| † St Andrews Proclaiming Christ in Clewer 11 June 2023 The first Sunday after Trinity Sunday St Barnabas |
 WELCOME Today we celebrate the apostle St Barnabas Barnabas was not one of the twelve apostles but was a significant member of their community after Jesus’ death. He was originally called Joseph the Levite and came from Cyprus, so he was Greek speaking and lived the Greek way of life. Having sold some land and giving the money to the church, Barnabas was sent off to Antioch (Turkey) to guide the Christians there is their relations with non-Jewish converts, promoting the concept of all being one in Christ. So what can we learn from the story of Barnabas? He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. He seemed to do as he was told and went where the leaders of the church sent him and was excited that others were coming to faith. When you are called by God..do you go, willingly or not? He recognised God’s grace but could see it in other people- do you see God at work in people’s lives, even in the most unexpected places and people? He was convicted enough by the good news of Jesus Christ to want others to understand, to encourage the new followers to endure and remain faithful. When was the last time you talked to someone about your faith or encouraged someone on their journey of faith? Barnabas was a man of faith and remained steadfast throughout his life. He was remarkable, the grace of God in the world. But God is not calling us to be another Barnabas, we are called to be us, with all our quirks and graces, weaknesses, and gifts….and that really is a fine thing! Lord, help us not to become like Barnabas, but to become who you are calling us to be in you and for the renewal of the world. Help us, as the community of the beloved, become who you want us to be for your kingdom, now, and forever. Amen Blessings for your week Revd Rosie COLLECT Almighty and everlasting God, Bountiful God, giver of all gifts, who poured your Spirit upon your servant Barnabas and gave him grace to encourage others: help us, by his example, to be generous in our judgements and unselfish in our service; 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. All Amen READINGS Acts 11.19-end Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’. At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Galatians 2.1-10 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us – we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you. And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) – those leaders contributed nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), 9and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE GOSPEL READING Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. John 15.12-17 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. INTERCESSIONS Almighty God, we ask you guide your Church especially when differences amongst us seem to threaten our very existence. We face each other, but often do not see the face. We too easily make “an other” of one another. Help us now to look again, to see Jesus in the face and to recognise hopes, aspirations and desires. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Creator God, we are part of the tensions and injustices of the world: heal the resentment between people, and intervene in the world’s conflicts. Help us to walk humbly with you at our side and when we come to the crossroads and have to choose which way to go lead us down the path of justice and righteousness whilst steering us away from the road that leads to selfishness and sin. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Father God, help us to be gentle, with others and with ourselves. Give us, we pray, the calm that makes for consideration and the respect for others that makes us courteous. Take from us hard words and the cynical look. Let us be to others as we would wish them to be to us and, when we fail, forgive us and when they fail, heal us. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Caring God, we pray for all those who are afflicted by physical, emotional or mental illness. Help them to keep their eyes fixed on you, and give them the courage to face the trials and temptations that may come. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Holy God, your love reaches beyond the grave. At the end of our days on earth be with us and with those we love and with those whom we love and have gone before us. We pray for those who have recently died, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer Gracious God, we thank you for hearing our prayers and as we move into the coming week help us to remember our Saviour’s words as he sent his disciples out into the world “As you go, proclaim the good news, the Kingdom of Heaven has come near”. Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. From the Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit Costa Blanca PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Almighty God, who on the day of Pentecost sent your Holy Spirit to the apostles with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame, filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel: by the power of the same Spirit strengthen us to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Listen to Cano Brian’s Sermon last Sunday evening LISTEN NOTICES SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS Every Tue & Thu, 5.00pm Evening Prayer on Zoom Church Open every day 10.00am – 6.00pm Sun 11 Jun 10.30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer on Zoom Sun 18 Jun 10.30am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Wild Worship 5.00pm Evening Prayer on Zoom Sun 25 Jun 10.30am Parish Eucharist 5.00pm Evening Prayer on Zoom Sun 02 Jul 10.30am Family Eucharist 5.00pm Parish Eucharist PLEASE PRAY FOR The Suffering: Blake, Sam, Don, Karl, Sarah, Joanna, Holly, Hugo, Frank and Barbara, Bill, Suzanne, Christopher, Jackie, Diane, Sylvia, Mary, Gracie and, Carmel. Refugees, Prisoners, the Homeless and those who mourn. The Departed: Tom Hinds, Austin’s grandfather, all those recently departed this life, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time. Those recently baptised: Those recently married: 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 in Clarence Road, Trevelyan Estate, Helston Lane, Green Lane, Clewer Avenue, Clewer New Town, and Birchington Road. Anglican Cycle of Prayer: please pray for the Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Please pray also for the churches in these dioceses: Northwest Texas (USA), West Texas (USA), Thika (Kenya), Thoothukudi – Nazareth (South India), Tirunelveli (South India), Toamasina (Indian Ocean).Please continue to pray for and support your neighbours and families in any way you can whilst keeping yourself safe. ROAD CLOSURES/PARKING RESTRICTIONS Next Sunday morning, 11th June, until 0930, there will be parking restrictions and road closures in the area near the Church (Parsonage Lane, Mill Lane, Clewer Court Road and Stephenson Drive) for the Windsor Triathon. The restrictions and closures come into effect at midnight, and will be lifted at 0930 or earlier, so shouldn’t affect travel to Church or parking for parishoners, but just so you are aware. In previous years it has not been an issue. WILD WORSHIP – SUNDAY 18 JUN 2023 This month’s Wild Worship is on Sunday 18th Jun at 3.00pm (not on the 11th as in last week’s Pews News).    Rory’s fundraiser for Windsor Homeless Project https://www.justgiving.com/page/liza-macrobert-1683047618888 Rory loves drawing and was recently inspired by a homeless man that we met in Windsor. Every time we go into town he wants to do something to help. We came up with the idea that he could draw a picture and sell copies. So for a donation to his chosen charity you could own a magnificent piece of artwork! Thank you for supporting him to help Windsor Homeless.Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity. WINDSOR FOODSHARE https://www.windsorfoodshare.org.uk From their Facebook and Twittter Pages: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfoodshare https://twitter.com/WindsrFoodshare We have a permanent donation box at Tesco Superstore and also at Waitrose & Partners. So if you are shopping it is easy to pop a carton or 2 in. Or why not try our Wishlist on Common Good and Amazon. https://www.forcommongood.co.uk/…/giftr…/registry/215636 https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/23EUESGGRMAVZ… You can drop off to us on Wednesdays 9.30-1.30 or Thursdays 9.30-3.00 at Dedworth Green Baptist Church. We do not like to ask as we know times are tough for lots of people right now. Imagine if your whole street donated one tin each to us how this would help our stocks. 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. email: office@clewerparish.org Revd Rosie 01753 852334 email rector@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 |