| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 30 November 2025 Feast of St Andrews and Advent Sunday |
 WELCOME Feast of St Andrews and Advent Sunday St Andrew’s feast day falls right on the cusp of Advent Sunday, and it is our custom here in Clewer to hold St Andrew in the morning and our Advent carol service in the evening. In the morning, we reflect on the call to follow as St Andrew and then turn our thoughts towards the incarnation. The call of St Andrew is a call to mission. St Andrew is associated with mission because of his eagerness to spread the word about Jesus. Andrew the fisherman is the first disciple to be called, then invites his brother, Simon Peter. Andrew drops everything to follow Jesus, he will journey with Jesus through thick and thin, to spread the gospel, and to go courageously wherever God calls. Every Christian and every church are called to a life of mission- all reflecting the spirit of Andrew. Are we courageous enough to share our faith? Our Advent journey begins. We are living in a world that everything is instantly accessible, what ever you need at the click on phone, information readily at hand from all over the world, information that has become more and more difficult to work out if its true or not. And we all try to get ahead of Christmas with all the decorations, presents and preparations, whilst this in itself is not a problem, it can become all consuming. What we have lost is the art of waiting. Advent struggles as a season because we have to wait for something that has already happened! Advent gives us the opportunity to slow down. Every single day we have micro moments where we must wait, for the kettle to boil, while the bath is running, while waiting for the bus or train. We can do it; we just don’t pay attention to it. We don’t like to wait; we have lost the use of our waiting muscles. Advent gives us a chance to take each moment as it happens. Not just to wait for God to do something miraculous but to live knowing Jesus has risen from the dead. Advent reminds us that as we wait, we train ourselves to notice God’s action in the world. And if we notice those moments, we begin to strengthen our waiting muscles so that we can be fully alive, so that when salvation breaks in we can celebrate it. Advent teaches us the basic skills of living, with eyes open wide and with hearts on fire. Blessings for your Advent. Slow down, take those moments and waiting will be worth it. Revd Rosie SUNDAY SERVICES 30TH NOV FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT – ST ANDREWS DAY 10:30am Patronal Mass – St Andrews Day 5.00pm Advent Carols COLLECT Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; the on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen READINGS Isaiah 52.7-107How beautiful upon the mountainsare the feet of the messenger who announces peace,who brings good news,who announces salvation,who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’8Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,together they sing for joy;for in plain sight they seethe return of the LORD to Zion.9Break forth together into singing,you ruins of Jerusalem;for the LORD has comforted his people,he has redeemed Jerusalem.10The LORD has bared his holy armbefore the eyes of all the nations;and all the ends of the earth shall seethe salvation of our God. Romans 10.12-18 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ 16But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ 17So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.18But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth,and their words to the ends of the world.’ Matthew 4.18-20 18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. NOTICES PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Paul, Diana, Norman, Hilary, Matt, Al,Vivienne, Stef, John F, Joanna, Tom B and Val. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: All those recently departed this life and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Baptisms: Ezra, Sebastian Weddings: 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, and the work of the Homeless Project, Street Angels, and FoodShare, under the umbrella of the Alma Beacon Hub. 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 Little Buntings, Tyrell Gardens, Duncroft, Perrycroft, Ryecroft, Rydings, Ellison Close and Addington Close. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for The Anglican Church in Australiaa. Please pray also for the Churches in these Dioceses: Ruaha (Tanzania), Rumbek (South Sudan), Rumonge (Burundi), Rupert’s Land (Canada), Rutana (Burundi), and Ruvuma (Tanzania).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families. Please download the Church of Englands EverydayFaith app ahead of Advent this year. This will be a unique Advent resource exploring the symbolism behind the hymn ‘O Come Emmanuel’ that’ll be great to follow along with together. This will replace our previous WhatsApp Advent daily messages. SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Evening Prayer via Zoom at 5.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8.00am in Church Prayers & Bears – Early Years Liturgy on Fridays at 9.30am in Church The church is open for private prayer 10.00am-dusk daily Sun 30 Nov – St Andrews Day / 1st Sunday of Advent 10:30am Patronal Mass – St Andrews Day 5.00pm Advent Carols Sun 07 Dec – 2nd Sunday of Advent 10:30am All Age Eucharist 5.00pm Eucharist Sun 14 Dec – 3rd Sunday of Advent 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm 9 Lessons & Carols + Churchyard Light Switch On Sun 21 Dec – 4th Sunday of Advent 10:30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Prayers & Bears – Early Years Liturgy has restarted Friday’s at 9.30am – please share with those who might like to join St Andrews Day (Christmas) Fair Saturday 29th November 11am-3pm Advent Carols by Candlelight Sunday 30th November at 5pm – this will include the sending out of the parish posada Midweek Advent Eucharist followed by lunch on 3rd, 10th and 17th December Date for the diary Community Walk in aid of St Andrews 6th December Decorate a Christmas Tree in the Churchyard w/c 7th December ahead of the Churchyard Light Switch On Sunday 14th December – community groups and families across the parish decorate a tree, if you’d like book one please email office@clewerparish.org The Alma Beacon Cold Weather Night Shelter 2025/2026 run by the Windsor Homeless Project are looking for volunteers from Monday 15th December 2025 to Sunday 29th March 2026 to help run the shelter. More details and information can be found here. 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       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 Churchwarden: Vacant Contact via email: office@clewerparish.org Safeguarding Policy: www.standrewsclewer.org/safeguarding-policy Safeguarding Officer: clewerparishsafeguarding@gmail.com |