| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 13 April 2025 Palm Sunday |
 Welcome Today we mark a significant part of the events that lead us to the cross – Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Everyone had heard about the miracle of Lazarus, they believed and therefore followed and celebrated the messiah as he entered the city. A messiah who would change everything! But not in the way they thought they wanted or needed. Jesus enters through the city gates, through the walls into the city. There were those who lived inside the walls, did they receive him like those outside? After all, Jerusalem has a history of killing prophets, so how will the might of Rome react to the provincial prophet coming through the gates on a donkey with all the noise from outside the walls? Those who lived outside the walls of Jerusalem, those that life had stripped of everything, strip out of their own cloaks and lay them on the ground as a sign of honour. Inside the walls, a city under occupation, a troubled place, a place of conflict and confusion, a place where power means everything and the poor and needy are forgotten because they feel powerless. As followers of the donkey-riding king, we are called to care for the weak, the lost, the vulnerable, and to stand up for injustices. But we can only do this if we examine ourselves in the process, knowing we do these things because God calls us to, not because of self-gratification. We now enter Holy Week, during which we address the parts of our lives that we need to work on the most, by hearing again the stories of the events leading up to the death of Jesus. We come together to listen, to pray, to offer ourselves to God broken and in need of forgiveness. We take ourselves to the cross. Holy Week is not to be taken lightly, but sincerely and honestly. Are we crying ‘Hosanna’ one minute and ‘crucify’ him the next? Jesus told his disciples, ‘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 will find it.’ (Matthew 16) I pray you have a blessed Holy Week. Revd Rosie COLLECT Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; 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 Philippians 2.5-11 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himsel and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Gospel Reading Luke 19.28-40 Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.”’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The Liturgy of the Passion will be Luke 22, 23 As it is too long to include here, please click the link to read it: https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=611284621 It will be read, in dramatic form, from the red Lent, Holy Week, Easter books. INTERCESSIONS We stand with Christ in his suffering.For forgiveness for the many times we have denied Jesus, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. For grace to seek out those habits of sin which mean spiritual death, and by prayer and self-discipline to overcome them, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. For Christian people, that through the suffering of disunity there may grow a rich union in Christ, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. For those who make laws, interpret them, and administer them, that our common life may be ordered in justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. For those who still make Jerusalem a battleground, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. For those who have the courage and honesty to work openly for justice and peace, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. For those in the darkness and agony of isolation, that they may find support and encouragement, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. For those who, weighed down with hardship, failure, or sorrow, feel that God is far from them, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. For those who are tempted to give up the way of the cross, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. That we, with those who have died in faith, may find mercy in the day of Christ, let us pray to the Lord. All Lord, have mercy. All Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us. From CofE Times and SeasonsP OST COMMUNION Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father. Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon from last Sunday evening LISTEN Listen to Revd Rosie’s Sermon for Palm Sunday LISTEN NOTICES NO EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY There is no Sunday evening service. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Church open every day 10.00am until 6.00pm. Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8.00am in Church Contemplative Eucharist on Wednesdays at 12.00 during Lent, followed by Lent Lunch (including during Holy Week) Sun 13 Apr 10.30am Palm Sunday – Liturgy of the Palms, and Liturgy of the Passion and procession around the community No Evening Service HOLY WEEK Mon 14 Apr 7.30pm Eucharist, followed by Compline Tue 15 Apr 7.30pm Eucharist, followed by Compline Wed 16 Apr 8.00am Morning Prayer 12.00 Midday Eucharist followed by Lent Lunch 7.30pm Eucharist, followed by Compline Thu 17 Apr 7.30pm Liturgy of the Upper Room (including foot washing) Fri 18 Apr Good Friday 9.30am Wild Worship, Family Activities 10.30am CTW Walk of Witness 1.00pm Hour of Silence 2.00pm Liturgy of the Cross 3.00-5.00pm Veneration of the Cross church open for silent prayer Sun 20 Apr Easter Day 6.00am Dawn Liturgy 7.00am River Baptisms, followed by breakfast in the Lodge 10.30am Eucharist, with renewal of Baptism vows, followed by Easter Egg Hunt No Evening Service Sun 27 Apr 10:30am Parish Eucharist – The 2nd Sunday of Easter 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: Craig Waldren, Muriel Poston, all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time, especially Martin Chandler. Baptisms: Penny, Evie, Grayson, Aspen, Kaelan, Hallie, Freddie, Noah, Michelle, Ellie 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 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 Church of England. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Matlosane (Southern Africa), Mauritius (Indian Ocean), Mbaise (Nigeria), Mbale (Uganda), North Mbal (Uganda), and Mbamili (Nigeria).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. EVENTS Concert of reflective music given by Voci Chamber Choir and visiting Choir Subito Koral, Tuesday 15 April, 7.30pm at St Edward’s Catholic Church, Alma Road SL4 3HJ. Concert is free with a retiring collection for Windsor Foodshare. See poster below. The next Wild Worship will be held on Good Friday 18th April On Holy Saturday 19th Apr in the afternoon we will be decorating the church, if people would like to come along and help. Also, donations for Easter lilies and flowers would be appreciated The next Children’s Pop Up Café is on 25th April 3.30-5pm The next Pudding Club, faith and fellowship is on Monday 28th April 7.30pm at Peel Close Churchyard Teas begin again in May, starting with VE celebrations on 8th May – more info to follow but please put date in diary. Churchyard tidies are being organised, please keep an eye out for dates, and help when you can. 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. The Easter Flyer is available, with all the details of the services from 30th March Mothering Sunday to Easter day. See below. EASTER SUNDAY BREAKFAST If you will be at the breakfast on Easter morning, please would you sign up so we have an idea of numbers to cater for. APCM The APCM will be held in May, 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.   WHP is looking for a new team member – 30 hours per week Team Member to the Windsor Homeless Project Manager on key activities that are intrinsic to its smooth running. Use your skills & experience to make a difference to the most vulnerable. Full details: https://mailchi.mp/708393ebeb7f/run-4-change-5856829?e=d090be039b EASTER EGGS As well as Windsor Town Funrunners (WTF) asking for Easter egg donations for the care home and hospice run, we also need small Easter egg donations please for church, ready for the hunt on Easter day.   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 |