| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 18 January 2026 Second Sunday of Epiphany |
 WELCOME 2nd Sunday of Epiphany Here is a tale of two lambs, Francisco de Zurbaran’s 1630 painting Agnus Dei is stark in its simplicity depicting a bound lamb resting on a stone slab staring with mute resignation out towards the left-hand side of the canvas. In contrast at the centre of the large elaborate Ghent altarpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck is a much bolder lamb. Standing on an altar, its breast pierced and pouring blood directly into a chalice. This lamb looks straight out at the viewer. Cleansing in 2020 revealed its original face is a hybrid between a sheep and a human, making its stare distinctly anthropomorphic and unsettling. Jan van Eyck’s mystical lamb stands in glorious, jewelled light surrounded by adoring saints and angles and martyrs. Zurbaran’s by contrast waits patiently alone in the dark without struggle awaiting its inevitable fate. Both images represent John the Baptist declaration that Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, but which one resonates most with you? As we share Christ’s baptism, so we share his life of service. May we be filled with God’s spirit in our worship today sent out to be the gospel of work in our world. We pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world and we bring before him with attrition the wrong doings that cause hurt to others, harm creation and mar the image of him. First Reading Isaiah 49.1-7, the work of God’ servants is ignited by God’s vision which is not simply to restore Israel but to bring all of God’s nations into light. Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1.1-9, St Paul calls the community of Christians to holiness and reminds them that it is only achievable through the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Gospel John 1.29-42 St John the Baptist sees the newly baptised Jesus fulfilling Isaiah’s servant vision as by calling his first disciples Jesus begins to call Israel back to God. Blessings Canon Brian SUNDAY SERVICES 18TH JAN 2nd SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY 10:30am Parish Eucharist 12:00pm Baptism 3:00pm Wild Worship 5:00pm Evening Prayer COLLECT Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; 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 49.1-7 1Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. 2He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. 3And he said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’ 4But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the LORD, and my reward with my God.’5And now the LORD says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the LORD, and my God has become my strength— 6he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ 7Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, ‘Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’ 1 Corinthians 1.1-9 1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. John 1.29-42 29The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” 31I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ 32And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’35The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ 37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ 39He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). 42He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter). Sermon Sunday 11th Jan 2026 (Canon Brian NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Sue M, Louise, John B, Matt, Stef, and Joanna. 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: George and Bodhi 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 St Leonards Hill, Bridewell, Chestnut Drive, Gratton Drive, Fairlawn Park, Dower Park, Poolmans Road, Snowdon Close, Turnoak Park and Brundenell. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: the Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain (Spain), Spokane (The Episcopal Church), Springfield (The Episcopal Church), Port Sudan (Sudan), Sul Occidental (Brazil), and Sunyani (West Africa). 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 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 21 Jan – St Agnes Day Midday Eucharist (held in St Agnes Church) Sun 25 Jan – Epiphany 3 10:30am Parish Eucharist NO EVENING PRAYER Sun 01 Feb – Candlemass 10:30am All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist Sun 08 Feb – 2nd Sunday before Lent 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.30pm 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. Community Fridge Pop-Up at St Andrews 17th January 11am Wild Worship open to all 3pm 18th January Next Pudding Club Monday 19th January from 7.30pm at Peel Close St Agnes Day Service Midday on Wednesday 21st January in St Agnes Church Monthly Meditation in church starts 29th January at 6.30pm Coffee & More Wednesday 4th Feburary Faith Explorers (our middle schoolers group) will restart on 8th Feburary 3.30pm Care Home Services restart in Feb if anyone who wishes to attend with Revd Rosie please let her know Dates for the diary Pancake Party Tuesday 17th Feb 5pm at church Ash Wednesday Eucharist 18th Feb Midday and 7pm Community Lunches During Lent – Saturdays during lent, if you would be interesting in hosting one please contact the office (office@clewerparish.org)  As part of the process to appoint a new bishop the diocese is asking for everyone living, working or worshipping in the diocese to respond and contribute their views. You can take part in the survey by clicking here. The survey will close on Wednesday 4 February at 5pm. NIGHT SHELTER 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 |