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.