| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 11 February 2024 Sunday Next before Lent |
  The Clewer Initiative Full Video St Andrews Bellringing #PrayAgainstTrafficking Welcome, from the St Andrews tower captain. If you play the video above you will see some of your bellringers ringing for a service earlier this year. Back in December we had an interesting request: ‘I am writing on behalf of The Clewer Initiative, the Church of England’s response to modern slavery, to ask you if you would be willing to get involved with a project we are organising to mark the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking on 8th February, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita. We are encouraging churches and cathedrals to demonstrate their stance against human trafficking and modern slavery by filming themselves ringing their bells. We will then include these films in a national film we are making as part of a global livestream on 8th February organised by our partner, Talitha Kum. We would like to include as many churches as possible ringing their bells.’ The Clewer Initiative is a part of the work started by the Order of St John the Baptist, the Clewer sisters of the convent in Hatch Lane, so we felt a special link. We asked Stuart to film us ringing, and I sent our video, which was incorporated into their two-minute contribution to the day. If you visit the Clewer Initiative web site you will find many resources relating to fighting modern slavery, including a mobile phone app, the Safe Car Wash app which identifies cases of exploitation and is helping to end modern slavery at hand car washes. There are also six prayers, including this prayer for victims: Most merciful Father, we raise our prayers to you for the increasing number of victims of slavery and trafficking. Whisper hope into their ears and wipe away their tears. Help us see them and support them. Enable our communities to transform the systems which increase poverty and make so many people vulnerable to exploitation. Inspire our church communities to tackle the root causes of modern slavery so that hurt may be healed, despair becomes hope, and isolation become fellowship – through our suffering saviour, Jesus Christ, Amen. Maybe as Lent approaches, we can find the time to include these prayers in our daily routine. Jane COLLECT Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen READINGS 2 Kings 2.1-12 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lordwill take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’ Elijah said to him, ‘Elisha, stay here; for the Lordhas sent me to Jericho.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he answered, ‘Yes, I know; be silent.’ Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God 2 Corinthians 4.3-6 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God THE GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. Mark 9.2-9 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS Almighty God, at the Transfiguration you showed Jesus in a new state of glory and gave His disciples a glimpse of what they would see in his risen life. As we worship together week by week help us to get a glimpse of your heavenly kingdom as well as a deeper understanding of how your son, Jesus, can transfigure our broken and unfulfilled lives. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer. As we pray for our Parish here in Clewer we bring before you all those who lead and inspire our worship, those who visit and pray for the sick and bereaved and those who carry out the maintenance and administration of our churches. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Faithful God, give your wisdom and heavenly grace to all bishops, and priests and deacons, especially Bishop Stephen, Bishop Olivia and Archdeacon Stephen, and to all others who hold office in your church, that, by their service, faith may abound and your kingdom increase. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Creator God, as we pray for your world we ask that you take from us all hatred and prejudice. Give us the spirit of love, for all people whatever their race or creed and give the same spirit of acceptance to all world leaders that through mutual understanding and common endeavour peace and prosperity may be increased throughout the world. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Loving God, with the grace of your holy spirit, comfort all who are in sorrow, need, sickness or adversity. Remember those who suffer persecution for their faith. Have mercy on those to whom death draws near. Give consolation to those in sorrow or mourning and as you take them into your tender care, may they be strengthened by the power of your love. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Merciful God, we pray for all who have died; especially those who, by the example of their lives, encouraged us in our faith. As we pray for them, may they, in turn, continue to pray for us so that we may stay true to our faith and give the example of ourselves to others. Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer. Gracious God, as we leave this house of worship, help us to take with us all that we have heard during our time together, may those words be grafted onto our hearts and produce in us the fruits of a good life, to the praise and honour of your Holy Name. Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen POST COMMUNION Holy God, we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ: may we who are partakers at his table reflect his life in word and deed, that all the world may know his power to change and save. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon for last Sunday Evening Listen NOTICES EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY Sunday Evening’s Service is Evening Prayer via Zoom at 5.00pm. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Church Open every day 10.00am to Dusk Tuesdays and Thursdays 5.00pm, Evening Prayer via Zoom Sun 11 Feb 10.30am Parish Eucharist – Sunday Next Before Lent 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Wed 14 Feb 12.00 Eucharist – Ash Wednesday 7.30pm Eucharist Sun 18 Feb 10.30am Parish Eucharist – The First Sunday of Lent 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening Prayer – in Church Sun 25 Feb 10.30am Parish Eucharist – The Second Sunday of Lent 5.00pm Evening Prayer – in Church Sun 03 Mar 10.30am All Age Eucharist -The Third Sunday of Lent 5.00pm Eucharist – in Church PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Hugo, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Diane, Sylvia, Mary, Gracie, Carmel, Christine, Vivienne, the Brocas family, Martin, and Jane. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: Lisa Barrott, all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Those baptised: Aimee Trot. Weddings: 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 work in, or visit, Legoland, Dedworth Medical Centre, Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, Guides, Thames Hospice, Guards Club, Tennis Club, and Windsor Gym.# Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for the Church of South Sudan. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba (West Indies), Carlisle (England), East Carolina, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Upper South Carolina (USA).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe.  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.   Come and Sing Stainer’s Crucifixion Windsor Parish Church and Thames Valley Church Music invite you to come and take part in a devotional performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion in Windsor Parish Church. Details available on the posters in Church  A Warm Hub will be running at the Alma Beacon starting on the 7th of January. Please share the poster where you can. Download here: https://www.standrewsclewer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Alma-Beacon-Warm-Hub.pdf  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: UHT milkTinned FruitCooking saucesRiceTinned tomatoesTinned vegThis week we helped 212 people with the food that the community has donated to us. 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 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. 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 |