| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 20 Mar 2022 The third Sunday of Lent  |
| THE EUCHARIST SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AT ST ANDREWS CHURCH AT 10.30AM Dear friends, The first reading is from Isaiah 55 verses 1-9. The prophet proclaims the Lord’s promise of mercy. Renewal and abundant provision for all who seek God in repentance and willingness to follow God’s direction. Such divine grace and generosity far surpass the ways of humankind. The second reading is from the first letter to the Corinthinians, chapter 10 verses 1-13. St Paul warns Christians against turning from God, as the people did in the Sinai wilderness. Believers are to be alert to the dangers of immorality, idolatry and testing God’s patience, confident that they will never be tempted beyond their capacity to endure. The gospel reading from St Luke chapter 13 verses 1-9. Here Jesus teaches that while disaster is not necessarily a punishment for sin, all need to repent of behaviour that leads to destructive outcomes. God’s grace may bring opportunities to turn away from our sins. It is wise to use them. Canon Brian COLLECT Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; 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. All Amen READINGS Isaiah 55.1-9 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. Psalm 63.1-9 O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; my soul is athirst for you. My flesh also faints for you, as in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So would I gaze upon you in your holy place, that I might behold your power and your glory. Your loving-kindness is better than life itself and so my lips shall praise you. I will bless you as long as I live and lift up my hands in your name. My soul shall be satisfied, as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips, When I remember you upon my bed and meditate on you in the watches of the night. For you have been my helper and under the shadow of your wings will I rejoice. My soul clings to you; your right hand shall hold me fast. 1 Corinthians 10.1-13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.5Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 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 13.1-9 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them – do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’ Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS – TREVOR MORGAN Heavenly Lord, our Creator and Redeemer, you have given us this day for worship and now we bring to you the service of our hearts and hands and voices. Accept our prayers and praises, speak to us through the service, deepen our fellowship with one another and when we leave your house may it be with your peace and joy in our hearts. Amen. Lord, when we look at life, may we see through your eyes, sensitively. Lord, when we hear others speak, may we listen with your ears, attentively. Lord, when we speak to others, may we use your words, thoughtfully. Lord, when we use our hands, may we give your hands, caringly. Lord, as we live each day, may we walk with you, lovingly. Amen. We pray for this house of God, where your word has been faithfully preached for many years. Make its doors wide enough to admit all who need hope, help and encouragement and narrow enough to shut out prejudice, disagreement and discord. May each one of us play our part in service and in witness to our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Almighty God, King and Judge of all mankind, look in pity upon all people oppressed by strife, fear or disaster. We commend to you this morning your children in Ukraine and for all who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. We pray that the leaders of the nations may strive for peace, equality and harmony and that all people may acknowledge you as Lord. We remember especially all who have been bereaved or are suffering loss and we pray that relief may be brought to them without delay. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Almighty Father, we pray for your servant Brian as he serves in our church and parish in Clewer. We commend him to your love and care in all he does to minister to our community. May he be faithful in your service, preach your word, minister the sacraments and be a shepherd of all your flock. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Breathe down, O Lord, on all who are bearing physical or mental pain, your spirit of healing, your spirit of life, your spirit of peace and hope, of love and joy, of courage and endurance. We pray for all who are suffering at this time commending especially to your care – Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh and Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, Patricia, and Frank. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. Bless and strengthen them and give them grace and courage as they face the future. In silence now let each one of us bring to our Heavenly Father those we carry on our hearts … Free them, O Lord, from anxiety and fear and give them the confidence to trust in you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, the conqueror of death, you spoke words of comfort to the widow of Nain and to Martha and Mary in their hour of sorrow. We ask you now to look with compassion on all who grieve for the loss of those dear to them praying especially for the family of Maureen Rush. Help them to understand that you are with them in their darkest hours and that they may entrust their loved ones to your eternal safekeeping. We remember also before God all those recently departed, especially Stephen Collins, and all whose anniversary of passing occurs at this time. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Merciful Lord, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon for the first Second Sunday of Lent NOTICES NO SUNDAY EVENING PRAYER VIA ZOOM We are not able to hold the usual Zoom meeting this Sunday. Instead, we suggest that you listen to the Church of England’s pre-recorded service at this link, which will be updated on Sunday at about 2.00pm to be the Sunday evening service: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer The order of service is here: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-in-daily-prayer/evening-prayer-contemporary-sunday-20-march-2022 Readings Psalm 12, 13 Genesis 28.10-19a John 1.35-51 SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Evening Prayer on Zoom, every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.00pm Prayers & Bears at St Agnes every Friday at 9.30am Church open for Private Prayer, every Wednesday 10.00am-12.00 Sun 20 Mar 10.30am 3rd Sunday of Lent – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 27 Mar 10.30am 4th Sunday of Lent – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 03 Apr 10.30am 5th Sunday of Lent – Family Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist – in Church Sun 10 Apr 10.30am Palm Sunday – Eucharist with Liturgy of the Passion 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom REVD ROSIE’S FUNDRAISING My fundraising challenge this year is to Swim40Lent. Swim 40 times during Lent. Now you may think this is not much of a challenge for me, but let me assure you it is! I’ll have to make the time, never mind the weather and it is a freezing 6.5 degrees today! AND not in a wetsuit! I’ve chosen ShelterBox/Ukraine to support those affected by this intolerable and unjust situation. The charity provides warm blankets, cooking equipment, water filter kits and tents etc. When I have been swimming I can appreciate a warm blanket and hot drink, hence this charity. I’m aiming to raise £500. I’d be very grateful for your support and donations. Sometimes we feel helpless in these situations and we have no idea what each day will bring or what we can do to help. Lent is a time to look deep into ourselves, our relationship with God and God’s people. Please continue to pray for peace. Thank you Revd Rosie Click here for the fundraising page or https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/shelterbox-swim  LENT LUNCHES The next lunch by Prayers & Bears on this Saturday, 26 Mar. Their chosen charity is the Red Cross, raising money to support families in Ukraine. On 09 Apr there will be the Clewer Pilgrimage and Pilgrims’ Lunch. 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 Café, to be followed by a Said Eucharist. 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. The course details can be downloaded here or https://www.standrewsclewer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Lent-study.pdf 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, Patricia, and Frank. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: Stephen Collins, all those recently departed this life, 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 live or work at, all retail premises, Mill Stream Houseboats, Boatyard, Windsor Race Course, Forest House Veterinary Group, Petworth Court, Care Homes Sandown Park, Queens Court and Winton House. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church of Mexico. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Kitale (Kenya), Kiteto (Tanzania), Kitgum (Uganda), Kitui (Kenya), Kivu (Rwanda), and Nord Kivu (Congo). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. CHURCHYARD TIDY The next Churchyard Tidy is on Saturday 02 April 1000-1200. Please speak to Bob Lester if you can help on the day. WINDSOR FOODSHARE They need basic food please, anything welcome, especially: Tinned meat · Tinned fish · Tinned vegetables· Soup · Rice · Herbs/Spices Cooking sauces · Instant mash · Tea bags/Instant coffee · Sugar · Breakfast cereals · UHT milk · Tinned desserts · Cereal bars/biscuits · Jams · Fruit juice/Squash Also: they need plastic bags. They use strong plastic bags for their clients to take away tinned food and fruit & veg. More information, and to donate online: 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 |