Sunday Worship podcast links and other news: July 18

 

Dear friends The links to todays audio podcasts, Zoom sessions etc are below. I will be taking time off from July 19 – Aug 7, and there will be no podcasts or newsletters for the Sundays when I am not working, but I will email the links to the Church of England’s national recorded service. You can also find recorded worship from the C of E on the Daily Hope phone line 0800 804 8044.   On my return I will be scaling back this weekly newsletter to include just the link to the podcast, what’s on in the coming week and any church and community news. From Aug 8 I will be producing just one slightly shorter podcast each week, which will be available online and on the phone as is currently the case.   This week’s newsletter will be the last, therefore, in its current format, but I will still be keeping in touch each week by email. I hope you have enjoyed these newsletters over the last 16 months! Best wishes Revd Canon Anne Le Bas July 18 Trinity 7 Online Morning Worship podcast   Morning service sheet       Hymn words (both services) Evensong podcast  Evensong service sheet Don't forget that you can also listen to a shortened version of the podcast by phoning 01732 928061 -  if you know someone who doesn't "do" the internet, please pass on the number to them. It costs the same as any phone call to a Sevenoaks number. In Church 10 am Holy Communion with a hymn outside the church after the service. 4pm Outdoor Church in the churchyard. With two hymns, a Bible story, and prayers. Very relaxed and informal - come along and join us.  6.30pm Evensong Numbers limited to 35 people. Facemasks required unless medically exempt. Services are said, with recorded music – there is no singing in church, but we do now have permission to sing outside, so there will be a congregational hymn at the end of the 10 am service outside.   During the week, in person and on Zoom - email for Zoom links ZOFFEE - This will be the last of these online informal chats on Zoom at 11.15 am, so do join us if you can!   Jul 18, 2021 11:15 AM London No Wednesday Zoom Church until Aug 11   No Friday Morning Prayer in church until Aug 13  Friday Group - 10.30-12 noon in the church hall garden Trinity 7 Jeremiah 23.1-6, Psalm 23, Mark 6.30-34.53-end Kevin is preaching this Sunday, so I don’t want to second guess what his message might be! The Gospel reading, however, gives us a snapshot of the ministry of Jesus, besieged by needy people, and aware that his disciples were also under pressure, “with no leisure even to eat.” He tells them to “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile”. The rest turns out to be short-lived, because the crowd follow him, but I like to think that even the short boat journey together might have provided a bit of a break. It’s a reminder that giving continually, without refuelling ourselves with rest, food and prayer, isn’t good for anyone, even Jesus! That’s a good message for all of us (me included) at this time of year, when many people are taking a break. It may not be easy to get away this year, but perhaps we can all try to do something different, even in small ways, to broaden our horizons, take a break, and just breathe, so that when the “crowd” comes pressing in on us, whether that is an actual crowd, or a crowd of worries, we are able to regard them with the same unworried compassion as Jesus.  ALL AGE IDEAS Today's Gospel story: Sheep without a shepherd Would you like us to pray for you? Email your prayer requests to: sealchurchprayer@gmail.com Your email will be read by Anne Le Bas and Kevin Bright, the Vicar and Reader of Seal Church who will hold you in their prayers. Please tell us if you would like us to contact you. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWs ARRANGEMENTS FOR WORSHIP FROM JULY 19. Although most legal Covid restrictions will be lifted on July 19, we are very aware that the pandemic has not gone away and also that many people will still need to take extra care because of their own vulnerabilities or those of people they live with. Because of the added complication that I am taking time off from July 19-Aug 7, and that the detailed guidance from the Church of England has only just arrived, we don’t propose to change the arrangements we have for worship at Seal until Aug 15 at the earliest. While we won’t be able to insist on people wearing face coverings from July 19, we would still like to recommend it, out of consideration for others, and we hope that people will still maintain a safe distance from one another. I will keep you updated on any decisions we make, but the principle will be that we will not rush into change – just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should or we will!   MORNING PRAYER ON FRIDAYS There will be no Morning Prayer on Fridays July 23 & 30 or Aug 6. Morning Prayer will begin again on Friday Aug 13th. There’s nothing to stop you praying on your own  - in church or at home – however, so do keep praying. You can follow the Church of England’s Daily Prayer on the website here  (there’s an audio version as well!) https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer or by downloading the Daily Prayer app.   