| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 11 May 2025 The Fourth Sunday of Easter |
 WELCOME Today is known as Vocations Sunday in the Church of England, it is also our Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting. It is the time of year when we get together and review the last year and consider where God is calling us into the next year. Listening to God’s call is something all of us try to build in to our every day, and its not easy as there are so many distractions. And sometimes we just don’t notice or want to listen. This week I heard my sister speaking on Radio 4. I was waiting for the bit in the programme whilst doing so jobs, and there was her voice, unmistakable, totally recognisable to me as she is my sister. Isn’t it strange when we hear ourselves, we often say…I don’t sound like that do I? We easily recognise the sounds of our babies crying or our family members from across a shop for example, we know their voices. But how do we recognise the voice of Jesus? Have you ever stopped to wonder what Jesus sounded like? There are many images of Jesus of course but would we recognise Jesus, our brother, our friend, if we heard his voice? Jesus’ voice could calm a storm, heal the sick, raise the dead, tell a good story, teach and people listened. People hear the call of Jesus in many ways and more often people are aware of Jesus calling them through passages in the bible, hymns and songs as well as church buildings and art. People are moved to respond to Jesus due to the beauty and wonder of creation and sometimes Jesus uses other people to speak his message of love and acceptance to us. It is one thing to hear the voice of Jesus and follow. It is another thing to be that voice for others. We have all heard the expression that in living the Christian life we may be the hands of Jesus doing his work here on earth. Let us also consider being the voice of Jesus bringing consolation and perhaps even wisdom to others. After all, if Jesus is part of our life shouldn’t we sound like him? We are all children of God, made in God’s image and through our baptism we are members of the body of Christ. At the very core of our being, we recognise the voice of Jesus, though we may not always be aware that it is him speaking. Responding to the call of Jesus can often require courage and teaches us to turn to God for hep and guidance, and we get that sense that this is right, and others will see it and encourage us to do it. The call to follow Jesus is exciting and transforming and continues our whole lives. The shepherd knows his flock, the sheep hear his voice and respond. We are called to go deeper and further on; his voice never stops. Keep listening for Jesus’ voice of love, hear and follow. Blessings for your week 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. 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 Gospel Reading John 10.22-30 Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. 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 Grant that the Church, serving you in all good works, may bear witness to the Gospel of hope … May Christ the Good Shepherd keep his people free from sin and safe from danger. Bless all who work for the relief of poverty and need … Open the hearts of the rich and powerful to give their help … Teach us all to remember that we can do no good thing without your grace. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer Bless us in our families and in our work, that we shall always be ready to hear your voice and follow your commands … Keep us faithful to the fellowship of love in which we are called to be your own. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer Have mercy on all who are in any kind of tribulation and distress … Bring them the peace of your presence, relieve their suffering and wipe away all tears from their eyes. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer Grant to the departed the vision of your glory and eternal life in the blessed company of heaven … Have mercy on all who mourn, and comfort them with assurance of resurrection and the ending of sorrow. Merciful father accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen From Leading Intercessions by Raymond Chapman POST 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. Amen NOTICES EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY The service on Sunday evening is Evening Prayer at 5.00pm SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Church open every day 10.00am until 6.00pm Evening Prayer via Zoom at 5.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8.00am in Church Sun 11 May 10:30am Parish Eucharist – The 4th Sunday of Easter 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 18 May 10:30am Parish Eucharist – The 5th Sunday of Easter 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 25 May 10:30am Parish Eucharist – The 6th Sunday of Easter 5.00pm Evening Prayer Thu 29 May 12.00 Midday Eucharist – Ascension Day Sun 01 Jun 10:30am All Age Eucharist – The 7th Sunday of Easter 5.00pm Eucharist Sun 08 Jun 10:30am Parish Eucharist – Pentecost 5.00pm Evening Prayer PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Sam, Matt, Al, John C, Sharon, Vivienne, Stef, John F, Joanna, Jane P, Tom B, Val, and Bronwyn. 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: all who were baptised this Easter. Weddings: Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, Mrs Branch, Mr Seymour, and all the staff, pupils, staff and governors. 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. 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 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 Nippon Sei Ko Kai (the Church in Japan). Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Mishamikoweesh (Canada), District (Brasil), Mississippi, Missouri, West Missouri (USA), and Mityana (Uganda).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe.UPCOMING EVENTSThe APCM will be held on 11 May, after the 10.30 service The Christian Aid Open Garden fundraising coffee morning etc is at the Rectory on 17th May 10.00-12.00. Please see poster below for details The next Wild Worship is at 3.00pm on 18th May Our new Bishop, Bishop Mary is due to visit the deanery on 22nd May and we are all invited to meet her at an evening event. If you would like to have an evening out and meet the Bishop, put the date in your diary. St Andrews Volunteers Day Sat 24 May from 9.00-12.00. Please see notice belowCoffee and More is starting again on 4th June at 10.00am Churchyard tidies are being organised, please keep an eye out for dates, and help when you can. ST ANDREWS VOLUNTEERS DAY – SAT 24 MAY 9.00-12.00 Did you sign to help volunteer for roles within St Andrews? Now is the time for action! Come along on Saturday 24th May for churchyard tidy, silver and brass cleaning, training on chalice assistant, sound system, serving and the ministry of welcome. Training lasts an hour, starting promptly on the hour, come for one or rotate round each. Churchyard tidy will be continuous outside. Refreshments available See you then. APCM The APCM will be held on 11 May, after the 10.30 service, and we are looking for new PCC members plus two church wardens. If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of the church and are passionate about the mission and ministry here at St Andrews, then why not join the PCC? Church Wardens are appointed by the Bishop and they have responsibility for the furnishings and fabric of the building and looking after the Rector, if you are interested in this side of church life and can offer time and talents (even if you can help with one aspect) then please have a chat with Revd Rosie. Also, a reminder that if you haven’t already applied to be on the Electoral Roll for this year, please do so. Forms are at the back of the church. CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WINDSOR EASTER NEWSLETTER The latest CTW newsletter includes information on Christian Aid Week (11-17 May) and services during Thy Kingdom Come period (Ascension to Pentecost). It is not yet on the CTW web site, but can be downloaded from here.      Please consider supporting the work of the Baby Bank. You can donate your second-hand baby clothes/supplies or even volunteer your time. Alternatively, you can help us out with a cash donation to help with the day-to-day running costs of The Baby Bank. Simply click on the link below to see how you can get involved.https://thebabybank.org  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 And their new page https://taplink.cc/windsorfoodshare URGENT APPEAL We’re running low on some essential items at Windsor Foodshare and need your help! If you can donate, we’d be so grateful for:  Tinned Pasta Tinned Pulses Tinned Fruit Jars of Sauces Biscuits Strong Carrier BagsThere are many ways to donate food to us – https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk/donating-food. We have a permanent donation box at Tesco Superstore, Dedworth and also at Waitrose & Partners in Windsor town centre. So if you are shopping it is easy to pop a pack or two in the donation box. Or why not try our Wishlist on Common Good and Amazon (you can click through to these from our linktree at https://taplink.cc/windsorfoodshare). You can also drop off to us on: – Wednesdays 09.00-13.30; or – Thursdays 09.00-15.00 at Dedworth Green Baptist Church (Smiths Lane, Windsor SL4 5PE). Thank you all so much for your continued support!Click here for the Windsor Foodshare January 2025 Newsletter 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 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 Churchwarden: Vacant Contact via email: office@clewerparish.org Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |