| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 08 May 2022 The Fourth Sunday of Easter |
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| THE EUCHARIST SERVICE IS IN ST ANDREWS CHURCH AT 10.30 |
| Welcome It’s great to have the Sewing Bee back on our TV screens. You may be a sewing person or not, but I expect you can think back to an item of clothing that someone made for you at some point in your life? Back in the 60’s my mother made all my clothes and sometimes we had matching outfits. I can see now my favourite coat that was made out of a turquoise blue and orange checked wool, well it was the 60’s! My Mother used to knit us all arran jumpers and cardies and then my mother in law knit the next generation their arran jumpers. The picture today is of a marvellous gold cope that was made for a priest in our family, it has appeared in an exhibition in St Paul’s Cathedral, and it is now my turn to be the ‘keeper of the cope’. The detail in the fine stitchwork is a masterpiece, the time and effort put into the design and making is a real gift. The tomb picture is taken from one of my stoles, given to me by my Sending Parish, made by a project to help women to sew themselves out of poverty; made from all sorts of oddments of cloth. And the little cardi and hat were knitted by one of our church members for our latest grandchild. Time was taken to carefully select the right kind of soft wool and pattern for the newborn. Today is vocations Sunday in the Church of England and Christians believe that everyone has a vocation – it is to be the person God made us to be. We can’t all make fantastic garments or knit, or be priests or nuns, but we can listen to what God calls us to do and we can care for each other. In Acts Dorcas had died, she was a maker of fine garments, she took the time to find the cloth and make garments for individuals, she was ‘devoted to good works and acts of charity’, making sure people had good clothes to wear, mending, repurposing cloth. Through the prayers of Peter, Dorcas was gifted a new life. This week, have a look through your cupboards to see if you can find a garment that was made or bought for you and pray for that person. Spend time this week praying and listening to God, who is it God wants you to be? Blessings Revd Rosie |
| COLLECT Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All Amen |
| READINGS Acts 9.36-end Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. 3 He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full. 6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Revelation 7.9-end After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, singing, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. |
| GOSPEL READING John 10.22-30 At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. |
| INTERCESSIONS Today is Vocations Sunday. Many may think they are too old for that to be relevant but God has plans for each of us. We can ask God to use us in all stages of life, irrespective of age and individual circumstances. So Father – we give thanks for those you call to be apostles, immersed in the world, bearing witness, in places where they face opposition in society, that they may be continually filled with your spirit. And for those called to be prophets, old fashioned word perhaps but still relevant, those called to speak out, to challenge injustice, apathy and lies. And we ask you, Father, to fill them with your love, to enable them to rise to their calling as others did long ago. Others just like us in another age or place. Lord, hear your people And answer our prayers And Father – you call some to be pastors and teachers, some in specialised fields, whose work supports medical, social and community services, for workers in school and universities, all who speak truth in difficult circumstances and help others to grow in the wisdom they need to make a difference. Show us now how to learn from others and at least have a go – you will help us through people we may well be unaware of. Lord, hear your people And answer our prayers Mother Theresa had some useful words on this – “ I used to pray that God would feed the hungry and do this and that but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers but now I’m praying for strength. I used to pray that my prayers would change things but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things’ Lord, hear your people And answer our prayers Father, you are our shelter in the storm, our light literally in the darkness, our hope in a living hell. We ask you to be with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, Yemen, Afghanistan and so many other countries STILL. Behind the numbing numbers are the names of loved ones and stories to be told. Modern communication systems help us to be with them, gather us close so we open our spirits and share. Your world is our global neighbourhood. Help us forge paths so that we can weather the storms together. Lord, hear your people And answer our prayers Father, we pray for justice, protection and provision for communities around the world, those increasingly affected by climate change, so often those who have done least to cause the problem. We acknowledge our failure to live responsibly as part of your Creation. We have taken what we wanted without considering the consequences. Open our hearts and minds to the signs of our times, to the groaning of creation, so that we may turn from our greed and lack of vision and see a world made anew in Jesus Christ our Lord. Father we pray also for our parish here in Clewer and ourselves. Give us ears to hear, eyes to see and hearts to respond so that we may live, love and learn more fully together, more able to discern your will for us all and live it out wherever we are. Creator God, you made us in your image. May we be fair and impartial in our treatment of others, knowing that they are our siblings in Christ. Let us not be bound by gender or race and instead remember that we are all one in Christ Jesus. Merciful Father, we ask you to accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. |