FRIDAY GROUP - This group is meeting weekly on Fridays from  10.30 – 12 noon in the Church hall garden, or inside if necessary. Come along and join them for an informal natter in the sunshine (we hope…)   From Know Your Neighbours LOCKDOWN RECIPE BOOK -    Recipes are slowly coming in for this book, which we are hoping to publish in aid of Church funds. Please, do let us have your favourite recipes, and we can share them through this little publication, which we hope to have ready in time to sell as Christmas presents. Just email your favourites through to this email address.   The Short Mat Bowls Group meet in the Village Hall on Thursday evenings , and are looking for new members. No special clothing is needed, but nothing too smart - dress for comfort. They start around 6.10 pm, so just go along, or email Alan for more information jandadavies@hotmail.co.uk   Sevenoaks District Council summer Family Fun Days are back! These are organised by the council, together with Play Place, and take place all around Sevenoaks through the summer. The first event of this season takes place from 10am - 2pm on July 26th, on Seal Recreation Ground. In past years, these events have been enjoyed by so many families - a free play date with lots of other local families - a great project!  https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/info/20002/your_environment_and_community/344/free_family_fun_days   PRAYER OF THE WEEK    Grant, O Lord,  that we may hold to you without parting, worship you without wearying,  serve you without failing faithfully seek you happily find you and forever possess you,  the only God,  Blessed now and forever. Amen This prayer is one which I usually use, in slightly adapted form,  at baptisms, as we pray for the newly baptised. It is on the little cards I give to godparents and families to help them pray for their children as they grow up. It was written by St Anselm (1033-1109) was Archbishop of Canterbury nearly a thousand years ago, a Benedictine monk from Aosta in what is now Italy, who was sent to England in the reign of William Rufus who succeeded his father, William the Conqueror in a time of great conflict and turmoil. He was a prominent theologian, whose influence was profound on those who came after him. This little prayer, with its two groups of three petitions is memorable and, I think, full of joy. It reminds us of the adventure we are called out on by God, to “faithfully seek” him, in the knowledge that we will “happily find” him if we do so. That is my prayer for us all as we continue our journey through this difficult time.  Since March 2020, I have shared many prayers in this newsletter. I hope that at least some have echoed your own thoughts and feelings. If so, you might like to collect them together and copy them into a notebook of your own, as your own personal prayer book, adding any that I haven’t included which are special to you. All the past newsletters are on the church blog. https://sealpeterandpaul.blogspot.com/ which is searchable, in case you want to find a particular prayer you remember reading here. HYMN OF THE WEEK Glory to thee, my God this night    Which hymn to choose for the last of these newsletters?   Although I have included over 60 hymns over the last 16 months,  there are so many favourites  I have missed out.  (I may throw the odd one into the abbreviated newsletter I will be putting out from now on, but  won’t promise to do so regularly!)   In the end, having pondered for a while, I decided to finish with this  evening hymn, the work of two “Thomases” – see below. The reason I chose this will be obvious to anyone in our children’s choir, because we finish every children’s choir session with the first and last verses of this hymn, and have done so ever since we started back in 2017. Before we sing it, I always ask the children to tell me what “blessings of the light” they have found that day or that week – things that they want to give thanks for. “Being with friends, playing in a football team, a good day at school”…sometimes even “being at Children’s choir” gets a mention! The answers are as varied as the children.    During the pandemic, when the adult choir has been meeting on Zoom, we have often sung it there too as we end our sessions. Singing on Zoom has been a strange experience, with everyone  muted except me and Philip because the time  delay means we can’t sing together, but those who have joined in have found it invaluable, not only to keep their voices in trim, but also because it has kept us in touch with one another. This hymn will always remind me of the love and support that these sessions have offered, which has been very precious to those who have come to them. Hopefully from September we will be able to restart our normal choir practices in church, and when we do, anyone will be welcome to join us, of course!   