| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 24 October 2021 – Bible Sunday Parish Eucharist  THE MORNING SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AT ST ANDREWS CHURCH AT 10.30AM Welcome Today is Bible Sunday, the day when we celebrate the scriptures. The bible is the top seller in the world, with sales figures ranging from 2.5 billion to over 6 billion. Do you have one in your home? But the question is….why should we read it? Jesus challenges the Jews by saying that you can read all the scriptures until you are blue in the face, but all you’ll get is a blue face! The bible is used in many ways, for guidance for our lives, for comfort, to read about God’s relationship with God’s people. It can be gruesome, beautiful, poetic, shocking, restoring and mysterious. But actually, the primary reason for reading the bible is not for teaching, nor for finding comfort, but so that we may be directed to Jesus. There are so many ways now via apps, online, different translations and those which include commentary; there are daily study guides, themed study guides…you name it. For me the bible is an adventure, so I invite you this week to delve into the adventure with me, just open the book and see where it takes you! I pray that it will take you…to Jesus Blessings Revd Rosie |
| Collect – The Prayer of the day Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Or Merciful God, teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty, that trusting in your word and obeying your will we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Readings Isaiah 55.1-11 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. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 19.7-end 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; • the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart; • the commandment of the Lord is pure and gives light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; • the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, • sweeter also than honey, dripping from the honeycomb. 11 By them also is your servant taught • and in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can tell how often they offend? • O cleanse me from my secret faults! 13 Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins lest they get dominion over me; • so shall I be undefiled, and innocent of great offence. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, • O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. 2 Timothy 3.14-4.5 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Gospel Reading John 5.36b-end Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Glory to you O Lord. But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, 38and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. ‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ. Prayers – John Bruce Let us pray for the Church and for the world, and let us thank God for his goodness. In this time of unprecedented change to us all, even though we are not all together in buildings, we are together in our homes and hearts, together as a church family, together as God’s people, and through all bishops and priests, to praise you and to hear your holy word. Give us a sense of expectation as we come, and inspiration as we go. Help us to put our differences behind us, and to unite instead behind the great commission of Jesus, to make disciples of all nations. Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us God of Clewer, and of our nation, we pray for those willing to take on the responsibilities of government and leadership at national and local levels, church and state, our local community, and humanitarian aid – the lengths people are going to in order to help others. The many thousands of volunteers delivering food packages to hungry children, and elderly people living alone. Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us Dear Lord, turn your healing love towards those who are sick and in pain today. We pray for those infected with Coronavirus. We have in our hearts some known to us, some known to the church, and some known only through the news. We bring them to mind now. Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us We pray for our noble NHS, all the thousands of nurses, doctors, medics, porters, key workers in care homes, who daily risk infection, and their lives, by their constant help, loving care and dedication. Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us Please pray for healing: especially Blake, Sam, Reuben, Don, Karl, Hugh and Sarah, Joanna, Pam, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Alan, Norman and Diane, Patricia, and John. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us We pray for the lately departed, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us Rejoicing in the fellowship of all your saints, we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love. Merciful Father, accept these prayers, for the sake of your Son, our saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. Prayer after communion God of all grace, your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry with the bread of his life and the word of his kingdom: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your true and living bread; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen.Listen to Revd Rosie’s Sermon (last week) NOTICES ZOOM EVENING PRAYER 24 OCTOBER AT 5PM BCP evening prayer is on Sunday at 5pm via a Zoom link. We will send out the order of service later. EP Readings Psalm 119.121-136 Ecclesiastes 11, 12 Timothy 2.1-7 Sunday EP will be on Zoom on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays. 5th Sundays TBC. SERVICES DURING OCTOBER & NOVEMBER Every Tuesday & Thursday – 5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom Every Friday – 9.00-11.00am Prayers & Bears at St Agnes Sun 24 Oct 10.30am Bible Sunday Parish Eucharist in Church 