Sunday Worship podcast link and other news: Oct 31 - All Saints and All Souls

 

Join us for worship online, on the phone or in the building today.  with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast        Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 In the church building today 10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm  All Souls' service (Church open from 5.45pm for candle lighting) During the week Wednesday@10 am Good Book Club in the church hall                                  5pm Children's Choir                                  7.15 pm Adult Choir                           Friday              9.30 am Morning Prayer in Church                             10.00-12 noon   Friday Group in the church hall In the church building next Sunday - Nov 7 10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm  Evensong All Saints & All Souls Rev 21.1-6a John 11.32-44 This morning we celebrate All Saints Day (the actual Feast Day is Nov 1) and this evening we mark All Souls, with our annual service at which we commemorate those who have died. The Feast of All Saints has a long history. Dating back to the 4th century, it was originally held in mid-May, but  by the 9th century (in the western church at least) it found its current place at the beginning of November, falling roughly on what was one of the "cross-quarter days" of the calendar - the others are Candlemas Feb 2,  May Day and Lammas Day, Aug 1. Half-way between the Solstices and Equinoxes, these days mark the subtle shift in the seasons when we really start to notice that the year is turning. All Saints falls at the moment when autumn starts to turn to winter, when darkness really starts to take hold (N.B. The clocks went back last night!). It is often said that the Christian feast was simply superimposed on the pre-Christian celebration of Samhain, when it was thought that the barrier between the worlds of the living and the dead was especially thin but as Samhain wasn't celebrated in Southern Europe, where the pope who settled the date lived, this seems unlikely. It's more likely to be simply that at this time of year the sense of growing darkness was a natural time to remember those who had died, and celebrate those who had brought the light of God into that darkness. The popular narrative of Christians "stealing" pagan feasts is often far more complicated than it seems! Today, the eve of the feasts of All Saints (or All Hallows, as it was once known) has become the big focus for many people. Hallowe'en - the eve of All Hallows, is now, apparently, second only to Christmas as a money spinner! Some Christians are wary of its association with ghosts and ghoulies, but there is an argument, which I think has some merit, that acknowledging the darkness around us is important. We shouldn't pretend that life is all sweetness and light, but should name and face our fears.  Hallowe'en, handled properly, can help us to do that, and help us to remember that Christ went into the darkness of death for us and is with us when we go into the dark too.  What do you think about Hallowe'en? How do you deal with your fears? How do you cope with the growing darkness at this time of year - do you enjoy it or hate it? ALL AGE IDEA Go outside after dark (if you can get away from artificial light that is even better). Spend some time quietly listening and looking. What can you hear and see that you might not see in the daytime? Do you know any creatures who come out only at night? Thank God for the darkness, as well as for the light. Here is a sheet of activities that you might like to try, focussing both on Hallowe'en and All Saints.

This week's Gospel story.

STORY OF THE WEEK - 1 Sam 8   This season in the Church's year has become known as the Kingdom Season, uniting the feasts of All Saints and Souls, Remembrance and Christ the King as the liturgical cycle of readings comes to an end - the new Church year starts on Advent Sunday (Nov 28 this year). Our readings through November, therefore, will focus on the idea of the Kingdom of God. We begin with a story from Samuel 1. Israel, unlike the nations around it, has never been ruled by kings, but has instead been led by judges. God should be the only king they need. But eventually they felt that they needed to have a king - it was a matter of pride. This was how they thought "proper" nations were ruled. Samuel tries to convince them that this isn't a good idea, but they are determined. The king God chooses for them is Saul, however, who we first meet when he is out looking for his father's donkey. If he can't keep track of donkeys, we are meant to realise, then how will he lead a nation? What do you think are the pros and cons of monarchy? Do you think Samuel (and God!)  have a point in trying to discourage it?