As I mentioned above, this hymn is the work of two “Thomases”. Bishop Thomas Ken, (1637-1711), pictured left, wrote the words. He was Bishop of Bath and Wells, and was influential in the reigns of Charles II, James II, William and Mary and Anne. He had a reputation as a gentle but firm leader, who stuck to his principles, even if that meant confronting kings. When Ken was chaplain to the Bishop of Winchester his residence was chosen to house Charles II on a visit to the city. When Ken discovered that he intended to come with his mistress at the time, Nell Gwynne, Ken refused to accommodate him. For a chaplain to say no to a king was a risky strategy, but Charles seems to have taken it in good part. When the bishopric of Bath and Wells fell vacant, Charles remembered Ken’s principled stand, and is said to have asked “Where is the good little man that refused his lodging to poor Nell?" and insisted that he should become Bishop. He may not have always liked his decisions but he wisely recognised that kings needed people to stand up to them!Ken wrote this hymn while he was a fellow at Winchester College and curate of a local church. Winchester College was then a school for boys from less well off families, who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to afford a good education, and Ken had been a student there himself as a boy. He probably wrote this hymn, as well as others, for the students to sing, so my choice of it for our children’s choir is very appropriate! I don’t sing all the middle verses with the children, partly because I think “teach me to live, that I may dread/the grave as little as my bed. Teach me to die, that so I may rise glorious at the awful day” might take rather a lot of unpacking (and emotional aftercare) for children today. Evidently in the 17th century, with high rates of infant mortality, Thomas Ken had no such qualms, and in a sense I think he was right to include these words. Being aware that we will not live forever helps us to value each day, and make the most of it. Ken’s words encourage us to reflect on whether we have done that, to ask forgiveness for what has gone wrong each day, and give thanks for all that has been good.   The tune, “Tallis’ Canon” is by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) whose long career also brought him into close contact with a series of monarchs as court composer – Henry VIII, Mary and Elizabeth I , and spanned the tumultuous period of the English Reformation. Tallis himself  was , and remained, a Roman Catholic throughout all the religious changes of the period, but managed  , somehow, to   adapt to the changing times and requirements of these three monarchs , switching his style to suit each one. This tune, which, as the name suggests , can be sung as a round,   was originally written as the tune for a metrical version of Psalm 97 in the Elizabethan collection of Psalms written by Matthew Parker. Protestantism was suspicious of fancy church music, and insisted that the words should be clearly sung, as if they were being spoken.  Tallis’ tunes, in their simplicity, fitted the bill very well.

Performed by Joy and Ruth Everingham © 2020 AND FINALLY... We’ve all probably realised at some point that we’ve got an overdue library book, but this story from the Sheffield local news is in a different league all together!   Overdue library book returned to Sheffield Cathedral after 300 years https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/people/overdue-library-book-returned-to-sheffield-cathedral-after-300-years-3302790 As returning your library book late goes, it takes some beating! By David Kessen Sheffield Cathedral has just had a book brought back after being taken out by a reader – and it is believed to be 300 years overdue! Delighted staff at the 800-year-old venue opened a parcel that arrived in the first class post this week, to find the book with a note explaining its owner, who had recently died, had left a note asking for it to be returned. Now the book, The Faith and Practice of a Church of England Man, is set to go on display at the church, which was well known for its library until Geogian times. The Reverend Canon Keith Farrow, vice dean and canon missioner at the cathedral, said when it was still a church it used to have a renowned library, believed to have been dispensed with during the Georgian period. He said: “Where in the building it was, we’re not sure. We have a few books from that period from the early Georgian and onwards, so we think probably at the time of the first re-ordering of the church in the late Georgian period, the library was probably dispersed. “This little book was first written in 1688 and this book is a 1704 reprint. "It has come back to us because a lady in Wales, whose godmother passed away, found it amongst her belongings. In her will was the bequest that it should return to Sheffield Cathedral. "Inside, it’s actually dated 1709 and it’s very beautifully written, it says ‘this book belongs to ye lending library at Sheffield church’, which is Sheffield Cathedral. "So this has obviously been taken out of the lending library and not returned. "You can imagine someone coming into the lending library and actually borrowing this book.” He joked: “I’m trying to work out what the librarian’s fine would be – you never know, we might get a new roof or something with the fine! But I did promise the family I wouldn’t charge them the fine – they’ve returned the book and that’s wonderful. So this little book, just over 300 years ago, left the library. Now it's come back home so it's a joy to have this little jewel back here in Sheffield Cathedral.”

