Pews News – 12 September 2021

† St Andrews
Proclaiming Christ in Clewer
12 September 2021 – Trinity 15
Parish Eucharist
THE MORNING SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN PERSON
AT ST ANDREWS CHURCH AT 10.30AM 


Welcome

This week I have been listening to stories on the radio, remembering the events of 9/11, twenty years on.

One gentleman I heard was talking about what he did and, how he felt loosing his father on the 99th floor of the South Tower.

He spoke about how he found himself going to the ruins of Coventry Cathedral, the one that took the hit from the WW2 bombs. This has since become a place of reconciliation and healing.

He didn’t want to be one of those people who got caught up in the bitterness and anger, but needed to find some peace.

He also spoke openly and honestly about his faith in God, how being a Christian had helped him face the loss of his father and how important God is in his life. He talked, for all the world to hear, in those brief few moments on the radio about his faith.

The ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral has been talked about and visited for a long time and has somehow helped people move forward with their lives.

It is important for us to hear good news about places and people that we can turn to in all sorts of need, how more important is it that we, as people of faith, speak good news about God and Jesus so that people know who to turn to and; to discover hope for this life and the life to come?

Blessings
Revd Rosie
Collect – The Prayer of the day

God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit
upon your Church in the burning fire of your love:
grant that your people may be fervent
in the fellowship of the gospel
that, always abiding in you,
they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

Readings

Isaiah 50.4-9a

The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backwards.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
It is the Lord God who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
All of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

James 3.1-12

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
   
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading Mark 8.27-end

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
Glory to you O Lord.

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you O Christ.

Prayers – Trevor Morgan

Heavenly Father, today we pray especially for our church of St Andrews, for Rosie as she leads us, for our churchwarden and PCC members that they may be given guidance and wisdom in their deliberations and decision making and for those whose task is to oversee the work of our church.  We give you thanks for all who have continued to serve tirelessly in your service .
Lord, in your mercy    Hear our prayer

A prayer of Miles Coverdale
Lord Jesus Christ, draw our hearts to yours with a love that is irresistible; unite our hearts to yours with a love that is inseparable; and bind our hearts to yours with a love that is immeasurable, through Jesus Christ our Lord   Amen.

Gracious God, we pray for peace, justice and reconciliation in all those places in the world where there is strife and conflict.  And we especially uphold before you all those places in the world suffering as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, thinking today particularly of those places lacking the facilities and resources which we take for granted. Heavenly Father, we despair at the unspeakable suffering which continues even as we lift up our voices in prayer. Lord God, inspire all who have any influence whatever to use it mightily to bring an end to the suffering of your children in those places and help us to remember that they are our brothers and sisters in Christ
Lord, in your mercy   Hear our prayer

Heavenly Father, we remember in our prayers the young people of our country who are about to go up to University. especially those from our town or otherwise known to us. Give them courage and determination in the face of the difficulties in their path. Help them to face and overcome the challenges they may meet. Help us all to remember them regularly in our prayers
Lord, in your mercy   Hear our prayer

Father, we thank you for all those who bear illness and suffering with courage and patience. We thank you for the way their lives enlighten and inspire our own. Give them a sense of their high calling. May they find strength in knowing that they are sharing in the sufferings of their Master and following his perfect example. Be close to them and grant them your strength and your peace. We think especially today of Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh, Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, and Alan. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn.
Lord, in your mercy   Hear our prayer

O God who brought us to birth and in whose arms we die, we pray for all who have been bereaved. In their grief and pain we pray for comfort and the embrace of your love. Give them hope in their confusion and sorrow and grant them the grace to move forward into a fuller understanding of your love for all. We commend to God’s mercy the souls of those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time.
Rest eternal grant unto them , O Lord    and let light perpetual shine upon them

Merciful Father     accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ   Amen

FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
PRAYERS FOR REFUGEES AND THOSE HELD IN CAPTIVITY


For Refugees

Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

For those held in captivity

Merciful Father,
we cry to you from the depths of our concern
for those wrongly imprisoned or held captive:
for those trying to secure their release,
that the ways of peace and diplomacy may prevail over acts of violence and aggression,
that their captors may know a change of heart;
through him who was sent to proclaim liberty for captives
and to set free those who are oppressed,
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

O Lord God,
your Son Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.
In his resurrection
he restores life and peace in all creation.
Comfort, we pray, all victims of intolerance
and those oppressed by their fellow humans.
Remember in your kingdom those who have died.
Lead the oppressors towards compassion
and give hope to the suffering.
Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer after communion

Keep, O Lord, your Church, with your perpetual mercy;
and, because without you our human frailty cannot but fall,
keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful,
and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

NOTICES

ZOOM EVENING PRAYER 12 SEPTEMBER AT 5PM
 

BCP evening prayer is on Sunday at 5pm via a Zoom link. We will send out the order of service later.

EP Readings
Psalm 119.73-88
Exodus 18.13-26
Matthew 7.1-14

Sunday EP will be on Zoom on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays.
5th Sundays TBC.