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS ALL SOULS SERVICE There will be a quiet service of hymns, readings and reflection tonight at 6.30pm to remember those we love who have died. If you would like us to name someone in the prayers please add them in CAPITAL LETTERS to the list on the clipboard at the back of church. The church will be open from 5.45 pm if anyone would like to light a candle and spend time in quiet reflection before the service, or prefers not to stay for it.   RECRUITING We shall need a new honorary Treasurer in a couple of months’ time, and new churchwarden’s next year. We also need a new PCC secretary (mainly to take minutes at PCC meetings) right now. Can you help. Role descriptions for these voluntary roles are on the board at the back of church, or you can download them here (Churchwarden, Treasurer, PCC Secretary) and I will be happy to chat with you if you think these roles might be for you.    CHURCH HEATING Apologies that the church is chilly because of delays to the fitting of the new boiler and on fuel deliveries. We hope the heating will be able to be switched on in a few weeks’ time.   KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS MEETING Seal Village Hall. Sat Nov 6th, 10.45-12 noon Please join us for a cuppa, to chat about what goes on now in our village, and what you’d like to see in the future, along with how we might achieve this.   There will be a CHRISTMAS BAZAAR in Seal Village Hall on Sunday November 21st from 10.30am-3pm. We need your help… If you are a regular at a local business in Seal or Sevenoaks, could you ask them if they might donate a tombola prize? Please tell Marion Gilchrist who you will be asking, so the local shops aren’t inundated with requests! Could you commit yourself to making some cakes for the refreshments or to help on the day? There is a list at the back of church to sign up for this or you can email marionjgilchrist@gmail.com HELPERS FOR SAT NOVEMBER 27th FOR PUTTING UP CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Could you help with putting up some of the Christmas lights in the village on Nov 27? If so, please contact Marion Gilchrist.  SEAL CHURCH WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS Thursday December 2nd - 2 sessions - 2-3.30pm and 7.30-9pm. More information to follow. Call Maggie for further information on 01732 762840 or 07517 234557. For more community news from Marion Gilchrist, check out the Know Your Neighbours blog. https://knowyourneighbours.blogspot.com/

Sunday Worship podcast link and other news: Oct 24 Bible Sunday

 

Join us for worship online, on the phone or in the building today.  with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast        Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 In the church building today 10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm  Evensong (Said) During the week Wednesday@10 am Zoom Church (email for the link)                                    No adult or children's choir this week - half-term                           Friday              9.30 am Morning Prayer in Church                             10.00-12 noon   Friday Group in the church hall In the church building next Sunday - Oct 31 10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm  All Souls' service Bible Sunday Isaiah 55.1-11, John 5.36b-47 Today is Bible Sunday,The collect for the day famously asks that God would help us to "read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" the Scriptures. It raises the question for each of us of what the Bible means to us. Is it a treasure store that equips us and strengthens our faith, a stumbling block that we would rather avoid, or simply a (literally) closed book.  Today's sermon explores the significance of the Bible and (hopefully!) encourages us to dive in and see what it has to offer.  I have produced a leaflet with background information and ideas for getting started with the Bible which is available in church, or you can download here. There are lots of links in the leaflet to websites and apps, (as well as books) which might help with Bible reading.  (Pic: The Magdaen Reading, by Rogier van der Weyden) ALL AGE IDEA This lovely colouring sheet expresses the way in which God's life bursts out from the stories of the Bible, inspiring and helping us. How many Bible stories do you know? Are there any reminders of them in the picture? (Copies of the colouring page can also be picked up from the Children's Chapel in church if you haven't got a printer. )

STORY OF THE WEEK – Colossians 4   During October we have been reading through the letter to the Colossians – one chapter per week. This week, we’ve reached the end! In this chapter, Paul rounds off his letter with a reminder to pray, for him, and for one another. He then goes on to share greetings from others who are known to the community in Colossae but who, like him, are separated from them. We may not know who these men and women are, and it’s tempting to skip over the list of names, but these final verses give us a precious glimpse into this little band of early followers of the way of Christ. It shows us a picture of human beings, like us, trying to live out the faith they have found and of their love for one another. This list of names reminds us that each of us is vital to God’s work. How would Paul have written about each of us if he was writing now?

