Sunday Worship podcast link and other news: Dec 11

 

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 - Dec 1 Advent 3 10 am   Christingle All Age Worship, followed by cake and gift sale. 6.30pm  Breathing Space Holy Communion During the week Monday              2-3.30pm Talking Village drop in at Deniz' Cafe in the High Street. Wednesday       7.15-8.15 pm Adult Choir in the church hall                          Friday                 10.30-12.30 Friday Group in the church hall Saturday            3.45 Christmas light switch on in Seal High Street, with some carol singing Next Sunday  10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm Carol Service Advent 3 Today's morning service in the church building is an All Age Christingle service, but on the podcast you can hear a service and a sermon based on today's lectionary readings, Isaiah 35.1-10 and Matthew 11. 2-11.  In the Gospel reading, messengers come to Jesus, sent by John the Baptist, who has been arrested by King Herod for challenging his marriage to Herodias (who had been married to Herod's half-brother, who was also her half-uncle... the Herod family tree was extremely complicated, and often unsavoury!) Sitting in prison, facing the possibility of death, John wonders whether his ministry, pointing to Jesus, had been worth it. The sermon explores what this story might mean to us.  Juan Fernande de Navarrettes picture of John the Baptist in prison captures that sense of doubt in John. He gazes at some broken sticks, which are formed into the shape of the cross. Around them a banner is twined. We can only see a few letters on it, but in pictures of John with Jesus he is often carrying a banner which says "Ecce Agnus Dei" - Behold the Lamb of God.  It is as if he is remembering his acclamation of Jesus as the Messiah, but now has begun to see the cost of this, not just to Jesus, but also to him.  ALL AGE IDEAS  In church this morning we have our Christingle service, but on our podcast we are thinking about John the Baptist, who prepared people for the ministry of Jesus and pointed towards him.  John was later arrested by King Herod (the son of the King Herod who is in the story of Jesus' birth), because he had criticized his injustice and corruption. John was probably feeling scared, but also wondering whether standing up for what was right was worth it.  Have you ever had to say that something wasn't right? What did it feel like to do that? Has anyone ever criticized you - said that you had done something wrong? How did that feel? There are brave people still today who say things that might make them unpopular, or even bring them suffering. Say a prayer for those who stand up for justice today and for their families. If you aren't able to come to our Christingle service, perhaps you could make a Christingle, or another Christmas light, with a real candle or a battery powered light. You could put it in your window to shine out into the darkness.    WHAT'S ON IN SEAL... CHRISTINGLE. Our Christingle service takes place today at 10 am. Come along and join us! The collection will be in aid of the Children's Society, who work with vulnerable children and families across the UK. You can find out more about their work here - https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do, and donate online, if that is easier for you. We will be holding a cake and gift sale, in aid of Seal Church funds, after the service (see below) COMMUNITY LUNCH  All are very welcome at our free Christmas themed community lunch (including veggie options)!=  on Wednesday 21st December at 1pm in the church hall. Soup, cheese, pate, and a hot pud! Good company and a warm welcome. Everyone is welcome. We would love to see you there! More information: Hilary Curtis 07834 413891  Lise Michaelides 07570 125115, or you can just turn up on the day. KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS FAMILY PARTY IN EARLY JANUARY We will also need help to organise this please, so  please let Marion know if you can offer your assistance in any way. marionjgilchrist@gmail.com PLEASE PRAY... For our finances - we are currently running at a loss and having to eat into our reserves. Just like everyone else, our costs are rising, and income is falling! You can donate online by clicking here.