| A PRAYER FOR UKRAINE God of all peoples and nations, Who created all things alive and breathing, United and whole, Show us the way of peace that is your overwhelming presence. We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, Every child and every adult. We long for the time When weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares When nations no longer lift up sword against nation. We cry out to you for peace; Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones Be with those who are bereaved. Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression And fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace. Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour, And a passion for justice to prevail and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace. Creator of all hear our prayer And bring us peace. Make us whole. All Amen. |
| PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Merciful Father, you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd, and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again: keep us always under his protection, and give us grace to follow in his steps; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen |
| NOTICES |
| SUNDAY 5.00PM EVENING PRAYER (ZOOM) BCP Evening Prayer is on Sunday at 5pm via a Zoom link. We will send out the order of service later. Readings Psalm 113 Isaiah 63.7-14 Luke 24.36-49 |
| APCM The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be held in St Andrews Church on the 22th of May 2022, at 11.30am (after the Eucharist Service). At the meeting, as well as the reports, we need to elect the following: One Churchwarden (currently vacant), and one to be re-elected A Deanery Synod Representative (currently vacant) Two PCC Members (currently vacant), and two may be re-elected. If you think that you could contribute in any of these roles, please see Revd Rosie. |
| PCC MEETING DATE CHANGE The next PCC meeting date has been brought forward so that it is before the APCM. It is now on 12 May at 7.30pm on Zoom. |
| SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Evening Prayer on Zoom, every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.00pm Church open for Private Prayer, every Wednesday 10.00am-12.00 Sun 08 May 10.30am 4th Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 15 May 10.30am 5th Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 22 May 10.30am 6th Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Thu 26 May 12.00 Ascension Day – Midday Eucharist Sun 29 May 10.30am 7th Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist No Evening Prayer (5th Sunday) Sun 05 Jun 10.30am Pentecost – Family Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist – in Church |
| PRAYERS & BEARS Prayers & Bears is now back to every Friday at 9.30am at St Agnes. |
| ME TIME – JUBILEE PREPARATION – 11 MAY There will be a meeting of the ‘Me Time’ group in Church on the 11th May at 10.00. This is to begin making plans and preparations for the Jubilee, and More! |
 15-21 May 2022 |
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| PATHWAYS The latest issue of the Diocese magazine Pathways is available. You can read it online: Click Here for Pathways https://www.oxford.anglican.org/pathways-pdf-version/ Pathways is the magazine for the people of the diocese, featuring articles to help equip committed Christians on their walk with God, while informing enquirers as they learn more about faith. From deepening your spiritual life to practical tips on living out your faith, we hope Pathways will provide something for everyone and be enjoyed by many. |
| PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh and Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, Patricia, and Frank. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Those being Baptised: Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, the head teacher Martin Tinsley and all the pupils, staff and governors. For all our Care Homes, for the safety of residents and staff. Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live in Parsonage Lane, Errington Drive, Chantry Close, Rectory Close, Haslemere Road, Oak Lane, Orchard Avenue, and Dedworth Road. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church in Rwanda. Please pray for the Churches in these Dioceses: Liberia, Lichfield (England), Limerick & Killaloe (Ireland), Lincoln (England), and Litoral Ecuador. Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. |
| WINDSOR FOODSHARE They need basic food please, anything welcome, especially: Tinned meat · Tinned fish · Tinned vegetables· Soup · Rice · Herbs/Spices Cooking sauces · Instant mash · Tea bags/Instant coffee · Sugar · Breakfast cereals · UHT milk · Tinned desserts · Cereal bars/biscuits · Jams · Fruit juice/Squash Also: they need plastic bags. They use strong plastic bags for their clients to take away tinned food and fruit & veg. More information, and to donate online: https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk/food-donations |
| CHURCH FINANCES – MESSAGE FROM ANDREW Thank you to everyone for all you have been able to give in this difficult time. Please consider continuing your regular giving by paying directly to our bank account, the details of which are: HSBC Bank, High Street, Windsor 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 You may wish to consider transferring to 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, please contact the Parish Office by email. |
| CONTACTS The Parish Office is now closed. The Office Number is: 07490 094261 Email: office@clewerparish.org Parish Website: www.standrewsclewer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/standrewsclewer Churchwarden: Stuart Cockman Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |