| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 24 March 2024 Palm Sunday |
 WELCOME Today we mark a significant part of the events that lead us to the cross – Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Everyone had heard about the miracle of Lazarus, they believed and therefore followed and celebrated the messiah as he entered the city. A messiah who would change everything! But not in the way they thought they wanted or needed. Jesus enters through the city gates, through the walls into the city. There were those who lived inside the walls, did they receive him like those outside? After all, Jerusalem has a history of killing prophets, so how will the might of Rome react to the provincial prophet coming through the gates on a donkey with all the noise from outside the walls? Those who lived outside the walls of Jerusalem, those that life had stripped of everything, strip out of their own cloaks and lay them on the ground as a sign of honour. Inside the walls, a city under occupation, a troubled place, a place of conflict and confusion, a place where power means everything and the poor and needy are forgotten because they feel powerless. As followers of the donkey-riding king, we are called to care for the weak, the lost, the vulnerable, and to stand up for injustices. But we can only do this if we examine ourselves in the process, knowing we do these things because God calls us to, not because of self-gratification. We now enter Holy Week, during which we address the parts of our lives that we need to work on the most, by hearing again the stories of the events leading up to the death of Jesus. We come together to listen, to pray, to offer ourselves to God broken and in need of forgiveness. We take ourselves to the cross. Holy Week is not to be taken lightly, but sincerely and honestly. Are we crying ‘Hosanna’ one minute and ‘crucify’ him the next? Jesus told his disciples, ‘if any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.’ (Matthew 16) I pray you have a blessed Holy Week. Revd Rosie COLLECT Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; 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 Isaiah 50.4-9a The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together.Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Philippians 2.5-11 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God THE PASSION READING The full text of the Passion Reading (Mark 14.1-end of 15) can be found here: https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=578032289 Or, you can listen to David Suchet reading the New International Version here: Mark 14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YSlj1rZQ34 Mark 15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYUDT1a0wXw THE PASSION READING (SHORT VERSION) The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Mark 15.1-39 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, ‘Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’ And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!’ In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.’ And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’ Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’ This is the Passion of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS We stand with Christ in his suffering. For forgiveness for the many times we have denied Jesus, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For grace to seek out those habits of sin which mean spiritual death, and by prayer and self-discipline to overcome them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For Christian people, that through the suffering of disunity there may grow a rich union in Christ, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For those who make laws, interpret them, and administer them, that our common life may be ordered in justice and mercy, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For peace [in ……………..] throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy For those who still make Jerusalem a battleground, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For those who have the courage and honesty to work openly for justice and peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For those in the darkness and agony of isolation, that they may find support and encouragement, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For those who, weighed down with hardship, failure, or sorrow, feel that God is far from them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For all who are sick……(healing list)…. let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For those who have died …. (departed) and those whose anniversary occurs at this time. let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For those who are tempted to give up the way of the cross, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. That we, with those who have died in faith, may find mercy in the day of Christ, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. And so we pray together: Holy God, Holy and Strong Holy and Immortal Have mercy upon us POST COMMUNION Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we do also for you: give us the will to be the servant of others as you were the servant of all, and gave up your life and died for us, but are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon for Passion Sunday Listen NOTICES EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY There is no Sunday Evening Service this week. SERVICES FOR PALM SUNDAY, HOLY WEEK AND EASTER Church Open every day 10.00am to Dusk Palm Sunday, Holy Week & Easter