Sunday worship podcast and other news: Oct 30 - All Saints and All Souls

 

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 There will also be a podcast, released on Sunday evening at 8pm, of some of  the prayers, readings and the talk from the All Souls' service. You can find it, and all our other podcasts, on our Youtube channel, or at this direct link.  In the church building today - Oct 30 All Saints' & All Souls' Sunday 10 am  Holy Communion 6.30pm All Souls' memorial service During the week Monday              2-3.30pm Talking Village drop in at Deniz' Cafe in the High Street. Wednesday       10am Zoom Church                            4.30-5pm Children's Choir in the church hall                             7.15-8.15 pm Adult Choir in the church hall, not in the church                          Friday                9.30 am Morning Prayer                            10.30-12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Next Sunday  10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong All Saints & All Souls Today we keep the dual commemoration of All Saints and All Souls Days. Technically, they are on Nov 1 and 2 respectively, and each has a slightly different character.  All Saints day is the feast of the unnamed people who don't have a saint's day named for them, people whose names we may never know, but who lived and died proclaiming the love of Christ in word and deed. All Souls day recalls those who are known to us, and is an opportunity to give thanks for them.  This morning's podcast concentrates on All Saints' Day, with a sermon from Kevin Bright, but I will also be releasing a podcast this evening, after our All Souls' Day service, with a sermon from me and some of the prayers from that service. This should be available on the church blog and Youtube channel from about 8pm.  Who do you think of when you hear the word "saint"?  In the New Testament, all Christians are called "saints" - people whom God has called into his service. Do you think of yourself as a saint? Who enabled you to hear the message of God's love? Who do you give thanks for today? ALL AGE IDEAS Over the coming few days, many people will be marking Hallowe'en. Originally this was a special day in the church - Oct 31 - it is literally the evening - the "e'en" - before All Hallows Day. "Hallow" means "Holy". We say "Hallowed be your name" - Holy be your name - in the Lord's Prayer. All Hallows Day is called "All Saints' Day" in modern language. On All Saints Day we give thanks for all the special people who have lived good and holy lives, and helped us to do the same, the people who shine with God's light in the world. Hallowe'en was a reminder of what life might be like without that light, which is why it is a day when we face up to the scary and dark side of life. It reminds us that we don't need to be afraid of bad things, because Jesus is always with us, the "light that shines in the darkness," which the darkness can't put out.  If you are carving a pumpkin you might like to say a prayer as you do so, that the light that shines out of it might cheer people up if they are feeling afraid or lonely. You can make a lantern by sticking autumn leaves or tissue paper to the outside of a jam jar or plastic tub and putting an LED nightlight in it so that it shines through. "This little light of mine" is a favourite song in our Children's choir. Why not sing along with the video below. There are many different versions of this, so you can make up your own verses WHAT'S ON IN SEAL... ALL SOULS' SERVICE There will be a quiet service of hymns, readings and reflection this evening, October 30th, at 6.30pm to remember those we love who have died. 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.    FINANCE TEAM. Could you help us as part of our finance team, which will be taking over the role of the Treasurer, splitting the tasks between them? You don’t need to be on the PCC to do this. If you would like to know more, please talk to the vicar. We have some volunteers already, but could do with one or two more. OPEN MORNING AT FRIDAY GROUP NOVEMBER 25th. Are you concerned about your energy bills this winter?  Citizens Advice Bureau are going to visit Friday Group on Friday 25th November, and deliver a Big Energy Saving Project workshop to explore ways of keeping our costs as low as possible.  This is then being followed by an origami workshop, delivered by our own Nicole from Nimiś in the High Street. This will give us the opportunity to make some origami Christmas decorations, so another money saving project and possibly a chance to learn a new skill! Everybody is welcome to this open morning, and we look forward to meeting you at the Church Hall for coffee, tea, refreshments and learning. What more could we ask for?  The session will start earlier on Friday 25th, so watch this space for more information.  HELP US BECOME AN ECO CHURCH This Autumn, we shall begin, as a whole church community, to work towards the first Eco Church award, which covers every aspect from worship and children’s involvement, to what products we use in our hall kitchen, how we heat and light our church building, and how well our churchyard provides for its fauna and flora. We are already some way along this vital part of looking after God’s creation,our wonderful planet,but wish to ensure that every single part of our church life is as environmentally friendly as possible, and more. Lise Michaelides and Babs Bartholomew are setting up a St Peter’s and St Paul’s Eco church working party this Autumn, and need YOU!  Please would anyone interested in any part of this, kindly contact Lise or Babs. Their numbers are on the pew leaflet, or you could sign up with your name and contact number, please, and they’ll be delighted to contact you-there’s a sheet on the red table, along with a copy of the EcoChurch survey for your information. EcoChurch has a very interesting and helpful webpage full of suggested activities: ecochurch.arocha.org.uk Now is the time to make our own patch of God’s Acre an extra special home for the nature we are so privileged to share our lives with! Thank you. Lise: 07570 125115 Babs: 07973 478968 “ SEAL CHURCH CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING IS BACK!  FRIDAY NOVEMBER 25th.  Either 3pm or 7.30pm. £30 to include all materials needed, wine and mince pie. Contact Chris on 01732 763585 to book. Places get snapped up quickly, so don't delay!  SEAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Return of last year's successful event with stalls offering a range of unique Christmas gifts -  SEAL VILLAGE HALL SUN NOV 27th 10.30am-3pm  Teas and cakes, Tombola, Raffle, Unique Christmas Gifts, Many Crafts and Sweet Stalls. Come and join us!! SEAL LIBRARY TEA SET This operates every 4th Tuesday of the month at Seal Library 2.30-4pm. We have some interesting speakers each month, and now, due to our success, we need some volunteers to help with the teas - putting out cups and saucers, and cakes, and tidying up at the end of the session.Please let me know if you can help. Thank you in advance.  Frances 077492 40456.