| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 09 April 2023 Easter Sunday |
  Welcome – Easter Day 2023 Alleluia! Christ is risen! So here we are, Easter Day, we have come through the heartache of Holy Week, re hearing the stories that led up to and included the Crucifixion. A week where a friend describes it as ‘hard work being a Christian’. Six sermons prepared, seven services taken, a procession, a fair, and the finale – the dawn service and the bringing in of the new light, followed by the glorious celebration of our family Eucharist with baptism. A diet of hot cross buns since Friday, fish and chips from the chip shop and many early nights! How has your Holy Week been? Was it an important week for you, did you reflect on all that Jesus has done in your life, heard the story and wept? Did you see Jesus this week in the world around you? Did you meet him in the bread and wine of the Eucharist and in your prayers? Is your heart prepared and ready for the celebration of Easter? Christ is risen….so that you may have eternal life, so that you may forgive those who hurt you, so you may never be alone, so that you can have a clean heart and start again, so that you may know God’s eternal love for you…..so that you may have hope! Early on the third day, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb, she wept, Jesus was not there! Or was he? Waiting to see who would show up first? And he asks..Why are you weeping? The pattern of Jesus’ meeting with Mary on that first Easter morning is the pattern that I recognise from my own experiences of encountering God, and I wonder if it is one you recognise too? God meets us when and where we least expect it, in ways we often don’t recognise at first. He is more interested in asking us about ourselves than telling us about himself. He takes our feelings, positive or negative, seriously. He doesn’t tend to explain. He asks more questions than he answers. And far sooner than we feel ready, he asks us to go and tell other people – tell them things we are hardly sure of ourselves, announce things we feel very unprepared for proclaiming. Proclaim things that we really hope we aren’t asked questions about because we don’t feel we know any more than the little we have been told to share. Its hard work being a Christian! So, let’s think again about our vision here at St Andrews.. of Living, Loving, Learning, as disciples here in Clewer and hear for ourselves this morning the words that Jesus spoke to Mary. Why are you weeping? What are you sorrows? God hears, and listens, and takes your worries and your pain seriously. Who are you looking for? Do you want to find Jesus here today? Do you want to meet him in prayer, in bread and wine, in your neighbour? Go to my friends, to my brothers and sisters, and tell them that you have seen the Lord. Alleluia! Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! Revd Rosie COLLECT Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity. All Amen READINGS Acts 10.34-43 Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ – he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. Matthew 28.1-10 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS Up from the grave he arose; with a mighty triumph o’er his foes; he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! (Robert Lowry) As the hymns we sing echo the joy we feel today as together we celebrate the glorious resurrection, may our Easter exhilaration continue throughout the rest of our lives and show in the way that we live it out. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! Hail the Lord of earth and heaven! Praise to thee by both be given: (Charles Wesley) We pray for a world that recognises Jesus as Lord and imagine how changed it would be; free from hatred, violence, poverty and injustice; a place where all would live together in love and harmony. That would be heaven here on earth.He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! Dying once, he all doth save; where thy victory, O grave? We pray for families, friends and neighbours who have not yet recognised that Jesus died and rose again for everyone. Help them to see and realise the possibilities that accepting him into their live will bring, not least the promise of life beyond the grave. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! Vain the stone, the watch, the seal! Christ has burst the gates of hell. Just as the stone of Christ’s tomb was rolled away so roll away the stones of illness, despair, worry and fear and pour the light and joy of his resurrection into their lives. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! Lives again our victorious King; where, O death, is now thy sting? Lord, your love reaches beyond the grave to raise your son to a triumphant resurrection. When we fear our death and the death of those we love: strengthen us in the knowledge that Christ has gone before us to reign with you, crowned with glory and honour. We pray for those departed this life that they too may be raised with Christ He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! Love’s redeeming work is done, fought the fight, the battle won. Death in vain forbids him rise; Christ has opened paradise. May we go from this Easter Day service rejoicing. Determined to live a resurrection life and show the world that we are your disciples. 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 PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION God of Life, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection have delivered us from the power of our enemy: grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Listen to Revd Rosie’s Homilies for Holy Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday NOTICES SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Tue & Thu, Evening Prayer at 5.00pm via Zoom, resuming Tue 18 Apr Church Open every day 10.00am – 6.00pm Sun 09 Apr Easter Day 6.00am Dawn Service with Easter bonfire in the churchyard 10.30am Easter Day Family Eucharist followed by Easter Egg Hunt No Evening Service Sun 16 Apr 10.30am Second Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 23 Apr 10.30am Third Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist 5.00pmEvening Prayer Sun 30 Apr 10.30am Fourth Sunday of Easter – Parish Eucharist No Evening Service PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, Sylvia, Mary, Gracie, and the Flisher family. 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 preparing for baptism: Antoine, Freya, Zachary, Catalaya, Mila, Jacob, Albie and Mollie. Those preparing for marriage: Rhys and Stephanie. 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. We pray also for Windsor Christian Action, and the work of the Homeless Project, Street Angels, FoodShare, and The Night Shelter. 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 Churces in Sudan. Please pray also for the churches in these dioceses: Santiago (Chile), Santiago (Philippines), Sapele (Nigeria), Saskatchewan (Canada), Saskatoon (Canada), and Sebei (Uganda).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. EASTER FLOWERS Contributions would be welcomed for Lillies as our Easter flowers. EASTER DAY EGG HUNT We are looking for donations of small individual wrapped eggs to hide. CHRISTIAN AID PLANT SALE AND COFFEE MORNING There will be a Christian Aid Plant sale and coffee morning, with the Berkshire Birds of Prey, at the Rectory, on 20 May from 10.30am – 12.00. PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL OXFORD CHANGE OF DATE 28th April. A chance to visit our mother church, have a personal guided tour, have tea in the Great Hall, share in worship at Choral Evensong and a tour of the gardens. If you would like to go, please sign up. The cost for tea depends on which menu we decide on, we will be the only parish tour that day and it will be a wonderful experience for us to enjoy together. Our date has had to be cancelled by the cathedral, but the new date they have given us is Friday 28 April. If you would like to go please let Revd Rosie know as we will need to arrange transport. ST ANDREWS APCM This years’s Annual Parochial Church Meeting (sometimes known as the AGM) will be after the 10.30am service in Church on 14 May 2023. MY TIME PRE-CORONATION LUNCH AND MORE – WED 03 MAY Save the date: ‘MyTime Pre-Coronation Lunch and More’ on Wednesday 3rd May to be held in church. We may also continue meeting for lunch on the first Wednesday of the month. CORONATION WEEKEND IDEAS? The Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort takes place on 06 May. https://www.royal.uk/coronation The Big Help Out is just one of the nationwide activities planned for that bank holiday weekend. https://thebighelpout.org.uk If you can think of some things we could do as a Church around these times, please let Revd Rosie know .Joint Choral Evensong with Windsor town centre Parishes Singers welcome. If you would like to have a go at singing evensong- now is your opportunity! Sunday 21st May at 5.30pm Message from John Halsey, music director Our normal pattern is for BCP Choral Evensong at 5.30pm, preceded by Tea for choir and congregation at 4.45pm and Choir practice at 4.10pm. It might be best to bring forward Choir practice to 4.00pm on this occasion. We will also have a practice on Friday 12th May, so the list of times would be: All Saints’ Church, Frances Road, Windsor Friday 12th May – 7.35pm-8.45pm Choir Practice Sunday 21st May – 4.00pm Choir Practice – 4.45pm Tea for choir and congregation together – 5.30pm BCP Choral Evensong TURKEY-SYRIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL Please see details of the Oxford Diocese appeal on our web site: https://www.standrewsclewer.org/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal Or see the DEC appeal: https://donation.dec.org.uk/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal God of refuge, You are an ever present help in time of need. Please be this to the people of Turkey, Syria and Iraq today. Provide people with safe shelter and the essentials they need. Be a comfort to those who are grieving and who are traumatised. Be people’s strength and rock as they work together to rescue people, treat the injured, care for those in need and rebuild after this tragedy. In Jesus’ name, Amen. CHRISTIAN AID REP We are still looking for someone to be our Christian Aid representative. This does not need to be a PCC member or other church official. Please see Revd Rosie if you can help. WINDSOR FOODSHARE From their Facebook and Twittter Pages: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare https://twitter.com/WindsrFoodshare CAN YOU HELP? We are very low on Tinned VegTinned Meat Desserts (custard, rice pudding, angel delight) We 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 2 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… You can drop off to us on Wednesdays 9.30-1.30 or Thursdays 9.30-3.00 at Dedworth Green Baptist Church. We do not like to ask as we know times are tough for lots of people right now. Imagine if your whole street donated one tin each to us how this would help our stocks. 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 |
Pews News – 09 Apr 2023