Sunday Podcast Worship links and other news July 11

 

July 11 Trinity 6 Online Morning Worship podcast   Morning service sheet       Hymn words (both services) Evensong podcast  Evensong service sheet Don't forget that you can also listen to a shortened version of the podcast by phoning 01732 928061 -  if you know someone who doesn't "do" the internet, please pass on the number to them. It costs the same as any phone call to a Sevenoaks number. In Church 10 am Holy Communion with a hymn outside the church after the service. 4pm Outdoor Church in the churchyard. With two hymns, a Bible story, and prayers. Very relaxed and informal - come along and join us.  6.30pm Evensong Numbers limited to 35 people. Facemasks required unless medically exempt. Services are said, with recorded music – there is no singing in church, but we do now have permission to sing outside, so there will be a congregational hymn at the end of the 10 am service outside.   During the week, in person and on Zoom - email for Zoom links ZOFFEE - informal chat on Zoom at 11.15 am on Sunday Monday Good Book Club at 11am in the vicarage garden, or in church in groups of six if wet.  Wednesday Zoom Church 11am - email for the link   Wednesday 5-5.30pm Children's Choir  in the church hall garden from 5-5.30pm Wednesday Zoom Adult choir 7.15 email philiplebas@gmail.com for the link Friday - 9.30 Morning Prayer. A short, socially distanced service in church. Bible readings, psalms and prayers to start the day Anyone is welcome. You can see the service sheet here. Friday Group - 10.30-12 noon in the church hall garden Trinity 6   Amos 7.7-16, Mark 6. 14-29 Today’s Gospel reading is a poignant and powerful one, a story of the squalid execution of a John the Baptist whose only  “crime” is to speak truth to power. What is worse, his death comes about because Herod, a paranoid dictator, doesn’t want to lose face in front of his friends, and is prepared to collude with the whims of his wife and step-daughter, who want to see the end of a man who has shone an uncomfortable light on their domestic arrangements. John the Baptist isn’t raised from the dead, as Herod fears, but Herod discovers that killing the man does not kill the message…   There are many depictions of the beheading of John, some very much more gruesome and realistic than this one by Benozzo Gozzoli (1421 -1497) a pupil of Fra Angelico, but this version speaks powerfully of the way that cruelty and corruption can be happening in the midst of what looks like a sophisticated and lavish gathering, with Herod’s guests, in their fine clothing apparently not questioning what might be happening just out of sight.  The beheading is literally compartmentalised, split off from the rest of the scene by a grey wall, and Herodias and her daughter conspiring “behind the scenes” in the background of the picture, where Herodias holds John’s head on a platter on her lap. It is a reminder that, throughout human history, wealth and comfort have existed cheek by jowl with suffering, and have often been bought at the cost of that suffering. In today’s world, we might wonder who has made the nice clothes we wear, and in what conditions, and who is paying the price for luxuries we enjoy. ALL AGE IDEAS In the Old Testament reading the prophet Amos sees a vision of God holding a plumb line, something builders use to make sure they are building things straight. God was telling Amos to tell the leaders of his people that they must do the right thing otherwise the nation wouldn't be strong, just as a wall that isn't built straight will fall down. You could build something out of bricks and find out what happens if the bricks aren't properly on top of each other or the surface you build on isn't level.  Today's Gospel story: the death of John the Baptist. Would you like us to pray for you? Email your prayer requests to: sealchurchprayer@gmail.com Your email will be read by Anne Le Bas and Kevin Bright, the Vicar and Reader of Seal Church who will hold you in their prayers.  CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWs JESS HEEB You will remember that Jess has recently been licenced as a Lay Minister. I can now tell you, that she has also been going through the C of E discernment process for ordained ministry, exploring whether she might be called to be ordained as a priest. I am delighted to be able to pass on the news that, following an online Bishops’ Advisory Panel the week before last, she has been recommended for training for ordination. Jess will be training on the local non-residential scheme, so she will be with us for the next two years for her practical training while also studying part-time with St Augustine’s college, which is based at West Malling. Sadly, once she is ordained, she and Jonathan will move on as she will need to serve a curacy elsewhere, but we will have the privilege and joy of having them both with us for the next two years as Jess trains. We look forward to encouraging and helping her as her ministry develops.    