| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 15 February 2026 Sunday before Lent |
 View from the top of Mt Tabor- site of the Transfiguration WELCOME Sunday before Lent This week sees the beginning of Lent and I wonder what that means for you? Perhaps it is time to look more closely at the word Lent, what does it mean? ‘Lent’ is the past tense of the word ‘lend.’ To ‘lend’ something to someone is to let someone borrow something for some time, which one expects to be given back after lending. The word is applicable to any situation of lending and borrowing. Have you lent something and never had it returned or even, had it returned and found it damaged? When we hire a car, it is checked over for damage on release and then again when it is returned. Is this something you do when someone borrows your car? And is it returned with an empty or full tank? So what about God, faith and how we live our lives? God has ‘lent’ us creation, how are we caring for it? God has gifted us with life, perhaps on our death God goes over it and checks for damage on return? Do we count the blessings we are ‘lent’ in life, family, friends, a home etc, can we do more to care for them ? Lent is a time to think deeply about our faith and the lives we lead. If we think of everything as being ‘lent’ to us by God, would that change anything? This Sunday’s readings immediately before the beginning of Lent, record special meetings where God is revealed in a new way- meetings that make a significant difference in the lives of ordinary people. This includes the Transfiguration, the time when Jesus and three disciples are on Mt Tabor where they went to pray. Everyone on that mountain was changed by the experience. God ‘lent’ us Jesus Christ to experience his love, and meeting Jesus Christ personally is life changing. So whatever you are going to do this Lent, its forty days long, and ‘lent’ to you by God! Blessings Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 8TH FEB SUNDAY BEFORE LENT 10:30am Eucharist 3:00pm Wild Worship 5:00pm Evening Prayer 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 Exodus 21.12-end 12 The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’ 13So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14To the elders he had said, ‘Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.’ 15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. 2 Peter 1.16-end 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ 18We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Matthew 17.1-9 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ Sermon Sunday 8th Feb 2026 Morning (Canon Brian) NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: John B, Matt, Stef, and Joanna. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: Sue Morgan, Brenda Stafford and all those recently departed this life and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Baptisms: 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, 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 Legoland, Dedworth Medical Centre, Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, Rainbows, Guides, Thames Hospice, Guards Club, Tennis Club and Windsor Gym. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Tennessee (USA), East Tennessee (USA), West Tennessee (USA), Terekeka (South Sudan), Teritory of the People (Canada), and Missionary Diocese of Tete (Mozambique). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families. If you would like anyone added to our Prayer List please email the office office@clewerparish.org Thanksgiving for Sue Morgan A Thanksgiving service for Sue Morgan will be held at All Saints’ Church at 11am on 2nd March. Following the service there will be refreshments and a light buffet lunch. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8.00am in Church Evening Prayer on Tuesday and Thursdays at 5pm on Zoom Prayers & Bears – Early Years Liturgy on Fridays at 9.30am in Church The church is open for private prayer 10.00am-dusk daily Wed 18 Feb – Ash Wednesday 12:00pm Midday Mass 7.00pm Eucharist Sun 22 Feb – Lent 1 10:30am Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer Wed 25 Feb 12:00pm Midday Eucharist coffee from 11am Sun 01 Mar – Lent 2 10:30am All-Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist Wed 04 Mar 12:00pm Midday Eucharist coffee from 11am Sun 08 Mar – Lent 3 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Faith Explorers 5.00pm Evening Prayer UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 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. Wild Worship at the allotments Sunday 15th February 3pm Sunday 15th February, join Green Screen and the Windsor and Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire Bat Group for The Invisible Mammal at the Old Court- a film celebrating bats and Women in Science. Follow the link for more details and to book seatshttps://tickets.oldcourt.org/sales/the-old-court-cinema/green-screen-windsor-presents- Pudding Club Monday 16th Feb from 7.30pm Peel Close Pancake Party Tuesday 17th Feb 5pm at church Ash Wednesday Eucharist 18th Feb Midday and 7pm Dates for the diary Community Lunches During Lent – Saturdays during lent (28th Feb, 7th March, 14th March, 21st March), if you would be interesting in hosting one please contact the office (office@clewerparish.org)    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 Alma Beacon of up to £60 per night. Please let us know if you can help.  A reminder that we will be holding an Auction of Talents after Easter. We ask that everyone considers if they can commit to offering something for the auction – a cake, gardening skills whatever it may be! All commitments need to be made before Lent in order for us to be able to organise our fundraising event after Easter, please email the office (office@clewerparish.org) if you are able to support this. 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 If you haven’t already please consider downloading the Church of Englands EverydayFaith app to help with daily reflections to inspire, equip and encourage you in your everday faith. 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 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st_andrews_clewer/ Churchwarden: Vacant Contact via email: office@clewerparish.org Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |