| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 14 December 2025 3rd Sunday of Advent |
 WELCOME Third Sunday in Advent Today we think about those who speak and work on the basis of a firm foundation, instead of creating confusion and distracting others with false information. Glittering, attractive things can draw us in to falsehood and deception. So, we ask forgiveness for the times when we’ve looked for easy answers and embrace ideas that do not rest on God’s foundation. The first reading is Isaiah 35.1-10, the ransomed of the Lord will return to Zion, the desert will sing, those who are blind will see and deaf people will hear. Everlasting joy will be upon the ransomed of the Lord. The second reading is James 5.7-10, we are called to show endurance and be patient until the coming of the Lord. The gospel is Matthew 11.2-11, St John the Baptist sends words by his disciples asking if Jesus is the one who is to come. Jesus tells them to go and say what they head and see addressing the crowd he explains that John is more than just a prophet. Blessings for your week Canon Brian SUNDAY SERVICES 14TH DEC SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Lessons & Carols by Candlelight COLLECT God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to preapre the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the thruth, to hunger for justice, and to sugger for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen READINGS Isaiah 35.1-10 1The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,the desert shall rejoice and blossom;like the crocus2it shall blossom abundantly,and rejoice with joy and singing.The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.They shall see the glory of the LORD,the majesty of our God.3Strengthen the weak hands,and make firm the feeble knees.4Say to those who are of a fearful heart,‘Be strong, do not fear!Here is your God.He will come with vengeance,with terrible recompense.He will come and save you.’5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,and the ears of the deaf unstopped;6then the lame shall leap like a deer,and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,and streams in the desert;7the burning sand shall become a pool,and the thirsty ground springs of water;the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,the grass shall become reeds and rushes.8A highway shall be there,and it shall be called the Holy Way;the unclean shall not travel on it,but it shall be for God’s people;no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray.9No lion shall be there,nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;they shall not be found there,but the redeemed shall walk there.10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,and come to Zion with singing;everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;they shall obtain joy and gladness,and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. James 5.7-10 7Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord Matthew 11.2-11 2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ 4Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written,“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.”11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Paul, Diana, Norman, Hilary, Matt, Al,Vivienne, Stef, John F, Joanna, Tom B and Val. 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: Sebastian Weddings: Sarah and Nick 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, and FoodShare, under the umbrella of 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 Byron Court, Mayfield Close, Kimber Close, Harrington Close, Sherbourne Drive, Woodland Avenue and Illingworth. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Saint Helena (Southern Africa), Saint Mark the Evangelist (Southern Africa), Saldanha Bay (Southern Africa), Salisbury (England), El Salvador (Central America), and Sambalpur (North India).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8.00am in Church Prayers & Bears – Early Years Liturgy on Fridays at 9.30am in Church The church is open for private prayer 10.00am-dusk daily Sun 14 Dec – 3rd Sunday of Advent 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm 9 Lessons & Carols + Churchyard Light Switch On Sun 21 Dec – 4th Sunday of Advent 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 28 Dec – Christmas 1 10:30am Parish Eucharist Sun 04 Jan – Feast of Epiphany 10:30am All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Prayers & Bears Christingle on Friday 19th December – last P&B of the year Midweek Advent Eucharist followed by lunch on 17th December Lessons & Carols Service followed by Churchyard Light Switch On and Windsor Living Advent Calendar Sunday 14th December, service at 5pm followed by light switchon at 6.15pm Christmas Pudding Club Fellowship & Prayers Monday 15th December from 7.30pm The Alma Beacon Cold Weather Night Shelter 2025/2026 run by the Windsor Homeless Project are looking for volunteers from Monday 15th December 2025 to Sunday 29th March 2026 to help run the shelter. More details and information can be found here. Christmas Eve Crib Service 3pm 24th Decemeber NIGHTSHELTER MEALS A request has come from the Night Shelter for meals for 30 people per night Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the weeks that the shelter is open from 19th December. There is a budget that can be reimbursed by Alman Beacon of up to £60 per night. Please let us know if you can help. Can you donate some mince pies? For our Churchyard Light Switch-On after the Lessons and Carols evening service on Sunday 14th December we’d like to offer mince pies along with hot drinks, if you’re able to donate a box or two please bring them to church.  CHRISTMAS EVE BOXES Created by the Children & Families at St Andrews Church to raise money at Christmas this brillinat Christmas Eve boxes have everything you need to get ready on Christmas Eve. All details on the poster below. If you don’t need one for yourself we now offer the “pay it forward” option where you can buy a box for someone else and we will ensure its donated to someone who will benefit from it this Christmas.  Carol Singing at the local care homes will take place:Tuesday 16th Dec 11am Sandown Park Tuesday 16th Dec 3pm Queens Court Wednesday 17th Dec 11am Winton House Wednesday 17th Dec 2pm Mountbatten Grange Please pop on some festive attire and come and join us to sing with residents!   Please download the Church of Englands EverydayFaith app ahead of Advent this year. This will be a unique Advent resource exploring the symbolism behind the hymn ‘O Come Emmanuel’ that’ll be great to follow along with together. This will replace our previous WhatsApp Advent daily messages. CHURCH GIVING Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to our church financially as well as through their time and skills. As we see our congregation grow and our community events increase we invite you to prayerfully consider how you might support this ongoing growth. Every contribution helps us serve our parish here in Clewer. Finance Details Parish Giving Scheme – where one off payments or regular giving can be set up. Alternatively, financial contributions can be paid 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 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 |