| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 18 December 2022 The Fourth Sunday of Advent |
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| WELCOME As we stand on the threshold of Christmas, we give thanks to God for the precious gift of Jesus Christ. So let us come this Sunday before the living God with thankfulness and praise. Our first reading from Isaiah, chapter 7, verses 0-16 The Lord tells Ahaz, King of Judah to ask for a sign . But Ahaz is unwilling to put the Lord to the test. So the Lord promises to give a sign that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The second reading is from the letter to the Romans, chapter 1, verses 1-7 St Paul introduces himself to the Roman church, and offers his credentials. He says that he’s been ‘called to be an apostle’, set apart for the gospel of God concerning his son. The gospel is from St Matthew, chapter 1, verses 18-the end The gospel-writer tells how the birth of Jesus came about, and how an angel of the Lord persuaded Joseph that he should take Mary to be his wife, despite her early pregnancy. ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The child conceived in her is from the holy spirit’. St Matthew, chapter 1 v 20 Blessings Canon Brian |
| COLLECT God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All Amen |
| READINGS Isaiah 7.10-16 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 80.1-8, 18-20 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, you that led Joseph like a flock; Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your mighty strength and come to our salvation. Turn us again, O God; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry at your people’s prayer? You feed them with the bread of tears; you give them abundance of tears to drink. You have made us the derision of our neighbours, and our enemies laugh us to scorn. Turn us again, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Let your hand be upon the man at your right hand, the son of man you made so strong for yourself. And so will we not go back from you; give us life, and we shall call upon your name. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. Alleluia. Romans 1.1-7 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. Matthew 1.18-end Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. |
| INTERCESSIONS Everlasting God we come today on the last Sunday of our Advent journey towards Christmas and we give thanks as we remember those journeys that were being taken on that first Christmas 2000 years ago. Mary and Joseph – travelling by foot to enrol in the Roman census; The Wise Men following the signs in the heavens; The unsuspecting Shepherds moving from pasture to pasture with their flocks; The Jewish Nation, also unsuspecting, moving through history towards a world changing event. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Father God As we think of Mary, pregnant with the Holy child journeying towards motherhood we pray for all women who are expecting a new addition to their families. We also remember that not all pregnancies are wanted and so we pray for all who are carrying unwanted babies and for the decisions they have to make, some of which may be very unpleasant. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Merciful God, we pray for all who like Mary and Joseph are making long and difficult journeys by foot especially those fleeing from war and terror. For those trying to escape hardship, drought, famine or persecution. For those embarking on perilous journeys across the seas in dreadfully unsuitable craft and for those who are providing rescue services. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Creator God we pray for our world, which like that of the Holy Land at the time of Jesus’ birth, is facing an incredible change which was to be the basis of the history of the next two millennia. May all lands that suffer violence and injustice find peace and reconciliation. We pray for the peoples of the world and all who offer their services in the leadership of the affairs of the world that they may uphold what is right and good. We pray particularly at this time for peace in Ukraine and for the future of our world as climate change continues to make itself felt in so many unsettling ways. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Mighty God we pray for the wise men and women of our modern world who are making amazing technological advances and moving our world ever faster into the future. Help us at all times to use that technology for the good of your creation and let it never get in the way of the way that we live our lives for you and for our neighbours in Christ Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Faithful God we pray for the sick and the suffering especially when having to travel to hospital for treatment or surgery and for those who love them and care for them. We pray especially for: Blake, Sam, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, Sylvia, and Mary. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Loving God, give us ears to hear and minds to understand the message and gift of Christmas so that we may look forward with patience and confidence to that time when we will join you in the peace of eternity. And we especially pray for any we know who recently died and are on that journey to you. We remember Vic Mitchell, Margaret East, Beryl Roche, all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Gracious God, who chose Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us with your grace, that like Mary we might rejoice in your salvation; send us out to finish our Advent journey filled with love and joy and peace ready to receive that promise afresh into our lives. Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen From the Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit Costa Blanca |
| PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen |
| Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon from last Sunday Morning |
| NOTICES |
| SUNDAY EVENING The service this Sunday evening is Carols for Loved Ones, in Church, at 5.00pm. Meet for tea beforehand at 4.00pm. |
| SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS No Tue/Thu EP via Zoom during Advent Church Open every Wednesday 10.00am – 12.00 Sun 18 Dec 10.30am 4th Sunday of Advent, Eucharist 5.00pm Carols for Loved Ones Sat 24 Dec 3.00pm Christmas Eve, Crib Service 10.30pm Carol Singing before… 11.00pm Midnight Mass Sun 25 Dec 10.30am Christmas Day, All AgeEucharist Sun 01 Jan 10.30am New Years Day, All AgeEucharist No evening service |
| PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, Sylvia, and Mary. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: Vic Mitchell, Margaret East, Beryl Roche, and all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Those baptised this month 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. We pray also for Windsor Christian Action, and the work of the Homeless Project, Street Angels, FoodShare, and The Night Shelter. 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 the Anglican Church of Korea. Please pray also for the churches these dioceses in Nigeria: Oke-Ogun, Oke-Osun, Okigwe, Okigwe North, Okigwe South, and Okinawa (Japan). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. |
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| Our Christmas flyers are available, please take some and give to your neighbours and friends. |
| ADVENT WHATSAPP DAILY This year the Rector is offering a daily Psalm and Prayer, like opening an Advent Calendar but on your phone! Please sign up on the form in Church if you would like to receive a daily message, or email the office office@clewerparish.org including your mobile number. |
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| ADVENT PREACHING For Sunday morning preaching during Advent, Canon Brian will be leading us in a series of study/reflection on the lectionary readings as we prepare the coming of Christ at Christmas. |
| BRF NOTES Anyone who is interested in a copy of the Bible Reading Fellowship notes for Jan-April to let Mulle know. It is a very good way of reading the Bible with a daily extract and commentary. |
| WINDSOR FOODSHARE From their Facebook and Twittter Pages: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare https://twitter.com/WindsrFoodshare PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ? We’re currently short of tinned meat, UHT milk,Tinned Fruit and Desserts. We are also very very low on carrier bags if you have some stashed in a cupboard please can we have them. All items can be dropped off to the church: Dedworth Green Baptist Church, Smiths Lane, Windsor, SL4 5PE 9.30am-1.30pm Wednesdays 9.30am -3.00pm Thursdays. or alternatively they can be brought from our Amazon wish list. The address they are delivered to are saved to Amazon to make your life a little easier  .https://amzn.to/3a1IMAk Thank you all for your continued support and for helping to feed local families. More information, and to donate online: https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk/food-donations Did you know that Windsor Foodshare has its own just giving page. If you are donating with just giving don’t forget to tick the gift aid box, that way we get an extra 25% on top of your donation. Every single penny we get given goes to help feed local families. https://www.justgiving.com/windsorfoodshare If you would like any further information please contact manager@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. |
| CONTACTS The Parish Office is now closed. The Office Number is: 07490 094261 Email: office@clewerparish.org 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 |