| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 26 July 2026 |
 WELCOME Sunday 26th July I wonder if you ever watched the TV programme The Detectorists. It’s about a group of people who are passionate about metal detecting and searching for hidden treasure. Each week at their club they gather around a “finds table” to admire the latest discoveries. It’s more than just a hobby, it’s a way of life. They argue over whose field it is, who got permission first and who has the right to search where, with hope of uncovering something valuable. There’s always a magpie squawking away in their favourite field and lunch is usually eaten beneath the branches of a great old oak tree. Then, right at the end of the third series, as they sit under that very tree, something extraordinary happens. The treasure that has been hidden in the field comes tumbling down from the magpie’s nest above them. Our readings today continue to teach us about the Kingdom of Heaven, God’s Kingdom. A kingdom worth seeking, a kingdom open to all and a kingdom filled with hidden treasure. In our Old Testament reading, the young King Solomon asks God not for riches or a long life, but for a wise and understanding heart, able to discern between good and evil. That is real treasure. As we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans, we hear words of deep comfort and assurance. Paul reminds us that God works through all things for the good of those who love him, and that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. That too is real treasure. Then, in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. He compares it to treasure hidden in a field and to a pearl of great price, something so precious that it is worth giving everything else to possess. The Kingdom is hidden treasure open to everyone and worth more than anything else we could ever find. So let’s not keep that treasure hidden. Let’s place it on our own “finds table” for all to see. Let’s share the richness of God’s Kingdom and the joy of our calling to be his people in this community. As we do, the treasures of God’s Kingdom will come tumbling down into the lives of those around us, bringing hope, grace and the promise of eternal life. And remember, unlike the detectorists, who argued over who the treasure belonged to, God’s treasure belongs to everyone. The Pearl of Great Price is offered freely to us all. Blessings for your week Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 26TH JULY 8TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5:00pm Evening Prayer COLLECT Almighty Lord and everlasting God, we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments; that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen READINGS 1 Kings 3.5-12 5At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’ 6And Solomon said, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart towards you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. 7And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. 9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?’10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. Romans 8.26-end Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52 31 He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’33 He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’44 ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.45 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.47 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.51 ‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ 52And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’ Sermon Recording from Sunday 19th July 2026 (Rev Rosie) NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Bill, Jennifer, Matt, Stef, and Joanna. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: John Bruce and all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Baptisms: Weddings: Those preparing for marriage Amber and Phillip 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. For EMERGE advocacy for their work in hosptials. 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 Hermitage Lane, Longbourn, Maidenhead Road, Rays Avenue, Wells Close, Vale Road and Buckland Crescent. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Anglican Church of Tanzania. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: the Armagh (Ireland), Armidale (Australia), Arochukwu / Ohafia (Nigeria), Aru (Congo), Asaba (Nigeria) and Asante-Mampong (West Africa).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 SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8.00am in Church Evening Prayer on Tuesday and Thursdays at 5pm on Zoom (Not on in August) The church is open for private prayer 10.00am – 5.00pm daily No Sunday Evening Prayer during August Sun 02 August 10:30am All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist Sun 09 August 10:30am Eucharist + Baptism Sun 16 August 10:30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Whilst there are no Prayers & Bears sessions in August every Friday from 10am-12pm there will be craft activities happening at St Andrews John Bruce’s Funeral 11th August 1pm at St Andrews Churchyard Tidy Dates – Save the Date – 10-12am Saturday 15th Aug Sat 5th Sept Churchyard Tea Saturday 15th August 3-5pm (updated date!) cream teas and socialising in the churchyard   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 |