| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 23 Jan 2022 – Third Sunday of Epiphany  THE PARISH EUCHARIST SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AT ST ANDREWS CHURCH AT 10.30AM Dear friends, As we draw near and open our hearts to the one who promised hope and healing, we pray together and make our resolutions for the future, discover the true identity of Jesus, the lynchpin of our life and faith. In our first reading from Nehemiah it’s a poignant moment for the people of Israel. Under Nehemiah’s leadership the exiles and survivors have united to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. All finished, the people collectively listen to the words of the law that binds them together. In our second reading from the first letter to the Corinthians, St Paul treats the Corinthians to one of Christianity’s most enduring models for community, the body of Christ. Every part of the body is needed as every part of the body has a different role to play. In our Gospel reading, Jesus returns to his home town as part of the dramatic set of events that opens his ministry. Standing in the synagogue amongst his people, he makes a staggering prophetic announcement about who he is, and what he is there to do. With every good wish, Canon Brian |
| COLLECT Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; 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 Nehemiah 8.1-3, 5-6, 8-10 All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen’, lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. Psalm 19.1.6 The heavens are telling the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. One day pours out its song to another and one night unfolds knowledge to another. They have neither speech nor language and their voices are not heard, Yet their sound has gone out into all lands and their words to the ends of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun, that comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber and rejoices as a champion to run his course. It goes forth from the end of the heavens and runs to the very end again, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 1 Corinthians 12.12-31a For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 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 4.14-21 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION – TREVOR MORGAN Grant us, O Lord our God, ever to find in you a very present help in trouble. When we are in darkness of doubt or perplexity, shed your light upon our way. When we feel burdened with the affairs of our daily life, lift us to the calm of your presence. When we are battling with temptation and the flesh is weak, by the light of your Holy Spirit make us strong to overcome. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer O God of love, you are in all times and places, pour the balm of your comfort upon every lonely heart. Have pity on those who do not know human love and on those to whom love has never come. Be to them a strong consolation and give them fulness of joy. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer Loving Lord, we thank you for your great example of love and service to all whom you met in your life on earth. We thank you for giving us life in all its powers. Help us to learn that the best use for our gifts is in service to you and to our fellow men. Help us to see all people as you see them and to be ready to give ourselves in service to others. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer Heavenly Father, we pray for our members of Parliament. Help them to work together for the good of all. Give them courage to do their part worthily and to maintain unfalteringly the ideals of commitment and service. May there be no standards of honesty other than the very highest. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer Breathe down, O Lord, on all who are bearing pain, your spirit of healing, peace and hope, your spirit of love and joy, your spirit of courage and endurance. Grant all who are suffering perfect confidence and trust in you. Amongst those known to us we commend especially to your care Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh and Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Alan, Norman and Diane, Patricia Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer We pray for those whom we love but see no longer. Grant them your peace and may perpetual light shine upon them. We commend to our Heavenly Father all who have passed from this life in recent days and all whose anniversaries occur at this time. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Almighty Father, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world: may your people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. All Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Epiphany 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 33 Numbers 9.15-23 1 Corinthians 7.17-24 SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Evening Prayer on Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.00pm Church open for Private Prayer, Wednesdays 10.00am-12.00 Prayers & Bears at St Agnes every Friday Sun 23 Jan 10.30am Epiphany 3 – Parish Eucharist in Church 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 30 Jan 10.30am Candlemas – Parish Eucharist in Church 5th Sunday – no Evening Prayer Sun 06 Feb 10.30am 4th Sunday Before Lent – All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist in Church Sun 13 Feb 10.30am 3rd Sunday Before 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. St Andrews has so far raised around £60 towards it. VOCATIONS EVENTS Please note these forthcoming vocations events – especially if you are beginning to explore your own calling. As you will see two of the events are aimed at young people and one for those of UKME heritage Maybe Me? Saturday 5th February, St Frideswide’s, Oxford. A Young Vocations event considering vocation in the broadest sense. This would be useful for anyone aged 16-30 wondering what God might be calling them to. Please register via the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/young-person-vocations-event-tickets-212407194637 All are Called Saturday 5th March, St Paul’s, Slough. A Vocations event for people of UKME heritage to explore how they can respond to God’s call on their lives. Details of how to book will be out soon. Step Forward: Saturday 5th March. Online event for those aged 18-30 considering ordained ministry. The Archbishop of York will be speaking. http://www.stepforwardanglican.org.uk 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 will be available next Sunday. 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. PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh and Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Alan, Norman and Diane, and Patricia. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: 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 in St Leonards Hill, Bridewell, Chestnut Drive, Gratton Drive, Fairlawn Park, Dower Park, Poolmans Road, Snowdon Close, Turnoak Park, and Brudenell. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (the four Dioceses of Hong Kong and Macau). Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Kafanchan (Nigeria), Kagera (Tanzania), Kajiado (Kenya), Kajo-Keji (South Sudan), Kamango (Congo),and Kampala (Uganda). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. 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 |