Sunday Worship link and other news from Seal Church

 

Dear friends 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 - Feb 27 10 am   Holy Communion: Preacher, Anne Le Bas 6.30pm Evensong During the week Monday              2-3.30pm Talking Village Wednesday        No Good Book Club this month                            5 pm  Children's Choir                            7.15pm Adult Choir                                8pm ASH WEDNESDAY COMMUNION SERVICE                                          with the imposition of ashes.        Friday                 10.30-12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Sunday March 6 10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm  Evensong Sunday before Lent Exodus 34.29-end, Luke 9.28-43a It used to be said that stained glass windows were "the poor man's Bible", illustrating the stories for people who were unable to read for themselves. One of our stained glass windows at Seal Church happens to depict today's Gospel story. It is at the back of the church, and shows the Transfiguration of Jesus (see right). Jesus is in the centre of the picture, flanked by Moses, carrying the tablets of stone with the ten commandments written on them, and Elijah. Moses and Elijah were Old Testament figures traditionally associated with the Messiah. Some people at the time of Jesus believed that they would appear when the Messiah came.  Beneath them, three of Jesus closest disciples, John, ( left), Peter (centre) and James (right) fall to the ground, stunned by what they are seeing.  Around Jesus and the prophets, if we look closely we can see dozens of angel faces, peering out of the red stained glass, as if heaven has opened and they are looking through at us.  It is a radiant vision, but what does it mean, and what does it have to say to us? Today's sermon explores it further, and sets it in the context of the story in the second half of the reading, of the healing of a sick child.   ALL AGE IDEAS What is the most spectacular thing you've ever seen? Draw a picture of it, or make a shiny collage with anything sparkly and bright you can find around the house. If you can, climb a hill, and look out at the view. Why do you think people like climbing hill.  You may have seen stories of fighting between Russia and Ukraine on the news. It must be frightening to be caught up in the middle of that. Russia and Ukraine are a long way from us, but there are other things closer to home we might find hard or frightening. What helps you when you are scared? What reminds you that you are loved and protected? Say a prayer for the people caught up in the fighting, that they will know they are loved too.  You can find a colouring sheet and prayer for the people caught up in the fighting in Ukraine here. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u8AR68YI1p-ogBWxpBqi3pysKKs7wumL/vie You can find a jigsaw version of our Transfiguration window below. Why not have a go!

88Transfiguration window Seal cropped ~2

STORY OF THE WEEK     1 Samuel 31 - 2 Samuel 2.7   Although David had been driven out by Saul, and was attacked by him, he did not try to depose or kill him, because Saul was still the anointed king of Israel, chosen by God. Eventually though, Saul was killed in battle with the Philistines, along with Jonathan, his son, who was greatly loved by David. This story ends the first book of Samuel. The second book of Samuel tells of David's reaction. His lament on their deaths is one of the most moving pieces of poetry in the Bible. Though we can understand his sorrow at Jonathan's death, we might expect that he would rejoice at  the death of Saul, who has persecuted him. But it isn't so. He grieves for them both.  What do you feel about this story?

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS REFRESHMENTS - We have decided not to reinstate serving tea and coffee after services for the time being, as the Covid case rates are still so high locally.   MASKS Although it is no longer compulsory to wear face coverings in church, we continue to encourage people to do so, in order to protect themselves and others.  LENT AT SEAL This Lent at Seal, I will be leading the Pastoral Principles Course, produced by the Church of England, as part of the Living in Love and Faith initiative, is designed to help people live and learn together in the face of difference and diversity.  Over five sessions, we will look at six “pervading evils” which can get in the way as we try to listen to one another and learn from each other.  prejudice, silence, ignorance, fear, hypocrisy, power   Each session will include Bible Study and prayer, and other activities which help us to listen to others, to ourselves and to God.     ONLINE by Zoom  on Monday evenings from 7.30-9.00 March 7,14,21,28, Apr 4  IN THE CHURCH HALL on Thursday mornings from 10 -12  (starting with coffee & chat) Feb 24, March 10,17,24,31  email sealpandp@gmail to reserve a place, or sign the list at the back of church.  THERE WILL BE AN AGM FOR SEAL VILLAGE FUND  This meeting will take place via Zoom on Thursday 17th March at 8pm (please note - this has been put back a little, to give everybody the opportunity to make arrangements to join in). This meeting will include a report of Know Your Neighbours funding throughout the past year. Those who 'Live, Work or Play in Seal', are encouraged to join the meeting to hear how monies raised by our village are being utilised in our community. To register your interest in receiving a Zoom meeting invitation, for March 18th, please send your email address to Becky Watson (Seal Village Fund Secretary) beckywatsonuk@byinternet.com TALKING VILLAGE 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 - First 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. SEAL TIDDLERS   In Seal Church Hall £2 per session pre schoolers and parents/Carers Monday mornings 9.30-11.30 tea drinks snacks for children art activities singing. BISCUIT DECORATING WORKSHOP IN AID OF SEAL ST LAWRENCE SCHOOL CHECK OUT THE KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS WEBSITE for details of what is planned for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend in June (among other things), and how to get involved. https://knowyourneighbours.blogspot.com/2022/02/kyn-update-feb-6.html Plans so far include an event on the allotments, history walks, Garden Safari and Big Lunch on the Rec. as well as an invitation to decorate your homes and gardens with "Royal" window scenes, "Royal" scarecrows. red, white and blue planting etc.  SEAL LIBRARY NEWS   Clare will be in the library on Friday the 25th (no sessions on 11th and 18th) for Baby Rhyme time at 10:15am -10:45am followed each week by Storytime at 10:45-11:15 am.  All pre-school children are welcome with an accompanying adult/s.  SEAL PARISH COUNCIL WILDFLOWER PROJECT - REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR NEXT WEEK'S SESSION! Following on from our wildflower talk from the Kent Wildlife Trust's WILD ABOUT GARDENS team, are running a series of zoom sessions this winter on WILDLIFE FRIENDLY GARDEN, This is a great way of encouraging wildflowers and pollinators to your garden, This, is combination with our wildflower verges project, will also help create joined up 'pathways' for bees, butterflies and other key pollinators in our parish. Details of the events can be seen on the Parish Council website, but the zoom sessions cost £5 a session, and are as follows:- Monday March 7th 7.30-9pm - Wilder Lawns Sat March 26th 11-12.30 - Using weeds and wildflowers in a garden to attract bees, butterflies and moths. SEAL HISTORY GUIDE BOOKS Deniz's coffee shop still has some copies of our Seal Historical Guided Walk books for just £5 a copy. All proceeds go to the Seal Village Fund. A perfect time to walk around our beautiful village and see it through new eyes! SEAL VILLAGE ALLOTMENT DIARY FOR Mar - June 2022 Mar 12th - Spring working party Mar 19th - Q and A workshop 10.30-12 April 23rd Q and A workshop 10.30-12 May 15th Spring Plant Sale and Open Day 12-3pm June 3rd - Jubilee Picnic 12.30-4.30. Oct 15th Autumn Plant Sale and Open Day 12-5pm Oct 29th Autumn Working Party 9.30-12.00 OTHER COMMUNITY NEWS - For more community news from Marion Gilchrist, check out the Know Your Neighbours blog. https://knowyourneighbours.blogspot.com/ or email marionjgilchrist@gmail.com to ask to be put on her mailing list.