| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 30 Jan 2022 The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)  THE PARISH EUCHARIST SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN PERSONAT ST ANDREWS CHURCH AT 10.30AM Dear friends, Candlemas, the presentation of Christ in the temple. The first reading comes from Malachi chapter 3, verses 1-5. Before judgement comes the chance of salvation. The Lord comes to the temple to purify us until we present righteous offerings, respecting and protecting others. The second reading from the letter to the Hebrews chapter 2, verses 14 to the end. Fully human, understanding our temptations, Jesus helps us overcome sin and fear. Offering himself for us he saves us from death, restoring our relationship with the living God. And the gospel reading St Luke chapter 2, verses 22-40. Jesus is presented in the temple, the Holy Spirit surprisingly reveals him to Simeon and Anna as God’s promised salvation, although suffering will come first. So today we celebrate Candlemas, the presentation of Christ in the Temple. For Mary’s human son, this fulfilled the religious customs of the day. For God’s incarnate son, this fulfilled prophesies that the Lord would come to his temple. So let us welcome Jesus into our hearts, the temple of the Holy Spirit. With every good wish, 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 Lord as 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. All Thanks be to God. Psalm 24 The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it, the compass of the world and all who dwell therein. For he has founded it upon the seas and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep. ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, or who can rise up in his holy place?’ ‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not lifted up their soul to an idol, nor sworn an oath to a lie; ‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a just reward from the God of their salvation.’ Such is the company of those who seek him, of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob. 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. All Thanks be to God. GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. All 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 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’ 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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a 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. All Praise to you, O Christ. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION – TIMES AND SEASONS 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Amen. PRAYER AFTER 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. All Amen Listen to Canon Brian’s Sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Epiphany NOTICES NO SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE As it is a fifth Sunday, there will be no evening service. Next Sunday, 06 Feb, the evening service will be a Eucharist, in Church. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Evening Prayer on Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.00pm Church open for Private Prayer, Wednesdays 10.00am-12.00 Prayers & Bears at St Agnes every Friday Sun 30 Jan 10.30am Candlemas – Parish Eucharist in Church 5th Sunday – no Evening Prayer Sun 06 Feb 10.30am 4th Sunday Before Lent – All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist in Church Sun 13 Feb 10.30am 3rd Sunday Before Lent – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom Sun 20 Feb 10.30am 2rd Sunday Before Lent – Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer – Zoom COINS AND NOTES FOR KENYA Trevor Morgan is still collecting coins and notes of any type, age, or country, including the UK, to raise funds for a school in Kenya. The school has been finding things very tough recently, and really appreciates the support. St Andrews has so far raised around £60 towards it. LENT LUNCHES Lent is not far away! It begins on 2nd March. As in previous years we want to provide Lent Lunches at St Agnes on Saturdays in Lent. If you have previously been involved in preparing or serving these please have a think about whether your group could do so again. Signing up forms will be available next Sunday. The dates are:05 March12 March19 March26 March02 April There won’t be a Lent Lunch on 09 Apr, as there is the Clewer Pilgrimage and Pilgrims’ Lunch at St Andrews. Details to follow. 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, and Patricia. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Those being Baptised: 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 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 the Province of the Indian Ocean. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Kano (Nigeria), Kansas (USA), Western Kansas (USA), Kanyakumari (South India), Kapoeta (South Sudan), and Kapsabet (Kenya). Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. 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 |