| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 07 April 2024 The 2nd Sunday of Easter |
 Caravaggio’s Thomas WELCOME The Second Sunday of Easter Hallelujah, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed, Hallelujah! This Sunday we gather just as the disciples gathered, following the momentous news that Jesus had risen from the dead. We encounter the risen Jesus in the words of holy scripture and in the blessed sacrament, and affirm our faith in the living God. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 4, vv 32-35 Faith in the resurrection of Jesus as preached by the apostles, results in a community where none is needy, nor wealth is held in common. The second reading from the first letter of John, chapter 1 v 1 to chapter 2 v 2 The writer of the epistle claims to be an eyewitness to the death and resurrection of Jesus. The evidence is what he has seen, heard and touched. The Gospel reading is St John chapter 20 vv 19-end This Gospel reading explores the nature of faith and of the evidence which we need. The witness of others or rather in experience, to have faith. Canon Brian COLLECT Lord of all life and power, Almighty Father, you have given your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen READINGS Acts 4.32-35 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God 1 John 1.1-2.2 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us – we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Gospel Reading John 20.19-end Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS Faithful God, we praise you for the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ from the dead. Shed his glorious light on all Christian people that we may live as those who believe in the triumph of the cross.Almighty God we ask you to be a real and living presence in your church throughout the world. May this Parish through its preaching and works of love continue to testify to our Lord’s resurrection. Wherever we are lacking in faith and courage strengthen us with your Spirit. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Merciful God, we pray for peace in our troubled world. Wherever nations are at war and people are suffering we pray for true reconciliation. Protect all Christian people in the nations of the world, and help them to influence their country for the good of all. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Father God, we pray for all families whose homes are disrupted by anger and bitterness and where relationships are breaking up. We thank you for the gift of your Son, our saviour, who walks with us on our life’s journey and, as he gladdened the hearts of his friends when they saw him raised from the dead, may he travel alongside all who are struggling with their family life. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Loving God comfort the sick and suffering with your living presence. Heal and strengthen weak bodies, calm confused minds and reassure the lonely with your company. We raise before you those we know with particular needs we have been asked to pray for. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Merciful God, we remember before you those who have died in the hope of the resurrection. Unite us with them in your undying love. Help us to always remember that death could not hold your Son Jesus Christ and that new life for him means new life for all who believe in Him. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Gracious God, your Son Jesus Christ, stands among us, and we have seen the marks of your saving love. Breathe on us with the power of your Holy Spirit and send us out to share the peace of Christ with all who may cross our paths in the weeks ahead. Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen From the Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit Costa Blanca POST COMMUNION Lord God our Father, through our Saviour Jesus Christ you have assured your children of eternal life and in baptism have made us one with him: deliver us from the death of sin and raise us to new life in your love, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen NOTICES EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY The Sunday Evening Service is a Eucharist. The readings are the same as the morning service. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Church Open every day 10.00am to 6.00pm Sun 07 Apr 10.30am Family Eucharist – 2nd Sunday of Easter 5.00pm Eucharist From 09 Apr – Tuesdays and Thursdays 5.00pm, Evening Prayer via Zoom Sun 14 Apr 10.30am Parish Eucharist – 3rd Sunday of Easter 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 21 Apr 10.30am Parish Eucharist – 4th Sunday of Easter 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 28 Apr 10.30am Parish Eucharist – 5th Sunday of Easter 5.00pm Evening Prayer PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Hugo, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Diane, Sylvia, Mary, Gracie, Christine, Vivienne, the Brocas family, Ishbel, and Jane. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: Martin. All those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Easter Baptisms: Isaac, Alfie, Bailey, Demi, Mayla, Joshua, Joshua, Zach, Isabella, Ava and Jeff. Those preparing for Confirmation Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, the head teacher Martin Tinsley, all the pupils, staff and governors, and the 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, FoodShare, and the Alma Beacon Hub. Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live in Clewer Park, Mill Lane, White Lilies Island, Stephensons Drive, Clewer Court Road, Swan Terrace, Petworth Court, and the Boatyard Flats. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church in The West Indies . Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Damaturu (Nigeria), Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), Davao (Philippines), Saint Davids (Wales), Delaware (USA), and Delhi (North India).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. CHURCHYARD TIDY – 20 APR 2024, 10.00 – 12.00 The first Churchyard Tidy of the year is on 20th April starting at 10.00. It will last until about 12.00. Any questions, please see Bob Lester. POP UP CHILDRENS’ CAFE The next Pop Up Childrens Cafe will be at St Andrews, on the Friday 26th April, 3.45-5.30pm.  CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Taking place between 12-18 May 2024, Christian Aid Week, is seven days of action. From community events to individual challenges – your way, to fund lasting change. CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WINDSOR, THY KINGDOM COME / PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY, 09–19 MAY 2024 During these 11 days churches in Windsor are offering various opportunities for us to come together to pray. During these times, and at any other time you are able to, please pray for an outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit upon our churches and communities. ‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.’ 1 Timothy 2.1 Details of Service and Events nearer the time. For more details of Thy Kingdom Come 2024, and to sign up for daily prayer videos during the above dates, visit https://www.thykingdomcome.global/lightuptheworld Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. What started in 2016 as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer.  FUNDRAISING FOR A NEW SOUND SYSTEM We are raising money to pay for a new sound system for St Andrews, to replace the aging system we use currently.If you can help, please use either: * Our bank account (details below, please use a reference of “Sound System”). * Our Parish Giving page: https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/clewer-st-andrew-windsor/ The QR code above goes to the same page Thanks to everyone for all the donations towards the sound system so far, if anyone would like to help with fundraising and events please talk to Revd Rosie.  WINDSOR FOODSHARE Loving our neighbours From their Facebook, Twittter and Website Pages: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare https://twitter.com/WindsrFoodshare https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk CAN YOU HELP? We are very short of:Full fat UHT MilkTinned PastaTea BagsTinned FruitStrong Carrier BagsWe have a permanent donation box at Tesco Superstore and also at Waitrose & Partners. So if you are shopping it is easy to pop a carton or two in. Or why not try our Wishlist on Common Good and Amazon. https://www.forcommongood.co.uk/…/giftr…/registry/215636 https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/23EUESGGRMAVZ… We still ask that any food donations for Windsor Foodshare are dropped into Dedworth Green Baptist church as this will still be our main base. LOOP THE LAKEThis year we are holding our first ever sponsored walk to raise funds for Windsor Foodshare.Join us on Saturday 27 April 2024 as we ‘loop the lake’ at Virginia Water to raise funds and supplies for Windsor Foodshare. Click for more details: https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk/loop-the-lake CHURCH FINANCES – MESSAGE FROM ANDREW Thank you to everyone for all you have been able to give in this difficult time. We prefer the Parish Giving Scheme, which we promoted in previous years. Details are on our page on their web site: https://bit.ly/2XCLuCr [https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/clewer-st-andrew-windsor/] We also have the printed application forms available in Church, or contact the Parish Office by email office@clewerparish.org Alternatively, by paying 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 or if your bank doesn’t like this Parochial Church Council St Andrews Clewer Parish CONTACTS The Parish Office is now closed. email: office@clewerparish.org Revd Rosie 01753 852334 email rector@clewerparish.org Parish Website: www.standrewsclewer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/standrewsclewer Rector: Revd Rosie Webb 01753 852334 rector@clewerparish.org Churchwarden: Stuart Cockman Contact via email: office@clewerparish.org Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |