| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 22 September 2024 17th Sunday after Trinity |
 WELCOME The 17th Sunday after Trinity. This weekend brings us to the autumn equinox. The autumn equinox is a time of perfect balance between light and dark, reminding us to reflect on balance in our own lives. At our wild worship last Sunday we had a go at balance sticks, tying things on the ends of the stick to represent things that weigh us down, things that bring joy and sit lighter, it was hard to make them balance. We all need balance in our lives, balance in the world certainly. In the church calendar the autumn equinox matches with our feast day of St Michael and All Angels, which we will keep on the 29th. Look around you at nature this week and notice the balance tipping, conkers! Praying that you find balance in your life. Revd Rosie The first reading is Wisdom chapter 1 verses 16 to chapter 2 verse 1 and then verses 12 to 22. An echo of words used hundreds of years later against Jesus on the cross as people choose wickedness over righteousness. The second reading is St James chapter 3 verse 13 to chapter 4 verse 3 and then verses 7 to 8. A contrast between human and divine wisdom with an exhortation to judge any claim to wisdom by its fruits and to look for kindness, mercy and peace. And the Gospel reading is St Mark chapter 9 verses 30 to 37. Jesus takes a child in his arms to illustrate how those held in low esteem by others are held in the highest esteem by God. Canon Brian COLLECT Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face; 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 READINGSWisdom 1.16-2.1, 12-22 But the ungodly by their words and deeds summoned death; considering him a friend, they pined away and made a covenant with him, because they are fit to belong to his company. For they reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves, ‘Short and sorrowful is our life, and there is no remedy when a life comes to its end, and no one has been known to return from Hades. ‘Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training. He professes to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord. He became to us a reproof of our thoughts; the very sight of him is a burden to us, because his manner of life is unlike that of others, and his ways are strange. We are considered by him as something base, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the last end of the righteous happy, and boasts that God is his father. Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life; for if the righteous man is God’s child, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries. Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected.’ Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray, for their wickedness blinded them, and they did not know the secret purposes of God, nor hoped for the wages of holiness, nor discerned the prize for blameless souls; This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God James 3.13-4.3, 7-8a Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Gospel Reading Mark 9.30-37 Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS – STUART Let us pray, for the Church and for the world, and let us thank God for his goodness. Give to your faithful people grace to live for the good of this world, knowing that our true life is yet to come. Make our lives worthy of the name of Christ which we confess. And we pray for the Church, and all Bishops and Priests, throughout the world. We pray especially for our Archbishops Justin and Stephen. And in our area, we pray for our Bishops Stephen and Olivia, for Revd Rosie and Canon Brian. We pray for all decision makers in the Church. In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for the Churches in India, Nigeria and The West Indies. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer Bring justice and harmony into the workplaces of the world … Instead of selfishness give desire for the common good. We pray for all those who work for peace, negotiators, and world leaders. We pray for the all the countries of the world in a state of war; we pray especially today for the people of Yemen, Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer Teach us to be generous in our work, considerate to those who work with us … Bless in your service the daily work of our community. And in our local community, we pray for everyone in Clewer, Dedworth, and in Windsor. Clewer Green School, Mrs Branch, Mr Seymour, and all the staff, pupils, staff and governors. The 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, FoodShare, and the Alma Beacon Hub.. And in our Parish Cycle of Prayer, we pray for all who live or work in Cleves Court, Carter Close, St Johns Road, Gordon Road, Dawson Close, Convent Road, and Bailey Close. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Have mercy on the unemployed and grant them the dignity of work that they desire … Have mercy also on those whose work is long and heavy … Sustain them in the heat and burden of the day.. We pray for all in need, especially today: Trevor, Vivienne, Stef, John F, Joanna, Jane P, and Tom B. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. And we also pray for all who have asked for our prayers, those whose needs we know, and those known to God alone. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer May your perpetual light shine on those who have gone into the better life … Keep us always ready to depart and be closer to Christ who is with us here. And with confidence in the love of Christ who died for sinners, we commend the souls recently departed this life, John Allbless, Linda Harding, James Baxter, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer We join our prayers with those of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Andrew, St Agnes, and all the Saints, as we commend ourselves, one another, and those we have prayed for, to your unfailing love. