| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 04 January 2026 Feast of Epiphany |
 WELCOME Epiphany Epiphany is a time when we see a new and shining vision of God’s glory. This season is marked by three important events—called the three wonders or epiphanies:The visit of the Magi (the wise men)The baptism of ChristThe first miracle at the wedding in CanaEpiphany, together with the twelve days of Christmas, makes up a forty-day celebration of Jesus becoming human, which goes from Christmas to Candlemass. Advent was a time to look inward and prepare our hearts for Jesus’ coming. Christmas was a joyful celebration of his arrival. Now, as we begin a new year, Epiphany is about new beginnings and taking Christ’s light out into the world. The main theme of Epiphany is light and journeying. It’s about how we follow Jesus and bring his light to others. Epiphany begins with the story of the Magi, or wise men. They followed a star to find the Christ-child. We don’t know exactly how long their journey took—maybe even a few years. These powerful men left the comfort of their homes to seek a vulnerable baby. The Magi brought three gifts:Gold—a gift for a kingIncense—a gift for a priest, or sometimes for a godMyrrh—a gift for someone who will die The Meaning of the Gifts Gold is for a king, but Jesus’ kingdom is not like others. He was a king who avoided every crown except the crown of thorns, and his kingship was only recognised on the cross. Incense is for a god or a priest; Jesus was a new kind of priest who offered himself for all people. Myrrh is a sign that he would die, pointing to the time when women would prepare his body for burial. All these gifts point to Jesus as someone who would change our ideas about kingship, priesthood, and divinity through suffering. The wise men came to Christ, showing how powerful people can kneel before the powerless. Suffering and death are mixed into the story. Epiphany reveals Jesus to the world not as a ruler, but as someone humble and vulnerable, with hints of suffering. Finding God with Us We can only truly know God with us if we are willing to find him in ordinary places, like the inn in Bethlehem. As Christmas ends and we move on, we should remember the lessons of the one who came in glory to be among us. Epiphany as a Time to Reflect It’s a chance to think about our own spiritual journey and how we respond to God’s call.We can reflect on what we have to offer in service to God and to others.It’s a time to pray for God’s mission through the church, and to strengthen our relationship with God through prayer and sacrifice.We are encouraged to share God’s healing love with those around us, and to support the vulnerable and broken by sharing the good news.Epiphany helps us reflect on the mystery of Jesus’ birth—the birth of the powerless one who shows us the Father. Through this, we can learn how to reveal God’s glory or let God reveal his glory through us. Blessings for this season of Epiphany and wishing you a very Happy New Year! Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 04TH JAN FEAST OF EPIPHANY 10:30am All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist COLLECT O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may be last behold your glory face to face; 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 60.1-6 1Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.4Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. 5Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD. Ephesians 3.1-12 1This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.7Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. 8Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. Matthew 2.1-12 1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’ 7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. RECENT SERMONS Sunday 21st Dec 2025 (Canon Brian) Midnight Mass 24th Dec 2025 (Revd Rosie) Christmas Day 25th Dec 2025 (Canon Brian) Sunday 28th Dec 2025 (Canon Brian)  𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬. What a wonderful year of faith we have had. New connections made, community links strengthened and so much cake eaten! There is something for everyone at St Andrews and all are welcome. Blessings for a happy, healthy and peaceful 2026 NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: 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: George and BodhiWeddings: 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 St Leonards Hill, Bridewell, Chestnut Drive, Gratton Drive, Fairlawn Park, Dower Park, Poolmans Road, Snowdon CLose, Turnoak Park and Brundenell. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church of the Province of Central Africa. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Upper Shire (Central Africa), Shyira (Rwanda), Shyogwe (Rwanda), Sialkot (Pakistan), Singapore (South East Asia), and Sittwe (B).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 Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8.00am in Church (Restarts Wednesday 7th January) Evening Prayer on Tuesday and Thursdays at 5pm on Zoom (Restarts Tuesday 6th January) Prayers & Bears – Early Years Liturgy on Fridays at 9.30am in Church (Restarts on Friday 9th January) The church is open for private prayer 10.00am-dusk daily Sun 04 Jan – Feast of Epiphany 10:30am All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist Sun 11 Jan – Baptism of Christ 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 18 Jan – Epiphany 2 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening Prayer Wed 21 Jan – St Agnes Day Midday Eucharist (held in St AgnesChurch) Sun 25 Jan – Epiphany 3 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES T 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. Care Home Services 13th/14th January for anyone who wishes to attend with Revd Rosie Wild Worship open to all 3pm 18th January Next Pudding Club Monday 19th January from 7.30pm at Peel Close St Agnes Day Service Midday on Wednesday 21st January in St Agnes Church Faith Explorers (our middle schoolers group) will restart on 8th Feburary 3.30pm PLEASE REMOVE TREE DECORATIONS BEFORE 6TH JANUARY NIGHTSHELTER MEALS A request has come from the Night Shelter for meals for 30 people per night Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the weeks that the shelter is open from 19th December. There is a budget that can be reimbursed by Alman Beacon of up to £60 per night. Please let us know if you can help.  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. 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 |