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS ALL SOULS SERVICE There will be a quiet service of hymns, readings and reflection next Sunday Evening at 6.30pm to remember those we love who have died. If you would like us to name someone in the prayers please add them in CAPITAL LETTERS to the list on the clipboard at the back of church. The church will be open from 5.45 pm if anyone would like to light a candle and spend time in quiet reflection before the service, or prefers not to stay for it.   RECRUITING We shall need a new honorary Treasurer in a couple of months’ time, and new churchwarden’s next year. We also need a new PCC secretary (mainly to take minutes at PCC meetings) right now. Can you help. Role descriptions for these voluntary roles are on the board at the back of church, or you can download them here (Churchwarden, Treasurer, PCC Secretary) and I will be happy to chat with you if you think these roles might be for you.    CHURCH HEATING Apologies that the church is chilly because of delays to the fitting of the new boiler and on fuel deliveries. We hope the heating will be able to be switched on in a few weeks’ time.   KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS MEETING Seal Village Hall. Sat Nov 6th, 10.45-12 noon Please join us for a cuppa, to chat about what goes on now in our village, and what you’d like to see in the future, along with how we might achieve this.   There will be a CHRISTMAS BAZAAR in Seal Village Hall on Sunday November 21st from 10.30am-3pm. We need your help… If you are a regular at a local business in Seal or Sevenoaks, could you ask them if they might donate a tombola prize? Please tell Marion Gilchrist who you will be asking, so the local shops aren’t inundated with requests! Could you commit yourself to making some cakes for the refreshments or to help on the day? There is a list at the back of church to sign up for this or you can email marionjgilchrist@gmail.com For more community news from Marion Gilchrist, check out the Know Your Neighbours blog. https://knowyourneighbours.blogspot.com/

Sunday Worship podcast and other news: Oct 17

 

Join us for worship online, on the phone or in the building today.  with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast        Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 In the church building 10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm  Evensong (Said) During the week Wednesday@10 am Lavender Fields Communion (Sorry, LF residents only at this point)                          5pm  Children's choir                          No adult  Choir this Wednesday Friday              9.30 am Morning Prayer in Church                             10.00-12 noon   Friday Group in the church hall Trinity 20 Hebrews 5.1-10, Mark 10.35-45 Today's Gospel is the last in a series from Mark chapters 9 and 10 which focus on greatness and littleness, pride and humility. These chapters of Mark's account of Jesus' life are a turning point in the Gospel. Jesus starts to move from his itinerant ministry in Galilee towards Jerusalem where he will be arrested and crucified. It's a crucial moment, for him and for the disciples, during which he tries to prepare them for what is to come, and drum into them the nature of the Kingdom of God, which will not be like the kingdoms of the world around them, based on power and force, but on love and service. The disciples don't get it, though, and, again and again, miss the point. In today's reading, they are squabbling (again!) about which of them is greatest and who will sit at Jesus right and left hands when he is enthroned... ALL AGE IDEA In today's Gospel story, James and John, Jesus' friends, ask if he can make them his special friends, closer to him than all the rest of the disciples. They think that he will soon be made a king and sit on a throne, and they want the best seats on his right and left hand side. But Jesus tells them that it won't be like that. Those who are the greatest in the kind of world he wants there to be will be the ones who serve and help others. Think about... ..."Best friends" Have you got a best friend? How did you become best friends? Have you ever stopped being best friends with someone? What is good about having best friends? What might be bad or difficult about having best friends?  ...Signs of being special. Jesus' friends wanted to sit in special seats close to him, so that everyone would know they were his best friends. Jesus said that people would know this, instead, by them helping and serving others. How can you help and serve others this week? How do people help and serve you? You could draw some pictures of people helping and serving.  Listen to today's Gospel story (below)

This week's Gospel story.

