Sunday Worship podcast link and other news from Seal Church: March 5 2023

 

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 10 am   Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong Next Sunday   10 am  All Age Worship 6.30pm Breathing Space Holy Communion This week: Mon      2-3.30 Talking Village at Deniz Cafe in the High Street              8pm Zoom Lent Group - email for link Wed      No Zoom Church this week - sorry!              4.30pm Children's Choir in the hall              7.15 Choir in the hall           Thurs   10-11.30am Lent Group in the hall                8pm PCC meeting in the church hall  Fri         9.30 am Morning Prayer in church             10.30-12.30 Friday Group in church hall Sat       11.30am-1pm Know Your Neighbours Meet and Greet in the Village Hall Lent 2 Today's Bible readings got me thinking about kingdoms and countries, which is very topical as we prepare for the Coronation of Charles III in May. Abraham is called to leave his native land and go to a new country. It's a daunting task, but God says that he will make a great nation of him there, so he goes. In the Gospel reading, Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God to Nicodemus, a religious leader who is obviously struggling to get his head around what Jesus is saying, but knows that it matters.  If you'd like to know more about the Coronation Chair, there is information from Westminster Abbey here, and a story about the restoration work that is being done ahead of the Coronation below.  There were also some interesting reports this week about the making and blessing of the Oil of Chrism, which will be used during the Coronation service. Oil of Chrism (blessed by the Bishop rather than imported from Jerusalem!) is also used in Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination services. It is fragrant oil, meant to remind the wearer and those around them as they smell it of the jobs they are called to do. We may not all be monarchs, but everyone one of us is called by God, and can make a difference for good in the world.  More about the Coronation Chair. All Age Ideas The first Bible story set for today is about Abraham, who God told to leave the country he had lived in and go to a new country. God promised that he would have many descendants who would make a difference for good in the world.  Then we hear a story from John's Gospel. Jesus has a visitor in the middle of the night. He doesn't want anyone to know that he is coming to see Jesus, so he comes after dark. The visitor, called Nicodemus, is a very important person, a leader in his country. He is supposed to know what he is doing . People look to him for answers, but now he feels confused. God seems to be working through Jesus, but Nicodemus can't understand why, since he is just an ordinary carpenter from Nazareth, not someone who is important or has done a lot of training like Nicodemus has.  Jesus tells him that, if he wants to understand - to see the kingdom of God, God at work in the world - he will need to unlearn some of the fixed ideas he has about God, and start again.  Have you ever changed your mind completely about something or someone, perhaps discovering that you like something or someone that you thought you didn't? Have you ever moved house? Do you know other people who have? What is it like to leave behind the things you know and go somewhere new? If you were a King or Queen, what rules would you make, and what would your kingdom be like? Perhaps you could make a crown and pretend to be a King or Queen. Looking for something to do during Lent? Muddy Church have some great ideas.  https://www.muddychurch.co.uk/lent-40-moments-and-40-bags  https://www.muddychurch.co.uk/lent-challenge-sheets   CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NEWS  There will be a PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL  MEETING this week , on Thurs March 9 at 8pm in the church hall KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS MEET AND GREET & Seal Village Association AGM Saturday March 11th. 11.30-1pm in the Village Hall Join us for a coffee, cake and meet members of village organisations, learn what goes on in our village and share ideas, as well as helping to decide where Seal Village Association’s money goes.   SEAL CHURCH ECO GROUP  10.30am Saturday 18th March ’23: Lent Eco Walk 1: a gentle stroll from St P & P's, Seal, Churchyard, down to The Well, Kemsing, finishing with coffee & cake etc at the Italian Deli (we’ll buy our own, please!), with some guided meditation on the beauty of God’s creation, & some short prayers, with Babs. Two further Lent/Easter Walks, to take in the Daffodil Cross on the North Downs, Kemsing, near Oak Hall, and then the Bluebell Woods and Oak Hall’s Passion Trail, are also being planned for late March and April; details to follow.   GLADYS ALDRIDGE R.I.P. The funeral of Gladys Aldridge will take place on Thursday 23 March at 12.30 in the church followed by refreshments at the Three Horseshoes in Knockholt .  All friends and neighbours welcome.   MOTHERING SUNDAY CAKE/GIFT/PLANT SALE On March 19, after our Mothering Sunday service there will be a cake, gift and plant sale. If you happen to be dividing perennial plants in the next few weeks, as you get your garden ready for spring, and you have some spare plants,  we would be grateful of them. They can be brought to church on the day, or left on the vicarage doorstep before then. We will also be asking for cakes and small gifts, so please let us know if you can help. CONFIRMATION SERVICE Saturday May 27th 4pm in Westerham. Would you like to be confirmed? Please let me know if you would like to be prepared to make this commitment. SEAL CHURCH CLOCK Are you missing the chiming of Seal Church clock? So are we! The mechanism, which is over 150 years old, is badly in need of repair. It will cost around £6000 to do the job, which will involve dismantling the clock, getting it down the tower stairs and taking it to the clock repairers workshop, then doing the whole operation in reverse when it is complete. If you can help with raising the money for this you can donate here https://givealittle.co/campaigns/08d6ce0f-43b4-4d7a-aee7-b94c269b0555, or by cheque payable to Friends of St Peter and St Paul Church" or in cash delivered to The Vicarage, Church Street, Seal, TN15 0AR We're hoping the repairs can be started as soon as possible!