5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom Sun 31 Oct 10.30am All Saints Parish Eucharist in Church 4.00pm All Souls – Light up the Churchyard Sun 07 Nov 10.30am Parish Eucharist in Church 5.00pm Eucharist in Church Sun 14 Nov 8.30am Said Eucharist in Church 10.45am Remembrance Service – War Memorial, Pirate Park 5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom Sun 21 Nov 10.30am Christ the King Parish Eucharist in Church 3.00pm Mini Mass – Children’s Church at St Agnes 5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom Sun 28 Nov 10.30am St Andrew Eucharist in Church 5.00pm Advent Carol Service in ChurchPRAYERS & BEARS Prayers and Bears now starts with Tea and Toast at 9am on Fridays before our worship begins at 9.30am. SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER REMEMBERING ALL SOULS Light up the Churchyard – 4pm service in the Churchyard.  SUNDAY 14 NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY The service will be at the War Memorial in Clewer Memorial Park/Pirate Park at 10.45am on 14th November. No 10.30am service here in church, but there will be a said Eucharist at 8am,. The names of our War dead will be read out at our 5pm EP zoom and at the memorial. On 11 November, Remembrance Day, there will be a presence and prayers at the War Memorial at 11am. CHURCHYARD LIGHTS AT CHRISTMAS Forward Thinking – we are aiming to light up the churchyard again this Christmas so we need lots more lights! if you want to donate please let Andrew know, money or lights. Thank you. CHRISTMAS MARKET Another date for your diaries: our Christmas Market will be on 20 November this year, from 11.00-2.00. PATHWAYS The Diocese magazine Pathways is being produced again. We will try to get printed copies, in the meantime you can read it online. Click Here for Pathways https://www.oxford.anglican.org/pathways-pdf-version/  LIFTING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS The government’s Coronavirus legislation on social distancing, face coverings, capacity, etc has now ended. However, the latest guidance from the Church of England encourages us to make local decisions that are right for our church and community. To this end, we are advising:We should continue to use hand sanitiser as beforeWear face covering when you feel you should (if it is crowded, or you feel the need to, or during singing, which is allowed)The Eucharist will continue under One Kind (wafer only) for nowWhen distributing the Eucharist, Revd Rosie and Canon Brian will continue to wear a face coveringThere is no restriction on the number in each pew, but please ask before sharingThe alternate pews will remain signed as ‘Available Pew’, you are advised to use themWe will continue to record attendance for NHS Test and Trace purposes, or the Test and Trace QR code posters may be used instead COFFEE AFTER SERVICES We will be having coffee together after the service, outside the Church, weather permitting. PRIVATE PRAYER St Andrews is open for private prayer on Wednesday mornings from 10.00-12.00. 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, Patricia, and John. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The departed: those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. 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 Nelson Road, Bridgeman Drive, St Johns Drive, Clewer Green School, St Edwards First School, St Edwards Middle School, and Windsor Girls School. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for Extra-Provincial Churches. Please also pray for the Churches in the Dioceses of Guildford (England), Guinea (West Africa), Gujarat (North India), Central Gulf Coast (USA), Gusau (Nigeria), and Guyana (West Indies). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. ONLINE GIVING In light of recent events, you may want to consider giving to charity online. For Afghanistan – Save the Children https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/asia/afghanistan For Haiti – Christian Aid https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/haiti-earthquake-appealIn addition, there is the Church of England Toolkit for supporting Afghan Refugeeshttps://www.churchofengland.org/resources/community-action/toolkit-supporting-afghan-refugees A HUGE THANK YOU FROM THE WINDSOR HOMELESS PROJECT 🙌 For helping the Windsor Homeless Project raise over £25,000 at the 2021 Sleep Out! View the complete email from WHP in your browser It’s not too late! If you’d like to add to that total, you can here: Click Here for James’s Donations Page https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=JamesBrown217&pageUrl=1 Click Here for WHP Donations Page https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=whpsleepout2021 WINDSOR FOODSHARE Thank you very much for your generous Harvest donations, they were gratefully received when we delivered them to Dedworth Green Baptist church last Wednesday. They still need: cereals, UHT milk, tinned meat, beans, pulses, pasta, desserts, fruit, rice, teabags, biscuits, sugar, coffee, toilet rolls, any toiletries, any cleaning items, and carrier bags. Please continue to donate via the purple bin near the font, or the collection boxes that are around the community, the locations can be found on the Windsor Food Share website. https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk Or drop off at Dedworth Green Baptist church on Smith’s Lane on Wednesday or Thursdays between 10-3pm.  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. We also have boxes of numbered envelopes available, if you would like to use these please contact the Parish Office office@clewerparish.org CONTACTS The Parish Office is now closed again. Out of hours office number: 07490 094261 Email: office@clewerparish.org Revd Rosie Webb: rector@clewerparish.org Tel: 01753 852334 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 Pastoral helpline number: 07946 590223 |