STORY OF THE WEEK – Colossians 3   During October we are reading through the letter to the Colossians – one chapter per week. In Colossians chapter 3, Paul talks about the new life God wants to give us and what it looks like. Our lives are “ hidden with Christ in God”, he says (vs 3). God knows us, holds us and treasures us, and is at work healing and recreating us if we will let him, allowing his word to “dwell richly within” us, so that we can put off bad habits and put on the love he wants us to show. The chapter ends with some controversial words about wives being subject to their husbands, something his culture would have taken for granted, but the real surprise is that he immediately tells husbands that they have a responsibility to treat their wives well, something they wouldn’t have expected to hear. He goes on to rebalance the cultural expectations of children and parents, slaves and masters – there should be mutual care, not domination and abuse. With our 21st century expectations, we may miss the challenge in his words, but his first hearers wouldn’t have done.   What do you think is on God’s agenda for you? What needs working on and changing in your life? What do you think about Paul’s words about wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters?

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS   CHURCH HEATING Apologies that the church is chilly because of delays to the fitting of the new boiler and on fuel deliveries. We hope the heating will be able to be switched on in a couple of weeks’ time. In the meantime, please wrap up warmly if you are coming to church in the building! KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS MEETING Seal Village Hall. Sat Nov 6th, 10.45-12 noon Please join us for a cuppa, to chat about what goes on now in our village, and what you’d like to see in the future, along with how we might achieve this?  Everybody is welcome! Hopefully, we will have representatives, or at least information, of all the organisations and activities which already take place in our village. Please spread the word that this gathering is happening to others who may be interested.   There will be a CHRISTMAS BAZAAR in Seal Village Hall on Sunday November 21st from 10.30am-3pm. There will be a range of independent stall holders, but any overall profits from hiring out the stalls are being donated to the church by Annie Fish, who is organising the event. The church will be organising refreshments and a tombola stall. We need your help… If you are a regular at a local business in Seal or Sevenoaks, could you ask them if they might donate a tombola prize? Please tell Marion Gilchrist who you will be asking, so the local shops aren’t inundated with requests! Could you commit yourself to making some cakes for the refreshments on the day. There is a list at the back of church for this, or you can email marionjgilchrist@gmail.com For more community news from Marion Gilchrist, check out the Know Your Neighbours blog. https://knowyourneighbours.blogspot.com/

Sunday worship podcast link and other news for Harvest: Oct 10

 