SERVICES IN THE REST OF SEPTEMBER

Tuesdays & Thursdays in Sep – 5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom

Fridays – 9.30-11.00am Prayers & Bears at St Agnes

Sun 12 Sep 10.30am Parish Eucharist in Church
                      5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom

Sun 19 Sep 10.30am Parish Eucharist in Church
                      3.00pm Mini Mass – Children’s Church St Agnes
                      5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom

Sun 26 Sep 10.30am Parish Eucharist in Church
                      5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom

MINI MASS – CHILDREN’S CHURCH

Sunday 19th is the first of our new Children’s Church at St Agnes, 3pm. This is a child focused Holy Communion service aimed at primary school age children and families. To help them grow in faith and understanding of sacramental worship with interactive prayers and bible stories with a message to explore together as well as music and singing.

LIFTING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

The government’s Coronavirus legislation on social distancing, face coverings, capacity, etc has now ended.

However, the latest guidance from the Church of England encourages us to make local decisions that are right for our church and community. To this end, we are advising: We should continue to use hand sanitiser as before Wear face covering when you feel you should (if it is crowded, or you feel the need to, or during singing) The Eucharist will continue under One Kind (wafer only) for now When distributing the Eucharist, Revd Rosie and Canon Brian will continue to wear a face covering There is no restriction on the number in each pew, but please ask before sharing The alternate pews will remain signed as ‘Available Pew’, you are advised to use them Singing is allowed We will continue to record attendance for NHS Test and Trace purposes, or the Test and Trace QR code posters may be used instead

COFFEE AFTER SERVICES

We will be having coffee together after the service, outside the Church, weather permitting.

PRIVATE PRAYER

St Andrews is open for private prayer on Wednesday mornings from 10-12. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Those being Baptised: Grace and Archie

The suffering: Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh and Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Alan, and Norman and Diane. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn.

The departed: those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time.

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 Cleves Court, Carter Close, St Johns Road, Gordon Road, Dawson Close, Convent Road, and Bailey Close.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Anglican Church of Tanzania. Please also pray for the Churches in the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, and The Church of England, the Dioceses of Evo (Nigeria),  Exeter (England),  Ezo (South Sudan), and Faisalabad (Pakistan).

Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe.

WHP’S ANNUAL SLEEP OUT IS BACK!

Join us on 15th October, as we sleep out under the stars, in our sleeping bags and cardboard boxes, at Windsor College.

The Sleep Out is Windsor Homeless Project’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The funds we raise every year mean we’re able to be here, when we’re needed, enabling homeless and vulnerable people in our local community to rebuild their lives.
What is the WHP Sleep Out?

The WHP Sleep Out is an annual fundraising challenge, where people in our community come together to raise funds and awareness for Windsor’s homelessness charity.

We won’t fully experience what it is like to sleep rough, but it does open our eyes to the experience that so many people in our community and around the UK find themselves in every day.

As always, it will be an evening of education, entertainment, food, and testimonials, all before we bed down for a night in the elements.

We would love for you, your friends, and your family to join us. Will you help to make 2021’s Sleep Out our biggest and best yet?
 
 CHURCHYARD TIDY

The next Churchyard tidy will be on Saturday 25th September, 10-12, please let Bob Lester know if you can help out.
CHRISTIAN AID SERVICE FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE
DURING SEASON OF CREATION


Season of Creation – 1 Sept -04 Oct 2021

At this time, we unite with other Christians to celebrate and commit to protecting God’s creation – our common home. 2021 is a significant year for our planet. The UK is hosting the UN Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow in November; now is the critical moment to raise our voices to advocate for climate justice for the most vulnerable and poorest peoples who face the worst effects of this climate crisis. To mark this moment, Windsor Christian Aid invites you to join them for the following events:

*         Taizé-style prayer service for Climate Justice – Sunday 19 Sept, 4.00pm at St Edwards: a service of prayer, reflection & song to encourage us all to take action on climate change & to act justly. The service will be followed by refreshments in the Parish Hall at 5pm

*         ‘Creation in Crisis’ trail – Windsor – 25-26 September: a family trail of 15 stations around Windsor Town Centre explaining issues that are damaging Our Planet & what we can do about them.

For more information on all these events, please contact tracytickle@hotmail.com  or sarah.gardnerlobo@gmail.com
 
ONLINE GIVING

In light of recent events, you may want to consider giving to charity online.

For Afghanistan – Save the Children
https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/asia/afghanistan

For Haiti – Christian Aid
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/haiti-earthquake-appeal In addition, there is the Church of England Toolkit for supporting Afghan Refugees https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/community-action/toolkit-supporting-afghan-refugees
 
VACANCIES

We are looking for a Parish Administrator to take over from Sharon. A job description will be finalised shortly.

The PCC is short of several members. If you think PCC  membership is for you, or would like to know what is involved,  please see Revd Rosie.
WINDSOR FOODSHARE

Foodshare are currently short of the following: strong carrier or cloth bags, coffee, pasta sauces, sugar, spaghetti hoops, and rice pudding.

Drop off at Dedworth Green Baptist church on Smith’s Lane on Wednesday or Thursdays between 10-3pm.

Please continue to donate via the purple bin near the font, or the collection boxes that are around the community, the locations can be found on the Windsor Food Share website. https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk
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.
 
We also have boxes of numbered envelopes available, if you would like to use these please contact the Parish Office office@clewerparish.org
 
CONTACTS
 
The Parish Office is now closed again.
Out of hours office number: 07490 094261
Email:  office@clewerparish.org

Revd Rosie Webb: rector@clewerparish.org Tel: 01753  852334

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
 
Pastoral helpline number: 07946 590223

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