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† St Andrews
Proclaiming Christ in Clewer
Pews News: February 2016 Lent
Welcome, in the name of Jesus Christ, to this house of prayer.
Rector’s Ramblings
Lent arrives on the 10th Feb. We turn from the wood of the stable and crib, which we finally put away on the 31st January, Candlemas, to the wood of the cross as we are led forward into Lent. This time of year we are all glad of some warmer weather, spring sunshine and longer days. The rain is causing us concern! The long cold nights of winter should be going and the snowdrops are bursting into bloom, although this year the daffs were up after Christmas! Signs of spring are in the air!
Lent is our time to spring clean our hearts, time to shine the light of Christ into our dark corners and reveal those things about ourselves that need addressing. When people think about Lent, they think about giving something up. It’s mainly about self-discipline, using our time wisely in order to build our relationship with God. Self-discipline is not about punishment and not necessarily about being extra “holy”. It is a spring cleaning of our lives, sorting out those things which perhaps have consumed us too much and prevented us from thinking of others, a time to pray and reflect and to put things right. And that is not always an easy task. Lent is not meant to be easy. I have been reflecting on the last three Lents. How is it that I start off with such determination to be more reflective and quiet and then life gets in the way and before you know it its Easter? And those Lents were challenging. I tried to set myself tasks and God sent others, not what I wanted to do but what I found I had to do. So I battled my way through thinking when will I get time and space to do my “Lent thing”. That in itself was my Lent challenge, to face the things God wanted me to do and to do it prayerfully and sacrificially, not to moan or get frustrated, not to feel I’ve missed Lent again but to carry it all to the cross. Perhaps God has something in store for me this Lent? I’ll have to wait and find out, but I do know that Jesus will be walking with me as I journey towards the cross of Good Friday.
There are many things that can help you through Lent, social media is awash with ideas. You can have a thought for the day sent to your phone, take up a daily reading scheme, engage with 40Acts, join a study group or put pennies in a jar for charity. This Lent the parish is holding Lent Lunches at St Agnes, sharing the hospitality of God with each other and our local community. Each week the lunch will be provided by a team of volunteers and money raised will go to their chosen charity. Please pray for this new adventure, come along, bring your friends and neighbours and enjoy this seasonal event.
For our study this Lent we will be focussing on the Creeds, as part of the Pilgrim Course. Last year we explored the Eucharist if you remember. We say the familiar words of the Creed every Sunday, but where did they come from, who wrote them, what do they mean? Why not join us as we find out together on Thursday evenings at 7.30 in the Lodge. If you are not an evening person, then how about Fridays at 12.30 in the Lodge, we are going to be ‘Talking Faith’. Bring your packed lunch and enjoy spending time discussing life and faith. Please take a ‘what’s on in Lent flyer for more details of our Lent activities.
Lent prayer cards are still available for you to pop through your neighbours doors this Lent. I will be out doing prayer walks around the parish roads this Lent, if you happen to spot me why not come out and join me?
Wishing you blessed and holy Lent
Revd Rosie
Sunday Services for the Month
1st Sunday: 7 February – Sunday next before Lent
10.30am Family Worship (non-Eucharist)
readings Exodus 34.29-end; 2 Corinthians 3.12-4.2; Luke 9.28-36
5pm Parish Eucharist
2nd Sunday: 14 February – Lent 1
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings: Deuteronomy 26.1-11; Romans 10.8b-13; Luke 4.1-13
5pm BCP Evensong
readings: Psalm 119. 73-88, Jonah 3, Luke 18.9-14
3rd Sunday: 21 February – Lent 2
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings: Genesis 15.1-12, 17-18; Philippians 3.17-4.1; Luke 13.31-end
3pm Children’s Church (Child-centred Holy Communion)
5pm Eucharist for Healing & Wholeness
4th Sunday: 28 February – Lent 3
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings: Isaiah 55.1-9; 1 Corinthians 10.1-13; Luke 13.1-9
5pm BCP Evensong
readings: Ps 12/13, Genesis 28.10-19a, John 1. 35-end
Celebrating the Queen’s 90th Birthday
The fundraising committee have decided to forgo the November St Andrews Festival Fair this year in favour of a summer flower festival on the first weekend in June, to celebrate the Queen’s life and faith. We will be looking for volunteers to do the refreshments, help with decorating etc. Heather and John Albless are leading this so please offer your support. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate creativity and our monarch. Put it in your diary now! Thank you
Midweek Services in February
Wednesday 10 February – Ash Wednesday
8pm Eucharist of the Ashes
readings: Isaiah 58.1-12; 2 Corinthians 5.20b-6.10; Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21
Wednesdays at 10am. Said Eucharist in the Brocas chapel starts 17th Feb
Fridays 9.30am Prayers & Bears in Church. *Please note Friday the 12th P&B will be held in the Lodge.
For your prayers
Healing Prayers: Peter and Katie Dennis, Jack Trigwell, baby Blake, Jim Allen, Doreen Webb, Zena, Graham Fuller, Roly Cockman, Mark Richardson
Those who have died: Jenny Evendon
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all those who work in Legoland, Dedworth Medical Centre, Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, Guides, Thames Hospice, Guards Club, Tennis Club, and Windsor Gym.
Notices
Choir Practice – Tuesday evenings at 6pm in church
This year’s APCM will be held on 24th April at 3pm followed by Evening Prayer. Please ensure all committee/team/church activity reports are emailed to Sharon our PCC secretary by the 2nd April, in order to get the report printed for the two week notice period.
Friday 19th February – Windsor Sleep Out 2016
Windsor Homeless Project are running their annual fundraising sleep out. If you would like to get involved please talk to Mulle. If you can’t ‘sleep out’ yourself then why not sponsor someone? (the Rector)
New – Parish Office/ Saturday Cafe is now held on Saturday mornings at St Andrews. The church is open for visitors during that time and also if anyone wants to see the Rector, no appointments necessary, just turn up. The coffee is on so if you want to come along, please do. If you have any enquires about weddings, baptisms or funerals this is the time to come.
Church yard tidy: Please see Bob Lester for the next event, with all this wind and rain there is a lot to clear up. We’d appreciate the help. Thank you
Living, Loving, Learning in Lent
Thursday Evenings at 7.30pm in the Lodge
Pilgrim – a course for the Christian Journey
During Lent 2016 we will be exploring
The Creeds
Week 1: (11 Feb) What are the Creeds?
Week 2: (18 Feb) God as Trinity- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Week 3: (25 Feb) Fully God and fully human
Week 4: (3 March) Crucified, risen and ascended
Week 5: (10 March, Wednesday) I believe in the Holy Spirit.
Week 6: (17 March) One, holy, catholic and apostolic Church
All welcome
Revd Rosie Webb, Rector
Parish of Clewer St Andrew and St Agnes Church
St Andrew’s Rectory, Parsonage Lane SL4 5EN
01753 852334 www.standrewsclewer.org