† St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 26 September 2021 – Trinity 17 Parish Eucharist |
THE MORNING SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AT ST ANDREWS CHURCH AT 10.30AM Welcome The Autumn Equinox this week brings us a stark reminder about the balance of life. The daytime and nighttime are of equal length, equal light, equal dark, before the balance tips to longer darkness and shorter light and warmth. The coolness starts to creep in and creation starts to change colour. We have had some amazing sunrises and sunsets this week, how glorious is Creation! This is one of my favourite times of the year, the conkers are dropping and I can’t help but pick them up and collect them in my pocket. Shiny and round, this is something special about a conker. The picture this week is a photo I took at the river on Wednesday, Equinox day. I just made it in time to have a swim as the last bit of day light disappeared. Somehow I seem to have caught the balance, the last of the light reflecting on the still river and the trees equally reflecting, balanced within the camera frame. If I’d purposefully aimed for the picture I would never have managed it! The readings this week are about balance, we all need balance in our lives and when it tips, heavy with work or worries, the light begins to dim and the darkness creeps in. God’s amazing creation has rhythm and movement all around us, whether we notice it or not. My prayer for you this week is to find some balance, stop, lift your face to the warmth of the sun, take some deep breaths and put a conker in your pocket. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow Praise him, all creatures here below, Praise him above ye heavn’ly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Blessings Revd Rosie |
Collect – The Prayer of the day 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 Readings Numbers 11.4-6, 10-16, 24-29 The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, ‘If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.’ Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the Lord became very angry, and Moses was displeased. So Moses said to the Lord, ‘Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favour in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, “Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child”, to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, “Give us meat to eat!” I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once—if I have found favour in your sight—and do not let me see my misery.’ So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you. So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again. Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, ‘Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.’ And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, ‘My lord Moses, stop them!’ But Moses said to him, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!’ This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. James 5.13-end Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest. My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Gospel Reading Mark 9.38-end Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark Glory to you O Lord. John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. ‘For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ. Prayers – Mulle Price We are now in the season of Creation, praying today for our planet and its people, among other things. Father God, maker of heaven and earth, we acknowledge our failure to live responsibly as part of your creation. We have taken what we wanted, without considering the consequences; we have wasted and discarded, without thought for the future. Open our hearts and minds to the signs of our times, to the groaning of creation, so that we may turn from our greed and lack of vision and see a world being made anew in Jesus Christ our Lord. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer Lord, we pray for our leaders and preparations for COP26 in Glasgow in November. Give them wisdom as they lead, courage as they act and perseverance as they face opposition. And help each of us to show leadership in our homes, our workplaces, schools and churches. We thank you for the YCCN – the Young Christians Climate Network – who walked from Cornwall and will be at the COP26 in November witnessing to the issue of climate change. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer Father, we ask you to guide us in the midst not just of climate problems but also global political upheaval, and the health of your world as a result of coronavirus. Daily we hear of deterioration in the social fabric in Afghanistan and associated countries and of the disparity in provision of medical care in so many areas. Some countries now offering third jabs and others, like almost the whole of Africa, offering only 2% cover. Are we a world full of those who want to love and support those in need or is the world full of conflict, evil and selfishness, overt and hidden? Show us how to love as you taught us to do. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer And here, in our seemingly safe local situation in Clewer, we have our problems too. Coronavirus cases have been higher than expected though not deaths but our congregation has become smaller as people stay home to be safe, away from gathering with others. We need to make the effort to contact them, to phone, email, and to visit if that is welcomed, and always to pray. Here and now we pray specially for Sam, Holly, Rueben, Blake and Hugo, For Don, Karl, Sarah and Hugh, Joana and Pam, Norman, Diane and Suzanne, Frank and Barbara, Christopher, Alan, Jackie, Patricia and John, for all Refugees, Prisoners and the Homeless, and all those who mourn, all who have asked for our prayers , those whose needs we know and those known to you alone, Lord. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer Father, we ask you to send your holy spirit to guide us in all our thinking, praying, doing as we discern your will for us, to live out your mission about a world underpinned by justice, fairness and the inclusion of all, that your kingdom will come and grow in faith and love in your world. Father, we ask you to accept these prayers for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour. AMEN. A poem used at the Climate Service at St. Edward’s last Sunday APOCALYPSE And once again there was darkness over the surface of the deep; and Death hovered over the Earth; but mankind’s eyes were shut. And man said: Let us take whatever we like from the Earths’ resources, for they are without number. And let us employ children to do the work of men; and we shall become rich in every way; And it was so: The children worked, with no time to play. And there was morning and there was evening the first day. And man said: let us cut down all the trees in the rain forest and across the whole face of the Earth; And let us pay the poor below the going rate; for they will be pleased to earn a few shillings worth of pay; and we shall become rich in every way. And it was so: And there was morning and there was evening the second day. And man said: Let us fish for every living creature living in the Oceans. And we shall become rich in every way. But the creatures of the sea soon lay dead; floating on the surface of a great Ocean of plastic; and the fishing boats were moored; never again to leave the bays. And there was morning and there was evening the third day. And the birds stopped singing. And with the lesson still not learned; Man dithered while the planet burned. And the Earth was left in disarray; And there was morning and there was evening the fourth day. The ice caps melted and fruitful lands became as deserts; and the oceans began to swell with a great wildness; and with the Earths’ resources all but spent; it became impossible for man to relent. And there was morning and there was evening the fifth day. And man said: Many nations have become weak; let us march across the face of the Earth until all belong to us. And much blood was shed; and the Earth became redder than the reddest clay; and there was morning and there was evening the sixth day. On the seventh day man finished the work of his hands; And across the Earth both man and beast, their bodies lay; and there was morning and there was evening the last day. Prayer after 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. Rosie’s Sermon Last Week NOTICES ZOOM EVENING PRAYER 26 SEPTEMBER 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 120, 121 Exodus 24 Matthew 9.1-8 Sunday EP will be on Zoom on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays. 5th Sundays TBC. SERVICES ETC DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Tuesdays & Thursdays in Sep – 5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom Fridays – 9.30-11.00am Prayers & Bears at St Agnes Sun 26 Sep 10.30am Parish Eucharist in Church 5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom Sun 03 Oct 10.30am All Age Service – Harvest Festival in Church 5.00pm Eucharist Service in Church Sun 10 Oct 10.30am Parish Eucharist in Church 3.00pm Messy Church – Creation at Clewer Green School 5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom Wed 13 Oct 7.30pm God and Talent – Yoga Session at St Agnes Sun 17 Oct 10.30am Parish Eucharist in Church 3.00pm Mini Mass – Children’s Church at St Agnes 5.00pm Evening Prayer Zoom Fri 29 Oct 9.30am Prayers & Bears – Muddy Church meet at St Agnes MINI MASS – CHILDREN’S CHURCH Sunday 19th was the first of our new Children’s Church at St Agnes, 3pm. This is a child focused Holy Communion service aimed at primary school age children and families. To help them grow in faith and understanding of sacramental worship with interactive prayers and bible stories with a message to explore together as well as music and singing. The next service will be on 17th October. PRAYERS & BEARS Prayers and Bears on the 24th September was the first of our monthly Muddy Church sessions. We will be going over to the Great Park for a Wander and Wonder, so come along in your wellies and meet us at the football ground car park at 9.30am, don’t forget your snack. The next will be on 29th October. MESSY CHURCH The next Messy Church will be held on 10th October, 3pm at Clewer Green school playground – Creation/Harvest theme. Volunteers needed with the activities etc, let Revd Rosie know if you can help. HARVEST Date for diary- Harvest Festival 3rd October when we will also be holding a Harvest Market, so get jamming, pickling and bottling. Bring any excess garden/allotment produce and help us raise money for the work of Christian Aid. And don’t forget to bring something from the list of food required for the Food Share, they are desperately short of food at the moment. 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. 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 before Wear 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 now When distributing the Eucharist, Revd Rosie and Canon Brian will continue to wear a face covering There is no restriction on the number in each pew, but please ask before sharing The alternate pews will remain signed as ‘Available Pew’, you are advised to use them We 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 10-12. 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 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 the Province of Uganda. Please also pray for the Churches in The Parish of the Falkland Islands, and the Dioceses of False Bay (Southern Africa), Fianarantsoa (Indian Ocean), and Florida, Central Florida & Southeast Florida (USA). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. |
WHP’S ANNUAL SLEEP OUT IS BACK! Join us on 15th October, as we sleep out under the stars, in our sleeping bags and cardboard boxes, at Windsor College. The Sleep Out is Windsor Homeless Project’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The funds we raise every year mean we’re able to be here, when we’re needed, enabling homeless and vulnerable people in our local community to rebuild their lives. What is the WHP Sleep Out? The WHP Sleep Out is an annual fundraising challenge, where people in our community come together to raise funds and awareness for Windsor’s homelessness charity. We won’t fully experience what it is like to sleep rough, but it does open our eyes to the experience that so many people in our community and around the UK find themselves in every day. As always, it will be an evening of education, entertainment, food, and testimonials, all before we bed down for a night in the elements. We would love for you, your friends, and your family to join us. Will you help to make 2021’s Sleep Out our biggest and best yet? |
CHRISTIAN AID FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE DURING SEASON OF CREATION Season of Creation – 1 Sept – 4 Oct 2021 At this time, we unite with other Christians to celebrate and commit to protecting God’s creation – our common home. 2021 is a significant year for our planet. The UK is hosting the UN Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow in November; now is the critical moment to raise our voices to advocate for climate justice for the most vulnerable and poorest peoples who face the worst effects of this climate crisis. To mark this moment, Windsor Christian Aid invites you to join them for the following event: * ‘Creation in Crisis’ trail – Windsor – 25-26 September: a family trail of 15 stations around Windsor Town Centre explaining issues that are damaging Our Planet & what we can do about them. For more information on all these events, please contact tracytickle@hotmail.com or sarah.gardnerlobo@gmail.com |
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-appeal In addition, there is the Church of England Toolkit for supporting Afghan Refugees https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/community-action/toolkit-supporting-afghan-refugees |
VACANCIES We are looking for a Parish Administrator to take over from Sharon. A job description will be finalised shortly. The PCC is short of several members. If you think PCC membership is for you, or would like to know what is involved, please see Revd Rosie. |
WINDSOR FOODSHARE Food Share have had to go and buy lots of food from the supermarket as they have run out of so much and not getting the donations in. They 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. Drop off at Dedworth Green Baptist church on Smith’s Lane on Wednesday or Thursdays between 10-3pm. 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 |
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 |