Sunday worship podcast link and other news: Feb 20

 

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 20 10 am   Holy Communion: Preacher, Kevin Bright 6.30pm Evensong During the week Monday              2-3.30pm Talking Village Wednesday       10 am Zoom Church (email for the link - all welcome)                            5pm  Children's Choir                            7.15pm Adult Choir                  Friday                 10.30-12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Sunday Feb 27 10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm  Evensong The Second Sunday before Lent Genesis 2.4b-9, 15 -end, Revelation 4, Luke 8.22-25 Kevin Bright is preaching today, on the Gospel story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee, and I think I can safely predict that Storm Eunice will get a mention, though I haven't heard the sermon yet.  As they say, "It's an ill wind that blows no one any good", and at least Eunice will help us to bring our imaginations to bear on this story today!  Rembrandt's wonderful painting "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee" captures the sheer savagery and danger of storms. "How can it be possible to survive this?" we wonder as we look at it, just like the disciples who were in the middle of it.  Click on the picture for more details and a larger version.    ALL AGE IDEA Talk about Storm Eunice and look at some of the many photos in the news showing its effects. Pray for those who have been affected by it, and those who are clearing up after it, especially those in the emergency services and those who maintain our power, water and transport systems.  Make some paper boats and float them in the sink or bath and imagine what it was like to be in the boat with Jesus during the storm. Or you could make a "boat" out of a large cardboard box and sail away in it...Where will you go? I love the poem by Edward Lear called The Jumblies who "went to sea in a sieve". Everyone thought they would drown, but instead they had lots of adventures. You can read it here - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/54364/the-jumblies The Gospel story isn't just about the weather. There are times when we feel we are in the middle of a storm in other ways, when we are frightened, feeling we will be overwhelmed. What helps you when that happens? Pray for those who are feeling overwhelmed at the moment.  The Children's Chapel in church has a theme of water at the moment. Why not drop in and have a look - there are colouring sheets you can take away, and toys, games and books (please don't take these away, of course!) STORY OF THE WEEK     1 Samuel 25   After David had escaped from the court of King Saul, who was trying to kill him because he was jealous of his popularity, David became, in effect, a guerilla leader, with a band of soldiers. He didn't fight against Saul directly, and there were several times when he could have killed Saul but didn't, because Saul was still the anointed king of Israel. There are many tales told of this time, but one I love is the story of David and Abigail. Abigail was married to a man called Nabal, who refused to offer David hospitality, which was a sacred obligation at the time. Horrified by this, his wife, Abigail went to David to bring him food and drink secretly, aware that her husband woud not approve. David was evidently impressed by her courage, and when Nabal later died, David married Abigail (one of his many wives!). The Bible contains quite a number of stories of brave and resourceful women who go against the accepted norms of their society, and they are praised for this.  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.   MESSY CHURCH I had also hoped to restart Messy Church this month , but it seems wise to leave it until March 20 to do so, as Covid is rife in our local schools.  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. 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.