| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 22 February 2026 1st Sunday of Lent |
 WELCOME 1st Sunday of Lent Today we hear the story of Jesus’s temptation. So, in our eucharist we’ll think about how we put God to the test and how we can resist temptation in our own life. Bringing to mind those times when we’re faced temptation, knowing that Jesus knows what its means to be tempted. We ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness for the times when we’ve succumbed to temptation, the result behave differently. The times when we’ve succumbed to the temptation to serve our own interest, ignoring the needs of others. The times when we’ve succumbed to the temptation to rely on our inadequate will power and wisdom, rather than trusting in God. For the times when we’ve succumbed to the temptation to put God ot the test. First reading Genesis 2.15-17;3.1-7 Adam and Eve are tempted by the serpent to eat from the tree of the knowledge of God and Evil. They succumbed to temptation and their eye are opened so they know that they are naked. They hide their nakedness with fig leaves. Second reading Romans 5.12-19 sin and death come into the world because of Adam’s disobedience and holds sway until the time of Moses, until God gave the Lord to humankind however, through the grace and obedience of Jesus Christ, humanity is offered the free gift of forgiveness and life. The Gospel Matthew 4.1-11 three times Jesus resists the devils temptation to ignore God’s will, choosing not to act in self-interest, not to behave recklessly to prove his divinity, nor to seize power for himself. Canon Brian SUNDAY SERVICES 22ND FEB 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT 10:30am Eucharist 5:00pm Evening Prayer COLLECT Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; 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 Genesis 2.15-17; 3.1-7 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17but 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.’Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ 2The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.” ’ 4But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; 5for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. Romans 5.12-19 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— 13sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgement following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.18 Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Matthew 4.1-11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ 4But he answered, ‘It is written,“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,“He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ 7Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; 9and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. Sermon Sunday 15th Feb 2026 Morning (Revd Rosie) Sermon Ash Wednesday 18th Feb 2026 (Revd Rosie)  Introduction to our Lent 2026 study The picture above is the mosaic ceiling in the crypt of the Dormition Basilica in Jerusalem, the first Byzantine church of Our Lady. This area of the church was called the ancient house of Mary, the place where she died. Above the monument of Mary asleep, there is the most beautiful mosaic ceiling with medallions around a larger medallion of Christ. Christ is looking down at Mary and is calling her to glory, the words around the medallion is a line from the Song of Songs: Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! The six medallions around Christ are some of the great women of the Old Testament, women who are to be interpreted as the forerunners of Mary: Eve, Miriam, Yael, Judith, Ruth and Esther. During lock down I led a study group focussing on some of the women of the Bible, it was warmly welcomed and I have since been asked to do another series this Lent. Whilst I leave you to look up the women depicted in the medallions, I will revisit the midwives in Exodus, Rahab in Joshua and others over the weeks of Lent. Each Monday, starting 23rd Feb, along with the weeks What’s On, we will share with you a weekly study on a particular woman in the bible, the reference for you to look up, a commentary and a series of questions to reflect on. We hope you enjoy this way of Growing Faith Together here in Clewer and friends connected online. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact via the office email: office@clewerparish.org 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 Ireland. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Texas (USA), Northwest Texas (USA), West Texas (USA), Thika (Kenya), TThoothukudi – Nazareth (India), and Tirunelveli (India).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 No mid-week Evening Prayer during Lent Prayers & Bears – Early Years Liturgy on Fridays at 9.30am in Church The church is open for private prayer 10.00am-dusk daily 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 Wed 11 Mar 12:00pm Midday Eucharist coffee from 11am Sun 15 Mar – Mothering Sunday 10:30am Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship 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 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) Churchyard Tidy Saturday 7th March please come along and help us with jobs inside and outside the church    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 |