Join us for worship online, on the phone or in the building today.  with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast        Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 In the church building 10 am   All Age Service for Harvest (no Communion)  6.30pm  Breathing Space Holy Communion During the week Wednesday@10 am Zoom Church (please email for the link)                          5pm  Children's choir                          No adult  Choir this Wednesday Friday              9.30 am Morning Prayer in Church                             10.00-12 noon   Friday Group in the church hall Saturday          3pm Memorial Service: James Neathercott Harvest Exodus 16, 1-31, Psalm 65, Matthew 20.1-16 Today we celebrate Harvest Festival at Seal Church and in our recorded service. We will be thinking about the story Jesus told of a vineyard owner who hired workers to pick grapes. Some were hired first thing in the morning, but others later in the day. When the moment came to give them their pay, though, they were all paid the same amount, one denarius, which was the usual wage for a day's work, and enough to feed a family for that day.  Those who had worked all day were angry that they didn't get more, although this had been the amount that had been agreed with them at the outset. It didn't seem fair at all, and maybe we can sympathise.  Today's sermon explores this challenging and puzzling story. What might it have to say to us? We will also be thinking about the Diocesan Poverty and Hope appeal, which is one way in which we can help to ensure that others have the resources they need. You can find out more here, including ways to donate.  (Pic: The Red Vineyards at Arles, by Vincent Van Gogh.) ALL AGE IDEA What do you think you need to be happy and healthy? Talk together about the difference between "want" and "need".  Listen to the story, told below using Lego. Could you make a model of the story, or draw it as a cartoon strip, or act it out? How do you think you would feel if you were one of the people in the story who had worked all day? How would it feel if you were one of those who had only worked one hour, but still got paid the same, and so had enough to feed your family that day?  This week at our harvest service we will be collecting for Rochester Diocese Poverty and Hope appeal. There are more details here https://www.rochester.anglican.org/poverty-and-hope-appeal, including details of how to donate.    STORY OF THE WEEK – Colossians 2 The stories of the week will feature in our Wednesday@10 sessions (Zoom Church, Good Book Club or Lavender Fields communion, depending which week of the month it is.) You are welcome to read along, whether you can join in with these services or not.   During October we will be reading through the letter to the Colossians – one chapter per week. There was a local tradition of worshipping angels in Colossae, with many elaborate rituals and secret practices. In Colossians 2, Paul tells his readers that the faith they have discovered is not a "mystery religion". You don't have to be one of the favoured few, initiated into special secrets. God can be known in Jesus, a flesh and blood person who shows us what divine love looks like in practice. We can share in his life as we live out his love. Read Chapter 2 slowly. Which words or phrases stand out for you. What is your image of Jesus ? Why do you think he matters so much to Christians?  CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS POVERTY AND HOPE There will be a retiring collection for the Diocesan Poverty and Hope appeal this week. Please see separate leaflet or go to www.rochester.anglican.org/poverty-and-hope-appeal   CHILDREN’S CHAPEL The Children’s Chapel is now open in the North Aisle! We ask that children using it sanitize their hands before and after using it, but we hope that children (of all ages) will enjoy “playing and praying” in this area. Please help by tidying up if your children use the area.   CHURCH HEATING Apologies that the church is chilly because of delays to the fitting of the new boiler and on fuel deliveries. We hope the heating will be able to be switched on in a few weeks’ time. COME AND CHAT TALKING VILLAGE IS BACK Monday afternoons between 2pm and 3.30 in Deniz's on the High Street. Buy a cup of tea or coffee and join us on the Talking Village table, for a chat and to make new friends, or catch up with old ones! Saturdays – 1st Saturday of each month in Seal Library from 10am-11am. Join us for a coffee whilst out browsing for your library books. At both these venues, there will always be two hosts to welcome you, and we look forward to meeting with you and getting to know each other better. FRIDAY GROUP IS GOING STRONG TOO Meets each Friday morning in the Church Hall between 10am and midday. SEAL TIDDLERS, for parents/carers and children In Seal Church Hall £2 per session pre schoolers and parents/Carers Monday mornings 9.30-11.30   KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS MEETING. KYN meeting to gather ideas for village activities on Saturday Nov 6, 11.-12.30 in Village Hall.. Please put the date in your diaries and come along. Revd Canon Anne Le Bas For more community news from Marion Gilchrist, check out the Know Your Neighbours blog. https://knowyourneighbours.blogspot.com/

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.

Sunday Worship links and other news: Oct 3

 

Join us for worship online, on the phone or in the building today.  with best wishes Anne Le Bas Online Worship podcast        Order of service You can also access this podcast by phoning 01732 928061 In the church building 10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm  Evensong During the week Wednesday@10 am Good Book Club Bible discussion in the Church Hall                          5pm  Children's choir                          7.15 pm Choir Friday              9.30 am Morning Prayer in Church                             10.00-12 noon   Friday Group in the church hall Trinity 18 Genesis 2.18-24,  Mark 10. 2-16 Kevin is preaching today on the podcast and in church, and he has my sympathies! The readings set for today can be tricky ones. Jesus warns against the culture of casual divorce in his world, in which women could be divorced by their husbands (but not normally the other way around) for almost anything, including failure to produce a son. The women concerned could be left disgraced, outcast, and without any way of providing for themselves, while the men were able simply to go on and marry again without any sort of stigma.  This passage comes amidst a series of stories about the value and importance of the "little ones", those in society who were regarded as less worthy of notice. In the very unequal society of Jesus' time, divorced women often came into this category, just as the children Jesus welcomes at the end of the passage do, which is why Jesus is so fierce in his condemnation of those who had cast women aside. This passage shouldn't be lifted out of its context, however, as it often has been, in order to trap people into loveless or abusive marriages or to create the very stigma Jesus hoped to protect the vulnerable women of his time against. Instead, it is another invitation to be aware of those who are vulnerable and stigmatised in our own society.  Here are some links to help and advice if you, or someone you know is experiencing relationship difficulties or domestic abuse. https://www.davss.org.uk/ - a local agency supporting people experiencing domestic abuse https://www.restored-uk.org/ - a national agency working to combat domestic abuse https://www.relate.org.uk/ - Relationship support https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/ - a Charity supporting single parents Childline  Safeguarding advice and support from Rochester Diocese ALL AGE IDEA In today's Gospel story, Jesus welcomes children who are brought to him, despite his disciples being sure that he won't want to be bothered by them. Everyone is special to Jesus, however old or young they are. Draw a picture of yourself, and as you do so, remember that you are loved, just as you are.  There is another picture of the story above. What do you think it would have felt like to be one of the children Jesus welcomed?

