organise our fundraising event after Easter, please email the office (office@clewerparish.org) if you are able to support this. 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 |