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. POST COMMUNION Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Listen to Revd Rosie’s Sermon for last Sunday Listen NOTICES EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY Sunday evening’s service is Evening Prayer, at 5.00pm. Readings Psalm 119.137–152 Exodus 19.10–end Matthew 8.23–end SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Church Open every day 10.00am to 6.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, Evening Prayer at 5.00pm via Zoom Sun 22 Sep10.30am Parish Eucharist – 17th Sunday after Trinity 5.00pm Evening Prayer Sun 29 Sep10.30am Parish Eucharist – St Michael and All Angels 3.00pm Worship Explorers (Childrens Church) No Evening Service (5th Sunday) Sun 06 Oct 10.30am All Age Eucharist – Harvest Festival 5.00pm Eucharist Sun 13 Oct 10.30am Parish Eucharist – 20th Sunday after Trinity 5.00pm Evening Prayer PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Trevor, Vivienne, Stef, John F, Joanna, Jane P, and Tom B. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: John Allbless, Linda Harding, James Baxter, all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Baptisms in September: Maisie and Wilfred Recently married: Val and Jeff Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, Mrs Branch, Mr Seymour, and all the staff, pupils, staff and governors. The 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, FoodShare, and the Alma Beacon Hub. Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live or work in Cleves Court, Carter Close, St Johns Road, Gordon Road, Dawson Close, Convent Road, and Bailey Close. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church of North India. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Isikwuato / Umunneochi (Nigeria), Western Izon (Nigeria), Jabalpur North India, Jaffna (South India), Jalingo (Nigeria), and Jamaica and The Cayman Islands (West Indies). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. WHAT’S ON September 22nd 6.30am Creation Meditation Autumn Equinox 27th 3.45 – 5.00pm Children’s Pop-Up Café 29th 3.00pm Children’s Church (5th Sunday of the month) – Worship Explorers October 5th 2.00pm Harvest Market & afternoon tea 6th 10.00am Harvest Festival Eucharist 20th 3.00pm Wild Worship – Pumpkins 25th 3.45 – 5.00pm Children’s Pop-up Café 27th 10.00am Commentated Eucharist (Bible Sunday) 27th 6.30pm CTW Songs of Praise at Windsor Methodist Church November 3rd 10.00am All Saints Eucharist + Bake Off 3rd 5.00pm Commemoration of the faithful departed (All Souls) 10th 10.45am Remembrance Sunday at the War Memorial 17th 3.00pm Wild Worship 30th St Andrews Day 3.00pm Concert 4.00pm Tea 5.00pm Patronal Festival Mass December 1st 10.00am Advent Sunday Eucharist + blessing of cribs, sending out Posada 5.00pm Advent Carol Service The remainder of the Advent & Christmas events will be in the Christmas flyer  Please note that the next Creation Meditation (Autumn Equinox Dawn) is this Sunday 22 Sep at 6.30am.  We are very lucky to be supported by some amazing people who are running for us in the Windsor Half Marathon. It is only 3 weeks from today and if you can give them a boost by donating a few pounds to their JustGiving pages it would be much appreciated. This will help us continue to support the vulnerable in Windsor. www.justgiving.com/campaign/windsorhalfmarathon Windsorhalfmarathon @etonbridgepartners Alma Beacon Windsor Foodshare Windsor Street Angels   Churches Together in Windsor are hosting a (non-televised!) Songs of Praise this year on the 27th of October at 6:30 at Windsor Methodist Church. This will be preceded by the AGM at 6 o’clock to which all are welcome. God bless Revd Vicci Davidson [We have been asked to chose a Hymn for the service, there is a sheet at the back of Church for this.]  Did you know you automatically get the Winter Fuel Payment if you receive Pension Credit? If you are over State Pension age, check your eligibility now using DWP’s online calculator 👉 https://orlo.uk/neBOU If you need help getting online, you can seek assistance at a local library, and can get in touch with our Financial Inclusion officers if you need help making a claim 👉 https://orlo.uk/fNBmq FRIENDS OF CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL The latest booklet from the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral, and details of events during the rest of the year, are available at the back of the Church. And you can find out more here: https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral/about/cathedral-friends  WINDSOR FOODSHARE Loving our neighbours From their Facebook, Twittter and Website Pages: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare https://twitter.com/WindsrFoodshare https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk And their new page https://taplink.cc/windsorfoodshare CAN YOU HELP? We are running very low in stock on several items. One of these is CARRIER BAGS. We need these to put the food packages together. We ask clients to bring back bags, but they don’t last forever. There are many ways to donate food to us – https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk/donating-food. We have a permanent donation box at Tesco Superstore, Dedworth and also at Waitrose & Partners in Windsor town centre. So if you are shopping it is easy to pop a pack or two in the donation box. Or why not try our Wishlist on Common Good and Amazon (you can click through to these from our linktree at https://taplink.cc/windsorfoodshare). You can also drop off to us on: – Wednesdays 09.00-13.30; or – Thursdays 09.00-15.00 at Dedworth Green Baptist Church (Smiths Lane, Windsor SL4 5PE). Thank you all so much for your continued support! Click here for the Windsor Foodshare July Newsletter CHURCH FINANCES – MESSAGE FROM ANDREW Thank you to everyone for all you have been able to give in this difficult time. We prefer 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 in Church, or contact the Parish Office by email office@clewerparish.org Alternatively, by paying 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 or if your bank doesn’t like this Parochial Church Council St Andrews Clewer Parish 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 Churchwarden: Vacant Contact via email: office@clewerparish.org Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |