| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 04 October 2026 |
 WELCOME Harvest Festival 2026 The equinox has tipped us into autumn, and last weekend’s full moon was a glorious harvest moon. Although the mornings are a little chilly, we still haven’t had much rain; the days remain warm and quite humid. Autumn seemed to begin early this year, with many trees shedding their leaves because of the lack of rain. Last Sunday, I had the privilege of talking with farmers at the agricultural show and blessing the ploughs. Ploughing competitions were under way, and two teams of horses stood ready to pull the traditional ploughs. However, the ground was so hard that it first had to be broken up; otherwise, the blades would simply have slid across the surface. Harvests have come early, crop yields have been lower, and the second growth of hay for the animals never came. As a result, farmers have had to buy hay much earlier than usual—not to mention the cost of diesel. We have faced challenges in our own gardens and allotments. Everything in our greenhouse more or less cooked, although I just managed to keep the pumpkins and kale going. It has been a difficult growing season, yet we remain grateful for our small patch—and especially grateful to those who work the land and produce our food. Giving thanks is something we can all share, whatever our religious background. We all need to eat, so we all share in the same harvest. However our food reaches our homes, its growth is rooted in the rhythms of sun and rain, in the rich soil of the fields, and in the delicate balance between husbandry and exploitation. At this time of year, churches bring the gifts of nature inside: fruit and vegetables from allotments and gardens, alongside tins and packets from the supermarket. We gather to give thanks for the harvest and for the food we eat. This celebration also falls around the feast of St Francis, who reminds us that we share creation—and its harvest—with birds, animals and all living things. Conkers, acorns, beechnuts, hazelnuts and hawthorn berries provide food for creatures through the winter and the seeds of future trees, which will in turn give us oxygen. Planting anything takes time and patience. Did you know that one tree can absorb up to 1,000 kg of carbon by the time it is forty years old? Trees make the world a better place. This week, carry a conker in your pocket and give thanks for those who work the land and for the food you have to eat and share. Collect seeds and perhaps plant some; make bird feeders, hug a tree, and thank God that we are all made to share in his wonderful creation. Harvest thanksgiving and blessings to you all. Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 04TH OCTOBER 18TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY / HARVEST THANKSGIVING FESTIVAL 10:30am All Age Eucharist – Harvest Festival 5:00pm Eucharist COLLECT Eternal God,you crown the year with your goodnessand you give us the fruits of the earth in their season:grant that we may use them to your glory,for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being;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 Deuteronomy 8.7-18 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, 8a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, 9a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. 10You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.11Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. 12When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, 13and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, 14then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 15who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, an arid waste-land with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He made water flow for you from flint rock, 16and fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors did not know, to humble you and to test you, and in the end to do you good. 17Do not say to yourself, ‘My power and the might of my own hand have gained me this wealth.’ 18But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today. 2 Corinthians 9.6-end The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9As it is written,‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever.’ 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, 14while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! Luke 17.11-19 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ 14When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ 19Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ Sermon Recording from Sunday 27th August 2026 (Rev Rosie) 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 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 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 Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Bukuru (Nigeria), Bunbury (Australia), Bungoma (Kenya), Bunyoro-Kitara (Uganda), Busan (Korea) and Busoga (Uganda).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 9.30am Sun 11 October 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 18 October 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 25 October 10:30am Commentated Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer 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 Harvest Market Saturday 3rd October at 2pm proceeds will go to the FoodShare We will also be decorating the church on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Harvest Service if you have any greenery from your garden you can bring to share. Harvest Festival Service Sunday 4th October 10.30am, all donations will be for the FoodShare and BabyBank charities, please see their lists below: Windsor FoodShare at the moment, we are particularly short of:  Tinned meat Tinned fruit Tinned desserts Soup Rice Jars of saucesThe Baby Bank have an extensive list on their website but include items such as: Unopened baby & adult toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, body wash, breast pads, tamponsSmall sensory toys for under 1 year oldsLightly used jigsaws & board games for 3-10 year olds Wild Worship Sunday 18th October at 3pm, bring your pumpkins for decorating! All Welcome. Friday Fun Hub will be running again during half term 10am-12pm on Friday 30th October and Friday 6th November   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 |