Next week at our harvest service we will be collecting for Rochester Diocese Poverty and Hope appeal. There are more details here https://www.rochester.anglican.org/poverty-and-hope-appeal, including details of how to donate.

STORY OF THE WEEK – Rev 22.1-7 The stories of the week will feature in our Wednesday@10 sessions (Zoom Church, Good Book Club or Lavender Fields communion, depending which week of the month it is.) You are welcome to read along, whether you can join in with these services or not.   During October we will be reading through the letter to the Colossians – one chapter per week. Biblical scholars argue about whether this letter was genuinely written by Paul, or by a follower of his, but it certainly echoes themes found elsewhere in his letters. Colossae was a city in what is now western Turkey. There is a spring which bubbles to the surface in caves nearby only to disappear again into the porous rock, which local legend said had appeared through the prayers of the Archangel Michael. There seems to have been a local “mystery” cult centring around angel worship locally, but in Paul’s letter, he talks about the mystery of God being revealed in Jesus – Christian faith was not some esoteric secret known only to its devotees, but open to everyone.   Read Chapter 1 slowly. Which words or phrases stand out for you. What impression do you get of the writer, and of those he is writing to?

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS CHANGES TO PATTERN OF SERVICES. From next Sunday, the 10 am service on the 2nd Sunday of the month will be a non-eucharistic All Age Worship service (in this case it will be the Harvest Service, for which Seal Cubs and Beavers will join us), so it will not include Holy Communion. The 6.30pm service will be Breathing Space Holy Communion on the 2nd Sunday of the month. POVERTY AND HOPE There will be a retiring collection for the Diocesan Poverty and Hope appeal next week. Please see separate leaflet or go to www.rochester.anglican.org/poverty-and-hope-appeal   CHILDREN’S CHAPEL Thank you to all who were able to help moving pews last week. The Children’s Chapel is now open! We ask that children using it sanitize their hands before and after using it, but we hope that children (of all ages) will enjoy “playing and praying” in this area.   CHURCH HEATING Apologies that the church is chilly because of delays to the fitting of the new boiler and on fuel deliveries. We hope the heating will be able to be switched on in a few weeks’ time. COME AND CHAT TALKING VILLAGE IS BACK Monday afternoons between 2pm and 3.30 in Deniz's on the High Street. Buy a cup of tea or coffee and join us on the Talking Village table, for a chat and to make new friends, or catch up with old ones! Saturdays – 1st Saturday of each month in Seal Library from 10am-11am. Join us for a coffee whilst out browsing for your library books. At both these venues, there will always be two hosts to welcome you, and we look forward to meeting with you and getting to know each other better. FRIDAY GROUP IS GOING STRONG TOO Meets each Friday morning in the Church Hall between 10am and midday. SEAL TIDDLERS, for parents/carers and children In Seal Church Hall £2 per session pre schoolers and parents/Carers Monday mornings 9.30-11.30   KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS MEETING. KYN meeting to gather ideas for village activities on Saturday Nov 6, 11.-12.30 in Village Hall.. Please put the date in your diaries and come along. Revd Canon Anne Le Bas For more community news from Marion Gilchrist, check out the Know Your Neighbours blog. https://knowyourneighbours.blogspot.com/