| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 20 Feb 2022 2nd Sunday before Lent  |
| THE EUCHARIST SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AT ST ANDREWS CHURCH AT 10.30AM Dear friends, The first reading is from Genesis, chapter 2 verses 4-9 and 15 to the end. This passage tells us that God created people, animals, plant life and suggests that humanity has a special responsibility to care for God’s creation. Our second reading comes from Psalm 65. The psalmist creates a beautiful image of God irrigating the earth. You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it. The river of God is full of water. The water it furrows abundantly, setting its ridges, softening it with showers, blessing its growth. The gospel reading is from St Luke chapter 8 verses 22-25. Jesus and his disciples set off in a boat. When he is asleep a storm sweeps in. He commands the wind and the water to calm down. Canon Brian COLLECT Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever. All Amen READINGS Genesis 2.4b-9, 15-end These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up – for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground – then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’ Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.’ So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.’ Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed. This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. Psalm 65 Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; to you that answer prayer shall vows be paid. To you shall all flesh come to confess their sins; when our misdeeds prevail against us, you will purge them away. Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there. We shall be satisfied with the blessings of your house, even of your holy temple. With wonders you will answer us in your righteousness, O God of our salvation, O hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. In your strength you set fast the mountains and are girded about with might. You still the raging of the seas, the roaring of their waves and the clamour of the peoples. Those who dwell at the ends of the earth tremble at your marvels; the gates of the morning and evening sing your praise. You visit the earth and water it; you make it very plenteous. The river of God is full of water; you prepare grain for your people, for so you provide for the earth. You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; you soften the ground with showers and bless its increase. You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths overflow with plenty. May the pastures of the wilderness flow with goodness and the hills be girded with joy. May the meadows be clothed with flocks of sheep and the valleys stand so thick with corn that they shall laugh and sing. Revelation 4 After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and cornelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal. Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’ And whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’ This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. All Glory to you, O Lord. Luke 8.22-25 22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they put out, 23and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A gale swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24They went to him and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS – DENNIS EVANS Let us pray O Lord we come to you again with our many fears and concerns and indeed our thanks for all you have done for us. We pray today for our Archbishops, Bishops, priests and deacons as they seek to support and sustain the church family, and the community more widely, in a time of the greatest uncertainty. We pray in particular for Rev Rosie and Canon Brian. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us. Lord you know better than we can ever express, the anxiety and real concern for the future that we all have as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Hopefully the crisis is now diminishing but the long term effects; in particular of bereavement, damaged health both physical and mental and economic loss will be great. There are also signs of fracturing in our society in resentment and differing attitudes which we must guard against. We pray first for those who are ill; not just suffering from the Coronavirus but from all debilitating and concerning conditions. May they know the comfort of your presence and your voice calming their fears. We pray especially for Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh and Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, and Patricia. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us. We pray forthose recently departed this life, including Alan, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us. We pray for all those who are doing their best to care for the ill in our medical and care services whilst themselves being anxious for their own health and that of those they love. Lord in serving others in this selfless way they are doing what You have commanded in the clearest way possible. Fortify and support them O Lord and let us be deeply grateful to them not just now but in the future. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us. We have prayed in the past for all those who are striving to keep to maintain our vital services in particular in the emergency services, teachers and the food supply service. Let us continue to remember and be grateful for all they do. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us. We pray for all who are deeply affected by enforced self isolation: those who were very lonely before this crisis and those suffering mental illness, especially anxiety and depression. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us. We pray for all those who are particularly vulnerable: the homeless; those in precarious and poorly-paid jobs and all those who even before this crisis, were just getting by. We pray for those other parts of the world without our kind of health service. We pray in particular for the people of Afghanistan facing the coldest of winters with inadequate food and shelter. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us. We pray for a world which struggles to live justly and in peace. We pray for those who have daily to search for food or walk a long way for clean water. We remember with sadness those whose lives are cut short by disease or violence and those who have fled their homes in fear. We pray for those who face persecution and torture with dignity. We pray for those regrettably many parts of the world which know only strife. We particularly remember before you the Ukraine and Afghanistan. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us. Despite our own pre-occupations we pray that you will give us the divine gift of generosity in our time, our love and our money – which are needed now more than ever. We are so often niggardly and grudging in the sharing of our blessings. Let us give with a cheerful and unstinting heart Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us. There has been a time of great anxiety for us all and distress and grief for many in this country and overseas. Lord as we emerge from the COVID crisis lead us to think more clearly about the future and us give us the courage to regard our terrible experience as a real turning point Give us the resolve to consider anew how we order our personal and political affairs to produce a fairer world based clearly on your teachings. Jesus, Lord of life, in your mercy hear us, accept our prayers, and be with us always. Amen PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION God our creator, by your gift the tree of life was set at the heart of the earthly paradise, and the bread of life at the heart of your Church: may we who have been nourished at your table on earth be transformed by the glory of the Saviour’s cross and enjoy the delights of eternity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon for the 3rd Sunday before Lent NOTICES SUNDAY 5.00PM EVENING PRAYER (ZOOM) BCP Evening Prayer is on Sunday at 5pm via a Zoom link. We will send out the order of service later. Readings Psalm 147 Genesis 1.1 – 2.3 Matthew 6.25-34 SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Evening Prayer on Zoom, every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.00pm Church open for Private Prayer, every Wednesday 10.00am-12.00 Prayers & Bears at St Agnes every Friday at 9.30am Sun 20 Feb 10.30am 2rd Sunday Before Lent – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 27 Feb 10.30am Sunday Before Lent – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 06 Mar 10.30am 1st Sunday of Lent – Family Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist – in Church Sun 06 Mar 10.30am 2nd Sunday of Lent – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom COINS AND NOTES FOR KENYA Trevor Morgan is still collecting coins and notes of any type, age, or country, including the UK, to raise funds for a school in Kenya. The school has been finding things very tough recently, and really appreciates the support. LENT LUNCHES Lent is not far away! It begins on 2nd March. As in previous years we want to provide Lent Lunches at St Agnes on Saturdays in Lent. If you have previously been involved in preparing or serving these please have a think about whether your group could do so again. Signing up forms are available at the back of the Church. The dates are: 05 March 12 March 19 March 26 March 02 April There won’t be a Lent Lunch on 09 Apr, as there is the Clewer Pilgrimage and Pilgrims’ Lunch at St Andrews. Details to follow. LENT CAFE On four Wednesdays during Lent, starting on 9th March, at 10.00am we will meet in Church for a Lent Cafe. As well as coffee, there will be an informal Lent discussion on “The Church and us”, prepared by Revd Louise, and led by Canon Brian. All are welcome. More details nearer the time.  PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh and Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, and Patricia. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: those recently departed this life, including Alan, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Those being Baptised: 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. Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who work at, or take part in activities in, Legoland, Dedworth Medical Centre, Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, Guides, Thames Hospice, Guards Club, Tennis Club, and Windsor Gym. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & The Middle East. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Karnataka South (South India), Kasai (Congo), Katakwa (Kenya), Katanga (Congo), Katsina (Nigeria), and Kebbi (Nigeria). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. WINDSOR FOODSHARE They need basic food please, anything welcome, especially: Biscuits Cooked Pasta Rice Tea More information here: https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk/food-donations 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 |