Services on the poster below  SERVICES AT ALL WINDSOR CHURCHES For details of all services and Church events over Easter, please download the program as a PDF: https://bit.ly/3IRqZtw https://www.standrewsclewer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/EASTER-Services-2024_updated_21-March-2024_v5.pdf  Good Friday Witness 29th March 2024 10:30am – 11:50am The CTW Good Friday Witness will take the form of a ‘Walk of Witness’ through Windsor, reconnecting with an earlier tradition in the town. In quietness, the Walk is an informal procession allowing us to reflect on the impact of Jesus’ life, ministry and final hour before his Crucifixion. Beginning at The Church of St Andrew in Clewer Village, making its way towards Castle Hill and finishing at Windsor Parish Church of St John the Baptist, participants will stop briefly at each church along the route for a moment’s silence. The Walk will conclude with prayers and a hymn. We invite and warmly welcome you to join us at any point along our route which encompasses some of the ecumenical breadth represented by churches across central and west Windsor: The Church of St Andrew the Apostle, Clewer (Mill Lane in Clewer Village)The Parish Church of St Stephen and St Agnes (Vansittart Road at Oxford Road)Windsor Methodist Church (corner of Alma Road and Clarence Road)St Edward the Confessor Church (corner of Alma Road and Claremont Road) Holy Trinity Garrison Church (Trinity Place at Claremont Road)Windsor Baptist Church (Victoria Street) Christ Church URC (William Street)St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle (stopping at Queen Victoria Statue, Castle Hill)Windsor Parish Church of St John the Baptist (High Street) Download the program and Reflection: https://bit.ly/4ard2OB https://www.standrewsclewer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CTW_Walk-of-Witness_29thMarch2024-SSV2.pdf PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Hugo, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Diane, Sylvia, Mary, Gracie, Christine, Vivienne, the Brocas family, Martin and Ishbel, and Jane. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: All those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Easter Baptisms: Isaac, Alfie, Bailey, Demi, Mayla, Joshua, Joshua, Zach, Isabella, Ava and Jeff. Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, the head teacher Martin Tinsley, all the pupils, staff and governors, and the Bible Explorers. 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 work in, or visit, All Retail Premises, Mill Stream Houseboats, Boatyard, Windsor Race Course, Forest House Veterinary Group, Petworth Court, Care Homes: Sandown Park, Queens Court, Mountbatten Grange and Winton House. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Church in Wales. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Costa Rica (Central America), Coventry (England), Cuba, Cueibet (South Sudan), Cuernavaca (Mexico), and Cuttack (North India).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. EASTER EGGS We are looking for eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday. Any and all donations welcome. Thank you.  Come and Sing Stainer’s Crucifixion Windsor Parish Church and Thames Valley Church Music invite you to come and take part in a devotional performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion in Windsor Parish Church. Details available on the posters in Church CHURCHYARD TIDY – 20 APR 2024, 10.00 – 12.00 The first Churchyard Tidy of the year is on 20th April starting at 10.00. It will last until about 12.00. Any questions, please see Bob Lester.  FUNDRAISING FOR A NEW SOUND SYSTEM We are raising money to pay for a new sound system for St Andrews, to replace the aging system we use currently.If you can help, please use either: * Our bank account (details below, please use a reference of “Sound System”). * Our Parish Giving page: https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/clewer-st-andrew-windsor/ The QR code above goes to the same page Thanks to everyone for all the donations towards the sound system so far, if anyone would like to help with fundraising and events please talk to Revd Rosie.  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 CAN YOU HELP? We are very short of:Full fat UHT MilkTinned PastaTea BagsTinned FruitStrong Carrier BagsWe have a permanent donation box at Tesco Superstore and also at Waitrose & Partners. So if you are shopping it is easy to pop a carton or two in. Or why not try our Wishlist on Common Good and Amazon. https://www.forcommongood.co.uk/…/giftr…/registry/215636 https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/23EUESGGRMAVZ… We still ask that any food donations for Windsor Foodshare are dropped into Dedworth Green Baptist church as this will still be our main base. LOOP THE LAKEThis year we are holding our first ever sponsored walk to raise funds for Windsor Foodshare.Join us on Saturday 27 April 2024 as we ‘loop the lake’ at Virginia Water to raise funds and supplies for Windsor Foodshare. Click for more details: https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk/loop-the-lake 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 The Parish Office is now closed. email: office@clewerparish.org Revd Rosie 01753 852334 email rector@clewerparish.org Parish Website: www.standrewsclewer.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/standrewsclewer Rector: Revd Rosie Webb 01753 852334 rector@clewerparish.org Churchwarden: Stuart Cockman Contact via email: office@clewerparish.org Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |