| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 29 January 2023 The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) |
 |
| WELCOME Today we celebrate one of the principal feasts of the church –The strange thing is that many will never have heard of it! The Feast of the Presentation occurs each year on February 2nd – exactly 40 days after Christmas. And most years the feast falls on a weekday, as it does this year, but it is a moveable feast which is important to keep. The full name of today’s feast is the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. It’s a celebration of one of Jesus’ major life events; that’s what makes it a principal feast. You may also have heard of it called as Candlemas or The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Candlemas, because this is the feast when candles are traditionally blessed. In also marks the end of the Christmas season, which is not observed as 12 days of Christmas, but 40 days of the Incarnation. And Purification of Mary, because the law of Moses required that Mary – like the infant Jesus – participate in a rite of purification 40 days after childbirth. We celebrate at church by lighting all the candles, everywhere, and we process at the end of the service towards the font with our individual candles. The stable and nativity characters have been packed away, the cross is now placed near the door, we pray for the world and ask God to shine his light among us and ask God’s blessing on us all, that we might walk in the light of God’s love all our lives. Blessings for your week Revd Rosie The first reading is from Malachi, chapter 3 vv 1-5 It is the message of good news about the coming of the Lord and carries a warning for the people of Israel . Are they ready for the Lord’s judgement? The second reading is from Hebrews, chapter 2, vv 14 – end The Lord has come in human form and so, in understanding our struggles, He is merciful to us, helping us through testing times The gospel is St Luke, chapter 2, vv 22-40 The Lord comes to the temple as a baby and is recognised by Simeon who sees the controversies and the struggles that lie ahead of Jesus. If Candlemas be fair and bright Winter will have another flight If Candlemas Day be wind and rain Winter has gone and will not come again Canon Brian |
| COLLECT Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ 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 Malachi 3.1-5 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lordas in the days of old and as in former years. Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 24.7-end Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors; • and the King of glory shall come in. ‘Who is the King of glory?’ • ‘The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord who is mighty in battle.’ Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors; • and the King of glory shall come in. ‘Who is this King of glory?’ • ‘The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.’ Hebrews 2.14-end Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. Luke 2.22-40 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’ 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. |
| INTERCESSIONS Let us pray to the Father through Christ who is our light and life. Father, your Christ is acclaimed as the glory of Israel: look in mercy on your Church, sharing his light. Lord, have mercy. All Christ, have mercy. Father, your Christ in his temple brings judgement on the world: look in mercy on the nations, who long for his justice. Lord, have mercy. All Christ, have mercy. Father, your Christ, who was rich, for our sakes became poor: look in mercy on the needy, suffering with him. Lord, have mercy. All Christ, have mercy. Father, your Christ is the one in whom faithful servants find their peace: look in mercy on the departed, that they may see your salvation. Lord, have mercy. All Christ, have mercy. Father, your Christ is revealed as the one destined to be rejected: look in mercy on us who now turn towards his passion. Lord, have mercy. All Christ, have mercy. Lord God, you kept faith with Simeon and Anna, and showed them the infant King. Give us grace to put all our trust in your promises, and the patience to wait for their fulfilment; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen. From Times & Seasons https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/churchs-year/times-and-seasons-1#mmm116 |
| PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Post Communion Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen |
| Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon for last Sunday |
| NOTICES |
| SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Tuesdays and Thursdays, Evening Prayer at 5.00pm via Zoom Church Open every Wednesday 10.00am – 12.00 Sun 29 Jan 10.30am Candlemas, ParishEucharist No evening service Sun 05 Feb 10.30am Third Sunday before Lent, All Age Eucharist 5.00pmEucharist in Church Sun 12 Feb 10.30am Second Sunday before Lent, Parish Eucharist 5.00pmEvening Prayer in Church Sun 19 Feb 10.30am Sunday Next before Lent, Parish Eucharist 5.00pmEvening Prayer in Church Wed 22 Feb 12.00am Ash Wednesday, Midday Eucharist Sun 26 Feb 10.30am First Sunday of Lent, Parish Eucharist 5.00pmEvening Prayer in Church |
| PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Norman and Diane, Sylvia, Mary, and Gracie. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Those baptised this month: 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. We pray also for Windsor Christian Action, and the work of the Homeless Project, Street Angels, FoodShare, and The Night Shelter. Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all who live or work 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 The Church of Pakistan. Please pray also for the churches these dioceses: Patna (North India), São Paulo (Brasil), Pelotas (Brasil), Pennsylvania (USA), Central Pennsylvania (USA), and Northwestern Pennsylvania (USA). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. |
 |
| —————————————————————————————————————– Christian Aid Candlemas Service of Light Sunday 29 January, All Saints, Frances Road at 4pm Windsor Christian Aid Group warmly invite you to join them for this candlelit service of thanksgiving for the work of Christian Aid and for our supporters in Windsor. All our welcome – we look forward to seeing you. Sarah Gardner Chair: Windsor Christian Aid. sarah.gardnerlobo@gmail.com |
| A308/MILL LANE ROUNDABOUT PLANS – CONSULTATION In this week’s newsletter, RBWM are asking for comments on the plans to redevelop the A308/Mill Lane roundabout. From the newsletter: “Give us your views on plan to upgrade A308 junction in Windsor to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists “You are invited to have your say on our proposal to upgrade a mini roundabout on the A308 in Clewer, Windsor to a new signal-controlled junction, improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists. “Two drop-in events for people to find out more will be held at The Swan pub in Mill Lane, Clewer on: Monday 16 January – 5pm to 6.30pm Monday 30 January – 5pm to 6.30pm”. For further details and to take part, visit their online consultation webpage: https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/cyclops |
| WINDSOR FOODSHARE From their Facebook and Twittter Pages: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare https://twitter.com/WindsrFoodshare CAN YOU HELP? This week we are extremely short on: Tinned spaghetti (We do not have enough to supply our clients this coming week, we give out around 150 a week) Carrier bags are an on going struggle for us if you have a stash of these we would be really grateful. If you are shopping in Tesco Superstore it is an ideal way to donate to us or Waitrose & Partners. Both of these supermarkets have a permanent donation box for us. |
| 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 |