AREA DEAN In another, (slightly less exciting) announcement, the Bishop has asked me to take on the role of Area Dean of Sevenoaks for the next few years. It is a role which involves supporting other local clergy and churches, and helping us work together in the Deanery. Area Deans do this on top of running their own parish, so it doesn’t make any difference as far as Seal Church is concerned - it just adds some extra work and responsibility for me! ARRANGEMENTS FOR WORSHP FROM JULY 19. Although most legal Covid restrictions will be lifted on July 19, we are very aware that the pandemic has not gone away and also that many people will still need to take extra care because of their own vulnerabilities or those of people they live with. Because of the added complication that I am taking time off from July 19-Aug 8, and that we haven’t yet got detailed guidance from the Church of England on how we should conduct worship in the coming weeks, we don’t propose to change the arrangements we have for worship at Seal until Aug 15 at the earliest. While we won’t be able to insist on people wearing face coverings from July 19, we would still like to recommend it, out of consideration for others, and we hope that people will still maintain a safe distance from one another. I will keep you updated on any decisions we make, but the principle will be that we will not rush into change – just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should or we will!   GOOD BOOK CLUB. We hope to have a “Good Book Club” Bible study session tomorrow at 11 am in the vicarage garden, but the weather forecast doesn’t look good. If you are hoping to come, please contact me so we can see what alternative plans we might make. OUTDOOR CHURCH I am hopeful that we will be able to go ahead with Outdoor Church today, but please check the website for updates if the weather looks doubtful.  MORNING PRAYER ON FRIDAYS Jess and I are saying Morning Prayer together on Friday mornings at 9.30 in church. If anyone would like to join us for this small service, you’d be very welcome. You don’t need to bring anything with you – the service sheet will be available when you get there, but if you want to have a look at the service (or pray it yourself at home when it is convenient for you) you can find it here.    FRIDAY GROUP - This group is meeting weekly on Fridays from  10.30 – 12 noon in the Church hall garden, or inside in socially distanced groups of six if necessary. Come along and join them for an informal natter in the sunshine (we hope…)   From Know Your Neighbours The Short Mat Bowls Club are back to meeting in the Village Hall every Thursday evening (but no session on July 15th), and they are looking to recruit some new members, so - is this something that may interest you? This is an activity which is really picking up in popularity with all age groups, so do let us know if you might be interested in joining, or pop along on a Thursday evening and speak to Alan. You can contact him for further information, by emailing jandadavies@hotmail.co.uk.   Please remember, if you have an unused laptop, or I pad, please think of donating them to Seal Primary School through us. Just email marionjgilchrist@gmail.com and I will arrange collection, and our faithful friend Derek, will prepare them for the childrens' use.   PRAYER OF THE WEEK    Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,   who has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,   born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets God promised of old  to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us, To show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:  to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear,  holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1.68–79   The Benedictus, or Song of Zechariah, is found only in Luke’s Gospel, where it is sung by the father of John the Baptist when his baby son is named. He praises God for this child, who he had never expected to see, as he and his wife Elizabeth didn’t seem able to have children and were old when John was born. It isn’t just the song of a doting father, enjoying holding his baby for the first time, but a song which looks forward to the ministry he knows this child will have, as the one who prepares people for the coming of the Messiah. He will help people to understand and receive the forgiveness of God. He looks forward to people seeing “the tender compassion of God” as “the dawn from on high” breaks upon them. It is this image of the dawn which led to the Benedictus being used in Morning Prayer from the very early days of the church. It is still prayed every day in Morning Prayer (Matins) in churches and homes around the world, in public and private prayer. HYMN OF THE WEEK Beauty for brokenness   Graham Kendrick’s hymn, Beauty for brokenness, was written after Kendrick visited India in 1992. According to his website It is inspired by what he saw there, and by the words of Psalm 107. 1-43, though it also echoes the words of Isaiah 61 which say that God wants “ to bestow on them a crown of beauty  instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning”.   Graham Kendrick (b. 1950) is a prolific singer/songwriter whose work (especially the very popular “Shine, Jesus, Shine” has made him one of the best known modern hymn writers. He began his career as a member of a Christian band, and a solo singer, and has numerous solo albums to his name. However, it is as a writer of worship songs that he is most famous. He now lives in Tunbridge Wells, and has been working on a technique he calls “Psalm Surfing”, the improvised singing of scripture, especially the Psalms, which takes worship music back to its origins as the improvised singing of scriptural words in community.     God Of The Poor (Beauty for brokenness)     Beauty for brokenness Hope for despair Lord, in the suffering This is our prayer Bread for the children Justice, joy, peace Sunrise to sunset Your kingdom increase!   Shelter for fragile lives Cures for their ills Work for the craftsman Trade for their skills Land for the dispossessed Rights for the weak Voices to plead the cause Of those who can't speak   God of the poor Friend of the weak Give us compassion we pray Melt our cold hearts Let tears fall like rain Come, change our love From a spark to a flame   Refuge from cruel wars Havens from fear Cities for sanctuary Freedoms to share Peace to the killing-fields Scorched earth to green Christ for the bitterness His cross for the pain   Rest for the ravaged earth Oceans and streams Plundered and poisoned Our future, our dreams Lord, end our madness Carelessness, greed Make us content with The things that we need   Lighten our darkness Breathe on this flame Until your justice Burns brightly again Until the nations Learn of your ways Seek your salvation And bring you their praise   Graham Kendrick Copyright © 1993 Make Way Music, www.grahamkendrick.co.uk

Performed by Joy and Ruth Everingham © 2020 AND FINALLY... My memory is that when Liz Mitchell (left) applied for the job of headteacher at Seal School, sheep-wrangling wasn’t in the job description. It’s good to see that she has mastered what is plainly now an essential skill. Check out the facebook page for the school farm (Search on Facebook for “The Good Life comes to Seal”), for more photos and videos. I know I’m not the only one who is looking forward to being able to visit the animals in person when we can.

Sunday Podcast Worship links and other news July 4

 

July 4 Trinity 5 Online Morning Worship podcast   Morning service sheet       Hymn words (both services) Evensong podcast  Evensong service sheet Don't forget that you can also listen to a shortened version of the podcast by phoning 01732 928061 -  if you know someone who doesn't "do" the internet, please pass on the number to them. It costs the same as any phone call to a Sevenoaks number. In Church 10 am Holy Communion with a hymn outside the church after the service. 4pm Outdoor Church in the churchyard. With two hymns, a Bible story, and prayers. Very relaxed and informal - come along and join us.  6.30pm Evensong Numbers limited to 35 people. Facemasks required unless medically exempt. Services are said, with recorded music – there is no singing in church, but we do now have permission to sing outside, so there will be a congregational hymn at the end of the 10 am service outside.   During the week, in person and on Zoom - email for Zoom links ZOFFEE - informal chat on Zoom at 11.15 am Sunday July  Wednesday Zoom Church 11am - email for the link   Wednesday 5-5.30pm Children's Choir  in the church hall garden from 5-5.30pm No Zoom Adult choir this week Friday - 9.30 Morning Prayer. A short, socially distanced service in church. Bible readings, psalms and prayers to start the day Anyone is welcome. You can see the service sheet here. Friday Group - 10.30-12 noon in the church hall garden Trinity 5    Psalm 123, Ezekiel 2.1-5, Mark 6.1-13 In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus sends his closest followers out with his message, telling them to “take nothing” with them. What do you feel is essential to take with you when you travel? How would you feel if you had to “take nothing” – maybe that’s something you’ve discovered if your luggage has ever gone missing en route! The reading invites us to think about how we feel about poverty and need, whether it is affecting us or others. ALL AGE IDEAS   Today's Gospel story. Would you like us to pray for you? Email your prayer requests to: sealchurchprayer@gmail.com Your email will be read by Anne Le Bas and Kevin Bright, the Vicar and Reader of Seal Church who will hold you in their prayers.  CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWs Thank you to all who helped with our CHURCHYARD RECORDING yesterday. It was very much appreciated and will help me to produce a more complete record of burials here.  CHURCH CLEANERS WANTED We could do with a couple more people to come onto the church cleaning rota. This would involve a commitment to cleaning the church with someone else, once a month at a time to suit you. If you think you can help, please contact Marion Gilchrist, marionjgilchrist@gmail.com, 07909 905975. If you would like to know what it might involve there is a description of the role here.       OUTDOOR CHURCH I am hopeful that we will be able to go ahead with Outdoor Church today, but please check the website for updates if the weather looks doubtful.  MORNING PRAYER ON FRIDAYS Jess and I are saying Morning Prayer together on Friday mornings at 9.30 in church. If anyone would like to join us for this small service, you’d be very welcome. You don’t need to bring anything with you – the service sheet will be available when you get there, but if you want to have a look at the service (or pray it yourself at home when it is convenient for you) you can find it here.    FRIDAY GROUP - This group is meeting weekly on Fridays from  10.30 – 12 noon in the Church hall garden, or inside in socially distanced groups of six if necessary. Come along and join them for an informal natter in the sunshine (we hope…) PRAYER OF THE WEEK    Come God Come with the frightened Come with the poor Come with the children Come with those who have always been your friends Come and lead us to where you are living And show us what you want us to do.   Ruth Burgess.   Ruth Burgess is a member of the Iona Community, which has centres not only on Iona and Mull, but also in the heart of Glasgow. It is famous for its focus on peace and justice, and its hymns (one of which features in our podcast today and below, as hymn of the week) and prayers reflect that. This prayer was written for a Mother’s Union day of reflection on the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise when she knew that she was to bear the Messiah. She praised the God who had “brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly…filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty”. Ruth Burgess' prayer very carefully says that God comes "with" not "to" the poor who have "always been your friends", warning the rich and comfortable against the assumption that is they who own God, and are bringing him to those in need.    HYMN OF THE WEEK  Will you come and follow me? (The Summons)   1          Will you come and follow me             if I but call your name?             Will you go where you don't know             and never be the same?             Will you let my love be shown,             will you let my name be known,             will you let my life be grown,             in you and you in me?   2          Will you leave yourself behind             if I but call your name?             Will you care for cruel and kind             and never be the same?             Will you risk the hostile stare             should your life attract or scare?             Will you let me answer prayer             in you and you in me?   3          Will you let the blinded see             if I but call your name?             Will you set the prisoners free             and never be the same?             Will you kiss the leper clean,             and do such as this unseen,             and admit to what I mean             in you and you in me?     4          Will you love the 'you' you hide             if I but call your name?             Will you quell the fear inside             and never be the same?             Will you use the faith you've found             to reshape the world around,             through my sight and touch and sound             in you and you in me?     5          Lord, your summons echoes true             when you but call my name.             Let me turn and follow you             and never be the same.             In your company I'll go             where your love and footsteps show.             Thus I'll move and live and grow             in you and you in me.   John L Bell (born 1949) and Graham Maule (1958-2019) © 1987 WGRG, c/o Iona Community, 21 Carlton Court, Glasgow, G5 9JP, Scotland. www.wildgoose.scot    This hymn, from the Iona Community, is called “The Summons” and was written by John L Bell and Graham Maule, whose hymns have featured a number of times in our newsletters. Most of the hymn consists of a series of thought provoking questions, and it would be a good one to ponder slowly. Where is the question which hits home to us? What is the challenge we find most difficult in following Christ?   The tune, Kelvingrove, is a Scottish air dating back at least to the early 18th century, and was used as the tune for the folk song “Bonnie Lassie O”, which went through an assortment of changes over the centuries, mostly to sanitize its original tragic tale of a woman made pregnant through rape. There is a piece on this transformation here http://www.ecalpemos.org/2011/02/kelvingrove-iona-and-dark-side-of.html, which suggests at the end, that it’s use for this thought-provoking hymn perhaps restores some of its original power.   Kelvingrove is a district of Glasgow, developed by the Victorians as a park, and housing the Kelvingrove art gallery.

Performed by Joy and Ruth Everingham © 2020 AND FINALLY... Those who have visited the vicarage will know that we are keen owners of a robotic lawnmower, which we call Wilbur, who trundles around the lawn mowing the grass from early morning to evening. The birds and squirrels have mostly got used to him, though human visitors usually do a double take.  Last week I looked out of the window as I went down for breakfast and found one visitor who was still trying to puzzle him out. Our semi-resident fox evidently wondered whether he might be a playmate...  I managed to get a bit of video of the encounter. Enjoy!